Nostalgia Dressing & would I wear it now?
Get ready for some major throwbacks
I’ve thought a lot recently about nostalgia, especially teenage nostalgia. I’ve thought about the clothes I wore when I was younger and the memories that were created in those clothes. I’ve also felt nostalgic for the clothes that my mum wore, and all the things that were in style during that period of time.
I’ve felt a pull towards photography recently in a desire to capture new memories and a place where moments I want to remember are documented outside of my phone. In a quest to feel more present, I’ve decided for the time being i’m taking a sabbatical from every other social media platform outside of Substack. I’m craving a ‘slow girl summer’.
When I look at photos of me proudly wearing my Tammy Girl tops and jeans, I’m reminded of simpler times, and zero responsibilities. Those clothes remind me of reading Sugar magazine, sleepovers with friends and renting a DVD on Fridays from Blockbusters. It’s so interesting being of an age where I remember life before social media and life after. I have mixed feelings, feelings that i’m still navigating, but I think this is why Substack has felt like such a relief because it feels like when I was a teenager and I wanted to create my own magazine. I think if i’m honest with myself i’m a long form content girlie at heart, and this memory has confirmed that.
Would I wear it now?
After seeing all these photos of my teen outfits, I wanted to see if there were any elements i’d still wear now, shopping my own wardrobe, or is there anything that inspires me from revisiting those teenage outfits? I wrote about my style evolution in this post, but this feels like the prequel to that post.
Ok so even the word ‘boobtube’ (tube-top if you’re in the US) makes me giggle, and truth be told I had to get my thinking hat on when it came to this outfit (i’d guess I was about 12 or 13 above). This is definitely out of my comfort zone, and while i’ve always seen other people rock a silk scarf as a top, I wasn’t sure I’d be into it, however…surprisingly I am! To give this context, I could imagine wearing this outfit on vacation for a nice dinner, after a day at the beech. I don’t wear my off white jeans enough but this pair is so good, so note to self…wear more often!
Looking back at photos of my mum (above left) during the early 90’s gives me all the feels! This was really fun to shop my wardrobe. While I don’t own a traditional pearl necklace I do own this beautiful antique coral and pearl necklace that was given to me as a baby. I actually really enjoy the daintiness to it, and I felt while I didn’t have a lace jacket in my wardrobe, the contrast of this boxy denim jacket actually added a nice contrast against the delicate necklace. This also still feels very 90’s but in a way I would genuinely wear today (minus snoopy).
I’m so glad that my sister lovingly gave me permission to put this gem of an outfit on here, as when I saw that bag I was like, WAIT! I have that bag! I love this 90’s ensemble, choker…check, jean jacket check, and the bag! I remember when I found the bag i’m wearing on the left in a thrift store in LA, I jumped for joy! The color, the shape, it’s such a great summer bag. For my take on my sisters look, I went for layers and used a linen shirt as a jacket instead of a denim jacket, and instead of jeans I felt i’d be more likely to wear this with some loose fitting linen trousers. I love this look and also think it would be a very comfortable yet chic travel outfit. (adds to Indyx asap!)
I always loved oversized clothes and I still love stripes! There are so many photos of me from early teens onwards enjoying a baggy jean with an oversized sweater. It’s just so cosy, and while I can’t see myself wearing jeans with rips in any time soon, I still really like this outfit on the left. To update it i’d probably wear a pair of black trousers to smarten everything up with a bold yet minimal earring.
Ok, so it’s fair to say I took more inspo from my mums outfit for the above look than mine. My mum’s not a regular mom, she’s a cool mom! (Mean girls joke, sorry I couldn’t help it) I don’t own a backpack, and I definitely don’t own gold metallic shoes, so I improvised with what I had. Side note, is my mum wearing gold metallic heels to a theme park? I do hope so. I do love the backpack my mum is wearing here, and truth be told I’d actually happily wear the entire outfit, minus the gold shoes. I don’t actually own a long sleeve t-shirt or white sweatshirt so I reached for Dave’s closet to steal this off white sweater. It’s probably the least me of all the outfits but it was fun to get my thinking cap on, and to find an outfit that for the most part, I still think would look really cool today. The tortoise shell sunnies adds a nice detail (along with the 90s camera) to a very minimal 90’s outfit.
The Adidas poppers! IYKYK. While it’s unlikely you’ll find me wearing sports wear unless im actually, well, playing sport, I can appreciate the loose fit of the Adidas poppers and i’d say my grown up version of these would have to be my wide leg trousers. Vest tops are a consistent basic within my forever wardrobe, especially because I live in LA where its warm majority of the time. This outfit I’ve created isn’t groundbreaking, but it is a realistic outfit I turn to when I need to run errands. It’s easy, comfortable and still put together in the same way i’m sure 12 year old me would appreciate.
This was so fun to write, and I could honestly see me doing a part two. (Let me know in the comments if you enjoyed this trip down memory lane?)I’m visiting family back in England in August so you best believe I will be scouring the photo albums for more gems like these! *Some links contain affiliates
Let me know in the comments if you would replicate any of your teenage outfits, and if so, which ones?
Thanks for reading
Harry x
I loved this! What a beautiful way to pay homage to people you love and great memories, AND be inspired. I often struggle to be ‘inspired’ by other people’s outfits without trying to copy them exactly (and then falling down the rabbit hole of now ‘needing’ a dozen new things) - your examples help so much! I especially love how you always have your own take on the inspiration outfit.
I grew up in Northern California. We called the television a “boob tube”