Almost three years ago (I can’t even believe it!!), I decided to start this blog. I had no clue what I was doing. I didn’t know what my style really was and I definitely didn’t know what I got myself in to. I’m proud that I stuck with it though and have built my website to what it is today!
Throughout the process, I went through many styles. If you’ve been around for a while, you’ve seen me in jeans – truly a rare sight! If you’ve been around since the beginning, then you remember this dress. The Who What Wear collection had just launched at Target for the first time and I was just in love with this dress. At the time, this was one of the cutest dresses I owned. I definitely started trying more fashion risks as the blog progressed. So I decided to make this my very first look on hillheady.com. I still remember this day like it was yesterday – my first ever hillheady photoshoot pictured above on the left. It was hot and when I say hot I mean hot like Channing Tatum hot. The classic New York summer day with absolutely no breeze. I was so upset after the shoot ended because I knew the photos were going to be so bad considering how much I had been sweating. (Seriously if you live in New York or are visiting and need a photographer, contact Lauren of Laurel Creative!! She clearly works wonders!).
I then proceeded to write what I like to call my classic beginner blog post aka my first blog post ever. Basically, where I just describe the entire outfit you can clearly see right in front of you. “I’ve added some gold and black accessories that are simple, but give this look a little pop!”, I wrote directly above a picture of my gold and black accessories. If you go back in the archives, there are quite a bit of these blog posts. It took a while before I realized my blog posts should actually have some sort of substance to keep people around.
After countless colorful dresses and twirl-worthy skirts featured on this blog, I’ve still held on to this simple $35 midi dress because of its symbolism of how far I feel I’ve come (I’m a very sentimental person). Recently, while looking in my closet, I’ve come back to this dress. So, I decided it was time to dust it off and bring it back. Might I add – this is the first time I’ve “re-worn” something on the blog! I decided to restyle it to reflect my current style. If you know me, you know I’m always wearing my denim jacket. It’s quite possibly the best investment I’ve ever made and like a second skin. I’m also always wearing a headband. Again, if you follow me, you know this! I knew I had to add these classic items to this dress and styled with one of my favorite pairs of shoes that I’ve had for years. All photos on the left are from my first shoot in 2016 and all photos on the right are from 2019.
This has been one of my favorite blog posts I’ve worked on to date. It’s inspired me to restyle some of my old outfits now that I have different taste! And maybe in another 2+ years, you’ll see this dress again! If you remember this dress from the beginning, drop a comment below and say hi!
SHOP THE LOOK
Dress: Target | Denim Jacket: Urban Outfitters | Shoes: Urban Outfitters (similar) | Headband: H&M (similar) | Sunglasses: Nordstrom | Bag: c/o Patricia Nash
I LOVE this post!! Such a great idea to re-style your first outfit and reflect on how much you’ve grown!
Yay!! Thanks so much!!
xo, Hillary
This is SUCH a fun idea for a post! LOVE it.
xx rebecca // the crystal press
http://www.thecrystalpress.com/the-crystal-press-mothers-day-picks/
Ah yay! Glad you love it!
xo, Hillary
Aw so cool! Sadly I don’t still have the outfit from my first post (7 years ago come September!)- I wish I had done something like this though after a few years of blogging!
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
Ah wow 7 years is such a huge accomplishment!! Congrats!
xo, Hillary
So fun! I love that you restyled the dress! I totally want to do this with my first outfit (a dress that I still love and wear!).
Okay, now this is such a cool post!! I love both stylings honestly! The first look is so edgy!
-Morgan
How 2 Wear It [] http://how2wearit.com
I love pairing a denim jacket over spring/ summer dresses!
What a cool post idea! I don’t even think I have the same outfit I wore for my first blog post!
It was honestly pretty fun to go back to that first blog post to see what your style was like and how it’s changed. So fun to learn more about you through that!
I love seeing the changes I’ve made in a few months! 3 years time will probably bring so many good changes! Loved this post!
Such a great idea! I loved seeing how your style has changed over time!
love how you styled it! such a classic dress!
This is too fun! Your first blog post ever was 3859236589273 times better than mine! Loving this dress too. Love when affordable pieces last year over year too.
xo Jessica
My Style Vita
Haha oh my goodness thank you!!
xo, Hillary
Love this story! So pretty!
I love the two different ways you styled this dress! So cute, plus I love the fun accessories you added to each look.
xo, Darleen
I love the different ways you styled this dress! So cute, plus I love the fun accessories you added to each look!
xo, Darleen
http://www.darlingdarleen.com
I love this idea so very much! I love the updated look! I’m Fixin’ To
This is such a fun post idea! I love the then and now!
Xo, Deanie
Deanie Michelle