Things I Bought and Never Wore

Buying new trending pieces can be exciting, but sometimes they end up sitting unused in your closet. I’m guilty of this, too! I find joy in styling a piece mentally, enjoying the creative process of putting together the perfect outfit, but that doesn’t always translate into actually wearing the outfit. Two pieces that I bought last fall and (almost) never wore are stirrup pants and the denim midi skirt. If you had scrolled through my Pinterest feed last fall, you’d have seen me repeatedly pinning different versions of both of these trends.

STIRRUP LEGGINGS: OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE

Ponte stirrup leggings from Simply Be // Salon 1884 Jolie stirrup leggings from Net-A-Porter

I definitely should’ve known better with the stirrup pants. I’ve never been the type to wear leggings as pants, and these stirrup leggings were a stretch for me. I wore them once just to show off the stirrup detail, but they didn't quite fit into my regular wardrobe. I found it hard to pair them with other items in my closet and wasn't sure when the right occasion would be to wear them. Will I toss them? No. I’ve occasionally worn them under my riding boots so I’ll hang on to them through next fall and see if I can find fresh ways to style them. If they don’t get any wear by then, I’ll donate them.

DENIM MIDI SKIRT: A MISSED OPPORTUNITY

Agolde Leif denim midi skirt // Dana front slit denim midi skirt from Nordstrom

I spent so much time searching for the perfect denim midi skirt—one that had the right color, the perfect length, was flattering on my body, and had just the right slit. After all that effort, it’s still sitting in my closet with the tags on. It seemed like a great addition to my wardrobe when I bought it, but when it came time to wear it, I didn’t find myself reaching for it. Maybe fall just wasn’t the right season for me and the denim midi skirt, so I’m going to hang on to it for spring and summer and give it another shot. It could be the perfect piece for warmer weather with a lightweight blouse or a tucked-in tank top. If it doesn’t get worn by then, I’ll donate it, tags still intact.

Do You Keep Trendy Pieces You Don’t Wear?

Here’s the thing: both of these pieces were out of my comfort zone, and I knew that. Fashion is all about experimenting, and sometimes that means buying something that doesn’t feel right at first. Even if a trendy piece doesn’t work the first season, I prefer to hold onto it for a bit longer, giving it another chance. Fashion is cyclical, and next season, these pieces might fit into my wardrobe in a new way.

Trends come and go, and our lifestyles shift. Now that spring is approaching, the denim midi skirt could finally feel like the right fit. Sometimes, holding onto a piece for another season can help you find the perfect time to wear it when your style evolves. And don’t forget, just because a piece doesn’t work immediately doesn’t mean it’s not a valuable addition to your wardrobe down the line.

What’s a trend you really wanted to work in your wardrobe but you couldn’t make it work? I’d love to hear your fashion challenges so let me know in the comments!