7 questions to get out of an outfit rut
"I get mentally 'stuck' on a few outfits and wear them repeatedly despite having a closet exploding with other clothes."
Sound familiar?
I asked my internet friends (hey, that's you!) about their biggest outfit hangups.
One that come up over and over again was this idea of getting stuck on a handful of outfits and not being able to branch out.
Let's look at seven questions you can ask yourself to get out of a rut and into your most confident self.
What do I like about those outfits?
Are there specific elements that you really love or do you keep going back to the same outfits purely because they are the safe option?
One of my favorite exercises is to create a new Pinterest board and start pinning anything and everything you're especially drawn to. Next, notice the specific details that made you choose that pin and ask yourself what it is you like about it. This goes beyond, "That's a cute outfit." Do you like classic lines? Pops of color? Tough details? Be specific.
Once you pinpoint a few elements, pick just one to start incorporating into your outfits. You might find you actually already have a couple things buried away in your closet somewhere.
Am I hiding?
Are you hiding behind bland outfits that let you blend into the background? Or under loud colors and statement pieces that force people to look at your clothes before they see the real you?
Complete the Pinterest exercise mentioned above and you might find that what you're hiding under isn't your personal aesthetic at all—it's just a mask.
Am I stuck on neutrals?
If you find yourself always grabbing for gray, black and white, you definitely have a security blanket going on, sister.
I'm sorry to be the one to break it to you, but black and white are very harsh on most women. You think you're hiding, but really you're just ensuring your best features never get a chance to shine.
Try this.
First, look for neutrals outside of the big three (gray, black, and white). Maybe you have some nice creams, a tawny brown, or a stormy gray-blue. Once that feels more comfortable, try adding just one color to your outfits for the rest of the week. Then the next week, add one more.
Get a free sample of my color swatches.
Am I holding on to a past part of my life?
Do you still wear clothes from college five, 10, 15 years later? Sweaters from an old boyfriend? Clothes from a job you hated? Maybe it's a relationship that no longer serves you or a role you used to play.
Whatever it is, clothes carry memories, for better or for worse. You owe it to yourself to dress yourself here and now, not then.
How can I add my flavor to this outfit?
The overarching idea here isn't to just burst through your comfort zone and never look back. We can ease into new looks with what you already have! Revisit your Pinterest exercise. Can you start finally wearing the jewelry you got on your favorite trips? Or trying a jaunty scarf? I would never ask you to throw out your whole wardrobe and start from scratch.
Now that you have a feel for the details you're drawn to, simply look for opportunities to put your own twist on your old outfits.
Do I need an outside perspective?
Sometimes, we really just need to bring in a fresh set of eyes. If that's how you feel, that's why you have me as your style coach!
If you'd rather take a DIY approach, I'd encourage you to start with a closet detox and an accountability buddy. Ask a friend to sign up for the detox with you, and then trade weekends going through each others' closets. Trust me, it's way easier when your girl is standing there saying, "Do you really need that, sis?"
Ready to detox? Reclaim your closet (and your sanity) with #TheFoxDetox—my free five-day course sent straight to your inbox.