My 2025 "No Buy"
3 exceptions — vintage pieces, NBD accessories and replacements for pieces that do not fit or are not repairable.
Dare I say it? My wardrobe feels complete. It's a thrilling realization—the sense that I truly, genuinely don’t need to add anything new. Each piece hanging in my closet has earned its place, fitting seamlessly into my life, style, and values. As I look ahead to 2025, it feels like the perfect moment to shift my focus from acquiring to appreciating.
I want to dive deeper into styling what I already have, rediscovering the creativity and joy in remixing old favorites with fresh perspectives. (Though let’s be honest, vintage finds and accessories from my own brand will always have a special place in my heart — and my closet!)
It feels less about about fashion and more about stepping off the cycle of always seeking "more" and instead finding satisfaction in "enough." A well-loved wardrobe, after all, is one that evolves with us, growing richer with each memory tied to the pieces we choose to wear. There is opportunity for so much joy and creativity in getting dressed each day with beloved pieces that are worn over and over again.
While I’m feeling this way personally, there's no one-size-fits-all approach to feeling "complete" when it comes to personal style. And the truth is, no amount of new clothes can make any of us a better, more interesting or cooler person. This video perfectly spells out my feelings on the topic — as she says in her caption, “personal style isn’t about fitting in… it’s about standing out as yourself.”
Highly inspired by following Harriet Hatfield’s No Buy 365, I’ll be doing something similar in 2025…
Saying no to product gifting from brands for the foreseeable future (exceptions might be made for brand partnerships — TBD on that)
Styling what I own & documenting my outfits for my own records. I’m giving Indyx a try this year, which I learned about through Harriet’s Substack actually (use code "natalieborton" to receive $10 at sign-up). I’ll also continue to share my everyday looks on social media and here on Substack.
Selectively & intentionally welcoming vintage pieces & accessories I design for my own brand.
Allowing replacements for items that no longer fit me or aren’t repairable.
You can follow along with this journey on TikTok, Instagram and right here on Substack. Until then, here are some favorite outfits from 2024 that I’m looking forward to repeating in 2025…
How do you feel about your wardrobe right now? Is it working for you? Are you in a season of discovery, or are you ready to focus on styling what you already have? Let’s keep the conversation going — I’d love to hear your thoughts.
This is amazing! Would love a post breaking down anything you’ve done the last year or more, to really hone your personal style and get this place. Was it finding brands you really aligned with, looking for inspiration in specific places, playing with your own closet more etc? Also, how did you know your closet felt complete? Did you feel like you were no longer constantly searching for something to add, did getting dressed for the day or special occasions just feel easy? I’d really like to get here myself, but still feel unsure how to get there!
Ooo love this, it’s inspiring! I would really appreciate if you could put together some sort of post showing your entire wardrobe. I’m definitely in the building stage of the process and would love to get to feeling like my wardrobe is complete