Changing styles and preferences

Five years ago, I hated fashion.

I hated getting dressed, I never cared about being trendy or flattering, I wore the same damned pair of black loafers every single day. I was stuck in the same styles (oversized tops and sensible pants) that I had been wearing since the 90s, and I didn't care.

Four years ago, I got a job at Forth & Towne, mostly to get the discount. I had been shopping there a lot because they were one of the few stores in the mall that carried size 18 in the store itself, and my salesperson recommended that I apply. It was kind of hilarious, in retrospect; I didn't know anything about putting outfits together, I had no idea what was in or out (hadn't read a fashion magazine in decades), and I absolutely positively could not wear high heels. I tried a pair on at the store one night and nearly fell over.

Three years ago, by the time Forth & Towne closed, I had become friends with Shopping Friend (my boss at the store) and she took me under her wing and took me shopping. She explained how pieces worked together, how great good shoes could be and how they could add polish to an outfit, and she helped me see how things fit or didn't fit for the first time. It was a revelation, to say the least. At first I only shopped with her, but then since my closet was so sad I started to head out on my own to figure out what worked best for me.

Since then, I have made major changes in my style. I started with Shopping Friend with lots of button downs and shells over them (ha, remember that look, SF? I wore a million variations of that when I first got started), then finally I broke out of that uniform and tried new things. Skirts became a big favorite. Then I found YLF and really began to see the variety available, but since I tend to like to wear one type of look all the time, I started a dress obsession. For the last year I bought, oh, at least 60 or more dresses. A ridiculous amount, but I was also losing and then gaining weight, and I wore them through all 4 seasons. I also amassed an impressive collection of shoes. High heeled shoes. And let's not forget all my boyfriend cardigans!

Now, I am coming back full circle. This fall, I am craving pants, and mix-n-match tops and sweaters, and sensible shoes. My high heeled shooties and dressier heels are waiting patiently for their turn, but for some reason I am dreaming about clogs, and flat oxfords, and rough-style engineer boots. I even bought a pair of pretty pewter loafers, for God's sake. LOAFERS!!

I was fighting these urges for a bit, mainly because I was afraid I was 'giving up' on fashion and looking nice and reverting back to my stodgy self, but I am starting to think that maybe this time I should see it as a challenge. See if I can wear the same pieces I used to wear when I was dowdy and boring, but this time make them interesting and stylish. Maybe I've just been looking at from the wrong angle. Maybe I'm not wanting to wear pants again because I am fat again and don't care how I look anymore, maybe I'm doing it because I am following trends, and pants are the hot trend.

What about you guys? Do you change up your style when you feel the need, or do you stick with the tried-and-true?