styling: white denim

finally a pair i will keep forever

To preface: I’ve been going through a major wardrobe cleanse–I let go of nearly two-thirds of my closet. I gave pieces to friends, donated what I could, and sold the rest on Poshmark (which honestly sells surprisingly well in the U.S.). I used the money to reinvest in pieces that feel more me.

As I approach 30, I’ve found myself evolving–and naturally, style and taste shift with time.

I’ve always believed in auditing my wardrobe, but this is the smallest my closet has ever been, and honestly, I’ve never felt better. Every piece left is something I love and feel good wearing.

From here on out, intentional shopping only.

We’re no longer buying into fast fashion names like Zara or H&M. Instead, I’m investing in quality and longevity. Shoutout to my bestie

Angel Zheng

for drilling this new mindset into me, we are in this together. Also if you need help just call your friend and go over each piece together. We literally tried on each piece and got each others feedback which made the process more fun and productive.

Here’s what I look for when I shop now:

1. Does it fit me–my body, not the model’s?
   I’ve learned how important it is to understand your own body type. I naturally have wider hips and a fuller chest, which drastically changes how clothing fits and feels.

2. Is it something I’ll actually wear often?
   Can I style it multiple ways? Will I reach for it often, or will it just sit there? Rewearing is the goal. I want to get my money’s worth and build a wardrobe that works hard for me.

Even my shoes are down to a single 3-tier rack. And I’m truly grateful for that.

peek hugo bear

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The jeans in question…

Agolde Low Slung Baggy in the color Milkshake.

I own another pair of their jeans in a blue wash and I do recommend this brand. They are durable, structured but not stiff, and give a great relaxed fit.

Agolde low baggy jeans

I went up 2 sizes because I wanted to get the low waist look. Also keep in mind it’s summer time in Miami which means it’s very humid outdoors and very chilly indoors.

Look 1: I kept it simple with a black cropped tank as the base, then layered on this colorful striped cardigan from Lioness for a fun summer pop.

Style tip: Cardigans and jackets can completely change the vibe depending on how you wear them–fully buttoned, half-zipped, or worn open. Try each and see what vibe you’re feeling.

Look 2: I rarely wear blazers in Miami…I overheat way too easily. But this fit is one of those effortless staples that just works.

It’s super versatile: dress it up with heels or boots, or keep it casual with flats or sneakers. You really can’t go wrong. The blazer is from Aritzia, I think it’s the Agency blazer (single button). Still one of my go-to’s when I want something structured but not too formal.

Look 3: I was definitely in a good mood this day, very Valentine’s-coded.
I paired a pink knit cardigan with red ballet flats for a soft, playful vibe.

This shot also gives a better look at how the jeans sit–super relaxed and baggy at the waist, just how I like them.

Look 4: This might be my favorite…definitely bringing it with me to NYC this month.

I elevated the jeans with Tony Bianco heels (these are the only pair of heels I kept), and paired them with this black corset top from WeWoreWhat. I let the straps hang off my shoulders for a softer feel–fun fact: I actually wore this on my birthday.

A sleek, chic staple for a night out with the girls. Also, the bun ties it all together.

Last look: Canadian tuxedo, what can I say, I’m Canadian and I love a good denim-on-denim moment.

Thinking this could be a fun fit for a rooftop DJ night in NYC. The bikini top is from 437 (I own so many of their pieces), and the jean jacket is a vintage Banana Republic find from my mom’s closet. Iconic.

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This was such a fun way for me to challenge myself and explore new ways to style my own staple pieces.

If you took anything from this post, I hope it’s that you don’t always need something new–sometimes it’s just about seeing what you already own with fresh eyes.

Catch you in the next post,

Janice Fong