I’ll die on this hill: the best dressed people don’t follow trends. They take what they love and make it their own. That’s probably why my closet makes absolutely no sense to anyone but me. One day I’m wearing a For Love and Lemons dress with my Frye boots. The next I’m in a baggy band tee, ripped skinny jeans, and Vans. If I’m at a show, there’s a very good chance I’m showing up in a mini dress with my Docs. In fact, that’s almost definitely the vibe for the upcoming Pretty Reckless concert.

If the concert calls for something softer and a little more whimsical, I’ll probably be reaching for vintage Spell or DÔEN with a denim jacket thrown over it. Honestly, that’s probably exactly what I’ll wear to see Sarah McLachlan later this month.

I dress for my mood and vibe, not for one specific aesthetic.

And that’s probably why I love concert tees so much.

I have always been the person who buys the shirt at the merch table. At one point, I had over 50 band tees. I had to have a serious conversation with myself and sell some on Depop because even I had to admit things were getting a little out of control.

But here’s the thing: every shirt has a story.

Some came from concerts. Some came from Urban Outfitters. Some came from Goodwill. They all just felt like me the second I saw them.

I don’t believe clothes are meant to sit in a closet waiting for the “right” occasion. I wear my stuff into the ground. Literally.

My tailor probably sees me coming and thinks, “What are we fixing this time?” because I will bring back the same pieces over and over instead of letting them go. A ripped seam? Fix it. Weird fit? Alter it. Starting to fall apart? We’ll figure it out.

If I love something, I’m not ready to replace it.

And honestly, I think that’s one of the biggest differences between having a closet full of clothes and having a closet full of pieces that actually mean something.

The Small Business That Turns Old Clothes Into Wearable Art

For pieces that need more than a simple alteration, I trust Hot Girl Quilting.
I originally found her through her Instagram reels, and I was immediately hooked. She takes everyday pieces that could easily be forgotten and turns them into something completely unique. The creativity is unreal, but beyond that, she has the kind of energy that makes you want to support her work.

Because that’s the thing about small businesses. You aren’t just buying a product. You’re supporting someone’s creativity, skill, and vision.

I’ve trusted her with pieces that I genuinely loved but wasn’t wearing enough.

She took an awkward fitting Spell dress and transformed it into the coolest T-shirt dress. It gave the piece a completely different life, and now I actually reach for it.

She also saved my stained vintage Aviator Nation hoodies by adding tapestry blanket sleeves and pockets. Instead of letting them sit forgotten or tossing them because they weren’t perfect anymore, they became some of the coolest pieces in my closet.

She even transformed an old Anthropologie blouse into the cutest purse. A piece I stopped wearing became something I actually use again.

But my favorite service she offers might be the Campfire Tee.

I’ve sent her several old concert shirts, and she adds flannel sleeves to create this perfectly broken-in, one-of-a-kind piece. It still carries the memory of the original shirt, but now it has an entirely new personality.

And that’s what I love about upcycling.

The coolest clothes aren’t always the newest ones. They’re the ones nobody else can buy because they tell your story.

People ask me all the time where I find my shirts because they look different from what everyone else is wearing. They’re always surprised when I tell them the answer isn’t some secret boutique. It’s usually a combination of a great concert, a talented creator, and a good tailor.

I think the best style comes from knowing what you love and leaning into it.

Not everything in my closet matches. Not everything is trendy. Some pieces are expensive, some are thrifted, and some have been repaired more times than I can count.

But they all feel like me.

Fashion should be fun, and so should life!

Earlier this week I wore a vintage Fillyboo dress with giant bell sleeves to Starbucks because I finally realized something: life is the special occasion.

I don’t want to save the good stuff for someday. I want to wear the dress. I want to wear the shoes. I want to wear the concert tee.

I’ll stain things. I’ll mend things. I’ll alter things. I’ll send things to people who can make them even cooler.

Because if I can keep wearing something I already love instead of replacing it with something forgettable, that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

And honestly?

That’s way cooler than chasing the next trend or wearing the same thing as everyone else.