How I Stopped Chasing Trends and Built a Wardrobe I Love

There’s nothing inherently wrong with chasing trends. After all, there’s always a reason why a certain piece or style becomes popular — and some are genuinely good. But as I followed trends over the years, I realized many of them didn’t really suit me — not just in style, but in lifestyle, body type, and climate.

A lot of today’s fashion trends are rooted in Western aesthetics. That influence shaped how I dressed too, often unintentionally. I started limiting myself to color palettes or pieces that didn’t feel like me. I bought sweaters, cardigans, and tailored trousers — clothes that look great on Pinterest, but not so great when you live in a hot and humid city like mine. Especially if the materials aren’t breathable. Anything blended with polyester is basically a sauna. The result? Sweat. Smells. Discomfort.

Eventually, I realized that chasing trends is a bit like chasing ego — or chasing wealth. It’s a loop of feeling like you’re almost there, but never quite. And if we depend on one thing to make us feel fulfilled — even clothes — it never ends.

So I stopped. I stopped chasing, and I started choosing. Instead of trying to fit into a global idea of style, I started building a wardrobe that fits me. My body, my job, my lifestyle, my climate.

Because the truth is, my life looks nothing like those Pinterest boards. Those beautiful girls in New York or Stockholm have a different reality than mine. They walk clean streets and maybe work in creative offices. I work in a rattan furniture factory, through heat and dust. Trousers and flats every day? Not practical. Oversized cardigans? Not breathable.

And I don’t have their bodies either. I’m not tall and skinny — and that’s okay. Not everything that looks good on them will look good on me. And that’s also okay. I’m learning to embrace my shape, my preferences, and my comfort.

More than following trends, I now prioritize wearing what makes me feel good — in my skin and in my own eyes.

So practically — how did I stop chasing trends?

1. Try everything first — feel it, see it, decide later.

By trying, I don’t mean shopping a lot. I usually borrow from my sister, my mum, or my friends. Sometimes I stroll around the mall just to try on pieces I’ve had my eyes on — not to buy, just to see if they fit or might fit. I take pictures to check them again later in my free time. I still love exploring and trying new styles, but I’ve come to accept: I don’t need to have it all. And honestly? I can’t be greedy, can I?

i've been interested in wearing fit cardigan so i tried mom's

2. Declutter — and be honest about what I actually wear.

Now that I’m a bit older, I don’t like having too many clothes that feel or look the same. So I check my wardrobe regularly — not just to tidy it, but to really see what I’m holding onto.

Are there pieces I haven’t touched in a year? Things I swore I’d wear “one day” but never do? I ask myself: Is this worth keeping? Can I give this away? Can it be repaired or reimagined? It’s not always easy, but I remind myself that a clearer wardrobe helps me get dressed with more ease and less guilt.

Having fewer, better pieces brings me peace — not less joy.

3. Repeat outfits — and make peace with it.

I used to think, “I’ve already worn this last summer,” or “It’s in my Instagram feed.” But now? That mindset feels... unnecessary. Honestly, who even notices?

Do we eat different food every single day? No.
Do we constantly switch our skincare routine? No.
Do we change our devices all the time? No.

Somehow, in this era, we’ve developed the habit of thinking we always need something new — new clothes, new tools, new everything. We’ve become used to getting things, tossing them, and moving on. So why the pressure to always wear something new?

One of my favorite quotes I found on TikTok is:
“Outfit repeater, music repeater, movie repeater — because I know what I like.”
And that hits deep. Because yes — I’m an outfit repeater. And I love it.

What helps is finding different ways to rewear the same piece:

• Pairing it with different accessories

• Layering it in new ways

Personal style, for me, is a long journey.
And the way I get there? By getting to know what I already own — deeply.
Wearing pieces over and over again until I truly understand them. And more often than not, I find that they actually do fit me — especially the ones made with good materials.

So when it’s finally time to get something new, I know exactly what to look for — because I’ve learned so much from what I’ve already had.

me with my favorite white blouse

4. Read about clothes — the ones I have, and the ones I want.

It might sound nerdy, but I like learning about clothes. Sometimes it’s their history, sometimes how people style them, or how certain designers think about form and function. That makes me value what I have more. A shirt becomes more than just a shirt. A skirt becomes a tiny piece of culture. It deepens the connection.

5. Accept that I don’t have to look stylish every day.

This one took a while to sink in. I know some people love dressing up daily — either for work, errands, or just for the joy of it. That’s great for them. But me? I can be chill on weekends, wear my daster (Indonesia’s comfy house dress), and that’s okay.
Some days I reach for the clothes on top of the pile, some days I enjoy layering and styling. Some days I wear full makeup, and some days it’s just sunscreen. That’s life.
The yin and yang. It balances out.

It might sound classic — or even cliché — but like many other grown-ups, I find myself investing more in quality these days. I want pieces that feel good on my skin, that let me breathe, and that don’t fall apart after a few washes. Clothes that can keep up with me — through work, errands, weekends, and everything in between.

Over time, I’ve learned it’s not just about having “nice” clothes. It’s about how I wear them. Confidence, more than trends, is what elevates a look. It’s in the way I carry myself, how I mix and match pieces, how I take care of what I already own. When you truly love your wardrobe — not because it’s trendy, but because it reflects who you are — it shows.

Having the money to buy it all is surely a dream for many of us. And there’s nothing wrong with spending our own money — especially when it brings us joy. It can feel like healing.

But if we take a step back and look at the bigger picture — buying too much, using too little, and wasting too often — what does it really cost?
Our environment? Our values?

As much as it helps the economy, surely there’s a better way than producing things at such cheap prices that it ends up costing humanity and the planet. There must be a better way than shopping impulsively just because there’s a discount, or because everyone else is wearing it right now.

I genuinely support people expressing themselves through fashion. Dress up if it makes you feel good. Wear what lifts your mood and helps you start the day better. Buy the things you’ve always wanted — especially if you couldn’t afford them when you were younger.
But how wise it is, too, to be mindful.
How wise it is to be grateful.

Not that I do it perfectly every day. But I try.
Because fashion, for me, is more than just a look.
It’s a feeling.
It’s a story.It’s the personal utility I live with too.