I have a lot of days where I don't know what to wear at all, and everything just seems so old hat. My "uniform" of dress + tights + cardigan + belt bores even me a lot of times, but when it's so early in the morning (ie. brain not functioning at full capacity) and my body is going through this weird cycle of weight loss so none of my clothes fit correctly anymore, there's only so much I can put together.
What do you guys do whenever you're feeling like you're in a style rut?
So here's another ho-hum OOTD. I'm hoping to escape this sartorial rut before I start to look weird outside of anything other than a dress/tights/cardigan/belt quadruple combo. Maybe a new pretty dress will help? Or a kicky new blouse? Hmmm...
dress, f21
cardigan, j.crew
tights, hue
flats, steve madden
belt, j.crew
ring, j.crew
bangle, kate spade
What do you guys do whenever you're feeling like you're in a style rut?
I'm really digging this long cardi, Amy! When I'm in a style rut, I usually turn to blogs, either reading the latest posts or going back through some of my favorite blogs to browse OotDs and get ideas. It really helps me see my closet in a new light and get excited about getting dressed again. Also, happy belated birthday!!
ReplyDeleteyou always look great! I read in some style book (I think it was in-style's book from last spring...or the spring before???) that the mark of a confident woman is sticking with what you like and what works...no need for variety. I'm the opposite of that, I think...but seriously, you always look great...and you do mix it up with the long skirts/dresses!! Plus your accessories are always really interesting and unique. I"m kinda your cheerleader right now..lol
ReplyDeleteyou call it a rut, i call it fabulous :)
ReplyDeletenorma
norma-inthisworld.blogspot.com
I hate feeling like that.
ReplyDeleteI hate feeling like nothing fits either.
And most of all I hate when your clothing feels like it gets tighter and tighter as the day drags on.
Sucks, you know?
Even though you feel blahblahblah you still look goooooooood!
WOW you look spectacular! I don't know how you're losing weight, but it's working great for you. :)
ReplyDeleteI'll take your "I'm-in-a-rut" look anytime, but I know what you mean. I guess just like anything, inspiration for what to wear cycles :)
ReplyDeleteYou look great even though you felt kind of same old same old. I am also a person who can't stand sameness so I can totally relate those feelings. During those days I wear my most comfortable old graphic Tshirt and jeans so I don't feel like I am trying too hard. I see Kim from Anthroholic doing this style Anthroholic feature. Maybe you can do something fun like that too. Ask your reader to dress you up differently?
ReplyDeleteI was just over on another blog where the blogger laments about the pressure of finding inspiration to come up with new outfits. I hear ya! I get inspired by checking out blogs, most definitely, but I do work my formula (shirt + cardi + trousers), to death it seems. Hey, if you know what looks good, why mess with it? You always look pulled together and stylish to me :)
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way with my outfits at times. I tend to wear a lot of dresses + cardi + belts or skirts + top + cardi + belt.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there's anything wrong with having a signature style though. I think a rut is "bad" when it consists of stuff that makes us feel frumpy. You always look fabulous, and I'll bet most people wish they looked as good as you when they're in a rut!
You're not in a rut if you're still pulling together fab outfits! But if you're feeling like you're pulling the same items out of the closet all the time, then maybe take a few minutes and plan an outfit the night before, when you have more time to think about it, or ask the BF to pull an interesting item from your closet that you typically don't reach for and put a look together with it. Or heck, go to Anthro or JC and pull some items that you wouldn't typically reach for and surprise yourself!
ReplyDeleteHappy Belated, Amy! (Mine is exactly a week from yours! Aries love!) You put together so many things I would never put together myself, and when I see something you wear that inspires me, (which may be a little off-beat for myself) I can reassure myself because Amy K is doing it. haha! But the cardi + scarf are my staple items to throw on any outfit when I'm in a rut...then I check your blog =P
ReplyDeletejenna.m.garcia@gmail.com
those shoes are pretty awesome...and you never look boring :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with the comments here..your "rut" looks nothing like a rut! Congrats on the weight loss!
ReplyDeleteSorry you're in a bit of a rut AmyK but I think your style is always flawless and flattering to your body and personality. I find that sometimes when I try to hard it gets the best of me and I wind up getting stuck, so maybe you're focusing too hard on outfits? My suggestion is similar to what others have noted - check out older JCrew catalogs or magazines for inspiration, or look up favorite style muses and seek inspiration from a piece, an era, or a particular style.
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday cute lady!!
ooh, old j crew catalogs is a nice idea...and like others, I find other blogs (heh, such as yours) are endless sources of colour/texture/mixture inspirations!
ReplyDeleteI agree that your formula totally works and always inspires fresh ideas. Perhaps you're just tired of tights. The spring weather will be upon us and we'll be able to fiddle w/less to put ourselves together ;-)
ReplyDeleteI wish I looked that great when in a "rut"! I have a tendency to revert back to jeans+v-neck+cardigan and then go through my blogspot dashboard for inspiration!
ReplyDelete- Caroline (keepcalmandstyleon.blogspot.com)
I usually stick with my usual skirt + blouse + cardigan + tights + heels combo because I like it and it works, but every once in awhile (like lately), I get tired of it and want to wear something drastically different. The problem is that I don't have "drastically different" clothes in my closet, so I usually visit some of my favorite blogs and "borrow" what they're wearing :)
ReplyDeleteI'm always stuck in a style rut. I stick with what I know best and what works for me. You may think you are stuck in a rut and safe, but you always maintain your chic and look fantastic. When in doubt I too belt up my dress and throw a cardi on top. It works every time!
ReplyDeleteyou always look so cute! but i know what you mean...i've been in a rut myself this week. i fell like i'm reaching for the same thing, no creativity. when that happens, i reach for my trusty catalogs, magazines and favorite bloggers for inspiration! that always gets me back on track.
ReplyDeleteYour outfits always look great! Love this green cardigan. I was feeling like I couldn't stand all of my clothes last weekend. I just tried to put some pieces together that I normally would not pair with one another and it helped a little.
ReplyDeletePshaw, you look amazing darling! I too have a uniform that I go to when I'm just not feeling inspired. But if I feel like I'm in a total rut, I look through magazines and blogs for inspiration then check out my own closet with fresh eyes. It usually helps me come up with fun new looks!
ReplyDelete