A lot of my clients complain about being in a style rut. Even though they have closets full of clothes, they claim they have nothing to wear. They tend to stick to the same pieces day after day. I’m a big fan of having a “uniform”–say, black slacks and a variety of silk blouses to wear with them–but it’s easy to get burnt out or feel uninspired when you go out for an evening.
My suggestion is to not go shopping–not yet, anyway. For a lot of us, having a lack of clothing isn’t the issue. You don’t need to rush out and buy something new if it’s unlikely you’ll wear it more than once. One woman I know spends a fortune on designer dresses, but I never see her in anything but black pants and tops. It seems like such a waste.
What should you do instead? Go into your closet and see what catches your eye. Is it a brightly colored dress? A skirt you bought for your last vacation but haven’t worn since? What makes you feel good? What pieces are there not because you’re too lazy to throw them out or they no longer fit, but because you can’t bear to? Why not challenge yourself to bring them back out into the world?
Take a silk blouse for example. It’s got buttons, it needs to be ironed, and it’s been banished to the back of the closet. But, you love the color, love the way it looks, and love the way it feels. For one day, try wearing it out in lieu of your go-to scoop-neck. Pair it with pieces you normally wear, like a pencil skirt or jeans. Resist the urge to change into something “easier.” Now watch and see all the comments roll in. More likely than not, friends will say how nice you look. They’ll ask if it’s a new top (you can pretend it is) and compliment you on the color. The next day you can go back to wearing your “uniform,” or mix it up with another oldie but goodie.
A style makeover needn’t cost money. Just keep an open mind.