It’s time for another What I Wore Then vs. What I Wore Now post! This is one of my favorite series to do, because it’s so fun to look back on my outfits of the past and recreate them with the pieces I currently own in my closet. It’s been a while since I last shared these in a blog post, so today, I thought I’d round up some of my most recent updates.
*This post contains affiliate links.
Why I Update My Outfits
I get a lot of positive feedback on these posts, which makes me so happy to hear! But of course, there are always a few critics who get offended when people talk about updating their wardrobes.
Here’s the thing—styles change and evolve over time, and so do we as people. I’m always trying to better myself and learn new things, and become a better version of myself and the same goes for my wardrobe. It’s always evolving right alongside me.
I love and appreciate my outfits from the past because, at one point, they made me feel really good! But I also love my current wardrobe. It’s evolved and improved over time as I’ve learned how to dress my body and balance silhouettes better.
No, you don’t need to go buy a whole new wardrobe. In fact, I’m sure there are plenty of pieces in your closet you can still get a lot of use out of. By styling them in new ways or mixing in a few updated pieces, you can make your old clothes feel modern and fresh again.
This is why I’ll continue to share my style journey through these posts—because I hope they inspire you in yours, too!
Make sure to check out my YouTube video where I talk more about each outfit and what I did to update them!
What I Wore Then vs. Now
Outfit 1: Chambray Shirt Layered Look
I wore this outfit back in 2014! I remember really loving it and feeling so cute and put-together at the time. Looking back now, I still think the outfit formula holds up. It’s classic, but the individual pieces could definitely use an update.
I actually still have that same chambray shirt hanging in my closet! But since it’s a bit stiff and not the most comfortable, I swapped it for a short-sleeve chambray shirt I own now. For the cardigan, I chose a cropped style and draped it over my shoulders. It’s such a fun way to wear a classic piece a little differently and adds a touch of modern polish.
I don’t have gray jeans anymore, but these black Wit & Wisdom jeans have a slightly faded, grayish tone that gives a similar look. I have nothing against skinny jeans, but after having two kids, low-rise jeans just don’t feel right for me anymore. They make me feel a little exposed, and they tend to make my legs look shorter, so I prefer a higher rise now.
To finish the outfit, I added my tan booties and a matching tan belt, along with a few simple gold jewelry pieces that I wear almost every day. It feels like a refreshed version of an old favorite—comfortable, modern, and still very me.
Outfit 2: Jeans, Boots, and polka-dots
I wore this outfit back in 2015! It was made up of some of my favorite staples at the time. To give it a modern update, I swapped the skinny jeans for a cute pair of full-length wide-leg jeans.
I actually kept the same top—this LC Lauren Conrad blouse has somehow survived so many of my closet cleanouts over the years! It’s such a great piece, and they still sell it at Kohl’s today. I tucked it into my jeans for a more polished look and layered the same cropped cardigan from the first outfit on top.
For shoes, I went with tall boots, similar to the original look. I love wearing tall boots with wide-leg jeans in the colder months—it’s a fun way to get more use out of them beyond just pairing them with skinny jeans. I finished the outfit with the same belt and simple gold jewelry from the previous look for an easy, cohesive feel.
outfit 3: pINK WITH sTRIPES Work Outfit Refresh
I wore this outfit to work back in 2014! To update it, I wanted to stay true to the original color palette but switch up the silhouettes. I swapped the black jeggings for a pair of black trousers. These Wit & Wisdom trouser pants are my absolute favorite!
To keep the pink and stripes from the original look, I chose a pink and white striped shirt from Amazon and layered a tan oversized blazer on top.
For shoes, I replaced the wedges with a comfortable pair of block-heel pumps. And of course, I finished the look with my favorite accessories—a tan belt and simple gold jewelry.
Outfit 4: Polka Dot Layers work look
This was another workwear outfit I wore back in 2014. The original pants were a thrifted find from the Salvation Army, but I updated the look with my black Wit & Wisdom jeans for a more modern fit and feel.
I wanted to keep the collared shirt layered under a sweater, so I paired a crisp white button-down with a polka-dot sweater. It’s a great way to recreate that same playful pattern from the original outfit while keeping it timeless.
Back in the 2010s, I always felt like I had to add a pop of color to every outfit—hence the giant bubble necklace! These days, I prefer a more neutral, simple style, so I skipped the bold accessories this time.
In the original look, I wore metallic silver flats, and I still love a good metallic shoe! For the updated version, I went with my gold flats for a subtle, modern touch.
Let me know if there are any styles from the 2010’s in your wardrobe that you are looking to update! Don’t forget to follow along with me on Instagram and the LTK app for more updates. You can also follow me on YouTube now!!
Leave a Reply