You know that feeling when the temperature drops, you open your wardrobe and somehow end up wearing exactly what you wore yesterday? And the day before?
Despite having a wardrobe full of clothes, you seem to have run out of outfit ideas. Suddenly, getting dressed feels more like a daily challenge than something to enjoy.
I see this quite often with my clients, and I completely understand it. When the seasons change, we tend to fall back on familiar combinations, you feel bored and uninspired….
So, why does this happen, and how can we get a little more variety out of the clothes we already own?
1. We get stuck in familiar habits
Most of us have a handful of outfits we know work. They are comfortable, easy to put together and require very little thought in the morning. Especially when it’s cold, dark and raining outside, the temptation to reach for the same reliable combination is pretty strong.
The problem is that we can become so used to wearing certain pieces together that we stop seeing the other possibilities in our wardrobe.
This is an easy method I encourage my clients to do: try taking one of your favourite pieces, it can be a sweather or a pair of trousers and think about three different ways you could wear it. Could you change the shoes? Add a different layer? Try it with something you wouldn’t normally combine it with? Juge it up with some jewellery?
Sometimes a small change is all it takes to make an outfit feel completely different.
2. Having lots of clothes doesn’t necessarily mean having lots of outfits
This is something I notice regularly when working with clients. They often have plenty of clothes, but somehow only wear a small selection of them.
There might be lovely pieces tucked away at the back of the wardrobe, items that were bought for a particular occasion, or things that simply haven’t been worn in a while. Sometimes we forget what we own; sometimes we just don’t know how to combine it.
One of the most enjoyable parts of a Wardrobe Check is rediscovering these forgotten pieces. I love putting together combinations that my clients hadn’t thought of before. A blouse that has only ever been worn with smart trousers might work beautifully with jeans. A dress could become a completely different outfit with a chunky knit layered over it. And a jacket you usually save for work might be just the thing to give a more casual look a little structure.
It’s not always about buying something new. Quite often, it’s about looking at what you already have with fresh eyes!!
3. Winter dressing doesn’t have to be boring
It’s defintely the season I get most excited about: think about texture, proportions and layering! A fine knit under a blazer, a shirt peeking out from underneath a jumper, or a long coat worn over a more relaxed outfit can add depth and interest without making things complicated.
Accessories can also make a big difference. A colourful scarf, an interesting belt, a pair of statement earrings or a different bag can completely change the feel of an outfit.
You don’t need to reinvent your entire wardrobe. Just try experimenting a little with the details.
4. Sometimes, something is actually missing
Of course, there are times when the winter wardrobe rut isn’t just about a lack of inspiration. Sometimes there really is a gap in your wardrobe.
Perhaps you have plenty of tops but nothing that works with your favourite trousers. Maybe you need a warmer layer that still looks good under your coat, or a pair of boots that works with more than one outfit.
This is where it helps to take a step back before going shopping. Rather than buying another jumper because it looks lovely in the shop, think about what would make your existing wardrobe work better.
Make a little list of the pieces you are missing and consider how many outfits you could create with each one. Shopping with a clearer idea of what you need can save you time, money and those familiar purchases that end up hanging unworn in the wardrobe.
So, if you’re finding yourself wearing the same three outfits on repeat, perhaps it’s time to give your wardrobe a little attention!
Before rushing out to buy something new, spend some time looking at what you already own. Try different combinations, bring forgotten pieces back into the mix and think about what might be missing.
And if you’re not quite sure where to start, that’s exactly what I can help with.
During a Wardrobe Check, we go through your wardrobe together, rediscover pieces you may have forgotten about, create new outfit combinations and identify what could make your wardrobe work better for your everyday life. And if there are a few gaps to fill, we can take that one step further with a Personal Shopping session.
Because a fresh winter wardrobe doesn’t necessarily mean a whole new wardrobe. Sometimes, all it takes is a fresh perspective!
Yours,
Miriam #theclotheslady