Growing Into My Wardrobe: From Teen Trends to Timeless Staples

In high school, my style was all about layering lacy camis, flared jeans and ballet flats—the unofficial uniform of the mid to late 2000s. I considered more what my peers would like to see on me rather than what I might like to see on myself. Shopping was more about picking out things that were trending than finding pieces that actually felt like me, though that isn’t to say I didn’t like them. Style is acutely personal at that age, but it’s navigated under a tidal wave of peer pressure, which tended to affect the choices I made.

Today, my style is increasingly intentional, and that shift has come only with age and (hopefully) wisdom. I still love a great cardigan, but now it's a timeless, textural knit instead of a tight, shoulder-grazing shrug. I pay more attention to how pieces fit, how they’re made and how well they'll hold up over time. I gravitate toward colors I’m passionate about and I love mixing textures to create looks with more depth.

Part of my style evolution stemmed from starting to shop secondhand at places like Style Encore. Having a curated selection of gently used pieces took a lot of the guesswork out of the chore that secondhand shopping can sometimes be. Finding quality clothes that fit the style choices I make today—without sacrificing my budget—has become a welcome part of my style journey. Seventeen years removed from my seventeen-year-old self, I’ve learned that style is about feeling at home in whatever you wear. When I think about my closet now, it finally feels like it fits.

Blog By: Chelsea Lankford | @truelane