Have You Ever Been in a Style Rut? You Are Not Alone.
If you have ever opened your closet, sighed heavily, and thought, “I have nothing to wear,” you are not alone. I found myself there in my forties. As I shared in my book, The Style Advantage: I Say What HR Can’t, I found myself in my closet, and nothing fit. I stood there crying because, despite working out, eating right, and doing all the right things, none of my pants, jeans, or skirts fit. My body had changed, and I was desperately trying to lose weight. Only it wasn’t working. You’re stuck in a style rut.
You change, evolve, and grow, AND your body changes over time. Sometimes, your body changes, you experience life transitions, or you lose track of yourself and your time, and overwhelm creeps in. Suddenly, the clothes that once fit no longer do, and you don’t know where to begin. Your to-do list is a mile long, you don’t know what size you really are, and you’re stuck. Then add to the above, you don’t like shopping or buying clothes, and you have any extra time.
You may even feel small and wonder why it’s so hard, but here is the truth: You’re not alone. You are still amazing and worthy, regardless of your weight or size. Getting stuck in a style rut isn’t a failure. It’s an invitation. An invitation to make time for yourself, give yourself grace, and permission to let go of what’s not working for you and try a few new things.
Why Style Ruts Happen
Style ruts can sneak up on you during times of transition:
- Weight changes (hello, real life)
- New stages of life (empty nesting, career shifts)
- Confidence dips (who hasn’t been there?)
Sometimes, what worked for you a year ago or even six months ago doesn’t feel authentic or give you confidence anymore. And that’s OK.
The good news? You can shift out of a style rut without punishing yourself or waiting until “someday” to love how you look.
How to Get Out of a Style Rut
1. Try New Things—Even If It’s Uncomfortable
Start small. Let go of a few items and order a few new pieces, even if it means ordering multiple sizes to make sure you find the right fit. Try adding a new color or two. The goal is to find new pieces you love that feel authentic and give you confidence when you get dressed.
Style is a muscle. The more you practice, the stronger it gets. Getting out of a style rut is taking small steps to find what you like and feels authentic. You can also check out the recent blog, “Spring Forward: Refresh Your Wardrobe, Refresh Your Confidence.”
2. Shop for the Body You Have Today
It’s easy to get stuck wearing the same pieces on repeat, so it’s essential to ask yourself how you want to show up today, next month, and at the end of the year. Take time to assess and decide what your best self wants. Who do you want to be in the future? Give yourself a high five for how far you’ve come, and say thank you. It may sound cheesy, but you and your body, the one you are beating up on, are accomplished and awesome, and you are worthy of clothes that make you feel authentic, confident, and alive.
3. Give Yourself Grace
When you are frozen with indecision, that is fear talking and trying to keep you stuck. Your style journey doesn’t have to be a punishment, and it can be a fun celebration of your growth.
4. Create Outfits Using What You Have
Spend an afternoon mixing and matching outfits from your current wardrobe. You may be amazed at what fresh combinations you can create without buying anything new.
Need help? Start with a “3-3-3-1 Capsule”: 3 tops, 3 bottoms, 3 layers, 1 statement piece. You can also refer to my blog posts about capsule wardrobes here.
Reminder: You Are Not Less Than
You are not less than because your jeans fit differently or don’t fit at all. You are not less than because you feel stuck.
You are powerful, successful, and full of possibility, exactly as you are today.
Ready to Refresh Your Style With Confidence?
If you are feeling stuck, I am here to help.
Whether you need a closet refresh, a seasonal capsule wardrobe, or a confidence boost, we can make sure your style reflects how incredible you are (today).
✨ Ready to start? Send me an email or book a Style Inspo Session. I would love to help you get unstuck!