Getting out of a rut is one of the biggest style lessons a girl will ever learn. It’s part of the reason I love Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City so much. The lady’s a little neurotic, but she frequently rocked fearless fashions–the key for keeping your look ever-fresh. For that, I have to tip my hat to her.
This past summer, I was in a huge style rut. I had been sick for a few months, and I got to the point where my wardrobe was rendered useless. I wore beat-up little cotton shorts, a t-shirt or — gasp! — a hoodie. Every single day. It was quite an ensemble. (Quite an ugly ensemble, I mean.) But once you get comfortable with a certain set of clothes, you have to force yourself to get out and wear something different. The trick isn’t in transforming the essence of your style, it’s keeping a cohesive set of elements and tastes, but making them new again. If you’re bored with your clothes, infuse life into them. Press reboot. Refresh. I did it this past summer. Here’s how you can, too.
1. Identify the pieces you love. If it’s denim shirts, full skirts or cowboy boots–it doesn’t matter. If you love it, if it’s a signature, then it stays in your closet. You have to build a wardrobe around pieces you love.
2. Start with accessories. Do something totally unexpected. If you’re understated, grab a bold necklace or pile of bangles from the back of your dresser. If you’re over-the-top, try a simple strand necklace or stud earrings–something you’ve been stashing away forever.
3. Budget for new clothes. There’s really no getting around it: You have to spend a little to give your closet a boost. Plan on a number you can afford, and then get shopping!
4. Buy “your” essentials. Not everyone else’s… You know those pieces you love? The ones that are key in your closet? It’s good to have multiples, in different variations. For me, it’s boots. I have about five pairs I wear constantly. Blazers, I have a few that are perfect fall cover-ups. Scarves, they’re practical and add a pop of color or sophistication to my look.
5. Buy “mix-up” pieces to accent your wardrobe. The best way to enhance your wardrobe? Color, print and shape. Different silhouettes give new life to basics. Try something loose, maybe an off-the-shoulder sweater dress, if you normally wear tailored pieces. Also, color will always be key. If you stick to neutrals, slowly work brights into your look and vice versa. Start slow with a plum or deep blue, then work your way toward red, pink or orange. Same with print; a polka-dot or stripe is a way to begin with a small leap, before moving into a watercolor or loud floral.
6. Don’t listen to trends. Being dictated by trends is the opposite of refreshing your look. If you worry about trends, you won’t be listening to your gut. You’ll be staying inside a tiny, little box. Think broadly. Have a basic idea of how you want to change things up (more color, less fuss, an edge, etc.), and then buy what feels right.
7. Take Risks. If you’re not sure, that’s a good thing! Sometimes, you stumble into the best looks by accident. I wasn’t sure I could rock a denim shirt two summers ago, but it was comfy and cute when I tried it on. So, I bought it. Now, it’s a cornerstone of my wardrobe. Have fun, take risks, be fearless. That’s what fashion is all about.
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