107/ What I'm Wearing: Weeks 23-25

Where I'm at in my style journey, why I'm okay with it, and a couple of summer shoe recs.

What I’m Wearing is a series where I share all of the outfits I’ve worn over a given week (or two), along with styling notes, links and related thoughts. If you see an outfit you like on my Instagram, you’ll find it here.

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Dearest gentle reader,¹

If you’ve been a subscriber for a while, you’ll know that a prominent theme of In Moda Veritas is to help you build a functional and versatile wardrobe that you love. Given the wide range of readers,² all with their own set of needs and at varying stages of wardrobe building, I spend hours upon hours researching and sourcing for this newsletter,³ both online or in-store, and in the process I come across a lot of clothes.

I often get asked, “How do you not want to buy everything?!” Usually, my answer is along the lines of knowing what I love and need, being sensible, and having mortgage to pay, i.e. some form the 5 Questions I Ask Myself Before I Buy Anything.

More recently, however, I’ve had a different answer, one that I’ve been hesitant to express openly because it has brought on a serious case of cognitive dissonance: for the last, say, six months, I’ve had very little desire, and have even been adverse to buying anything for myself.

Why did this make me feel badly? Because I asked myself: am I like the (alleged) developers at Apple who engineer addictive devices, but don’t let their own kids have phones? I am being insincere, or worse, hypocritical by sharing, yes, my styling knowledge (not necessarily about buying), but also, my shopping tips (unequivocally about buying)? Will my readers (and clients) think that I’m not “current” or “in the know,” and in turn, will I lose relevancy and credibility as a stylist and Substacker?

To be clear, I’m not on a self-imposed “no buy,” nor do I feel as though I’m “in a rut.” When I look through my wardrobe, when I wear my clothes, the overwhelming feeling I get is…I’m good.

I genuinely don’t feel like I need anything, nor do I even want anything. I don’t even to want to want anything! I’m indifferent to the fact that in a few days I’ll be packing the same suitcase that I’ve packed for my last four warm weather trips (swimsuits excluded lol). I’m content with wearing and re-wearing what I already have and coming up unexpected combinations of what I already own. I. Am. Good.

I guess I’ve realized that, for now, I’m content with smelling the roses that are blooming in the garden that I’ve nurtured over the years. I see a lot of things that, were it last year, my response may have been “I NEED THIS IN MY LIFE!” whereas now I think, “oh, that’s so good/beautiful/useful” and file it away in my brain for potential use in the future. I’m also aware that this is how I feel now, but who knows, maybe by next season, I’ll have the itch to seek out something new. Or, not!

And when I drill down further, I’m not even sure I would describe my wardrobe as “current” anyway. It does, however, become more and more me every year. Besides the re-wearing of older pieces, I’ve noticed the proportion of my wardrobe that is second-hand/vintage grows every year. At age 43, I’ve seen my fair share of styles come and go. I’ve held on to what works for me, and have let go of what doesn’t, in season or not. These days, seldom do I come across something in season that: a) truly feels “new,” b) I love/need, and c) is also a reasonable purchase for me, especially given rising prices and a corresponding drop in quality. I’m turning more and more to the second-hand market for those special pieces.

(When I say “for me,” I mean, it may be a reasonable purchase for you. There is no right or wrong, or any judgement here. We are all at different stages of wardrobe building, working within our own budgets, and shopping according to our own values.)

And, of course, big caveat — even though I’m not actively seeking anything out for myself, I still come across pieces that I love and think would be a great addition to my wardrobe. If, serendipitously, I happen to cross paths with a suede fringed YSL jacket or a patterned sequinned Dries midi skirt at a resale store which takes my breath away, great! But, I haven’t had the feeling of I NEED THIS IN MY LIFE in a while.

Anyway, I’ve spent the past few months stewing over this and I’ve concluded that where I’m at personally is not at odds with my work as a stylist and, now, a Substacker.

Just because I’m not actively trying to build my own wardrobe, it doesn’t mean that I’m not excited by (and derive immense satisfaction from) helping you build yours. Even though I’ve had little interest in scoring any sales for myself for the past two seasons, I’m happy when I find something for you. Do I need summer corporate workwear or elevated shorts for my lifestyle? No, but I know many of you do, so I’m happy to employ the ol’ buy and return to put those newsletters together. And although you may be seeing many of the same pieces over and over again in my What I’m Wearing columns, I try to write about the pieces in general terms so that you can apply the principles to your own wardrobe.

Anyway, I sat down two days ago to start this piece, and two days later, I’m still editing the intro!

Onto my outfits from the past few weeks:

Both: old Agolde denim bermudas (similar). L: Polo Ralph Lauren rugby shirt via Poshmark (a couple on eBay), Chanel slingbacks via VSP Consignment (get 10% off regular price with code IRENEKIM10), Cuyana System tote. R: husband’s Transit shirt, Margiela Tabis via 2nd Street, bag made by my sister.

I’ve written so much already, so I’ll save this topic for another newsletter: I want to talk about the pieces you’ve owned for a long time that you wear in phases, e.g. these denim bermudas. I bought them in 2017(?), wore them a lot until 2020, and didn’t touch them again until recently. After four years, they feel fresh to me, especially when I pair them with my newer pieces.

Another example: my burgundy Tod’s loafers that I bought in 2013(?). From 2017-2019 I gave them to my sister-in-law because I wasn’t feeling them. 2019 rolls around and I want a loafer in my wardrobe, so I took them back. I’ve been wearing them regularly ever since, and they were a go-to shoe this year.

Finally (for this newsletter, anyway), this Tibi skirt. I wore it a ton when I first got it in 2022 and for the first half of 2023, but it didn’t get much wear through this past fall/winter season. Now, it seems to be back in the rotation.

L: Riand28 Grace top (get 10% off with the code IRENE10), Tibi balloon skirt, Toteme Sharp slingbacks, APC Eva bag. R: Loulou Studios Limba tank, Aritzia lace skirt via Poshmark, vintage Prada top handle bag via 1132 Consignment, vintage Christian Lacroix mules via VSP Consignment (get 10% off regular price with code IRENEKIM10).

I put these two “same same but different” outfits side-by-side because I wore them within 12 hours of each other to “same same but different” events. Both were for professional audiences, but on the left, I was on my way to a (rare for me) corporate event, and on the right, to an important meeting, but for a fashion-adjacent audience. What do they communicate to you?

T-Line Isabel shirt, Zara skirt, Los Angeles Apparel jellies.

With all the hype around jellies, for a cool C$25, I ordered these Los Angeles Apparel jellies for research purposes (sadly not a write-off per my recent Ask A Lawyer newsletter). I received many “bring bandaids” messages on Instagram, but as it turned out, I didn’t need any: I walked 11K steps (8km) without pain, pinching or blisters. I even had a healing blister on the back of one heel, and it wasn’t further aggravated. In the reviews, many people said they sized up, but I took TTS. They’re snug, but maybe that’s a good thing so that your feet don’t move around in them and chafe? Also, the toe box is narrow, but with my bunion, my toes point in that direction anyway!

Speaking of shoes, my go-to summer sandal for the past few summers has been the Ancient Greek Celia sandal. I noticed recently that the brand released the Chordi, a similarly streamlined sandal, but with a thicker sole.

And a few other outfits I’ve been kicking around in:

Sezane Tomboy shirt, Tibi denim skirt, Arizona Love pearl trekkies, APC Eva bag, Bottega shield sunglasses.

Zara dress, APC Grace bag (mine is “small” and this one on Posh is “regular”), The Row Canal slipper via I Miss You Vintage.

Celine wool sweater via Rag Tag, Cecilie Bahnsen Fabiola skirt via eBay, Rag & Bone Elly flat via Poshmark, (eBay), APC Grace bag (mine is “small” and this one on Posh is “regular”).

Final outfit! Our neighbourhood threw an ‘80s block party a couple of weekends ago. Originally I was leaning towards an 80s YSL inspired outfit because I had picked up a vintage YSL piece in Tokyo last summer (bottom right):

As I was scrolling Pinterest, I came across this photo of Princess Diana and thought and it reminded me of a Peter Pilotto dress I have, but rarely wear. Done and done!

Peter Pilotto dress, Tom Ford mules via VSP Consignment (get 10% off regular price with code IRENEKIM10).

1. I just finished Bridgerton S3 and couldn’t help myself.

2. It’s wild to me that In Moda Veritas is read in 124 countries!

3. And for my private clients!