Getting Out Of A Style Rut
Do you ever get into a style rut? Me too, girl. I am always peering into my closet and thinking to myself, I have nothing to wear. I often think about turning to Pinterest, or even going shopping, to fix this temporary feeling. But I am trying to be more mindful of this kind of thinking. We all know that it’s simply not true when we say we have “nothing to wear!” as we sigh at our heaps of clothing in our wardrobe, drawers and closets. It’s really important to me to stop this kind of thinking and try to be content with what I already am lucky to have.
In a world where fast fashion dominates the industry, it is crucial to be mindful of what we consume and purchase in terms of clothing. Did you know that the fashion industry is one of the most wasteful sectors globally, with about 92 million tons of waste produced each year? This staggering statistic serves as a reminder of the impact of our clothing choices. I’m calling it for 2024: conscious consumption is going to be trending, and slow-fashion is the next cool thing.
By making more sustainable choices and opting for quality over quantity, we can contribute to a more sustainable future for our planet. So, before making your next clothing purchase, take a moment to consider if you truly need it or if you can make use of what you already have in your closet. I am sharing 5 strategies you can instantly implement to help reorient your “I’ve got nothing to wear” mindset and to feel inspired to wear what you already have.
Try the method of Sandwich Dressing
Sandwich dressing is a concept that is super easy to implement. Think of a basic sandwich, or better yet, an Oreo cookie. 2 outer layers and 1 filling. Here is how I interpret it: think about your top, bottoms, and shoes: three total pieces. To master this concept effectively, start with your top and shoes. The idea is that you want to continue the colorway from top to bottom - but your middle is going to be a different color. Here are a few easy examples of sandwich dressing. The key is the shoes.
2. Go for a monochromatic look.
I love a monochromatic moment! To achieve this type of look, your outfit doesn’t have to be head-to-toe one color, but rather in the same color family. I personally love head-to-toe black — nothing feels more chic.
3. Choose 5 pieces to discard or donate — but before you do, see if you’re really ready to part with them.
This one is such a mental trick! I keep a basket in the bottom of my closet which is my “donate” bin. When I am feeling like a piece is nearing the end of its lifetime in my closet, I will throw that in the bin. But I often second-guess myself when I implement this little trick. “Do I really want to get rid of this?” After thinking about it, it spurs my creative juices and I try to think about actual ways I could style the piece. It may no longer fit, or maybe it is in bad shape…in that case, it’s probably time to give it away.
4. Reset to your basics.
Defaulting back to your tried-and-true basics is always a refreshing feeling. Whether it is your jeans and tee or your favorite skinny black work pants, there’s something to be said for wearing what you know you look and feel good in. It’s good to have these no-thought, foolproof outfits on hand. Sometimes it is as simple as a really killer dress! There you go, instant outfit.
5. Stick to the Three Color Rule.
I am seeing more and more stylists and fashionistas on social media talking about the Three Color Rule - and it is as easy as it sounds! It is a sister strategy to sandwich dressing in a way, but with the Three Color Rule you can really layer your pieces to make your outfit interesting and textured. If you’re curating a slow-fashion, conscious capsule wardrobe (I’m trying to), you will start to probably notice that you have colors you naturally gravitate toward. For me, I am living in ivory, beige, black, blue (denim) right now. It makes it so easy to follow this rule if you love neutrals and muted colors.
Get Out of Your Style Rut — And Stay Out
I hope these 5 tips help in transforming your mindset from "I need this" to "I want to wear what I already have." These tips are easy to follow and remember, making it simple to break out of your style rut and unleash your creativity. Happy styling!