As with all good epiphanies, my most recent came via Kanye West. I was listening to his latest single from Yeezus, 'Bound 2' and the following lyric was like being slapped with a cold, dead fish: "They order champagne but still look thirsty/ Rock Forever 21 but just turned 30".
"Oh my God," I panicked. "I rock Forever 21 but just turned 30!" (In truth, I wear it, rocking is overstating the situation).
I'm still buying my clothes from the same brands I pledged allegiance to at university - Topshop, H&M and Gap. There's the odd Clements Ribeiro, a sniff of Vivienne Westwood now and again, but the labels in my wardrobe are woefully similar to those hanging there in my student days. Essentially, my closet is in its twenties, the lucky cow.
Naturally, I blame the recession. Fewer jobs, less opportunities and not-so-much money since 2008 means a style entirely constructed from age-appropriate Whistles, Cos and Reiss is out of the question.
In short, the economy has stunted my style and here's how I know:
1. Some of my clothes are so ancient, when people praise them I respond:
a) Thanks! I got it in Topshop, like, 10 years ago.
b) Thanks! I got it on holiday in France when I was, like, 15.
c) Thanks! My granny knitted it.
2. When I do buy clothes from stores aimed at my demographic, I bore everyone to death about my new "grown-up" outfit.
3. My parents still get me Topshop vouchers for Christmas.
Does any of this sound familiar? Has your style been stunted by the recession? Is Kanye making you sad? Tweet us @MyDailyUK.