The Great Style Shift: Dressing for Who I Am Now


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There’s a certain romance to the idea of being a blogger. I picture myself sitting at my desk, the soft clink of a teaspoon against porcelain, a warm cup of oat milk Earl Grey in hand, and the faint background hum of life happening outside my window. Today, I’m wearing an oversized white t-shirt from the men’s section at Uniqlo and a long, silky red satin skirt from H&M — a piece I’ve owned for years but never truly worn. For the longest time, I told myself it “didn’t work” on me — that it made my hips look too wide, my body strangely out of proportion. In truth, I wasn’t styling it for the body I have now.

Somewhere along the way, I realized I had been dressing like my younger self, clinging to styles that once felt like second skin but now felt like someone else’s wardrobe. My body has changed — because of age, motherhood, and simply life — but my styling hadn’t caught up. I was still squeezing myself into old silhouettes and wondering why I didn’t feel comfortable or confident anymore.

And here’s the thing: our style is not a time capsule. It’s a living, breathing thing that evolves with us. And the sooner we embrace that, the sooner we stop feeling like impostors in our own closets.


Learning to Restyle, Not Replace

That red satin skirt was nearly on its way to the donation pile. I had worn it a few times with fitted tops, and each time, I hated how I felt in it. I tugged at the hem, adjusted the waistband, stared at my reflection thinking, this just isn’t me anymore.

But before I parted ways with it, I decided to play — not with my body, but with the styling. I paired it with something unexpected: an oversized white Uniqlo men’s t-shirt, slightly tucked in the front, accessorized with layered gold jewelry from V de V, a local Montreal and Saint-Lambert store I adore. The transformation was instant. What had felt constricting now felt effortless. Instead of accentuating parts I was self-conscious about, it skimmed over them in a way that felt natural, modern, and a little bit cool.

That moment was a revelation: sometimes, it’s not the item that’s wrong — it’s the styling.


The Linen Short Revelation

The same lesson applied to my summer shorts situation. For years, I was a die-hard high-waisted denim shorts girl. They were my summer uniform, the kind of basic that you think can never steer you wrong. Until one day, they did. I caught my reflection and thought, why do I look… boxy?

This summer, I swapped them for loose, high-quality linen shorts from H&M in a light neutral tone. The effect was immediate — softer lines, better drape, and a silhouette that actually flattered my legs. Linen also brought an understated elegance that denim shorts rarely do. They were breezy, breathable, and felt less like something I wore because “that’s what I’ve always worn” and more like something I chose because it worked for this version of me.

And because I’m all about proportion play, I paired them with a cropped neutral tank and finished with classic white Vans. The Vans created that “sandwich effect” — matching the light tone of my top and bottom — which subtly tied the look together while keeping it fresh and casual.

Instead of this :

wear this:


Playing for the Now, Not the Then

Here’s the truth no one tells you in your twenties: you will not dress the same way forever. And you shouldn’t. Your body changes, your taste changes, your lifestyle changes — your style should, too.

The trick is not to mourn the clothes that once worked, but to reimagine them or let them go. I’m learning to play with proportions, textures, and accessories in ways I never considered before. Instead of chasing what used to look good, I’m chasing what feels good.

Sometimes that means embracing looser silhouettes. Sometimes it’s swapping out synthetic fabrics for natural fibers that move with me instead of clinging. And sometimes, it’s realizing that the “sexy” outfit I would’ve worn at 25 can still be sexy now — but styled differently.


Updating Basics for Summer: 2025 Style Swaps

If you, too, are in your “style shift” era, here are a few of my favorite 2025-approved swaps that have made all the difference:

  • Fitted Satin Skirt → Satin Skirt + Oversized Tee or Cropped Knit Vest
    Instead of pairing a curve-hugging skirt with an equally fitted top, balance it with something looser or layer with a cropped knit vest. In 2025, textural contrast is key — think satin with chunky cotton or linen.
  • Basic Denim Shorts → Linen or Poplin Pleated Shorts
    This season, tailored shorts are everywhere — from H&M to COS — and they instantly elevate a casual outfit. Pair with a fine-knit polo or a ribbed tank, strappy sandals, and bold sunglasses.
  • Bodycon Dress → Slip Dress + Sheer Layering Shirt
    A slinky slip dress feels fresh this year when layered under a sheer button-down or mesh long-sleeve. Add chunky sandals for day, strappy mules for night.
  • Basic Tank + Jeans → Tank + Relaxed Cargo Pants
    Cargos are making a refined comeback in 2025 in softer fabrics and muted tones. Wear with minimalist sneakers or sleek slides.
  • Old Graphic Tee → Boxy Cropped Tee Over High-Waist Bottoms
    Keep your personality pieces, but modernize with an updated cut and cleaner styling — half-tucks are still in, but pairing with wide-leg bottoms gives them a new life.

The Mindset Shift

Updating your style isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about self-acceptance. I’ve had to learn that my body changing isn’t a personal failure — it’s just life. And rather than trying to recreate the way clothes looked on me at 25, I’m focusing on making them work for me now.

It’s also about giving yourself permission to play. To try something on, decide it’s not you, and move on without judgment. To wear something you love even if it breaks your old “rules.” To mix old favorites with new finds and create combinations that surprise you.


Saying Goodbye to What No Longer Works

Part of this shift means letting go. I’ve been clearing out the pieces that don’t fit my body, my lifestyle, or my taste anymore. Not with sadness, but with gratitude — they served their time. Making that space in my closet isn’t just physical; it’s mental. It clears room for inspiration, for experimentation, for clothing that makes me feel good today.


Dressing Like a Woman (Not a Teen)

Here’s the funny thing: as I lean into this new phase of style, I actually feel sexier than before. Not because I’m showing more skin or squeezing into tighter clothes, but because my outfits feel intentional.

“Dressing like a woman” doesn’t mean giving up on fun, edge, or allure. It means knowing how to balance it. A silky skirt with a boxy tee. Linen shorts with a delicate camisole. Statement accessories over plain basics. The confidence comes from knowing you chose it for you — not because it was trendy five years ago.


The Beauty of Style in Motion

The most exciting part? This won’t be the last time my style changes. In another five or ten years, I’ll be reinventing again. That’s the beauty of it — style is never a fixed destination. It’s a series of evolutions, each one a reflection of where we are and how we feel in our skin.

For now, I’m embracing the playful experimentation of this season. I’m wearing my once-abandoned red H&M skirt with pride. I’m reaching for breathable fabrics like linen shorts from H&M that make me feel light in the summer heat. I’m saying no to anything that pinches, clings, or makes me feel like I’m wearing a costume of my former self.

Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the better I feel in my clothes, the better I show up in my life.

And isn’t that the real treasure?


Outfit Notes from Today’s Desk:

  • Red Satin Skirt — H&M, saved from the donate pile by an oversized tee.
  • Oversized White T-Shirt — men’s section at Uniqlo, sleeves rolled.
  • Gold Jewelry — layered chains and hoops from V de V (Montreal & Saint-Lambert).
  • White Vans — creating the “sandwich effect” with my light top and bottom.

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