Curating a Nostalgic Closet:
How I shop 95% thrifted and still look chic
I read the question: Describe your relationship with style? Write about how it (positively) shows up for you personally, professionally, creatively, or sartorially? In the new book Slowing—Discover Wonder, Beauty, and Creativity through slow living by Rachel Schwartzmann. So here I am writing about it.
In short answer my relationship with style is deeply personal and artistic. It’s more than just clothing—it’s an extension of my creativity and values. Through thrifted finds and sustainable choices, I weave together pieces that feel timeless and unique, blending old with new to tell a story. Style for me is about honoring the past while embracing the present, grounding myself in nature, and expressing the beauty that I see in the world.
In a more detail, my love for fashion definitely comes from a mix of influences, and I have to give a big thanks to my mama. She’s a perfect blend of simplicity and style—imagine a beekeeper’s wife with a farmer’s heart, deeply connected to nature in every way. Yet, she's also a maximalist fashionista at heart. She loves dressing up, shopping, and finding the best bargains. Somehow, she always manages to pull together sophisticated, elegant outfits with ease.
I’ve always believed in blending the old with the new, celebrating the beauty of imperfection. The saying, “one person’s trash is another’s treasure,” has been my motto for over two decades. Recently, I’ve been delving into reading and writing my “morning pages,” listening to the Preloved podcast, and watching wardrobe stylists define personal style. This journey has been a significant learning experience for me. Some might call it self-reflection, but I see it as a quest to understand my current relationship with fashion. I know what I like and what doesn’t resonate with me—not necessarily dismissing it, but recognizing that it doesn’t suit me. I’m drawn to certain pieces, and I often find surprises while thrifting. To distill my personal style, I’ve come up with three key words that truly represent me.
The three words that define my unique aesthetic are nostalgic, earthy, and artful. "Nostalgic" reflects my vintage charm, "earthy" speaks to my connection with nature, and "artful" captures my creative spirit. These words may evolve over time—as I am constantly changing and growing—but some might remain constant.
I truly believe that your relationship with style is shaped by where you live and the weather around you, both of which influence your wardrobe. The seasons and stages of life also play a significant role. As a 36-year-old stay-at-home creative mom living in Southern California, I’m inspired by the honeycomb sunrises, green valleys, the majestic sea blues, buttercream shadows, all the natural earthy colors of nature. Immersing myself in this beautiful environment over the past four years has refined my personal style and influenced how I put my outfits together.
Someone once told me, “Olga, you dress like a scrapbook!” I wasn’t sure whether to take that as a compliment or an insult. However, I believe my personal style truly reflects who I am inside and what I’m naturally drawn to. As a visual, creative soul who thrives on thriftiness. I see my fashion choices as a canvas for self-expression. I artfully curate outfits with thrifted pieces, allowing me to live in comfort and freedom.
Over the years Im learning to honing my style.— Drawing from different fashion eras allowed me to create a layered, versatile wardrobe that celebrates vintage and sustainability. Each era offers unique elements that I can adapt to reflect my personality, blending nostalgia with a eco-conscious approach. I can truly say that I’ve picked up style inspiration from eras as early 1920s to the 1990’s. Let me break it down to you.
The 1920’s-30's era for its glamorous, elegance and tailored fashion. Luxurious materials like silk, satin, and velvet were prized for evening wear and formal attire. The overall sophisticated aesthetic I’m all for that today.
The 1940’s era for its classic elegance and utility. Some key pieces like a structured blazer, high-waisted trousers, utility jackets are timeless and easy to mix with modern times. Classic trench coats, feminine blouses, and tailored silhouettes can give you a vintage feel that’s still practical and polished.
The 1950s are celebrated for their soft, feminine silhouettes and refined aesthetic. The focus on dresses with defined waistlines and romantic details embodies a vintage charm that feels both effortless and beautiful. I find inspiration in pieces with skirts, delicate blouses, elegant accessories, and small handbags. To me, this era is all about romance.
The 1960’s era was all about chic, innovated, vibrant mod fashion. I embrace the sleek lines and minimalist silhouettes of dresses and tailored coats, while also incorporating the playful, colorful patterns. A-line skirts are still a favorite for creating a clean, flattering silhouette, and cardigans are a timeless layering piece. Of course a pair of ballet flats are comfortable, chic shoes that could be paired with almost anything and a must in my wardrobe.
The 1970’s era was all about earthy tones, natural fabrics, and a free spirited aesthetic, perfect for someone who feels connected to nature. This era embraced sustainable materials, flowing silhouettes, and a laid-back style that’s easy to incorporate into daily wear. Wide-legged trousers, turtlenecks, and vests, flowy dresses, earthy colors, denim jackets, and always natural textures, cotton, suede, leather, wool, silk.
The 1980s, the era I was born in—1988, to be exact—was a time that I find very playful and eclectic. It offered a great mix of bold dressing and relaxed silhouettes, perfect for experimenting with bold contrasts that complement unique thrifted finds. I’m often drawn to oversized blazers, high-waisted jeans, and mixed metals accessories, blending casual and structured elements in my style.
The 1990s are probably my favorite era for inspiration. Its minimalist approach, combined with vintage influences, resonates with my sustainable ethos and love for mixing textures. The emphasis on simplicity and quality aligns perfectly with the timeless pieces I can easily find while thrifting. I adore slip dresses, chunky loafers, straight-leg jeans, and relaxed button-down shirts. Right now, I’m especially obsessed with cozy cotton cardigans and loafers, which bring a nostalgic yet modern touch to my wardrobe.
With all that said, it's easy to see how I draw inspiration from every era, from the 1920s to the present. Fashion has evolved so much—long before I was even born—and it's fascinating and beautiful to witness where it's heading. I've reached a point where I feel comfortable in my own skin, and I've developed a healthy relationship with defining my "personal style." Right now, if I had to sum it up in three words, it would be "Nostalgic," "Earthy," and "Artful." I naturally gravitate toward fabrics made from natural fibers, an earthy color palette, and pieces that fit comfortably and can be styled in multiple ways. Thrifting has always been a fun treasure hunt for me, and I truly believe that if you're patient and give yourself permission to explore, it can be an incredibly creative and playful experience. When I thrift now, I don't just buy things because it’s cute and cheap; I always check the label, the materials, and ask myself if I can wear the piece in multiple ways. I think about how many different outfits I can create from it, and whether it's something my daughters might want to wear one day. Thrifting it's about the journey. If you're stuck, look back at vintage fashion eras and see how far things have come. After all, who really defines "style"? The answer is simple: You do. Buy what you love, what makes you feel good, and what fits your life.
I link my vintage outfits on LTK and Shopmy for a small commission. If you’d like to follow along on my personal gram where I occasionally share outfits and beautiful ethical brands.