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Are You Stuck in a Style Rut?
A little perspective — and research — can help you dig yourself out.
There’s a fine line between cultivating a signature style and sporting the same old look from year to year. If you haven’t changed your hairstyle since college, you’ve been wearing the same color palette since the ’90s and your friends can predict what you’ll wear to any occasion, you may be experiencing style stagnation. Here’s how to get inspired again.
Plan Ahead Researching your new look is the first step toward getting out of the rut. Check out fashion magazines and Websites for trends, and then take pages or printouts of styles and items you like with you when you go shopping for clothes. But before you hit the stores, assess your wardrobe. You’ll probably see a certain color, fabric or silhouette that dominates. If so, forbid yourself from purchasing anything that conforms to your typical look.
Get a Second Opinion An outside perspective can help you analyze your wardrobe. Solicit advice from an honest friend who knows your clothes — and whose sense of style you admire. Ask her to describe your style strengths and weaknesses; her objective opinion will help you focus on what most needs changing. “Even better, take her shopping with you,” says Meredith Barnett, co-founder of StoreAdore.com , a Web-based guide to boutique shopping. “She’s likely to pick out items that you would never spot, and she’ll offer an honest opinion in the dressing room — before you make a mistake at the register.”
Choose Wisely You don’t want to go overboard following the fashion herd; fortunately, sometimes small changes can make a big difference. “Accessories are a great place to experiment with trends,” Barnett says. “A new handbag, pair of shoes, scarf or pair of tights in an of-the-moment color, cut or fabrication shows that you’re a fashion follower, but not a slave — and it will incorporate easily into a more classic wardrobe.”
Hair and Now Considering a new hairstyle? Find a model or celebrity whose hair is similar to your own in texture and research her best styles. After all, it’s unrealistic to think that an unruly head of curly hair will transform into a sleek, short bob. A fun, disaster-free way to explore new looks is to use an online tool, such as the one at InStyle.com , where you can upload a photo of yourself and then superimpose celebrity hairstyles on your image.
Makeover Your Makeup Don’t be afraid to have a little fun with your makeup. Updating with new cosmetics is much less expensive than bringing home new garments and if a look doesn’t work you can always wash it off. For bold, romantic eyes, “try a little liquid liner,” says Ann Minahan, owner of Riah Salon in New York City. “Use a dark navy eyeliner with an accent of cobalt blue, and top it with a blue mascara by Givenchy or Urban Decay.” Or find a classic shade of red for your lips, Minahan says, and keep the rest of your makeup muted. If you’re skittish of new colors, head first to a makeup store like Sephora, makeup artist Jessica Tarazi says, and test the products before you purchase them. Some stores even offer free makeup applications.
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