Looking Back, Looking Forward
Style thoughts, old year and new
2025 draws to a close. This year…
I bought 26 pieces of new-to-me clothes and spent about 500 euros. I only bought second hand items.
I also got some amazing freebies, like a stunning 1940s wool dress and two vintage hats. The hats are a real game changer.
I sold 31 pieces from my own wardrobe.
I was mostly absent from Substack. I wrote a fair bit but published very little.
I wore a lot of black.
The biggest influencing factor in my style was John Kitchener’s style essence theory. I’m not equipped to write about it yet, but I find it thoroughly intriguing and eye-opening.
For the first time since 2008 I didn’t buy the print edition of Vogue Collections. It’s so poorly edited these days, the paper quality is garbage, and the price astronomical.
I found a way to keep an eye on what’s happening in fashion without feeling overwhelmed. I enjoy Lewis’s IG account and during fashion weeks I follow conversations on The Fashion Spot.
My interest in antique clothes has reached new levels. The more I see and touch properly old garments, the more evident it is that current clothes are mostly garbage. The difference in fabric quality and workmanship is astounding.
I’ve been drawn to Finnish national costumes. One day I hope to own and wear a full costume. This one from Mäntsälä is my favorite.
For 2026 I hope to…
Buy fewer than 26 pieces of clothing.
Keep my spending to a minimum.
Write and publish more on Substack.
Buy a sewing machine.
Spend less time looking at screens.
Read more books.
See more art.
Thank you for tagging along this year. I wish everyone a happy New Year 2026!
I'm happy that one of your goals is to post more often.
I aspire to those goals—-minus the sewing machine. I have no fine motor skills! Thank you for sharing the information about the Helene Schjerfbeck show! Went last weekend and was transfixed. One room had a series of her self portraits in chronological order and it was extraordinary!