So many women feel stuck in a shopping cycle: buy, purge, repeat. But what if instead of constantly replacing, we started reimagining?

Quote of the day: “Flexibility alone is not a great strategy, but the lack of it can ruin one.” James Clear

This idea came from the prompt of our Ageless Style group when Marsha suggested styling the oldest piece in our closet.

While I’ve written about this many times, it is a favorite subject of mine, so I Love to point out that there are always more ways to refresh your wardrobe:
–Wearing old clothes in a new style
–Restyle your favorite pieces
–Shop your closet, Part 1, 2, and 3

Need fun and positive content? Make sure to sign up for my emails. You also get my free eBook when you sign up, but that’s not the best part.
The best part is you get a daily dose of positive energy.

And that’s the magic I want to share with you, because our clothing doesn’t expire just because trends change. With a little creativity (and maybe a hack or two), yesterday’s pieces can become today’s favorites.

Pro tip: I recently posted a video about this subject when I heard a creator say you should throw out those longer cardigans. (That is the shorter video, but if you want to hear the rationalizations and talking points, you’ll find that in my TT video)
Then, after the initial video, someone requested ideas for a longer cardigan option, and here it is.

The Real Refresh

To refresh your wardrobe doesn’t always mean adding more. Sometimes it means:

• Stop categorizing our clothes. Sure, those pants may have been “work pants,” but what’s to stop you from wearing them every day?
• Layering things in ways you never have before–remember: OVER and UNDER for anything and everything.
• Mixing vibes. Combining dressy items with casual ones or feminine with masculine. The list goes on…

Old clothes carry stories, memories, and Emotions. Think of refreshing our wardrobe as a fashion history lesson.

One thing I think is that we need to stop asking, “Is this out of style?” and start asking, “How can I make this feel like me?”

That’s how you refresh your wardrobe…you mix things up and try new ideas.
Check out the section on how to try this at home. YES…you can do it.

If you want to refresh your wardrobe, one of the fastest ways is to take your most predictable pieces and style them in the least predictable way possible.

Pro tip: Ask yourself how you’d normally wear something, and then style it 180 degrees differently.

Valerie: Houndstooth Jacket

Valerie shared the story of this houdstooth jacket with me, and here it is:

“This jacket is the oldest piece in my closet…that still fits me (we giggled when she told me this).
I purchased the jacket in England back in 1992, a time in my life when I had no Money. I can’t remember exactly what it cost, but it was close to the equivalent of 2 months’ salary. Using a credit card to buy it, then took me 2 painful years to pay it off.
So I kept it as a lesson to never again live above my means. It was part of a suit, but the plain pink skirt did not survive my transition to the US.
The designer was Janet Reger, who gained fame in the 80s and 90s for her racy, but feminine, underwear. I loved the padded shoulders (which I took out recently) and the silver buttons.
This is the first time I have worn it since I left England in 1995.”

Valerie told me she wanted to create more of an edgy feel rather than a business look, so she wore the white mesh hoodie under it and used a white barrette to decorate the back of the hood (check the photo of us from behind).

Details:

-That black pearl necklace was a recent addition when she traveled to the Fiji Islands.
-Using barrettes on the front of her booties is brilliant. Rob even thought it was the boot design. Check out other ways I’ve talked about decorating your booties.
-And I love the scarf on the purse. It’s such a chic addition to any outfit.

Me: Wearing “Old” in the Most Literal Way

Now let’s talk about my outfit because I joked that I see dead people. (Extra credit if you can name the movie that I’m referring to)

Here’s the scoop on the sentimental pieces (more in the details):

• The navy lace dress was my grandmother’s (seen with a teddy bear coat in 2020)
• The fur jacket was a friend’s that was later dyed (styled under a black vest in 2017)
• The scarf draped over my shoulder belonged to Rob’s mom (worn over a black dress in 2016)

On their own, each of these pieces could sit quietly in a closet as a keepsake. But I don’t want quiet. I want living, breathing, fabulous.

So I styled them together with confidence and intention and changed them up:

Details:

-The pink dress under the lace was worn back in 2018. I thought it was more fun having a contrasting color under the lace than the navy silk slip that came with it.
-I used a brooch to hold my scarf on my shoulder…it’s an elephant brooch that used to be my Aunt Nancy’s.
-But there’s more: the hat was given to me by a friend…it’s vintage, but she knew she wouldn’t wear it.
The earrings and bracelet were also my Aunt Nancy’s. Grandma was represented again with the purse. Even my dad was here, with the gold ring on my thumb that was his and has his initials on it.

Charlotte: Decorated Denim

Charlotte’s oldest piece wasn’t something inherited. Instead, it was something she created herself: a beautifully decorated denim shirt that she usually wears with red pants or white jeans (seen a couple of years ago).

But for this idea of how to refresh your wardrobe, I challenged her to wear it differently.

Instead of her usual styling formula, I had her wear that denim shirt over a non-matching dress and with tall boots.

And just like that… boom. The entire piece transformed.

The same shirt. The same woman. But a whole new vibe.

This is such a perfect reminder that:

• We often think our clothes only work one way.
• But that “one way” is just a habit, not a rule.

Details:

-Notice first and foremost that mom is stacking metallic belts…you may ask why, but I’d say why not. We belt stacked 4 different ways last spring.
-Adding custom decor is a great way to “save” a top that has stains or holes. I’m sure it’s no surprise that there is an owl on the back of it, sitting on the fence.

What This Experiment Really Taught Us

Wearing the oldest thing in your closet isn’t just a fashion challenge; it’s a mindset shift.

It teaches you:

• That your clothes are more versatile than you think.
• That age (of clothing or of humans) does not limit creativity.
• That sentiment and style can coexist beautifully.
• And that modern doesn’t have a price tag. Instead, it has an attitude.

The key point to refreshing your wardrobe is to get creative.

Pro tip: If you struggle with the creativity factor, then make sure you’re following me on all my social sites. Either that or reach out and ask me for ideas on what to do with an older clothing item. I may not have all the answers (shhh, don’t tell my husband I said that), but I bet I can come up with some.

How You Can Do This at Home

If this idea sparks something in you, here’s how to start without getting overwhelmed:

1. Pick the Oldest Piece You Own
   It might be vintage. It might be inherited. It might be something you’ve had for decades. That’s the point.
2. Don’t Style It the Way You Used To–Reframe it
   If you always wear it dressy, then make it casual.
   Maybe you always layered it, then wear it alone. Or vice versa.
   If it was always “safe,” then make it bold.
3. Add One Modern Element
   A boot style, a belt, a bag, a hat, or even the way you wear a scarf can shift the entire feel.
4. Wear It Like It Belongs Today
   Confidence is the final styling tool. Always.

This is how you refresh your wardrobe without buying a single new thing.

Final Thoughts From Me to You

This little experiment reminded me why I love getting dressed so much, because it’s not about trends. It’s about transformation.

Your closet is full of possibilities. Even the pieces you think are “past their prime” are just waiting for a new story.

So the next time you feel bored with what you own, instead of saying,
“I need something new…”
Try saying,
“How can I refresh my wardrobe with what’s already mine?”

I’d like to think that your next favorite outfit might already be hanging right in front of you.

Ageless Style

Welcome to the Ageless Style group. We all have very different styles, so I hope you check out the other women for their thoughts about the oldest thing in their closet.
We don’t all post at the same time, so make sure to check back if their post isn’t up yet.

Next month, we will be styling tweed if anyone wants to join in.

Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Bo ~ Bo’s Bodacious Blog
Blog / Instagram /Pinterest / Bloglovin’
Jennifer ~ Overflowing With Thankfulness
Blog | Instagram
Joanne ~ My Slice of Life
Blog
Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style
Blog | Instagram | Facebook |
Marsha~ Marsha in the Middle
Blog /Instagram
Mireille ~ Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |

Photo credit: Rob Filogomo

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The post How to Refresh Your Wardrobe Using the Oldest Pieces You Own appeared first on Jodie’s Touch of Style.

Jodie Filogomo Fashion Stylist

Jodie's Touch of Style showcases how it's never too late to look great including other older women and myself talking about fashion, beauty, and lifestyle issues.

As a retired dentist, Jodie takes her love of clothing and shopping and has come to find her superpowers in styling the same item in many ways. She is also a huge advocate for embracing our age and bodies. Getting old is a wonderful thing and learning to love ourselves while it happens is very freeing.

Looking great can happen no matter what age, shape or budget, as we show on Jodie's Touch of Style.