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How to Get Out of a Style Rut

The dreaded style rut… we're all guilty of it. And I have definitely been more so as of late than I would like to admit. It's also especially difficult with working from home. It's just so easy to either not…

How to Get Out of a Style Rut - JenniferMeyering.com

The dreaded style rut… we’re all guilty of it. And I have definitely been more so as of late than I would like to admit.

It’s also especially difficult with working from home. It’s just so easy to either not change or just slip into the leggings and a tee all day.

How To Get Out Of A Style Rut - Jennifermeyering.com

I also have a closet full of clothes and feel like I pull out the same things to wear every time. I even use the reverse hanger trick to see what I’ve already worn but I find myself gravitating towards the same things over and over. Thinking I have nothing to wear when it’s the complete opposite.

Obviously I can’t go and purchase all the new things all the time. It’s just not financially feasible or practical for me to do so. My closet is already bursting at the seams.

When I find myself getting stuck and reaching for the same things over and over again, I use a few strategies to help get out of my style rut.

Clean it Out

I actually do this on a yearly basis with my reverse-hanger trick but I also try and do this seasonally as well. Once the season changes, I do a quick sweep of my clothing situation to find things that I just don’t like anymore or that I may have bought out of haste (because it was on clearance) but I don’t really love.

Also, when I do get dressed and if it doesn’t fit or look good then, instead of putting it back on the hanger, I throw it right into a donate box that I keep at the bottom of my closet. This gets it out of sight and I don’t have the “what if” or “maybe” of wearing it again. I already know it doesn’t look good, just get rid of it.

Have a Go-to Formula

When I just can’t figure out what to wear, I have a formula in mind that I know looks good with just about everything. Knowing what I feel good in makes it easy to pick out different pieces that work in that formula and takes some of the guess work out of what to wear.

Also, having a go-to formula helps rotate your style and you find it easier to incorporate pieces to change it up. For example, if you have a blazer that looks amazing, just change the shirt and accessories. Or a pair of jeans that fit just right, change your top and add a layering piece.

Once you find what works, everything else just falls into place.

Follow Influencers

I know this may be controversial advice, but they really can be your daily doses of inspiration. They give you that go-to outfit formula and the way to style different pieces in multiple different ways. This is their job as a fashion influencer.

Just don’t fall into the trap of purchasing everything they are recommending – unless you can afford it, of course.

You don’t have to follow a ton of people either, just one or two that have a similar style to yours. Then save any images that give you inspiration to your saved folder on Instagram to reference later.

Change Your Look

Sometimes being in a rut has nothing to do with what you’re wearing each day and more to do with feeling you need a change somewhere else.

Try getting a new haircut or styling it in a completely different way. Honestly, this is the easiest way that I can change up my look from time to time… considering I put it in a ponytail most days. Just giving myself a good blowout and styling it for the day instead of a pony makes me feel like a whole new person.

You can also get your nails done, or change up your makeup routine. Try a different eyeshadow, darker lip or vice versa.

Add Accessories

I’m so guilty of just throwing an outfit on and no jewelry. I have lots of great pieces, too, I just sometimes feel like it’s too much work. Which is actually isn’t.

However, this is one of the easiest ways to make me feel more put together. Adding some extra bangles to my watch wrist or putting on the forever rings my husband bought me or layering with my infinity necklace makes all the different in my outfit.

Changing my sunnies or just changing the purse I’m carrying also work well too. Oh or just changing up your shoe choice – put on a pair of heels instead of the same sneakers or booties, whatever.

Experiment

Sometimes all it takes is to give your initial outfit choice a chance. Even if you look in the mirror and think something doesn’t look right, add a few accessories anyway, then rock it for the day. Do you get compliments? Do you like the way it looks later in the day?

Sometimes it’s just about letting the clothing drape your body after a couple hours that makes you realize it looks better than you thought. Or if even one person give you a compliment, then you are definitely doing something right.

Allow yourself to experiment with prints and patterns and combinations that you wouldn’t normally otherwise. Give yourself grace and just go with it. What’s the worst that could happen, you don’t love it? You get rid of the outfit? No big deal… there’s always another day.

Also, sometimes your most-loved closet staples combine with others you don’t love so much more than you thought they would. Then you can change your look without doing any shopping at all.


I hope some of these tips helped you get out of a style rut! Let me know what tips you use.

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