Why do your recent remixed outfits look better?

Same-ish wardrobe, slightly different world.

Currently, I’m re-reading Haruki Murakami’s 1Q84 after a Substack chat with my fellow Aries queens, Angela Jones and Ritika. It got me thinking about style through the lens of parallel worlds.

Not in the very serious theoretical physics sense, which my sister would probably like me to clarify if she’s reading this. But more in the emotional wardrobe sense.

You know that feeling when you put on clothes you already own, but somehow the outfit feels like it belongs to a slightly different version of you? Not a completely new person. Not a total reinvention. Just you, but in a nearby world.

That is what outfit remixing has felt like to me.

Has there been any seismic changes in my style or am I still participating in a version of my parallel world dressing? Do the Elaines in “1984” and “1Q84” seem recognisable (just to riff off Murakami)?¹ Maybe one of them has learnt to see her clothes with a clearer eye.

The process

Part of this introspection comes from one of my biggest fears: that I’ve consumed so much internet trend content that I’ve lost any original instinct of my own. I don’t want to be driven by trends. In fact, two newsletters ago, I was celebrating that I’m not trend-forward.

So when my remixed outfits started looking better to my eye, I had to ask myself: is this growth, or is this just better trend absorption?

my shabby attempt at mimicking my favorite book cover of my favorite Murakami.

What I think; perhaps remixing works because it isn’t about abandoning your style. You are just entering a neighbouring world within your own style multiverse. This is how I’ve approached this analysis: picking out some outfits from 2025 and comparing them with recent outfits that have utilised the same items. Where inspiration strikes, I’ll also include some future remixes.

Come along for the ride!

Outfit #1

The bones of this outfit are the same - the same yellow asymmetrical top (one of my fave not-quite-basic) and brown pants. I’ve even wore the same wrist accessories. The difference is that I’ve been embracing the mid-rise/low-rise life. I’ve this low rise striped pants from New Zealand brand Glassons, in heavy rotation now. It has a cute tiny apron detail too if you look carefully.

Why do I prefer the remixed outfit? I simply need pants which give room to my new waistline. I know I’ve banged on about this but tucked in tops + high rise pants aren’t for me anymore. I also love how the vintage Fendi baguette adds a kitschier vibe compared to the vintage Coach mini ergo in the earlier photo.

How I’d remix it further: The color pairing is a winner so I’ll pick out another brown bottoms in my inventory - the Deiji Studios dropwaist detail skirt. The skirt goes best with footwear that show skin (see more in Outfit #4) so my very old Arizona Love bandana sandals will add another color hit to it. I still love my brown carpenter jeans - I just don’t want to tuck tops in anymore. Enter this Our Second Nature mesh-effect tank top recently purchased. I’ll lean into the ‘70s vibe with everything but the Adidas sambas.

Outfit #2

This is the same white waistcoat I’ve had for the past 4 years but matched with very different looks. Linen pants from Cotton On in 2025 and the perfect mid-blue straight leg jeans from Rollas in 2026. The styling is also very different, and the accessories really helped me to bring the look more into what feels like me - a little bit of romance, a little bit of strength but still keeping the ease.

Why do I prefer the remixed outfit? The 2025 outfit was a miss ie. I’m not going be putting these separates together again. I felt like I was cosplaying a day at the country club².
My accessories are very dear to me and I am delighted to wear the heck out of them. What I’ve collected over the years featured here: the white hair ribbon from a random shop; the preloved Isabel Marant belt and my latest acquisition from Shanghai. - a preloved See by Chloe micro crossbody bag which has been worn 10x already. Don’t knock on microbags!

How I’d remix it further: The jeans + belt pairing is so good I want to keep rewearing it. In this version, I tone down the contrast with a grey tissue thin long sleeve tee from Everlane. I would lean into the easeful art student vibe for this look so the finishing touches are: the green bandana as a hair scarf + my jadeite+ silver hoops + preloved Minnentonka moccassins.

Outfit #3

These outfits feature a black vest I’ve had for quite awhile now with green linen shorts in 2025 and a Deiji studios striped mini skirt in 2026. To be fair to 2025 outfit, this was a very lazy WFH outfit.. And 2026 outfit was one I wore for a brunch with friends. So it’s kinda unfair to criticize 2025…because I 100% would wear it again for another lazy video calls-only day.

Why do I prefer the remixed outfit? I’m beginning to see a pattern; I really do need a nod to romance for the outfit meter to move from ok to <3. The skirt is a play on nightie couture - it has the smallest ruffle on the side. The Meller sunglasses (that was a birthday gift to my husband but turned out to be too small for his face) and preloved Tory Burch satin bag helped to dial up the romance.

I’ve found this clarity in my comeback post late last year and 8 months later, I am indeed trying to incorporate these little bits of myself into my outfits. I’m linking it here in case you haven’t read it and are curious about this bit of self-discovery.

No re-mixing for this because I’ve found many many ways to wear both vest, skirt and shorts!

Outfit #4

It was the monsoon weather and I delighted in wearing this skirt (also featured in a remix above) with a pleather jacket (purchased in 2024 on a whim but I really do love it despite it being essentially plastic). In 2026, I pulled on another jacket; a vintage YSL harrington jacket paired with leather thongs.

Why do I prefer the remixed outfit? Only a smidge. I remember the Adidas sneakers photographing well but looking awkward IRL. It is a slim profile sneaks but something about the way it felt clunky against the skirt didn’t sit well with me. I’m sticking to slides and sandals for the skirt. I also favor the lighter tone jacket with this skirt.

How I’d remix it further: Since I love the brown and cream/plaid jacket together, I’ll bring back the Glassons pants from outfit #1 for this look. Instead of defaulting to a baby tee or tank, I thought I’d challenge myself a little and wear a puritan collar blouse (this one is a seersucker cotton from a local brand, Love and Bravery). A multicolored semi precious stone necklace + vintage Christian Dior Malice red ponyhair bag + my ever-present Massimo Dutti red suede thong sandals to finish off.

So why do your remixed outfits look better?

After putting my 2025 outfits beside my 2026 versions, it really reinforced the lesson that reinvention isn’t needed for you to feel more like who yourself. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.

Your remixed outfits often look better because they are not trying to turn you into someone else. They are working with the same person with the same body living the same life; and often wearing the same clothes. The difference is that one or two styling decisions have shifted.

That is the “parallel world” of outfit remixing.

You are not abandoning your original style world. You are stepping into the version beside it. Perhaps, the colors feel more connected. Or the accessories are tying your vision together. Or perhaps, you nailed the proportions that work for your body in this season.

If you are like me and revisit past outfits from time to time, instead of asking “what was wrong here”; ask “what was I trying to do here”? When you are curious and not judgemental about your outfit choices, I think the next remix will start working in your favor.

Let me know in comments if this post was something you found useful for your own wardrobe remixes. And if you enjoyed it, I would love if you could restack or share it with a friend.

1. It’s a long shot to riff off this motif. Yes, 2024/2025 and 2026 are different years and not technically parallel times. But I’ve felt pretty much the same me in these past 2 years which has also led to a much happier, more self-assured me.

2. We’ve been HOOKED on Beef Season 2. It is SO good.