How To Get Out of a Style Rut

Are you in a style rut?

Here are some symptoms: 

• You wear 20% of your wardrobe 80% of the time
• You spend too long in your wardrobe every morning, trying on so many different outfits, but end up resorting to the same thing you wear every day
• You've lost your sense of personal style
• Your wardrobe no longer fills you with joy and inspiration... instead, it just fills you with boredom

Does this sound like you? Then you need to get out of your style rut... and quick! In this blog post, I'm going to teach you my five steps to getting out of a style rut. 

Step 1: Learn the theory
There are four keys to dressing: colour, body type, frame size and style personality. You need to learn exactly what colours and styles of clothing suit you best and enhance your unique beauty. 

You don't want a wardrobe filled with colours and styles that take away from, cover up or hide your beauty - you want it to highlight it. It's super important to get this part right. If you're interested in learning the four keys to dressing, click here to find out about this service (scroll down the page to find it). 

Step 2: Use Pinterest to rediscover your style
Pinterest is an amazing resource when it comes to discovering your personal style. Create a board called "My Dream Wardrobe" and go on a pinning spree! Pin everything that makes your heart sing.

Once you've finished, take a look at what you've pinned. Why did you pin these things? What is it about these items that speaks to you? Is it the fabric? The colour? The overall style? Look for recurring themes in your board. 

Next, think about the overall look, feel and style of the board. Is it classic? Feminine? Carefree? How would you describe the style of these pieces? Decide on about 3 words that perfectly sum up the feeling of your board. These become your style words.

Step 3: Go through your wardrobe
Yep - it's time to tackle the beast! Take out everything (yes, everything) and check if each individual piece:

1. isn't worn out, fits properly and is still in style
2. is in a colour that's right for you
3. flatters your body type
4. works for your frame size
5. matches your style personality
6. can be described by your style words

If it does, it's a winner! If not, it's time to either toss it or give it away. Do this for every single item in your wardrobe. 

Step 4: Look for holes
By now, you should have a much trimmer wardrobe. It's time to assess it for any holes. Think about what you do day-to-day, and check if your wardrobe supports this.

For example, if you spend 25% of your time in casual clothes running errands, then 25% of your wardrobe needs to be casual, running errands-type clothes. Make a list of the items you need to have a complete wardrobe again. 

Step 5: Go shopping!
Now for the fun part! If you usually hate shopping, it should be easier this time around because you have a list of items you need - you're not wandering around the shopping centre with no plan. Everything you buy needs to:

1. Fulfill a practical need in your wardrobe
2. Be perfect for your colouring, body type and frame size
3. Match your style words and feel like 'you'

Once you've completed each of these five steps, you should have a wardrobe that expresses who you are and works for your body, colouring and lifestyle. It's not an easy process - and certainly not quick - and our style changes all the time. My own wardrobe is always a work in progress... but that's what makes it so much fun!

Until next time,
​
Kiarra