When S announced a last-minute addition to our #TMEStyleChallenge back in May: Style Something That’s Been In Your Closet For 10+ Years, we thought it would be cute to publish it, well…10 years later (give or take). KIDDING.
This Style Challenge took an (unintentional) backseat to just about everything else since (cough Anniversary Sale cough cough) but now we’re finally sharing it with you. Yay! Hey, if these clothes made it 10+ years in the closet, they can hold off a little bit longer for their time on the blog…right?
In case you need a refresher, S challenged our readers to one last #TMEStyleChallenge and you had to show us your oldest piece of clothing, styled up all for the love of sustainability. Let’s just say this was SUCH a fun one. Scroll to see what all of your fellow readers have held on to throughout the years and the stories that go along with them. We tried to link up some similar pieces in case you’re inspired to get some of these staples yourself.
Oh! p.s. – this wouldn’t be a true style challenge without a random $50 gift card winner SO…Nadia – check your IG DM’s, chick. Xo!!
Eco-Friendly Reader Challenge: Style Clothing 10 Years or Older
How Readers Style 10-Year-Old Clothes
Kate Johnson @lonek8
Kate said: “These shoes are older than my oldest child and they continue to be just about my most-worn summer shoes. Always make a statement with gold and silver embellishments and I continue to get compliments every time I wear them. They’ve held up walking all around NYC, and summer after summer – just this spring finally starting to look a little worn at the toes. I don’t know what I’ll do when they finally give up the ghost.”
Deirdre (@leggings_and_rose)
tee | jacket | dress | booties
Deirdre said: ” I love a good graphic tee…this band tee (Honey Summer & Fall – a band I discovered while living in WI) has gotten so much softer and better with time. I’ve also owned this jean jacket for 10 plus years. Paired with a slip dress.”
Amy Hoffmann (@amysuzannehoffmann)
Amy said: “I love clothes that have stories and I love it when my clothes have been around so long that their stories are my stories too! This top is a Pucci dress from the seventies that was passed to me about 17 years ago. The previouos owner had shortened it, and I wore it for years as a mini dress. It was a tunic when I was pregnant, and now it’s most functional as a top. I still swoon over the color and print! The cowgirl boots are pretty ancient, too so double dipping for @themomedit style challenge to style something that’s been in my closet for at least ten years.”
Elizabeth Rafter @elizabethrafter
plaid mini | denim mini | shirt
Beth said: “When @themomedit proposed an extension to their #tmestylechallenge I was intrigued. The challenge is to wear somethign you’ve had in your closet for at least 10 years. So, while my shape has changed dramatically in the past 10 years, there are still some things that I love that have stayed the same. Namely, mini skirts. The madras one is admittedly only 9 years old, but the denim skirt is from ’06. I still do really like both of these skirts and still wear them pretty consistently!”
J.J. Eliot (@jjeliot)
J.J. said: “I’m styling something I’ve owned for 10+ years and think these Nine West moto boots are the oldest thing I own. Circa 2009?…takign me back to Chicago when I lived alone and no one judged the number of shoe boxes in my closet.”
(@xanthurus)
You have PLENTY of 10+-year-old pieces to show for yourself! Go girl! They all still look great on you. Proof that a good LBD is priceless…
Nadia (@yet_another_mommy)
Nadia said: “(On the left): This cardigan sweater I am wearing for about 15 years. (On the right): More than 15-year-old J.Crew sweater. Just realized it’s crocheted, so it’s very current this year! Honestly, I think that back then they paid more attention to detail.”
How Contributors Style 10-Year-Old Clothes
tee (similar) | shorts (mom’s old Calvin Kleins)
S is rocking her Mom’s (Hi, Tina!) old Calvin Klein denim…YES.
S said: I’ve been wearing these things since high school…and it’s funny how the super high rise (and tons of leg) never seemed to go out of style. Even when we were all about low-rise jeans, these always had a cool, vintage vibe, and I’d get tons of complements on them. I’ve always liked them best with a little tee tucked in to show off the rise.
Laura @laurajansenstyle
Laura said: “These Levi’s cutoffs are my favorite (and only?) 10+-year-old item. I love styling shorts with something longer, like a breezy kimono…with tigers on it, of course.”
Lex said: I got the jacket over a decade ago from Target, when I was a teacher obsessed with #jeansandheelsoutfits for casual Friday. The top is a scarf top I got at a clothing swap in the same era. I had it copied when I lived in VN (over five years ago) into two more breezy shirts, one in a red print, one in a black print.
If you have more sustainable fashion to show us (10 years old or no,) be sure to tag us on IG! @themomedit #TheMomEditStyle…we cover sustainability every week on the feed!
Xo,
Gwen
. We're getting dressed for sustainability, wearing clothes at least 10 years' old. #EcofriendlyFashion){kind=link}