Help- in a rut!

Hi Fabbers - I need a bit of help here...
I fell in a style slump and can't seem to get out of it. Probably this is the reason I am not taking part much in your conversations: I feel like I have nothing to add!
The leather is moody, we have had 20 +°C days and very cold days, my winter dresses and boots are not appropriate but neither are my summer clothes. I have been layering the same 4-5 shirts with the same 2-3 cardis with jeans for weeks. And I keep wearing the same 2 pairs of shoes.
Plus, I don't know what got into me, I can't seem to give myslef permission to buy stuff for myself. I went to the mall today, and all I came up with are contacts, 3 pairs of tights and 2 tops to wear under my shirts. Went into a shoes shop and couldn't bring myself to try any, even if I liked several pairs.
How do I get out of this rut? I am bored and getting a bit depressed by my clothes.
And yes, it looks like I am not the kind of person who could do well with a capsule wardrobe!

7 years ago

Inspiration

11 replies

Latest reply was from Bijou

Helena

Veteran

Hey, I can totally relate. The weather has a huge impact on my enthusiasm for clothes. My one suggestion - perhaps try taking the focus off your clothes and onto something else. Boom a hair appointment, put more effort into your makeup, get your nails done, do a repaxing workout, pull out your nicest earrings or bracelet - whatever might give you an 'appearance boost' that is not clothing specific. Sometimes when I am in a rut, I end up spinning my wheels and making it deeper. A change in emphasis is the fashion equivalent of a big deep breath. Once you feel a bit perked up, take a other look at the clothes - things might look better Anyway that's just something that has worked for me. This too shall pass, hang in there !

7 years ago

Liz

Veteran

First, remember that a capsule wardrobe isn't the same as "a small number of items," and can have multiple capsules in it. Though, I'd say that if you've managed to live for weeks with only four or five tops and two sweaters, you're doing amazingly well with a tiny, ultra-minimal capsule!

Second, don't forget that this weather transition can be really hard to dress for -- the forum has been filled with posts like your for the past couple of months; we just lose sight of what to wear. We're bored with winter clothes, and we can't make the switch to summer clothes.

Why not go look in your closet for two or three outfits that do fit the weather, but that you're just not wearing? (And, can't help add, also do a life check to make sure that extra stress or boredom in some other area of life isn't flowing over into your thoughts about your clothes.)

7 years ago

chirico (Chiara)

(website)

Veteran

Thanks to both of you!
Torontogirl, I was thinking I should probably focus on accessories or shoes while waiting for the leather to make up its mind, but wasn't able to formulate the thought as well as you did.
Liz, your last sentence really hit me. My boss is leaving at the end of the month, he will not be replaced, and I am really antsy and stressed out because I'll have to take some of his responsibilities. It's a great opportunity, but I am freaking scared. So I can't really focus on much, and find myself very unsatiesfied.
Anyway, I am going to pull out my white blazer skirt and jeans and try to incorporate them into outfits. Somehow I am scared of using them!

7 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You might find this post helpful:

http://youlookfab.com/2015/12/.....style-rut/

7 years ago

RobinF

Veteran

Great post Angie, very helpful. I seem to get in a rut at this time of year, I'm bored with my winter clothes and it's not nice enough to switch to my warmer weather things. The YLF blog and forum are helping me this year with inspiration for new ways to wear some of my same-old stuff.

7 years ago

chirico (Chiara)

(website)

Veteran

Thanks Angie! Yes, it's super useful. I'll start following the steps...

7 years ago

Chris987

Veteran

Another thanks to Angie for that posting...full of great ideas!

Aprilla, as others have said this seems to be a year when the transition from winter to spring is taking foreeeevvvvver. (For those of us in the northern hemisphere). In the northeast US we keep getting a few very warm days and then it's right back to chilly for a whole week. It's ridiculous to be whining about this given the 9 feet of snow we had in Jan - Mar of 2014 but still it's very annoying. It won't last forever!

7 years ago

Anonymous

I broke out of a style rut by heeding Angie's advice and dressing up! I bought three key pieces: A dressy bag, dressy shoes, and a silk scarf. These three things have made a huge difference to all the plain pieces I own.

7 years ago

Aida

Veteran

Chiara, it's certainly useful to have some transitional pieces especially if your transitional weather period is long. Where I live it's verrrryy long, so I treat it as a separate season and make sure that I have enough pieces to help keep me from feeling bored or frustrated. In my case the most helpful are a few all-season pieces in cheerful colors (so I can quit wearing my winter stuff but still feel warm enough, particularly knitwear) and some springy booties which feel lighter than the winter ones but still cover my feet for chilly days. Great idea to pull out some white pieces! No need to be afraid of them, if they get dirty that's what the washer is for. That should perk your transitional wear right up!

7 years ago

chirico (Chiara)

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the advice!
Aida, I think you are right: I have to focus on my transitional wardrobe, as I always have trouble getting dresses in spring and fall. I'll have to keep that in mind while shopping...

7 years ago

Bijou

Veteran

Do you wear light coloured jeans? I found last spring (I am now going into Autumn) a great wardrobe refresher was a pair of white jeans and these would look great with your new sneakers.

7 years ago

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