#personal style

[clotheshorsepodcast]

Tomorrow is the first day of REDUCE REFUSE RESIST. We are getting started with tomorrow's economic blackout.  Let's do this!  If you're like "WTF is REDUCE REFUSE RESIST," go check out the pinned post on my profile.  

And while we're talking about totally changing our relationship with shopping and consumerism (and using it as a political force), let's talk about clothes.

On average, Americans buy about 70 new articles of clothing each year.

If you’re shocked by that or you haven’t bought new clothes in years...remember that this is an average. That means if you bought no new clothes this year, someone else bought 140 garments. Over the past 15 years, the amount of clothing produced each year has doubled, while the amount of time we actually wear a new item has dropped by 40%. Most garments are only worn about 7 times!!! 😖

And the thing is....it's a lot easier to buy 70 new items of clothing in a year than you might think, thanks to online shopping, free shipping thresholds ("free shipping over $50," etc), and super duper cheap ultra fast fashion like SHEIN and Temu.

There is already too much clothing on this planet. And no, we aren't running out of secondhand clothing (so please stop telling people that they shouldn't thrift). All of us must make a shift into a more ethical and sustainable wardrobe.

While plenty of brands and retailers are happy to offer us brand new "sustainable" collections, the reality is the most sustainable and ethical clothing is...clothing that already exists! Some experts believe that we need to buy 75% less brand new clothing. And it's a lot easier than you think!

A sustainable wardrobe isn't JUST shopping secondhand (although that's a part of it), it's also rewearing the things you already own, extending the life of your clothing via repair and care, and sharing/swapping/rehoming things you no longer wear.

As we REDUCE REFUSE RESIST, it's a great time to reevaluate the clothes we already have and get comfortable with buying a lot less new clothes long after March is ever. It's a great time to learn new habits! So let's do this!!!

[aromanticduck]

Shorts count as trousers. Leggings also count if you want them to.

[cynicalneoprincessism]

Club kid look for a friend's birthday last month, we went to karaoke then a queer club night. I didn't get any proper outfit pics but here's what I did get~ The last pic is one the event took and shared!! 💖

Bonnet - DelightsWorld Teddy - Vintage Shoes - Demonia

[callmedaisy]

Vintage book covers

[nyc-looks]

Nicquan

“I’m wearing a Claude Monet shirt, thrifted Banana Republic cargo shorts with a turban and moon boots. I’ve recently been exploring earthy and natural beauty and tones for my style.”

Apr 26, 2025 ∙ Chelsea

[incognitopolls]

We ask your questions so you don’t have to! Submit your questions to have them posted anonymously as polls.

[glowettee]

✧ why i believe in dressing up even when no one's watching ✧

hey lovelies! ✨

there's something almost magical about putting on your favorite outfit when you have absolutely nowhere to go. i know it might sound silly to some people, why bother getting dressed up if nobody's going to see you? but seriously? those are the moments when dressing up matters most to me.

✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧

i remember last sunday morning, the rain tapping against my window, my plans completely canceled. instead of staying in my pajamas (which would have been the "logical" choice), i put on my favorite satin slip dress, did my makeup, and even added a little hair bow. my sister thought i was crazy, but there was something so powerful about choosing to look pretty just for myself.

the truth is, when we dress up only for others, we're giving away a little piece of our magic. we're saying that our beauty, our effort, our aesthetic only matters when someone else can validate it. and i don't believe that's true at all.

✧ the secret relationship with yourself ✧

when i put on a beautiful outfit just to read a book or make tea in my home, i'm nurturing the most important relationship in my life, the one with myself. it's like sending a little love letter to my soul that says, "you deserve pretty things even when no one is looking."

i've noticed that on days when i make the effort, my thoughts are different. i sit differently. i move through my space with more intention. my journal entries are more honest. my self-talk is kinder. it's like the outside beauty creates a little pathway for the inside beauty to shine through.

✧ the everyday as a special occasion ✧

we're always waiting for the "perfect moment" to wear that special dress or use the fancy perfume. but what if tuesday morning could be special too? what if making breakfast could be an occasion? what if simply existing in your body was reason enough to celebrate with your favorite clothes?

i keep a little list in my notes app of outfits that make me feel like the main character, and i've made it a personal rule not to "save" them only for special occasions. that silk blouse i love? perfect for a random wednesday. those pretty earrings i usually save for parties? they make doing laundry feel glamorous.

✧ the ripple effect of self-adornment ✧

there's this beautiful ripple effect that happens when you start dressing up for yourself. you begin to curate other parts of your life with the same loving attention. your morning routine becomes more sacred. your space becomes more intentional. you start to ask yourself, "what would make this moment feel special to me?" rather than "what's the bare minimum i need right now?"

i've found myself buying flowers more often, lighting candles on random afternoons, using the "good" dishes for ordinary meals. dressing up for no reason has taught me that everyday life deserves celebration too.

✧ a little secret between you and the universe ✧

there's something so intimate about being all dressed up with nowhere to go. it's like a little secret between you and the universe, a whispered promise that you don't need external validation to honor your own beauty.

sometimes i'll put on my favorite dress and red lipstick just to write in my journal or water my plants. nobody sees it except me (and maybe my cat), but it feels like a tiny rebellion against the idea that beauty needs an audience.

✧ the practice of showing up for yourself ✧

ultimately, dressing up when no one's watching is a practice in showing up for yourself. it's saying, "i am worth the effort, even when that effort goes unseen." it's recognizing that you are always worthy of your own attention and care.

so the next time you find yourself alone with a free afternoon, try putting on something that makes your heart flutter. not for instagram, not for compliments, just for the quiet joy of being exactly who you are, adorned exactly as you please.

you might be surprised how different your day feels when you're dressed for the occasion of simply being yourself.

xoxo, mindy

[thegardenofbae]

I cannot OVER-EXPRESS how critical it is for you to identify your codes of dress and start recognizing patterns in your outfits/wardrobe - and what you often repeat. It will truly make the practice of building a wardrobe that embodies you, not only easier, but 100x more pleasureable. For instance: a/w - you’re more than likely to catch me in a some variation of an LBD paired with a tights with a denier range between 20-100, and finished off with a pair of pumps or knee high boots. Instant banger - and SO many variations to choose from. Just some food for thought 💭

[verbrannt74]

Style is spectrum

A small thing about style topic. Some personal stuff below!

I could never figure out which I like more: messy sketchy lines or clean shapes? painting or drawing? realistic or over-stylized? It's possible to make up an abyss of styles! For me a style is a part of a story/feeling a drawing shows, so I'll never can choose only one.

[khozee-gorl]

Curio Earrings by Alemais

[femmefatalevibe]

Femme Fatale Guide: Lingerie Essentials Every Women Should Own

Simple everyday bra and underwear sets in black and nude that match your skin tone: Think of items like a lined bra and seamless thong/bikini panty set. My favorites are the SKIMS Fits Everybody Push-Up Bra paired with the matching Fits Everybody Thong and the Natori Feathers bra paired with the Natori French Cut Briefs.

Sexy yet practical bra and underwear sets: Sexier options you can still wear every day and look good under your clothes. Consider an all-lace or animal print bra with coordinating all-lace or sheer underwear – love the bra options from Chantelle, Natori, Cosabella, and Simone Perele (these are pricey, so I look for them on sale) paired with Natori or Cosabella underwear. My favorite styles are the Natori Push-Up bras (I'm super flat-chested, so I need it for my clothes to fit properly, lol – otherwise the Natori Flora Contour Underwire Bra is stunning) with the Cosabella Never Say Never Comfie Thong & Natori Bliss Allure Lace Full Brief.

Ultra-sexy bra and underwear sets: Less so for clothes, more for yourself or for show. I love Fleur Du Mal for these bra/underwear lingerie sets.

Strapless bra: Natori Feather Strapless Bra. Thank me later!!

Lace bralette: Something comfortable that still feels a bit sexy. I love the options from Journelle, Cosabella, and Natori.

Satin/silk robe: To wear after the shower or around the house. Lilysilk, Victoria's Secret, Cosabella, and Fleur Du Mal have great options.

A quality pair of black tights: I love HUE and Wolford! The control top ones always feel the best for me, personally.

Sheer black thigh-highs with lace-stay-up detailing: Natori Feather range ftw yet again!

Sheer black tights with or without back seam detailing: Hue and Wolford, always!

Simple bodysuit/shapewear bodysuit: The SKIMS ones are great.

Elevated shapewear bodysuit (in a fabric like satin, lace, or vegan leather): I love the Spanx Shaping Satin Thong Bodysuit and the Commando Faux Leather bodysuit – perfect to wear with a pair of jeans and a blazer.

High-waisted sculpting underwear: SKIMS Seamless Sculpt is my favorite (runs on the smaller side!)

Satin slip dress: Can be worn at home or with a blazer/leather jacket for a night out.

Fully lace or lace trim slip dress: If wearing it alone could run someone's life, you're doing it right. Love the one from Cosabella. If you want to wear it out, try a vegan leather bralette, an opaque black brief, and lace or sheer black tights for a "naked" dress look or black pants/denim for a night-out look. Otherwise, save this one to feel sexy while relaxing at home or to wow a partner any night of the week. If you want some ultra-glamorous options, I suggest checking out Oséree but their items are $$$$ as a fair warning.

Satin/silk cami & shorts or pants set: For some equally comfortable and sexy loungewear or pajama options. I love styles with lace trim for that added feminine touch.

[clotheshorsepodcast]

There won’t be a new episode of the podcast this week because I’m still kinda hoarse and cough-y from a cold (but feeling so much better). 

So we’re going to spend this week talking about why new clothes are kinda garbage these days, how tariffs and the end of the de minimus loophole will make that worse, and we’ll jump into a series about fabrics. It’s gonna be busy around here!

New clothes ARE kinda garbage these days, from low quality synthetic fabrics...to zippers that are a problem from the very first wear...to lack of detail and poor fit. And the low quality and short lifespan of this clothing is creating an environmental and ethical crisis for the planet and its people.

Just about every garment produced by fast fashion brands starts as a great design....that is “too expensive” to make in order to meet pricing and profitability targets. So the team chips away at it until the math starts to math. And often you’re left with something that only slightly resembles the original design.

Last year I released a three part series of the podcast about why new clothes are kinda garbage these days.

Among other things in that series, we discuss:

★ What is planned obsolescence and how does it impact cars, phones, electronics...and clothing?

★ The process of clothing creation, from design to sample to finished product.

★ The changes buyers make to hit the profitability targets set by company leadership.

★ How fabric is a big part of the formula (and why so many garments are synthetic now).

★ How overproduction is impacting product quality.

★ How the illusion of free shipping is widening economic inequality AND driving down the quality of the things we buy.

★ How the nonstop parade of DEALZ DEALZ DEALZ is also responsible for a sharp decrease in clothing quality

★ And how/why brands will continue to make terrible clothes as long as we are still buying them.

See? I told you it is a lot to break down! You can start the series with episode 187.

So now tell me: what is your least favorite thing about new clothes these days?

[aromanticduck]

Image example of what I'm talking about:

[cynicalneoprincessism]

My look for seeing Sasha Velour last year. I gave her a little zine I made for her and she loved it! You can see the zine here and here if you're interested, the middle page has a pop up bit!

Dress - Tunnel Vision Shoes - Angelic Imprint Bag - Offbrand

[callmedaisy]

Bodice and apron 1830s