Best of 2019: Favourite Outfits

One of the best parts of taking OOTD (outfit of the day) photos is having the ability to look back and make little collages of the “Year in Review” variety. Wait, is my foreshadowing too heavy-handed? Ahem. This post is, as the title says, all about my favourite outfits of 2019. Because this was the first full year since I adopted my style avatars (part way through 2018), I thought it would make sense to group my favourites accordingly. I have been saying that I feel like I have a good grasp of each avatar aesthetic, and I think the following collages do show that. There are consistent themes that tie each avatar’s outfits together, and a pleasing (to me) sense of cohesiveness. At the same time, I have never felt more free or comfortable to experiment. I know what I like and what works for me – preferences and lifestyle-wise – but I also know that style isn’t a static, one-and-done, proposition for someone like me. I think this avatar-focused approach to personal style will grow and evolve with me, and I look forward to seeing what fashion has in store for the new decade ahead.

The Prince

The Prince doesn’t always wear black, I promise, but 2019 was the year when I embraced “Corporate Noir” so … yeah. A lot of black it was. Playing with texture, volume and angles was my favourite thing to do in terms of fashion experimentation, and these Prince-ly outfits are prime examples of that.

The Artist

The Artist is the softer, less structured, and slightly more colourful counterpart to the Prince. 2019 was also the year of midi/maxi skirts and dresses. Skirts in general multiplied in my closet like pretty little mushrooms after a rainstorm.

The Adventurer

Skirts even made their inroads with the Adventurer avatar, my most rough-and-tumble version of myself. (Hey, it’s all relative!) This year, I moved away from the Han Solo characterization into more of an Indiana Jones territory. This remains my most neglected avatar; nonetheless, I still feel that it serves an important function in my sartorial self-expression. We shall see whether 2020 and beyond offer new inspiration to breathe new life into this avatar.

The Bohemian

This avatar is a bit of a catch-all, but not really. Whenever I get experimental, this is where I usually end up. Colours, prints, interesting proportions – the Bohemian has it all. It can get dressed up or down, go minimalist or maximalist (although it tends to favour the latter). It’s fun and cool and doesn’t take itself too seriously.

If you’ve been following your own version of the avatar process, share your year-end thoughts in the comments. What worked, what didn’t and what are you looking forward to in 2020?