Are You Stuck in a Style Rut and Need to Climb Out?
how you feel
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If you are wearing the same, predictable outfits on repeat, then you are probably in the depths of a style rut.
Many of the clients who come to me are bored and fed up with their image and feel frumpy, mumsy or scruffy. They see other women looking stylish and put together, and wonder how they do it.
here are 5 signs you’re stuck in a rut
You have a few of the same items, ie., four or more of the same jumper or style of jeans.
You wear mostly neutral colours because they’re safe and easy.
You feel clothes shopping is a chore and you’re easily overwhelmed by it.
You panic at the thought of the upcoming occasion in your calendar and are stressed about what to wear.
You’d love to try new things, but have no idea where to start.
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The definition of a rut is a habit or pattern of behaviour that has become dull and unproductive, but is hard to change. So, if you’re feeling uninspired with your appearance and have no motivation to do anything about it… you’re in a style rut. It’s a gradual process that takes hold of your wardrobe and sets in before you’ve realised it.
You’ll be wearing the same clothes on repeat purely as a means to an end, and a way of getting through the day. It’s about functionality and convenience rather than inspired, creative style that brings you joy. Buying the same or similar items over and over means that your style doesn’t change and there’s no variety in your wardrobe. There are no other options other than re-wearing the same look or a slight variation of it very day.
There’s nothing wrong with developing a style formula or ‘uniform’ if you’re putting together outfits that are thoughtful, work for your lifestyle and are a reflection of your personality. Clothes that make you happy.
tHE SOLUTION
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Getting out of the rut needn’t mean investing in new clothes. It’s about breaking habits and thought processes, and thinking more creatively with what you already have.
Why not try -
Changing up your accessories. Put on a different necklace to the one you usually wear with your outfit or add a contrasting belt, to vary the look.
Re-thinking your default outfit combinations. Could you mix things up a bit and try a top with bottoms that you hadn’t thought of wearing together before?
Seeing if you have something at the back of your wardrobe that you’d forgotten about, and bring it back into circulation.
Not buying the the same item in every colour. In reality, you’ll probably only wear one or maybe two of them and the others will be a waste of money.
Shopping for items that are significantly different in colour, style or shape to what you already own. You’ll have more options and will be able to put outfits together that look and feel different from each other, depending on what you’re doing and how you’re feeling on the day.
inspire yourself
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Every time you create an outfit that you love and feel stylish in, take a photo of yourself in it and save it in your phone. When you’re in a rush or stuck for ideas, you’ll have a visual reminder of the your great outfits that you can recreate! The more outfits you save in the album, the more you’ll have to select from.
If you want visual inspiration, Pinterest is really good for finding images and new ideas for wearing your existing clothing. Just search for a clothing item with the word ‘outfit’ added after it, or search for a colour, theme or style followed by ‘outfit’. You can also save images of looks that you find online onto your own Pinterest board. Use them for inspiration to create new outfits from your wardrobe.
new season refresh
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As Spring approaches and we cast off the winter woollies, take the opportunity to review your Spring/Summer wardrobe. Are there things you look forward to wearing again or is it a depressing, uninspiring reminder of what you made do with last year?
If it doesn’t make you happy, put it in the pile for donating or passing on to a friend. If you like it but don’t wear it, think about new outfit combinations that could make it work. If you’re left with gaps, make a shopping list for pieces to buy when you can, that will really bring everything together and give your wardrobe the kiss of life.
If this resonates with you and you’d like my help getting out of a rut, why not get in touch for a chat?