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Thrifty Wife Happy Life

Helping women love what they wear on a budget

What I Wore Then vs. What I Wore Now

February 16, 2022 by Katie Haller

 

It’s time for another What I Wore Then vs. What I Wore Now post!! I absolutely love doing this series.  It’s a chance for me to share how my style has evolved, but also show how I am still wearing some of the same clothes that I wore 8 years ago.  The outfits may change with the times, but the pieces you wear don’t need to.  You don’t need to run out and buy a new wardrobe every year.  You can just build upon what you already have and find new ways to wear your clothes.

*This post contains affiliate links.

Not only is it fun for me to see how my style has changed over the years, but it’s also fun to see how far I have come as a blogger.  I look back to some of these pictures and think “What was I thinking?  Was I aware of a little thing called natural lighting?”  😂 I’ve learned how to stand, how to edit and the advancements in the iPhone have made my outfit selfies much better over the years. Beyond all that, it also reminds me of how far I have come in my style journey.   

Outfit #1

I’ve been wanting to update this outfit ever since I came across it.  The idea of the outfit is great. Stripes and a cardigan are always a good look, but the fit and look of this outfit just don’t fit into 2022.  I don’t love the stripe pattern on this shirt.  The way the stripes are bunched up together then leaving big breaks of white just don’t flow as well as a consistent even stripe pattern.  Also, the cardigan is supposed to be a cocoon-style opening, but it looks like it’s been stretched out or washed too many times.  It’s just not laying right. 

Changes for 2022

To update this outfit I took a white navy striped v-neck t-shit and layered my gray boyfriend cardigan over it.  For the jeans, I pair my high-waisted distressed straight jeans.  I replaced my beloved Toms (did anyone else have these shoes?) with a pair of mules.  I decided to leave the belt because it didn’t fit into the look I was going for, but I do like that my shoes have a little detail with the buckles to pull the look together. 

Updated a striped shirt and gray cardigan with jeans.

 

 
 

Outfit #2

I actually still really love this outfit. Chambray and a black blazer are a good combination and who doesn’t love that combo with some leopard flats?  I remember wearing this outfit to work and feeling really confident in it.  As I remember, it was one of my favorite work outfits at the time.

Changes for 2022

I still have the chambray shirt so this look was easy to recreate.  I traded in the low-rise black jeggings for a pair of high-waisted cropped black jeans from Express.  The blazer I wore then was from Forever 21 and it always had a weird fit.  That blazer is long gone, so I updated it with a new black blazer that I thrifted at ThredUp.  I updated the leopard ballet flats with a pointed toe leopard flat.  I decided to keep the brown belt but lose the beaded red necklace.  If I wanted to pull some color into this look, I could always add some color in with my earrings or a purse. 

Black jeans with a chambray shirt and blazer is always a classic look.
 
 

 

Outfit #3

This is another work outfit from my days as an assistant director of a child care center.  I was all about the colored skinny jeans trend of the early 2010s!  I often wore these red jeans I found on clearance at Kohls for $5.  The top is a Jessica Simpson button-down tank I bought on clearance at Meijer while grocery shopping. And the shoes are my Tory Burch dupes that I bought on clearance at DSW.  Those were my go-to flats during my early years of blogging.  I was obsessed!
 

Changes for 2022

To update this outfit I replaced the polka-dot blouse with a more timeless polka-dot blouse.  I shared this LC Lauren Conrad blouse in my last Then vs. Now post.  It still gets a lot of use in my wardrobe.  I switched out the red skinny jeans for a pair of draw-string rust orange pants.  I still love to add a pop of color to my outfits through my pants.  I also replaced my black Target cardigan with an updated Target cardigan.  (Target cardigans are always a staple in my wardrobe.) For shoes, I went with my mules.  These have a similar feel to the Tory Burch dupe flats.  They both have metal on the shoe which gives them some extra details. 
 
Bright colored pants with a polka dot shirt and a black cardigan
 
 
 
 
 

Outfit #4

I always thought that you could never go wrong with a black dress and a denim jacket until I saw this outfit and realized that you can go wrong when you add a big floral scarf to it.  😂 I don’t have anything against scarves, but back in the early 2010s’, we were adding scarves to everything!! Now, I rarely wear a scarf with a layer, unless the layer is a winter coat.  
 

Changes for 2022

The first thing I did to update this outfit was obviously to lose the scarf! The dress I was wearing in the first look was a hand-me-down dress that was very cute on, but was too small for me, so I no longer have that dress.  I replaced it with a simple 3/4 length sleeve black dress.  A dress like this stays in style forever so it’s always nice to have.  I updated my denim jacket with a longer denim jacket.  Instead of the scarf as my pop of pattern, I used a leopard belt. For shoes, I traded the flat riding boots for a pair of knee-high boots with a heel. 
A black dress with a denim jacket and knee high boots.
 
 
 
 
 
 
I hope that these outfit updates can help you see how you can take the clothes that you always loved in your wardrobe and give them a 2022 makeover!!  Look for more What I Wore Then vs. What I Wore Now posts!!  I’ve been at this blog for 8 years, so I have plenty more outfits to update!! 
 
 
Outfits that I have worn in the past and updated.

 

Related posts:

Default ThumbnailWhat I Wore: Family Beach Vacation to Lake Michigan Default ThumbnailWhat I Wore Then vs. What I Wore Now Easy travel outfit ideas4 Easy Travel Outfit Ideas To Wear For Spring Break

Filed in: Affordable Fashion, blogging, What I Wore Then vs. Now • by Katie Haller • 2 Comments

Comments

  1. surfcitysocal

    February 28, 2022 at 8:51 pm

    Very nice updates. Just little changes make all the difference. Terrific post!

    Reply

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  1. How to Wear Tall Boots This Fall - Thrifty Wife Happy Life says:
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    […] ways to update my outfits, but still stay true to my own personal style (Read my posts on that HERE) that’s why these boots are the perfect addition to my wardrobe for […]

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Hi I'm Katie! Welcome to my blog! I am on a mission to help women build a wardrobe that they love without spending a lot of money doing it. I believe that everyone has the right to feel good in their outfit, no matter what your budget is! I am excited to have you here!
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Katie || Affordable Fashion
I found some fun pieces on my latest @amazon order I found some fun pieces on my latest @amazon order! Here's how they look! 

T-shirt hoodie- $21.50- I love this top! It feels like a t-shirt so it's perfect for layering under jackets! 

Flare leggings $24.99- aka yoga pants. These pants take me back to the early 2000's. I am loving them! 

Tunic $24.98- Love this tunic! It's a great length. Perfect for layering under sweaters! 

Matte faux leather leggings- These are the best faux leather legging dupe for the Spanx I have found so far! 

Wide leg trousers- I have loved these pants on everyone else, but they weren't my favorites. I still felt that they are a great pair of trousers! 

Check out my stories for more details! Everything is linked on the @shop.ltk app and also in my Amazon Storefront. You can find both in the link in my bio!! 

#amazonhaul #amazoninfluencer #amazontryon #amazonfashion #amazonfinds #affordablefashion #amazonblogger #momstyle #everydaystyle #momootd #casualstyle #winterstyle #leggings #flareleggings #fauxleatherleggings
These black Converse Chucks are my first thrifted These black Converse Chucks are my first thrifted purchase of 2023 for $7.99! I found them at @goodwillmidmich! Here's a casual way to wear them with joggers! 

#thriftythursday #thriftfinds #goodwillfinds #converse #thriftedfashion #thriftstorefinds #thriftedfashion #winteroutfitideas #casualstyle #momstyle #momootd #momstyle #outfitinspiration #michiganblogger #joggerstyle
I've been in a winter outfit rut for the last mont I've been in a winter outfit rut for the last month. All I want to do is throw on a big cozy sweater with some leggings and call it a day. That’s why today, to help myself get out of my winter outfit funk, I wanted to switch it up a little bit and put together a workwear winter capsule wardrobe post.

Today on the blog I am sharing 15 neutral workwear pieces with 20 outfit ideas. Head over to the blog for all the outfit details! 

Blog- www.thriftywifehappylife.com (link in bio)

Capsule items are also linked on the @shop.ltk app! Follow @thriftywifehappylife for details or go to the link in my bio! 

#capsulewardrobe #winterwardrobe #winterworkwear #workwear #businesscasual #workingmom #workwearstyle #workwearwednesday #workstyle #whattowear #howtowearit #momstyle #affordablefashion #teacherstyle #shopyourcloset
My husband and I have plans to have a night away f My husband and I have plans to have a night away from the kids this weekend. I've been brainstorming some outfit ideas for our date night. Which top do you like best with these jeans? 

🛍How to shop my outfits🛍
✨Download the free @shop.ltk app and follow @thriftywifehappylife for all my outfit details! 
✨ Click on the link in my bio to find links to both my LTK shopping page and my blog! 
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Do you have a short cardigan in your wardrobe? Her Do you have a short cardigan in your wardrobe? Here are some ways you can style them for winter! 

This sweater is out of stock but I linked some of my favorite short cardigans on the @shop.ltk app! Follow @thriftywifehappylife or go to the link in my bio! 

#cardigans #howtowearit #outfitideas4you #winteroutfits #sweaterweather #whattowear #midweststyle #michiganblogger #momstyle #momoutfits #styletips #styleinspo #styleblogger #momstyleblogger
🖤 What I wore this week as a SAHM! 🖤 I have 🖤 What I wore this week as a SAHM! 🖤

I have another round up of cozy outfits! I have to admit that I have been in a bit of a style rut! The lack of sunshine has made it really hard for me to feel motivated to get creative with my outfits and I've been finding myself repeating the same clothes over and over again. 

That's why this week I built each outfit around one piece in my wardrobe that I haven't worn in a while. I have a lot of clothes and sometimes rediscovering pieces that I love help my outfits feel more fun and creative! 

🛍How to shop my outfits🛍
✨Download the free @shop.ltk app and follow @thriftywifehappylife for all my outfit details! 
✨ Click on the link in my bio for my shopping page on my blog!
✨ Message me if you have any questions or need any help finding a link! 😊
✨ Go to my SAHM Outfit highlight for all the links to my everyday outfits! 

#sahmoutfit #styleinspo #momoutfitinspo #momstyle #momootd #wiw #momiform #dailystyleideas #dailyoutfits #dailyoutfitinspo #ootdfashion
Get ready with me on a gloomy winter day! Even whe Get ready with me on a gloomy winter day! Even when I have no plans of leaving the house, I still want to wear an outfit that makes me feel good! Cozy sweatshirts, leggings and socks have been helping me get through these dark winter days. 

Out for details 
Leggings- @amazon
Sweatshirt- @oldnavy 
Tunic- Old Navy
Necklace- @silverado_jewelry (code: KATIE10)
Socks- Amazon

Shopping details are linked on the @shop.ltk app! Download the free app and follow @thriftywifehappylife or go to the link in my bio! 

#ltkstyletip #ltkunder50 #sahmoutfit #outfitideas #outfitideas4you #grwm #momstyle #momootd #momiform #cozyoutfit #momlife #winteroutfitideas
More pictures is a request I have gotten from a lo More pictures is a request I have gotten from a lot of people in the last year, so I'm going to do my best this year to  incorporate more picture posts! I miss them too! 

This leopard blouse is one of my favorite tops in my wardrobe! Which way is your favorite?

🛍How to shop my outfits🛍
✨Download the free @shop.ltk app and follow @thriftywifehappylife for all my outfit details! 
✨ Click on the link in my bio to find links to both my LTK shopping page and my blog! 
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