Dressing for this New Chapter

If I could have kept every outfit I’ve ever loved, I’m quite certain I could’ve opened a charming little storefront… complete with accessories, stories, and the memory stitched into every sleeve. I’ve always enjoyed putting together outfits. I think it began as early as junior high… mixing textures, colors, and mood to create a sense of self through clothes. Over the years, of course, I’ve edited my wardrobe many times.

When we moved to our tiny beach cottage along the coast, closet space was nearly nonexistent. I pared down just a few essentials and found creative ways to tuck things here and there. It taught me something about simplicity… and how much I actually need. Later, when we moved further inland, I turned one of the bedrooms into a full closet (a dream come true!), And naturally, my wardrobe grew again.

Now, in this townhome… our new space, our new season… I find myself returning once more to that idea of less. Thankfully, our primary bedroom has two generous closets, and my sweet husband offered his up for me. (I happily accepted; of course). Still, I’ve let go of so much. My style continues to change…sometimes monthly it seems…and lately, the guiding principle has become comfort.

But not just physical comfort… emotional comfort, too. What feels right? What feels like me? What helps me walk out into this new chapter with ease, with grace, and maybe a bit of polish? High heels are a thing of the past.(though I’ve saved one pair just in case), and my go-to boots and soft campus sneakers are in regular rotation. I no longer dress for a career, or a season of rushing… I dress for living. For walking Camille. For lingering over coffee. For welcoming a neighbor.

There’s a quiet joy to that. To dressing in a way that matches the rhythm of my days… slower, more rooted, more real. It’s less about keeping up, and more about being present. The pieces I reach for now don’t just fit my body… they fit my life.

Even the colors I’m drawn to have shifted. Where I once leaned towards soft pinks, I now find myself reaching for the calm of light blue… a shade that feels like exhale, like open skies, like peace. It’s subtle, but it’s part of the soft reshaping that’s happening from the inside out.

This season is teaching me that style doesn’t need to shout to be heard. Sometimes, it whispers… through the drape of a favorite sweater, the edge of a beloved scarf, the ease of shoes made for walking. I’m not dressing for anything other than this life… the one I’m building one gentle step at a time.

Next Week, I’ll share how that same heart has shaped our home…how I’ve been creating a space that feels grounded, welcoming, and truly ours.