Has anyone else started out 2024 with a low-buy? I intended for January to be a no-buy month for me, but it has kind of continued into spring. Which is probably the goal anyways, right? Either way, I still feel like my style needs a little upgrade as we are moving out of winter and I wanted to share my go-to tips for doing just that – but without reaching for your wallet!
#1 Declutter
I have noticed a bit of a pattern whenever I feel the need to upgrade my style a little, and that typically includes being a bit exhausted and tired of my own wardrobe and having the urge to shop to solve my dilemma. After shopping, however, my wardrobe still doesn’t make me feel inspired to get dressed. It still makes me feel a bit exhausted. And, ultimately, I need to tackle the real issue first. Because when I look at my wardrobe, I simply see too much and too much of the wrong things, making it very difficult to see possibilities.
So now I have learned that even though shopping feels like the solution, doing a declutter as the first step when I feel like my style is a bit stuck, is a much more productive solution. Depending on your needs, you could pack away any clothes from last season that need storing away as well. But really going through your wardrobe regularly helps you keep an overview of what you actually have and that way things don’t spiral out of control. I have personally put off a much-needed declutter for too long, so I have dedicated a couple of upcoming weekends to tackle it.
I like to sort out all of the clothes I no longer wear, all the things that are in need of repair (and those beyond it) and whatever is out of season that is simply taking up space (and is better left in storage). I know it will make me feel better and it always makes it so much easier to put together better outfits.
And it also makes it a lot easier to do tip number 2:
#2 Wear your best clothes
I used to keep all of these beautiful clothes in my wardrobe and I loved looking at them, but I somehow felt that I could not waste a great outfit on an ordinary day. I didn’t want to “use up” my clothes, but rather save them for the most special occasions. What a silly, silly way to live life! An extraordinary outfit can truly brighten up a mundane day and I have only experienced that I see more outfit possibilities from a piece of clothing, when I start actually wearing it. Not to mention, I have completely put away the super damaging notion that I can only wear an outfit once. Outfit repeating is where it is at for feeling great and getting dressed the fastest way possible.
So one of the best ways to upgrade your style without shopping, is to pull out the very best items in your wardrobe and wear them. If you are anything like I used to be, you have a few precious pieces in your wardrobe that you feel the need to save for some special or “worthy” occasion before wearing them. Don’t. You have the option to wear these amazing outfits, right now, don’t wait so long that the item feels old or stale, because you have looked at it in your wardrobe for so long, without ever actually considering it. You will see so many new outfit ideas, finally incorporating the best of your wardrobe into a more regular rotation.
#3 Plan Out Your Outfits
Tell me if this sounds familiar: you know you feel better when you’re wearing a great outfit, and you want to have a good day, so tomorrow you will put on a fantastic outfit before going to work. You will wake up extra early and have a cup of coffee as you pick out your clothes. Maybe you’ll finally put that curling iron to use because you saw someone using it to create such a cute style on Instagram just last week. Perfect. You’re definitely going to start dressing better tomorrow.
In the morning, your 6AM alarm goes off. Only, now the grand plans you had last night seem wildly insignificant in the face of continuing sleep. So, before you know it, it’s 7.19, you’re late and breakfast will have to be sacrificed for taking a shower. You grab whatever you usually wear from the wardrobe and zip up your jeans as you pull on your sneakers. Just me? Ok. Sure. Sure.
I will admit, I often feel like it is such a chore to spend evening time putting together an outfit I’m not even wearing right away. But in the morning I am always thankful that my more relaxed and awake self put together an outfit I knew I would love to have on, as soon as I got to work. Putting together an outfit when you’re not rushing, means you have time and brain capacity to try new outfit combinations you may not have thought of before. And it gives you time to make sure what you’re planning to wear is where you thought it was, clean and actually pairs well with the rest of your outfit. I like to hang my designated outfit on a little hook in my wardrobe and I make sure it is clean and wrinkle free, and I put out the accessories I will wear with it as well. This means I am dressed in a minute or two and it is completely stress-free.
#4 Steam-Steam-Steam
This is a quick tip, but genuinely so important. The absolute easiest way to upgrade your style without spending any money, is to steam or iron your clothes. Provided you already own an iron and/or a steamer. I used to reserve this for my button up shirts only, but truly – even my t-shirts and jeans look better when I give them a quick steam beforehand! And I usually do this as I prepare my outfit the night before, so it gets to cool down completely and I’m not crying over the steamer accidentally spitting out excess water on a shirt I now have to put on. Try it! If you don’t like it, you never have to do it again!
#5 Treat Yo’ Clothes
In lieu of Treat-Yo-Self, give your wardrobe a bit of a treat! Nothing will ruin your style faster than clothes that look like they are tired of life. After decluttering, you may have sorted out the clothes that need some TLC, whether it is repairing a button or removing a stain. This will absolutely breathe new life into your wardrobe. And I don’t limit this to just the garments, I take a look over my accessories as well. I clean and condition the leather of my handbags and I do the same to my shoes, paying special attention to my white shoes. If your white shoes are dirty, you will have an instant upgrade just cleaning them! And if you give them a once-over with a shoe protector after cleaning, they will be easier to clean next time. Regular maintenance will prolong their life!
I also find that putting care and time into my clothes, makes me appreciate them more. It is like a mindful way of owning clothes and becoming aware of what feels like it is worth the time and effort, and which clothes you see may have been a bit impulsive and redundant to add to your wardrobe.
#6 Put Your Accessories To Work
Lastly, one of my favourite ways to upgrade my outfits, is to utilise accessories! They truly are the seasoning of your outfit and they can make the most basic pieces look luxurious, as well as completely change the tone and occasion of an outfit. Before you head to the shops in search of trends, play around with the accessories you have and try pairing them in new ways! For example, you can try to layer a belt over different pieces in your wardrobe. You may have worn it mostly with trousers, but try layering it over your different dresses and skirts, or a blazer or even a trench coat. Or you can play around with a silk scarf, there are so many different ways of tying them, layering them over outerwear and even tying them in your hair or on a handbag – play around with it!
Do you have any other tips to instantly upgrade your style without shopping? Let us all know in the comments!
