5 Years Later: Pumpkin Chai
Every month this year, I’m picking an outfit that I first wore and blogged back in 2016 (a whole five years ago, if you can believe it!) and recreating it using the same (or very similar) pieces! I actually could have started this series in 2020 or even 2019, but 2016 is the first full year I used a DSLR for blog photos, and no one needs to be reminded of the photos I took with the camera prior to that (lol).
My goals with this series are to put together updated versions of some of my favorite past outfits, see how much my style has changed over the years (if at all), highlight the items that are still in my closet five or more years later, determine if it’s time to pass on some of my older items, inspire you to evaluate the longevity in your own wardrobe, and most importantly, remind you (and myself) that it’s cool to rewear your favorite outfits/items!
Let’s discuss the LAST 5 years later outfit of fall and the second to last 5 years later outfit of 2021!
PUMPKIN CHAI — 2021 vs. 2016
My “Pumpkin chai” outfit was another favorite from fall 2016! I remember feeling very proud of how well this outfit came together. It felt very “me”—and still does today! I also remember the absolutely gorgeous fall weather we had that day; we wandered down to our favorite coffee shop (this was when I lived in Utah) and I ordered my go-to blended chai with pumpkin added. In 2016, I wore a Gap sweater, LOFT jeans, Charlotte Olympia flats, and Madewell scarf. I still own everything except for the jeans and included two of the four items in the new 2021 version. I also included a blended chai…of course! 😉
Let’s start with my SHOES!!! The signature navy velvet Charlotte Olympia ‘Kitty’ flat was a dream of mine to own, and I was fortunate to get that opportunity after earning credit working with Shopbop a few years ago. I actually still own that original pair, and I ended up ordering a second pair in a half size down when I saw them on sale at a different retailer a couple of years ago. I still love them so much! They really are a dream shoe for me; I probably wouldn’t have them if it weren’t for this blog. I still can’t believe they were discontinued (???). I’m cherishing them forever!
The Madewell blanket scarf was a gift from my parents a few Christmases ago. I think I had asked for this scarf specifically, and my dad wrapped the package without opening it up and taking out the packing slip first, and I noticed he had paid full price. Rookie mistake, haha! (The paying full price at Madewell part, not the packing slip part…though I was taught to remove price tags from gifts from a young age!) This scarf has red, black, and navy in it, making it a great team player for any fall or winter outfit. I love how thick it is!
I do still own the sweater in the original 2016 outfit, but I felt like mixing it up with a lighter grey cropped sweater. I also went and got myself a blended chai—of course!—but I had forgotten that this outfit was titled “pumpkin chai” haha. I got my new favorite flavor, cinnamon chai! I could drink those all day long; they’re sooo dangerously delicious.
I own a variety of grey sweaters, including the Gap sweater from the original outfit, but I think the Everlane soft cotton square crew looks even better, especially since the jeans I wore were a higher rise and the sweater is slightly cropped in front. It’s funny how much can change in 5 years in the fashion world—back then, I was not wearing high-rise jeans and cropped sweaters. I actually think I was just starting to get interested in high-rise jeans (well, they’d probably be considered mid-rise now!). Now that’s all I want to wear! I cannot imagine going back to low rise. Just, no. Plus cropped sweaters just work so well with the higher rise! And speaking of jeans…
The only item I don’t own anymore from the original outfit is the pair of jeans (I do still have the sunglasses, but I’m still on my Le Specs kick). The jeans in the original outfit were from LOFT, and I never fully loved them. I thought the style was great with the dropped hem, but they stretched out oddly and I wasn’t a fan of that. I purchased these Madewell cropped skinny jeans this year when I was down to exactly one pair of jeans that fit well enough to wear for over eight hours at a time. They’ve quickly risen to the top of the pile! They’re so comfy, and they do stretch out with wear more than my other pairs of Madewell jeans, but I like that I can wear these on my super bloated days and still feel comfortable. That’s rare for me with jeans!
There’s really not much of a difference between these two outfits. Are you a fan of the updates in the new 2021 version or do you prefer the 2016 original? I’m loving the updated look myself!
OUTFIT DETAILS
Everlane sweater / old; similar by Quince or BP
Madewell jeans / exact (also available from Zappos)
Charlotte Olympia flats / old; similar mules (shop exact and similar styles on Poshmark)
Madewell scarf / old; similar by J.Crew or from Bloomingdale's
Le Specs sunglasses / exact via Zappos, Shopbop or Nordstrom
Dior Lip Glow in rosewood / exact