20's Memories - In Outfits

I cannot believe it, I have 2 days left of my 20's – where on Earth has that time gone?

As my 20's draw to a close I'm feeling all kinds of emotions – nostalgia, excitement for new beginnings, pressure to meet “deadlines” and even some sadness, however all are still met with an air of preparation for taking on my 30's with gumption, motivation and inspiration for my next decadade to be as fullfilled as possible!

Clothes have been a massive part of my 20's – I got my first real job in fashion in my 20's, refined my style, had many fashion faux-pas (it happens to us all), discovered my favourite brands, and built my wardrobe. I have some pieces in my wardrobe which have been with my throughout most of the last decade – thats something to be proud of I say!

As outfitting and fashion have been such a monumental part of my 20's, I have so many memories associated with so many outfits. So, I thought, as an ode to my 20's, I'd have a run-down of 5 (which was so hard to narrow down to!) outfits that have the most significant memories of my 20's associated with, so, take a tip down memory lane with me for memories of my 20's – in outfits!

No. 1

Looking at this photo I can feel all the feelings I felt back then - I was 26, heartbroken, but ready to move on!

I'd say here I had just experienced my first real, really bad, heart-wrenching heartbreak. I was broken, devastated, and all the things along with it. However, at the final goodbye with this person, one of my best girlfriends had vowed to help me re-build and boost my mood – and that she did!

She booked us tickets to the ballet, for 2 night's later! I'd never been to the ballet before, knowing it was the perfect place for a real G outfit, I got planning – quickly! We planned to have the classiest of evenings in London's Covent Garden, full of cultured ballet, followed by dinner, wine and lots of chatting to cheer me up and spur me on for a fresh start, what better way, I say! It was such a beautiful evening, but the significance behind it made it extra special! I didn't think about him all evening – all evening, my mind was free, and I felt supported and reminded of the amazing friendships I had, as well as having some confidence restored that I'd lost in the midst of the dumping.

I'd planned this outfit based around the shoes, and I think that this whole outfit on this night has to not only be my best and favorite of my 20's, but of my entire life too! It might also have something to do with the significance of the fresh start, but also because it had every element of my true style. The shoes were probably my first ever expensive purchase at a whopping £169; they were from Ted Baker, my favourite brand that I couldn't afford often, and when the box was delivered I cannot begin to explain my excitement! The detail on them, the carved wording and the quality oozed my dream shoe – and they were mine! I found the dress only on ASOS for a very fair £45, while the clutch bag was only from New Look – a soft pink, iridescent glitter box clutch with a gold frame and chain.

Together, I felt like Cinderella at the ballet, received the most amount of compliments I ever have and felt the rebirth of my self esteem and most importantly, my happiness. What a night! And once again, thank you so much to Suzie, who's friendship might now be far in location, but is always close ion my heart.

No.2

I actually wore the outfit in question on many occasions, and I don't actually have a photo in the outfit on the night associated with the memory, but with good reason! I love this outfit, for some reason, I always saw this outfit as the perfect first date outfit in the summer. The top gives a flirtatious sexiness, while the skirt gives a lady-like class; the brightness of the yellow amplifies the fun in my personality while the hints of red aren't too much, but enough for me to match my classic G red Dior lipstick too – perfect summer first date outfit! However, my dating history was never quite as simple as outfitting always has been, and so this outfit, after being put together for an office party, was actually worn on 4 first dates, 3 of which I never heard from again, one of which was with my now boyfriend! I have to be honest here – the boys were stupid, but thats not what upset me most; it was the wasted outfit! So I re-utilised the outfit again on my next 1st date and so on until I met my prince charming, who, unlike the others, not only turned out to be perfect, but appreciated the outfit too – massive tick right there!

The outfit is made up of a skirt from the brand I worked at, at the time – Jacques Vert. I had to take it in, but I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it, and even though the brand was seen as “granny” to most, I knew there were so many pieces that many more women could wear, and this was one of them. I made it sexier with a little lace bralette, and added the colour clash with my trusty yellow doll coat from River Island, which, I had wanted for so long! I searched the country for this coat, it was sold out everywhere, so when I finally got my hands on it (I remember the day so clearly, that's a story for another time) I was ecstatic to say the least. So with the colour pop of the coat, I matched it to my yellow slingback patent kitten heels from New Look – I'm saying it out loud right here right now and I don't care who judges – I LOVE KITTEN HEELS! And I happen to have this particular pair in 6 colours, and the CPW for each one makes them all worthy. I was ready for my date after curling my hair, using my quilted black cross body and adding my sentimental locket for subtle good luck in love!

So on the night in question, no photo's were taken - first dates aren't a time for photo's after all! This photo is actually with an old colleague of mine who I am still in touch with – we worked together at Jacques Vert, and I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure she designed the print on this skirt!

On my first date in this outfit, I felt confident and I felt excitement, and it ended up being the best date of my life! We got on instantly, sparks were flying and the chemistry was unmatched – it really was magical. You all know the feeling! For the first time, it all felt right, and I was finally wearing my favourite outfit on a date that was worthy! And obviously, he continued to take me out and the rest is history! In my 20's, this night was significant - it was in a favourite outfit that when I think of I feel happiness and warmth, and a night I won't ever forget!

No.3

Without a doubt, the best night of my life! With my lovely boyfriend, on the beautiful island of Ibiza, at the super club of Pacha, watching the incredible Martin Solveig – this night was incredible. What wasn't to love? I just remember feeling confident, and feeling happy – it was just me and him, on holiday, living for the moment, having the best time in my favourite Ibiza club seeing my favourite DJ play my favourite song, Intoxicated. Full of fun, energy and contentment, I remember feeling as though I didn't ever want the night to end, and to top it off, it gave me my favourite photo of me and him.

In typical Ibiza super club fashion, my top was a lacey little number; quite revealing (sorry, prudes!) and rather flattering on the bust (I'm not apologising here, I cant hide them, they're a part of me and sometimes, it wont stop me from wearing something sexy! Boobs aren't the devil and sometimes I will show them off, it doesn't make me less fashion focussed or a minx, for that matter either!) - it was a lilac bodysuit with tonal matching shorts. Both from ASOS, not particularly the height of sophisticated fashion and neither broke the bank in terms of price or quality for that matter. But, what's important here? I felt good, I felt happy, and I have a memory, in this outfit that has stuck with me ever since, and that over-rules anything else

No.4

I've already mentioned that Ted Baker was my favourite brand – but it was unattainable in price. That didn't mean however, that I didn't dream, for years for that matter, of working at their head office. And after years of dreaming – my dream only went and came true! I got my dream job at my dream brand, the dream of the dream when moving to London in the first place. I cannot tell you how happy and relieved I was to get that job – my life felt made. Being on a budget however, what does one wear for their first day at Ted baker, the dream?!

Well, the reason I loved old Ted Baker, and I say old because the handwriting changed upon my arrival (typical, but it happens), was for the prettiness of the florals and the signature prom dresses. So, in true Ted x G stye, I wore the below outfit. Again, I don't have a photo because no one asks for an outfit photo on their first day of a new job, I don't care who they are, but here it is on my app after planning for it as soon as I was offered the position!

The dress is from the company I had worked for prior to Ted which I was made redundant from; Jacques Vert. This company had multiple brands under one roof, one of which was another brand called Precis Petite which I loved! I used my staff discount and treated myself to this £159 dress – I think I paid about £80 for it, but it was so worth it! The dress oozes quality, and still feels as luxurious today as it did upon the day I bought it. A truly perfectly pretty, feminine floral, with a flattering grosgrain belt to tie in a bow, and a classic prom shape, it was the first dress which came to mind when choosing what to wear on my first day of my new job at Ted Baker. I teamed it with a pair of block heeled sandals, and my new Dune handbag which I bought especially for my new job. I don't actually have that one anymore (it broke on my last day of Ted – how apt!) but I do have the new season version which is pretty similar. And of course in true G style, I added a pair of subtle studs and an embellished headband – ready for my first day at dream job with Ted Baker.

I chose this because it's such a fond memory full of pride and happiness – I can remember the first day nerves as well as the excitement and eagerness to get stuck in and feeling so prepared in my perfect outfit. I felt like I belonged at Ted, and I felt like the working woman I had wanted to be when I moved to London full of dreams. I still have this dress, and I'll continue to wear it for occasions, and each time, I know I'll continue to feel the same sense of pride and confidence that I felt on my first day at theTed Baker.

No.5

Again, I don't have a photo, just the image from my app – but this is because this outfit wasn't one which was worn at the time of the significant memory. As you know, I came to London to begin my career in fashion, for New Look, at their head office. It didn't quite end up going to plan, however. In fact, it ended up being a really sad, negative experience, that I look back on with great sadness and humiliation, even. I'll probably do a blog post on that in the future, but for now, all you need to know, is that my dreams felt (at the time) dashed – completely dashed. As far as I was concerned, it was all over and it was the worst time of my life. Obviously, I can look back and laugh at those feelings now I've experienced all that I have since, but 23 year old me was down and distraught.

So on the last day of my time at New Look HQ, I went to Oxford street to meet a friend from home who was visiting for the weekend. She was out of work at the time having just finished her degree a year later than myself, and was also a bit down about her job situation. With that, we met up after not seeing each other for months, and had a wonder round the shops. As we walked into Miss Selfridge, I spotted this dress on the far left corner, and marched straight over to it – IT WAS A BIT OF ME! The gorgeous floral, the green and blue tones (that would match my signature red lip) and the embellished neck detail along with the classic skater silhouette, I was in heaven! I tried it on, did my signature twirl, and gasped in the mirror – a smile even came over me, which hadn't for quite some time whilst going through what I was at New Look HQ.

For that smile alone, I bought the dress – I couldn't decide whether to buy it for ages, so we stood in the shop deliberating which for my friend, must've felt like a few hours! My friend was telling me not to buy it, as was my head, but my heart was telling me not to put the dress down. I had to start being careful with money as I was no longer earning, but I had been paid that day, and felt I deserved a treat. So, I went and swiped my card didn't I! I felt a sense of guilt as I did – I knew I probably shouldn't have bought but but I just couldn't resist!

Well we went on to a restaurant, ordered a bottle of wine and some dinner, and enjoyed it all al-fresco style, whilst I poured my heart our and cried a little to a friendly face s I explained all that I was going through. I remember her holding my hand across the table telling me it was all going to be okay, and it may sound silly, but at that point, I swear to you, I looked down to my feet, where the bag with the dress was, and as I saw it, I believed her, for the first time, I believed it was al going to be okay. It just made me feel like me, and going through what I did at New Look HQ in London, all alone, I never felt like me – I couldn't be me, and I had no one to be me with, having not made any friends at this point.

I probably shouldn't have bought the dress on my last day of a job without a new one to go to yet, but I loved it so much and now I see it as symbolic – symbolic that something good came from the day, and that experience. Symbolic because my last day of a bad time, was finished with a good memory. Symbolic because I still have this dress, and I've worn it so many times, and been filled with happiness and confidence every time – being ME.

I ended up getting a job at Jacques Vert, where I had the time of my life for nearly 4 years – it was the best job I ever had. I made friends that will last a lifetime, and learnt more than I ever could have imagined. I wore this dress as soon as I could to my new office (it was winter when I started) and had so many compliments - even from directors! Everyone could see it was me in a dress, and it made my personality shine – it told people who I was, and to this day it still takes pride of place in my wardrobe, reminding me that even in bad times, good things can happen, and there's always something positive that you can take from a bad situation – for me, it's this gorgeous dress, which I know will continue to provide positive and happy memories!

And there you have it – 5 memories, 5 outfits/garments. All from my 20's, and most of which, are coming with me into my 30's, because not only are they all still going strong, but I still love them as much now as I did then, because as I always say, genuinely loving your clothes is important!