being in spain taught me to romanticize my closet, daily

image credit: @swapwithmaritza

i have spent the past few months in spain and i thought I had this whole fashion thing down. as one of the co-founders of bonnee | the clothing swap app built for style lovers, i’ve always been into curating my closet, mixing vintage with statement pieces, and keeping my “good outfits” on standby for when the moment really called for it.

but spain? spain said, “that moment is every day.”

from day one, i noticed something different. people here take so much pride in how they show up—whether they’re headed to work, walking their dog, or just popping into the corner store for olive oil. i’ve seen grandmas in red lipstick and tailored coats looking like they just stepped out of a magazine shoot... on a tuesday morning.

and here I was, rotating the same cozy fits, saving my favorite pieces for some imaginary “special occasion” that never really came.

being here has completely shifted the way i think about getting dressed. it’s not about showing off. it’s not about being seen. it’s about how you feel when you wear something you love. it’s about respecting the day—and yourself—enough to get dressed with intention.

so i’ve stopped saving my good outfits. i wear the blouse I used to reserve for “important” dinners to get coffee. i wear the statement pants i swapped on bonnee just to run errands. and you know what? i feel better. i walk differently. i stand taller.

because dressing up doesn’t have to be for someone else. it can just be for you.

so here’s my gentle nudge to you from me:
wear the outfit. make every day the occasion. you don’t need a reason. you already are one.

xo,
@swapwithmaritza
co-founder, bonnee | the clothing swap app