So, this whole “fashion grow” thing. I figured, yeah, I’m gonna get on that. Time to elevate my style, you know? Be more intentional, less of a walking mess from the sales rack. Sounded good, didn’t it?

I started by trying to, like, curate my closet. That’s the fancy word they use. Basically, I threw out a bunch of old stuff. Then I read all these articles about “capsule wardrobes.” The idea is you have, like, ten pieces of clothing and they all magically go together. Seemed smart. Less thinking in the morning, right?
Well, let me tell you. First off, picking those “perfect” ten pieces? Took me weeks. I was making lists, spreadsheets, the whole nine yards. It was like a military operation just to get dressed. And then, guess what? I got bored. Really bored. Wearing the same beige and black felt like I was in a stylish prison.
Then I thought, okay, maybe it’s not about having less, but having better stuff. You know, “investment pieces.” Things that last. So I started looking into that. And holy moly, the prices! For one “timeless” coat, I could buy, like, twenty of my old, not-so-timeless ones. And who even decides what’s timeless? Fashion changes all the time, that’s the whole point, isn’t it?
I actually bought one of those expensive “classic” white shirts. Cost a fortune. Supposed to be super versatile. Wore it once. Spilled coffee down the front. Tried to wash it fancy, like the label said. It shrunk. So much for “investment.” More like an investment in disappointment.
And don’t even get me started on trying to be “sustainable.” I went down that rabbit hole. Organic cotton, recycled fabrics, locally made. All great ideas, seriously. But trying to build a whole wardrobe that way? You need a second mortgage and a private investigator to figure out if brands are actually telling the truth about where their stuff comes from.

It’s a bit like these companies trying to use all the cool new tech. They grab a bit of this, a bit of that, and end up with a system that’s a nightmare to manage. My “fashion grow” project? It turned into a closet full of expensive mistakes, clothes I was scared to wear, and a general feeling of being more stressed about clothes than ever before.
So, what happened? Well, I kind of gave up on the grand plan. My “fashion grow” journey ended up with me just going back to basics. I buy stuff I genuinely like, stuff that’s comfortable, and stuff I’m not terrified of ruining. If it lasts, great. If it doesn’t, well, lesson learned. Maybe “growing” my fashion sense was actually about growing out of all that pressure and just wearing what makes me feel decent without overthinking it. It’s definitely less exhausting.