To put it all out there, I’m having a bit of a wardrobe crisis. I turned 36 last week and it’s like I’ve suddenly lost all sense of my style identity. I keep asking myself “Who am I?” (There is a larger theme here, but I digress.) I’m not alone, either. I had a conversation with a friend going through the same thing recently. As millennials, we seem to be at a crossroads. We’re not in our early twenties anymore, so the ultra-baggy jeans and overt tributes to the early 2000s style seen on Gen Z feel too young, but we’re not old enough for more mature interpretations of dressing, whatever more mature dressing means to you.
Suffice to say, what I’ve been doing isn’t working anymore. It’s like I’ve outgrown myself. My cropped jeans feel dated and the wardrobe pairings I once relied on are, how do you say? Bor-ing. I just want to feel cute and fun, damn it! Searching for a bit of inspiration, I came across a handful of looks that I’m hoping will give my tired style the pick-me-up it needs. So, if you’re a millennial in need of a closet overhaul, you’ve come to the right place. The six stylish looks I plan on re-creating all summer are just below.
Now that I’m in my mid-thirties, I don’t want to try too hard when it comes to dressing. A statement trench coat could be thrown over just about anything and look chic. Although the pale-yellow flats and taupe sunglasses Alice accessorized with here help a lot, too!
Dinner dressing is an area I've been particularly struggling with. A romantic slip dress with understated sandals will do nicely on balmy summer evenings or with a cardigan in spring. Not to mention luxurious fabrics like silk and satin are having a big moment this season.
Now, this is an outfit I could live in come summer. The oversize graphic tee gives the streamlined skirt a cool factor, which I think is an ideal mix when it comes to millennial style.
I’m a millennial and a mom, and while my baby is still too young for school, this is what I imagine myself wearing to early drop-offs or to go grab a coffee in. It’s an elevated version of loungewear I can get behind.
A casual office look intrigues me because it’s sophisticated while still being laid-back. This one in particular reminds me of something a French fashion editor might wear. Aspirational, indeed!
This bold-patterned mini dress has a '60s feel to it that I love. Paired with beach-ready accessories, it’s the ultimate vacation look.
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