If you’ve gravitated to wearing the same outfits week in and week out, you’re not alone.
Isolation and feeling blue with all that has been happening in our world the past 6 months can certainly impact the way we dress.
For some, the dopamine outfits come out in full force to cheer ourselves from the outside in.
But most days, it can feel a bit like groundhog day and reaching for the outfit worn yesterday or last week helps us get on with our day. It’s one less decision to make and it’s a sustainable choice too.
If you’ve felt convicted about the environmental impact of adding clothes to your wardrobe each season, you’re not alone with that conviction either.
Where do our old clothes end up? What is the cost of constantly adding more to an already bulging wardrobe? What are the social and environment impacts to our consumerism?
For the last 6 months, I’ve felt uninspired with clothes.
You may have noticed my lack of posts on Facebook and Instagram because of this.
I work in insurance so the change affected me late last year when bushfires were hurting so many.
It was difficult to share a new outfit without thinking of those who had lost all they owned and literally escaped for their lives with the clothes they were wearing.
And then COVID19 hit our shores and isolation meant nowhere to go, no one to see.
I was able to reflect on my motivation creating outfits was around where I was going and who I was going to see.
Feeling comfortable and looking put together each day did help with my internal mindset though. But I simply wore those same outfits again and again.
Minimalist posts have been popping up in my Facebook newsfeed and the conditions of where ‘cheap’ clothes have been manufactured would make me want to do better.
But Australian made clothes didn’t attract me either and the costs to acquire aren’t always in my budget.
I’ve felt like I’ve been caught up in a contradictory argument that I can’t win.
So the best plan of attack was to wear what I already owned and to wear them week in and week out.
And so the inspiration for this post came to be on how to change up your high rotation outfits.
Much of what I share with you is what you may already know. But the difference will now be acting on it the next time you reach for the same outfit you’ve be strutting out every week.
5 Ways to Change up Your High Rotation Outfits
1. Wear a statement earring
As you know I LOVE a statement earring. Statement earrings can add something new to an outfit. You may forget you’re wearing the same old outfit when your statement earrings take the stage.
If you don’t have any statement earrings, why not support a local business and invest in some gorgeous clay earrings. I got some for my Birthday and just LOVE how they match my outfit.
Statement earrings from LeClay Designs
2. Swap the bottoms
If you always gravitate towards jeans as your bottoms, why not change it up with a ponte pant, slimline tracksuit pant or skirt? Layer with leggings if it’s winter, and in summer opt for shorts, culottes or a pinafore.
Swap jeans for a different type of pant
3. Add in a pattern
If your favourite go-to outfit is jeans, a block-tee and cardigan/jacket, swap the block tee with a pattern.
Wear a patterned top
Patterned tops add interest to an outfit. I often resort to a stripe, polka dot or leopard print if I want contrast. If I want pops of colour, I will wear a Gorman tee.
4. Change your scarf
In winter, a scarf can instantly change an outfit. Swapping scarves can create multiple outfits. Leopard print scarves will work with most outfits. If you always reach for the leopard print, try an alternate animal print like zebra or a spot scarf.
Change your scarf
5. Introduce textures and layers
If you have a gorgeous boho blouse and jeans outfit, layer with a faux fur vest or teddy jacket. The same can be added to a maxi dress.
Vests in various textures and lengths can be layered over simple jeans and top outfits and dresses. Have one or two of these in your wardrobe. They can certainly add interest to a boring long sleeve top and jeans outfit.
6. Create a personal styling challenge
Many of us have spent time decluttering our wardrobes. You may have discovered items in your wardrobe you haven’t worn or have hardly worn. Make a personal styling challenge to wear those pieces within your high rotation outfits.
For example, I have many scarves. I could make a challenge to wear each scarf I own for the next 30 days to change up my routine wearing the same outfits.
If you’re not great at making your own challenge, follow a challenge on Instagram. When you’re in a rut, a challenge can motivate you to change up your outfits.
Have you found yourself wearing outfits on high rotation? How do you change them up?