You've probably seen the aesthetic popping up on your feed lately—that specific, unapologetic blend of maximalism and vintage curation often labeled as Lulu Takes It All. It’s everywhere. It is a mood. It’s also a bit of a mystery if you aren't deep in the niche communities of depop-obsessed Gen Z or the high-fashion archivists who spend their weekends hunting for 90s Gaultier.
What is it exactly? Honestly, it’s a vibe.
But specifically, Lulu Takes It All refers to a distinct movement in the "slow fashion" world that prioritizes personality over brand names, while simultaneously acknowledging that, yeah, we still want the good stuff. It is about the hunt. It is about the find. It is about refusing to settle for the beige, minimalist "quiet luxury" that has been boring us all to tears for the last three years.
The Shift From Minimalism to "Taking It All"
For a long time, the fashion world told us to pare back. Less is more, right? Wrong. The Lulu Takes It All philosophy argues that more is actually more, provided it’s curated with a soul. We spent years in the "clean girl" era, slicking back our hair and wearing neutral sweats. It was safe. It was easy. It was also, frankly, a little bit soulless.
Then came the pivot.
People started craving texture. They wanted patterns that clashed in a way that felt intentional. They wanted the history of a garment. When we talk about Lulu Takes It All, we are talking about a rejection of the fast-fashion cycle where everyone ends up looking like a carbon copy of a Zara mannequin. Instead, this movement leans into the eclectic. It’s about being a "magpie" for style—grabbing a piece of 70s crochet here, a pair of 2000s platform boots there, and a high-end designer blazer from a thrift bin.
It’s messy. It’s loud. It’s brilliant.
Why the Name Matters
Names in fashion usually signify a brand, but here, it signifies a mindset. "Taking it all" implies a lack of restraint. It’s the opposite of "capsule wardrobes." Remember those? Those lists telling you that you only need ten items to be happy? That’s not real life for most of us who actually love clothes. Lulu Takes It All is a permission slip to be a collector. It suggests that you don't have to choose between being a minimalist or a maximalist; you can just take the best of everything and make it work.
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How the Resale Market Fueled the Lulu Narrative
You can’t talk about this without mentioning platforms like RealReal or Vestiaire Collective. Or even the chaotic energy of eBay auctions at 3 AM. The accessibility of high-end vintage has changed how we consume.
In the past, if you wanted a specific aesthetic, you had to wait for a magazine to tell you what was "in." Now? You find a creator who embodies the Lulu Takes It All spirit, and you reverse-engineer their closet through image searches and keyword digging.
- It starts with an obsession.
- It moves to the search.
- It ends with a piece that no one else in your zip code owns.
This isn't just about "shopping." It’s about curation as an art form. The people leading this charge aren't just consumers; they are archivists. They know the difference between a 1994 collection and a 1996 collection. They care about the weight of the fabric and the specific way a hem is stitched.
The Sustainability Paradox
Let’s be real for a second. Is "taking it all" sustainable?
It’s a fair question. Usually, more consumption equals more waste. However, the Lulu Takes It All ethos is built on the back of pre-loved items. It’s a circular economy. When you buy a vintage Vivienne Westwood piece, you aren't adding to the landfill; you’re preserving a piece of cultural history. You are keeping it out of the bin.
The nuance here is that while the volume of pieces might be high, the "newness" is low. It’s about high-turnover style without the high-carbon footprint of manufacturing new polyester rags in a factory across the world. It’s honestly a much smarter way to build a wardrobe if you have the patience for it.
The Visual Language of the Movement
How do you spot a Lulu Takes It All outfit in the wild?
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First, look for the layers. It’s never just a shirt and pants. It’s a shirt, under a vest, under a jacket, with three necklaces and maybe a silk scarf tied to a bag. It’s about depth. There is a specific kind of visual "noise" that happens when someone does this right. It looks like they got dressed in the dark in the best closet in the world.
Second, the colors. We aren't talking about neon, necessarily. It’s more about "rich" colors—deep burgundies, mossy greens, burnt oranges. The palette feels expensive even if the pieces were found at a garage sale.
Third, the silhouette. It’s often oversized but structured. Think big shoulders, wide legs, and cinched waists. It borrows heavily from the 80s power suit era but softens it with 90s grunge elements.
Misconceptions You Should Probably Ignore
A lot of people think this is just "cluttercore" for your body. It isn't. There is a fine line between a curated Lulu Takes It All look and just wearing everything you own at once. The difference is intentionality.
One common mistake is thinking you need a massive budget. You don't. You need an eye. You need to be able to see the potential in a weirdly patterned skirt at the back of a charity shop. You need to know how a belt can change the entire shape of a dress. It’s a skill set, not a credit card limit.
Another myth is that this is only for "young people." Honestly, some of the best examples of this style come from women in their 50s and 60s who have been collecting for decades. They’ve been "taking it all" since before the internet existed. They are the original blueprints.
The Cultural Impact of the Lulu Aesthetic
We see this spilling over into interior design now, too. The "Lulu" vibe isn't just for clothes. It’s for homes. It’s the "bookshelf wealth" trend's cooler, more eccentric cousin. It’s walls covered in art, mismatched chairs, and rugs layered on top of rugs.
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It’s a reaction against the "IKEA-fication" of the world.
Everything started looking the same. Every cafe in every city had the same white walls and hanging plants. Every apartment looked like a sterile showroom. Lulu Takes It All is the antidote to that sterility. It’s a celebration of the human touch, of the imperfect, and of the unique.
Expert Tips for Curating the Look
If you want to lean into this without looking like you’re wearing a costume, you have to be strategic.
- Start with a "base" of quality. Find one really good, high-quality piece—maybe a wool coat or leather boots—and build around it. This keeps the look grounded.
- Texture is your best friend. Mix silk with knits. Mix leather with lace. The contrast is what makes the outfit "pop" in photos and in person.
- Don't fear the "ugly" piece. Sometimes a garment is so weird it’s actually perfect. If it makes you pause, it’s probably a "Lulu" piece.
- Accessories are the glue. Belts, hats, and jewelry turn a pile of clothes into an outfit. Never underestimate the power of a chunky gold chain.
The Future of Taking It All
Where does this go next?
As AI-generated images and fast-fashion "dupes" flood our screens, the value of the authentic and the rare will only go up. Lulu Takes It All is essentially a quest for authenticity in a digital world. It’s about owning things that have a story.
We’re likely to see more "micro-curators" popping up. People who don't just sell clothes, but sell a specific vision of how to live. It’s a move toward "lifestyle as art." It’s a bit pretentious, sure, but it’s a lot more interesting than another pair of plain leggings.
Final Thoughts on the Vibe
In the end, Lulu Takes It All is about agency. It’s about choosing what you like regardless of what the "trends" are saying this week. It’s about the joy of the find and the pride of wearing something that feels like you.
Practical Steps to Start Your Collection
- Audit your closet first. See what you already have that has "character." Don't throw things away just because they aren't "in" right now.
- Visit local estate sales. These are gold mines for the Lulu aesthetic because you’re finding items that were curated over a lifetime, not just a season.
- Learn basic tailoring. Sometimes a piece is one "Lulu" adjustment away from being perfect. Shortening a hem or changing the buttons can transform a thrift find into a high-fashion statement.
- Follow the right people. Look for archivists on Instagram and TikTok who explain the history of the pieces they find. Knowledge is the ultimate accessory.
Building a wardrobe this way takes time. It’s not an overnight thing. It’s a slow, deliberate process of "taking it all" piece by piece until your closet feels like a gallery of your own life. Stop buying things just because they are on sale. Start buying things because they speak to you. That is the only way to truly master the Lulu mindset.