“I’m just tired of my outfits.” I hear this all the time. You may have things that you love - but you’re always wearing them in the exact same way. You may have landed on outfit ideas that totally work for you – but now you’re getting bored. And it feels like you see the same outfits when you look in the mirror, constantly on repeat.
You know what I mean, right? You got the floral dress and blue denim jacket memo years ago. And you’ve loved wearing it. But you look at your Facebook memories and realize you’ve worn a version of it for every bridal shower. And every baby shower. And Mother’s Day. And oh-so-many lunches and girls’ nights and long weekend trips. And while it still looks good, it may not feel right anymore. Or you just might be ready for a change.
But first, I want to say one thing – this isn’t a ‘this look is dated, so wear this instead’ article. Because for you (and many of my clients), the ‘before’ outfits may be brand new ideas – or you love wearing them and have no desire to let them go. And that’s amazing. So, please know that there is absolutely no judgement that the ‘after’ looks are better than the ‘before’. They’re just different.
But if you’re ready for something new and fresh, here are 3 outfits you may be tired of. And how you can give them an update – while still being true to your personal style.
UTILITY JACKET & JEANS
One of the easiest ways to feel like you’re in a style rut is with color. I see it often – I’ll meet a new client who’s bored with her wardrobe. And when I’m in her closet, I notice that the only bottoms she owns are blue jeans (and one pair of black pants). So, even though she has different tops and jackets – all her outfits start to feel the same, when she always sees blue (or occasionally black) on her bottom half (click to see me talk a little more about this on Instagram).
I once had a client who also wondered why her outfits felt blah. And when we were in her closet, the only third pieces I found were a few grey cardigans. And I have a brand new client whose has quite a few ivory, light grey and tan cardigans (plus a few jackets in the same color family). Yes, third pieces are a great way to finish off your outfits – but when they’re all similar, they might not always add the style spark you’re looking for. (If you’re not sure what a third piece is, check this out - along with a few other simple ways to elevate your style).
So, if a striped t, blue jeans & neutral utility jacket are your go-to everyday casual outfit, switch things up with a literal flip of color. Trade your blue jeans for casual pants. Instead of a neutral utility jacket, grab a denim one. And white you’re at it, switch your striped t for a textured sweater - and your everyday solid white sneakers for two-tone neutrals.
STYLE TIP: The best thing about shifting color to refresh your outfits is that you can stick with the same styles (and shapes) that you already love. So, if blue jeans are your everyday go-to, trade them for black or grey or white - or even colored jeans! Or if you’re always in a white t (or you only grab your black blazer), just try a different color. It’s a quick switch that will have a big impact.
Top outfit: Ralph Lauren jacket & jeans, Universal Standard t-shirt, Veja sneakers
Bottom outfit: Frame utility pants, Sanctuary sweater, Spanx denim jacket, Sam Edelman sneakers
DRESS & DENIM JACKET
I know I already touched on this one – but it’s an easy formula because it works. When you need something to wear over a casual dress, a denim jacket is a great option. Denim basically goes with everything, and a short jacket (that fits close to the body) doesn’t interrupt the shape of the dress. And you may have even tried different denim jacket shapes – like something oversized, or a denim chore jacket or lady jacket. And while I’m always a big fan of a denim jacket (here are a bunch of denim jacket outfits I created for clients) – you may be tired of yours.
If a traditional blue denim jacket is your go-to, you can always try these options first. But if you’re ready for something completely different, how about trying a blazer? It’s a totally different shape (which is another way to get out of a style rut). And when I say ‘blazer’, I don’t mean the top half of a suit. To keep the same casual vibe, I mean a relaxed, relatively unstructured blazer. It adds a bit more polish than a denim jacket - but not so much that anyone will think you’re going to the office. And if you’re up for one more change, replace the wedge espadrilles (that you wear with every sundress over the summer) for a flat slide that feels more spring-y.
STYLE TIP: A shift in shape is a great way to shake things up - but it can also be the most challenging when you look in the mirror. So, when you’re trying a new shape, stick with a color you love. For example, if you’re finally ready to tackle wide leg pants (but dark color pants are your comfort zone), first try a black or navy wide leg (instead of a light color). That way, you’ll be able to truly assess whether you like the shape - as opposed to trying a brand new shape and a brand new color at the same time.
Top outfit: Faherty dress, Nic + Zoe denim jacket, Stuart Weitzman espadrilles
Bottom outfit: Velvet dress, Evereve blazer, Marc Fisher slides
LEGGINGS & T-SHIRT
I was talking to a client last week (who I’ve been working with for several months). And while she has the intention of getting out of her workout leggings and t-shirt in the morning – jeans and other ‘hard pants’ sometimes feel like too much. But if you’re tired of suddenly realizing (at 4 o’clock in the afternoon) that you never changed out of your workout clothes, I’ve got you covered.
When you’re looking to elevate beyond workout gear (but you’d like to feel just as comfortable), first focus on the bottoms. So, instead of leggings, go for an easy pair of drawstring (or elastic waist) pants. You can find versions in sweatpants material, more technical performance fabrics – or even drapey tencel and cotton blends. They feel like ‘day pajamas’ - but look like you put in a lot more effort. And I specifically prefer ones that have a straight hem at the bottom (as opposed to an elastic hem or jogger styles) because they look even less like athleisure.
To finish off your outfit, a striped t-shirt is a no-brainer – as something that’s more than a basic workout t (if stripes aren’t your thing, any kind of elevated t-shirt works - read this for why you may need elevated t’s in your closet). Then pick out cute sneakers (that you didn’t workout in).
And before you head out the door, kick it up a notch with a structured jacket - as an intentional layer that adds casual polish. And yes, this is the same utility jacket from the first outfit (and I also used a striped t). Because it’s not always about adding more to your wardrobe when you’re tired of your outfits – sometimes it’s just about how you mix things up.
STYLE TIP: This example shows how you can elevate each piece in an outfit for a much more pulled together look. And you can do this with lots of other outfits too. Check out how I elevated an everyday errands outfit into a cute brunch look - and then again into a professional work outfit.
Top outfit: Spanx leggings & jacket, Athleta top, On sneakers
Bottom outfit: Ralph Lauren jacket, Universal Standard t-shirt, Athleta pants, New Balance sneakers
Did you get inspiration to rethink the outfits that you’re tired of wearing? If you have an outfit that you’re tired of, leave a comment and I’ll respond with ideas to switch it up.
If you’re tired of your outfits (and you don’t know where to start), I can provide one-on-one guidance. Click here to read about the framework I’ve used with over 350 clients – to create outfits for your everyday life, that you feel great in. We’ll define your style and figure out what is (and isn’t) working in your closet. Then we’ll shop to fill the gaps – and I’ll show you all the ways you can mix and match everything. So, you don’t just have a bunch of new clothes – you have a ton of new outfits.
If you’re ready to connect, click here to contact me. I’ll send you more specific information – and then we’ll set up a Zoom consultation where I’ll explain more about my process (and you can ask any questions you may have).