I published the below post on Substack a few days ago. You can read the full contents here. I’m not sending you to Substack or requiring paid subscriptions. I’m just experimenting with both platforms. After twelve years of blogging, I’m looking for ways to keep content fresh for you and enjoyable for me to create. Personally, I think all platforms are currently over saturated. The amount of information coming at us from all angles is overwhelming. Blogging ten years ago found an audience looking for fresh voices and editorial content not created from marketing metrics. As the space grew, stores began producing similar content and magazines shifted priority from print to digital. And now were at a place of too much of everything.
I’m looking back at my original posts to remind myself of what made it so fun. The content was different then. I loved sharing unique editorials from international magazines before globalization narrowed that market to a streamlined vision. Remember the days of Emmanuelle Alt at Vogue Paris, Franca Sozzani at Vogue Italia, Christiane Arp at Vogue Germany and Alexandra Shulman at British Vogue? Their vision specifically defined each publication’s content and it was unique. Now they’re unified under a global Conde Nast and frankly quite boring. And all of the moodboards? The ones I posted in 2013 are just as relevant today which makes me wonder why create new? Not much changes when you’ve been committed to understated, classic style. It’s with these thoughts running through my head and the onslaught of content that has me questioning what feels worthy of anyone’s time to read. I am looking at 2025 as the year to experiment and renew the spark. I have some ideas but I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Previously published on my substack:
JANUARY OVER THE YEARS
A look back at a single highlight from January posts over the last ten years
2025 marks my 12th year of blogging. For the first seven years, I posted every single day. At the time it was easy but that pace stopped in 2020 with covid and the distraction of caring for my parents. I never went back to the dailies and now post on an unpredictable schedule. January always kicked off with thoughts on style, what to wear and things I was looking forward to. I’m taking a trip down memory lane and sharing some of those January posts. I appreciate the consistency in what inspired me then and how relevant those older posts are today. Much of the archive on the blog has been taken down from public view, but I’ve saved everything.
January 2014: Looking forward to the launch of Net-A-Porter’s Magazine, Porter, with a debut publication in February 2014. I still miss the old school magazine format of editorials – the photography and story telling were a fun escape. This fondness is all pre-celebrity focused marketing which continues to dominate. Bring back the models and creativity!
January 2015: Highlights from various SS15 campaigns. Left to right, Prada, Jil Sander, Givenchy. I’m still obsessed with the Prada dress and the perfection of the cut.
January 2016: Post title Adding Polish. I’d wear this outfit today – maybe minus the sweater. I’d go with something quieter. The Gucci Marmont pumps were an amazing fit. They got a ton or wear. Most of my jeans were cropped to the ankle then so slipping on any shoe worked.
January 2017: A run around uniform that’s still valid. I kept the Chloe boots and ended up getting them in taupe suede too. Now, I wear them with my long, wide leg jeans for a lift. Just the toe peeks out of the hem.
January 2018: This post was called A Pop of Color referencing the unexpected green shoes worn on the runway in Victoria Beckham’s S/S18 collection. I’m intrigued with how the styling feels in tune with today’s mood in fashion introducing sheer fabrications and a push for slim, high waist skirts.
January 2019: The pieces on my radar for early 2019. Timeless with a twist. The Row bag would be in heavy rotation if I purchased it. The Fendi boots are still perfection and were a worthy, timeless investment piece.
January 2020: Found! New Loafers! I was on the hunt for a replacement for the Gucci Marmont loafer (I grew tired of the round toe box and the bold GG) and found these – also Gucci, equally comfortable and still in regular rotation. I’d buy them again in colors if they are ever re-released. To my eye, the hardware reads les GG and more horsebit classic. Keepers.
January 2021: Commenting on Anthony Vaccarello’s Saint Laurent Resort 2021 collection and an obsession with everything waist up. The jackets! The blouses! Love even more right now.
January 2022: The Timeless Beauty of Camel and Gold. I took my jeans and black turtleneck uniform in a different direction with a camel jacket and bold jewelry in gold. Sidney Garber’s cuff is one of my all time favorite pieces.
January 2023: A year later and I’m on the same track wearing denim and camel. Sweaters + jeans is my January go-to. Victoria Beckham’s Poshy Cheek is currently in rotation. “Knickers” is a lovely neutral peachy/pink I wear on lips and cheeks.
January 2024: The January Dress Code. I fully shifted to a wide leg jean with a sneaker of low heel boot. The relaxed vibe stayed with me throughout the year. Jeans from J. Crew, Citizens of Humanity and COS had the best washes and drape.
January 2025: Which brings me to today. My goal is to have an even more tightly edited closet. These two looks captured by Sandra Semburg highlight my current goal in styling jeans. I love the relaxed mood denim brings to the table with any outfit and how a great shirt/blouse with a sharp blazer elevate the look. It’s so easy and works every time. Why overthink it? The jean silhouette on the left, with a straight leg and slight break at the shoe feels the most modern to me now.
Thanks for reading!
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L Spencer
Loved this trip down memory lane! For me, I miss seeing your frequent posts. Yes, I agree with your point that the classics remain, yet it’s your keen eye accompanied by your astute editorials that has brought me back to this page week after week. I truly anticipate your unique point of view. I’ll cross my fingers in hopes that you find renewed enthusiasm. And finally, I’d love to see all of those gucci loafers come back! Happy 2025!
Karima
Thank you for sharing. I plan on continuing on both platforms for now, perhaps posting less frequently. I’m still working on a plan.
Susan
I enjoy your posts and your stylish eye! I just need to remind myself that I am shorter than you and can’t always pull off what works on you, even though I love your looks.
Karima
Thank you Susan.
Mari Dolby
Please keep posting !! I find your classic style fits my aesthetic and really enjoy your approach. Thanks for your point of view !!
Karima
Thank you!
Amelia
As a longtime follower, I want to thank you for the years of inspiration Karima. Sorry to learn that the blog is not as fulfilling to you as it once was. I look forward to your posts and consider them a bright spot in the day (or week as it were). Usually don’t leave comments simply because it seems trite and unnecessary to constantly say that I love the post or items (although this is almost always the case). The “wear around clothes” repeated on a daily basis are my favorites, as I feel the most worn clothing is worth investing in.
For what it is worth, I hope you don’t move exclusively to Substack.
Karima
Thank you Amelia. I don’t plan on moving exclusively to Substack. I like the idea of expanding my audience though so I’m experimenting with new platforms. Hearing from my followers is very much appreciated and I value everyone’s feedback.
Julie
Love how your style has evolved but still manages to be classic and elegant. Love those two last pics. If you find a jean like the bottom left Semberg pic please let me know. Great goals!
Karima
Thanks! I will link when I find a similar style. I love it!
Harriet
I am a fairly new reader of your blog and appreciate your classic style. I am 70 years old and retired and don’t need a lot of clothes. That’s why I am drawn to your style of dressing. But I am short 5’4” and living on a budget so many of the items listed are out of my price range. I try to use your blog as a guide and look for similar yet more affordable options. Maybe you could link some of those options.
Karima
I’m glad to be a source of inspiration. The good thing about classic style is that it’s available across a broad price point. The styling can be copied with luxury pieces or more affordable finds. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Lisa
I think I’ve followed your blog since the beginning and thank you for keeping a journal of style that reminds us that classics never go out of style and can be reworked to keep them fresh. I too find Substack (and instagram) is over saturated, but you are one of two style-life writers that I look forward to reading, usually checking in over my morning coffee. Again, thank you for creating interesting content and sharing years of inspiration.
Karima
Thank you Lisa. It’s so nice to hear from long time followers. I appreciate your comment.
Meg
Karima, I check for your blog every day on my way train ride home from teaching high school students English composition. I look forward to seeing your beautiful style and reading your thoughtful blog. You have inspired the evolution of my personal style over the years.
I appreciate that you are taking time to reflect on your goals, and I hope you find the platform that works best for you.
Wishing you a beautiful year ahead!
Meg
Karima, I check for your blog every day on my way train ride home from teaching high school students English composition. I look forward to seeing your beautiful style and reading your thoughtful blog. You have inspired the evolution of my personal style over the years.
I appreciate that you are taking time to reflect on your goals, and I hope you find the platform that works best for you.
Wishing you a beautiful year ahead!
Karima
Thank you Meg. I appreciate your kind, thoughtful comment.
Anne
I just discovered you this year and have winnowed my fashion-related reading to just this blog. I can do substack if I must, but prefer being here. I’m 52 and was raised by a very practical mother sees no value to the kind of clothes, shoes and accessories that I enjoy. Every one of your posts is a validation for me and I appreciate that more than you know.
Karima
Thank you. I love hearing from my readers – old and new. It makes me happy to see my thoughts and work are helpful to so many. Welcome to our little community!
Shay
Forgive me, Karima, but you’ve answered your own question.
You are the fresh voice that’s needed.
Like Emmanuelle, Franca, Christiane and Alexandra, your vision and unique perspective for A Note on Style adds incredible value for those of us bombarded by the onslaught of content that is no longer relevant to those of us 40+. Your ability to assess current fashion and distill what is most valuable and worthy to your readers, daily or even weekly, is a gift we all appreciate. As a visual person, I love your mood boards and refer back to them often when planning my wardrobe, so please keep them coming.
To expand your readership, maybe consider leaning into lifestyle? As a longtime reader, I know you love interior design and travel and wouldn’t mind a few more non-fashion posts.
As for Substack, while I understand the benefit of monetizing content, for those of us with careers and families, and thus the need to manage our time wisely, Substack can be overwhelming, and frankly, many of the influencers and writers in the fashion space lack originality often pontificating on much of nothing. Substance matters.
I support any decision you make, but will continue to bookmark and read A Note on Style as a blog for as long as you deem it worthy of your time.
Karima
Thank you for such a moving comment. I’m feeling renewed reading comments like yours. The lifestyle idea is one of mulled around and feels like a natural extension. I greatly appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts. Thank you.
Jennifer
I agree with everything said above! I also like that you are in California and reference our warmer fall and winter weather. And I love the travel posts!
Marvella
Those style posts looks as current and desirable today as when first posted! Because there is such an onslaught of news/info/opinions to grab my time and attention I keep a short bookmarked list of blogs and IG accounts to turn to. You have been on that list since I first found you. Your style articles are inspiring, and I’m sure you would find our heavy interest in lifestyle articles as well. I haven’t wandered over to Substack yet, but it’s nice to know I’ll find you there as well. Thank you for the time and research you put into your blog!
Mindy Ann Laven
I love this older, classic content. I have so many great pieces now and want to add only exceptional, timeless things. I think you do this so well!