Hey friends!
Today I’m sharing 9 tips to help you get out of a style rut! There’s a video to go along with this one, if you’d prefer to watch rather than read!
If you’re anything like me, the colder weather can really stifle the enjoyment of choosing what to wear in the morning (I just don’t want to get out of my warm cozy trackies). Combine that with the the fact that a lot of us are still likely staying home a lot due to Covid, lacking time due to life being crazy, or just have other more important priorities (as in my case with an adorable little 10 month old!), it can be very easy to slip into a rut of wearing the same thing over and over again, and just feeling a bit “blah” when it comes to your wardrobe and the way you’re dressing.
I’m obviously not saying there is anything wrong with outfit repeating - as you know I’m a big fan of “uniforms” and capsule wardrobes and am always aiming get heaps of wear from my clothes!
I’m talking about the times when you’re just feeling really bored, un-motivated, exhausted and un-inspired by your wardrobe and nothing seems to be making you feel good.
I’ve been there lately and thought I would share a few of the tips I used to find my way out of that style rut and feel more excited by what I’m wearing!
1) Clean Out, Reorganise Your Wardrobe and Make Sure It Fits In With Your Lifestyle!
Sometimes we just need to do a little cleanse and re-jig to change up the pieces we see at the front of our wardrobe everyday. Clearing out any clutter that is distracting from the pieces that you love makes it so much easier to get dressed in something that you feel good in!
If you haven’t already, I’d definitely suggest checking out my free “Find Your Style” video course first. It goes through the four steps I recommend to help you find your signature style, simplify your wardrobe and feel effortlessly pulled together every day, and that is the best foundation to have when it comes to having a wardrobe you love and feel fab in. (You can read a blog post and watch the first video here)
Sometimes though, even when you have fairly simplified wardrobe and a clear idea of your signature style, you can still fall into a bit of a rut - especially if big things change in your life and your wardrobe hasn’t quite adapted to suit that! Such as when you have a baby, or your body changes, or you change jobs and need more professional outfit options, or maybe you are staying home and need more clothes that are casual and comfy.
So when you’re going through your wardrobe - ask yourself what pieces you find yourself wearing most of the time, and of those which ones make you feel great and why (I go into this in a lot more detail in this post) Write that down as something to look out for when it comes time to add in a few new pieces.
Also take note of any pieces that just don’t make you feel great. For me I realised that some of my go-to jeans just weren’t fitting very well anymore, and that’s why I felt so “blah” in my usually tried-and-true outfit combos. So I’m on the hunt for a great pair of jeans that will make me feel good again.
It’s not about going shopping and buying a whole bunch of new things - it’s about utilising what you have and maybe identifying one or two specific pieces that you can add in that will make all your clothes feel fresh again.
If, when you’re going through your wardrobe you find pieces that just don’t make you feel great (maybe they’re not fitting right at the moment, or you’re just a bit bored of them), but you don’t want to get rid of them - just pack them away for now so they’re not taking up space in your wardrobe and distracting from the things that do make you feel good and inspired!
Those feel good pieces should be front and centre in your wardrobe so you can easily reach for them every day!
2) Get Some Inspiration!
Whether it’s on Pinterest or Instagram - save some favourite looks and just get re-inspired. Have a look and see if there are any particular themes that keep popping up and see if you can re-create these looks with what you already have. Or maybe there’s just one new specific piece that you could buy that would add so much to the outfits you already have and spice things up a bit! (For example a belt that you could pair with everything to make things look more polished, or a great pair of high-waisted jeans (currently on my list!)
3) Switch Out Your Shoes and Bag!
It can be really easy to always reach for the same pair of shoes day in and day out, and while I love re-wearing my favourite pair, sometimes it can get a bit boring! Something as easy as switching your usual trainers for boots can instantly elevate your outfit and make your usual jumper and jeans combo feel a bit more fresh and fun! Same goes for your bag - sometimes a little change like this is all you need to refresh your everyday look!
It’s an obvious tip but sometimes when we’re in a rut we need a little reminder!
4) Focus On The Little Details (Play with different accessories!)
When I’m in a style rut I tend to not bother too much with the “extras”, but often it’s those little details that can turn a boring outfit into something a bit more special!
Just adding something simple like a pretty hair-clip or headband, a scarf or some delicate jewellery doesn’t take much extra time but can really help you feel a little more polished and put together!
5) Add A Pop Of Colour or Texture
This tip kind of follows on from the last one - but sometimes just adding in a more colourful piece, rather than your typical basic or neutral accessories can really freshen up your look and lift your mood! In winter, my favourite way is to add on a colourful scarf, or make sure I have some jumpers in my favourite colours such as pale pink or burgundy, rather than just typical black or grey or other darker winter-y tones.
If you’re not into colour, you can mix things up by playing with different textures. For example - my jumper collection has quite a lot of variety - chunkier knits, softer fluffier sweaters and different textures like quilting. This is a great way to add a bit of interest even if you’re still wearing just a jumper and jeans everyday!
6) Switch Up Your Hair and Makeup
A refresh when it comes to your hair and makeup can do wonders for how you feel. Whether it’s trying a new hairstyle or swiping on a bright lipstick, or even just putting on a little eyeshadow, it can make a huge difference and really lift your mood!
Tricking yourself into feeling fab can really help to lift you out a rut!
7) Spend a little time playing in your wardrobe
Make a little time for yourself and have fun trying out a few different combinations that you might not usually wear, or see if you can emulate some of the outfits that you were inspired by in tip 2! Just experiment, see what works and if you find something you love - take a photo of it so you can remember to give that outfit a go in the future! I love choosing one piece and seeing how many different ways I can style it!
(Take a look at this post and this post for some inspiration!)
I know when we’re busy it’s not something we tend to make time for (I definitely haven’t had much time to do this since becoming a mum!) but it’s something that can be really fun and that can help you see your wardrobe in a new, more inspiring light!
8) Try A Wardrobe Challenge!
For example a 10x10 wardrobe challenge where you choose 10 items from your wardrobe and turn them into 10 outfits to wear over 10 days. It can be really helpful in getting your creative juices flowing and encourage you to try wearing those pieces in different or unexpected ways that you wouldn’t necessarily have thought of before.
Another fun one is the #colormycloset challenge @coloringourclosets - which challenges you to incorporate a specific colour into your wardrobe each day. It can be a great way to help you reach for items you wouldn’t normally choose and find new favourite pieces (or help you realise that a colour/item just isn’t for you and that you should donate and make a shopping rule to not buy that kind of thing again!!)
9) Throw On A Dress (Or Jumpsuit)
When I’m in a style rut it usually involves me wearing the same jeans and jumper combo over and over, so one of my favourite ways to feel better and get out of the rut is to wear a dress (or jumpsuit).
Dresses are an all in one piece that instantly looks put together and like you made a bit more effort! Obviously this is easiest in summer, but even in winter, a dress paired with tall boots, tights and a great jacket can be an easy way to get out of a style rut.
I hope these tips help you out if you’ve found yourself in a bit of a style rut! Let me know if you try any of them and if you have any of your own tips you’d like to add!
Leave me a comment or come say hi over on Insta @laurennatalia.co
Lots of Love
Lauren
xxx