Escaping a Style Rut…Part I

Style Rut can be defined as that dark hole that we can easily fall in as a result of building a career, joining the ranks of motherhood, or not having the time to stay abreast of the latest trends and styles.

We go from wearing well tailored clothing to “mom jeans” and tattered sweatpants. Those things that we wouldn’t have been caught dead in during the peak of our style career and now we will side eye anyone who attempts to stare too long at our choice of grocery store attire. We know what they’re thinking because we used to be them. Now we just don’t care…Please note I said we…

No more. The fall is coming and what better time to resurrect our sense of style and pride in our looks than the start of a new season.

Ready?

Trash it. Throw it away.

This is the hard part but the reality is if a wardrobe of ratty sweatpants and T-shirts weren’t readily available you probably wouldn’t wear them. I’m not saying you can’t be a sweat pants and T-shirt girl, let’s just not make it the pair of pants you clean in and the T-shirt you won dunking teachers at your child’s fall festival. Ya feel me?

Gone. Weep now. We’ll replace them later.

Physical & mental

Once the undesirables have been removed look at what you have left and assess what you need. Yes, a good jogging suit and nice pair of sneakers are on the must have list. Here is a tool to pull some inspiration from when deciding what you need to have in your closet to create a good base for looking stylish on a whim.

The majority of the time you see someone with impeccable style they have essentially learned the art of building on the basics. Nothing more, nothing less.  A top, a bottom and shoes. These are three things we must not leave home without unless we want a problem.

If you are looking for somewhere to start in getting your style mojo back, the basics is where its at.

Easier said than done you say? I agree, this presents a challenge for some while evoking a sense of anxiety for others. Lack of resources, style, sizing options and accessibility to stores can all be culprits to style deprivation but with fashion blogs, Pinterest and a host of other tools there really is not an excuse for one to not  look effortlessly chic with just  a little effort.

Part II of this series will be dedicated to helping you find the basics at three different price points. Then you’ll really have no excuse. You’ll love me…I promise.

Would you consider yourself style challenged? What is the biggest hurdle between you and achieving the style you desire?