How to Get Out of a Style Rut
It is no secret that we all fall into those periods where we spend hours looking through piles of clothes, finally coming to the hopeless conclusion of having nothing to wear. Suddenly, your favourite sweater feels dull and unflattering, and your favourite jeans just don't feel that magical anymore.
First, let’s determine exactly what a ‘style rut’ is. According to the dictionary, a rut is:
“a habit or pattern of behaviour that has become dull and unproductive but is hard to change.”
With that being said, everyone goes through some type of style rut in their life; you are not alone! Below we have outlined how to determine if you actually are in a style rut and what you can do to quickly get out of it. So, say goodbye to spending hours criticising everything in your closet and hello to the new, improved, and stylish you.
Symptoms that you are in a style rut
Symptom 1: You say things like:
“I have no style”
“I can’t find anything that fits me”
“I have no time to shop”
“I have no money to spend on clothes”
Symptom 2: You have multiples of the same (or similar) items in your closet
Symptom 3: You feel like shopping is a chore, not a creative or fun activity
Symptom 4: You hate when there’s a fancy occasion on the calendar because you don’t feel like having to dress for it.
How to overcome your style rut
Step 1. Assess the current situation and what you want
So if you have made it this far; it is probably safe to safe to say that you are indeed in a style rut. Now, it is time to grab a notebook and a pencil, sit down, and assess.
Where you currently are and why you feel like this
What lifestyle changes have you made recently?
Do you feel that you don’t have the tools necessary to be stylish?
What don’t you like about your current style?
Do you think it's boring?
Do you feel like nothing fits right?
Is everything in your closet out of style?
Figure Out What Direction To Take Your New Style
What/ who inspires you?
What do you want your style to say about you? Below are two exercises that you can try in order to help determine this. Feel free to try both!
Option 1. Head to your closet and pull out your favourite clothes, then to try and identify what it is about them that you like.
Option 2. Document your daily outfits for a week and write down:
Which outfits do you think fit and flatter you the most?
Were there any items that you found yourself choosing to wear again and again?
What elements were you drawn to the most?
Step 2. Let's get to work!
Clean out and reorganise your wardrobe
Sometimes we just need a little refresh or a new way of seeing things. This is where cleaning your wardrobe will come in essentially allowing you to document what you have, get rid of the things you never wear and rediscover pieces you once loved.
We recommend using the Marie Kondo method to do this. This method states that there are six basic rules of tidying.
Commit yourself to tidying up.
Imagine your ideal lifestyle.
Finish discarding first.
Tidy by category, not location.
Follow the right order.
Ask yourself if the item sparks joy.
Find inspiration
Whether it’s Pinterest, Instagram, or Tik Tok - gather a few of your favourite looks, pieces, or even colours. Next, analyse whether there are any trends or key themes among the images you have gathered and if you can recreate any of the outfits with items in your own wardrobe.
Develop a go-to outfit formula
For those days when you can’t seem to find anything to wear, develop a go-to outfit that you know will always make you feel and look good. Also, create a few for various occasions such as attending a meeting, brunch, going shopping, and etc. You can find some a few of our favourite combinations.
Top and Bottom same colour
2. Outer piece and Bottom same colour
3. Accessorising with same colour pieces
Don’t be afraid to Experiment
Never be afraid to play with colours, accessories, and textures that are out of your comfort zone. It’s time to take out those ‘risky’ pieces sitting in the back of your closet and allow yourself to to put together outfit combinations that you wouldn’t ordinarily wear. After-all, how will you ever know what makes you feel amazing if you don’t give yourself the creative freedom to experiment.
Invest in staple pieces
These are your go-to wear with anything pieces, read this article by Vogue to find your 2022 staple pieces.
Outfit fatigue tends to hit us all when it’s least expected, however it is important to remember that you are not alone! If you follow the simple steps above, you will be back to your confident, stylish self in no time.
