I’ve always been a uniform dresser. Not in the strict capsule-wardrobe-only-wear-black kind of way, but in the sense that I find something that works for me and I really stick with it.
For the past few summers, that’s looked like some version of jeans, a tee, flip-flops, and a canvas bag. And honestly? It still works. It’s easy, it’s comfortable, and it feels like me.
But lately — and I can’t tell if it’s the shift in seasons or just where I’m at creatively — I’ve been craving something a little more intentional. Not a total style overhaul, not a head-to-toe reinvention. Just a little more thoughtfulness, a little more interest.
So instead of tossing out my existing uniform entirely, I’ve started doing something I wish I’d done sooner — keeping the parts that already feel good, and just leveling up a couple elements.
Take the top, for example. I’ll always love a plain white tee, but lately I’ve been reaching for versions with more visual interest — asymmetrical cuts, ribbed texture, etc. Still neutral, still minimalist, but with just enough detail to make the outfit feel considered.
And then there’s the bag. Okay, just a heads up, this bag is about to become my whole personality. 🙂 It’s got this carabiner detail that gives it a camp-inspired vibe — which, if you’ve been around here a while, you know is very much my thing. It’s still casual, like a canvas tote, but it has that something — a design detail that makes the whole outfit feel more styled, even when I’m just wearing jeans and flip-flops.
That’s the sweet spot I’m after lately. I want outfits that feel designed, but still grounded in real life.
I think there’s this quiet pressure we all feel sometimes — that in order to “have style,” we need to be fancier. We think we need to add heels, or bold color, or a statement accessory. But I actually think the truest style can come from the smallest shifts.
So that’s what I’m practicing right now. Building on what already works. Making small changes that keep me curious. And letting style be a conversation between where I’ve been and where I’m going.
Okay, your turn! Is there a new energy you’ve been feeling lately? Can you think of a way you could incorporate that energy into your existing outfit go-tos without a full overhaul?
OUTFIT DETAILS
Reformation Cary Low Rise Jeans (light wash is back in stock!)
Old Roxy Flip Flops | Similar: Gap Vegan Leather Flip Flops
Monica Vinader Sterling Silver Bracelet
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Thanks for reading Unfancy — it means so much to me that you’re here.
