Pulling out three bracelets that haven’t been worn recently may spark your creativity when it seems lacking
I’m betwixt and between everything. My house doesn’t know what it wants to do since all the holiday decorations got put away. The happy-happy, fun-fun-fun decorations are hibernating. The house looks like it’s in a holding pattern. I trust inspiration will hit and I’ll rearrange and restyle every table top with zeal … someday.
I’m feeling a little unsure about my style, too. Is this still me? I ask. Or am I going through a style evolution that isn’t clearly defined yet? I feel like I am close to falling in a rut, wearing some of the same things day after day without variations.
And it never stops raining. (I’m not complaining.) (Okay, I’m complaining a little bit.) Weather is a big influence on building outfits. Gray skies, fog when it’s not raining and then more gray skies and pouring down rain isn’t very colorful and I fear it’s dampened my creativity.
Stopping the slip into style doldrums
Okay, I can only take so much of thoughts like those so I gave myself a talking to and said, “Stop thinking! Go to your wardrobe charts and see if there are some outfits there you haven’t worn yet and wear them!”
Okay, BK, I will.
I went back to wardrobe charts I’d filled out a couple/three months ago. I remember that time. I was so excited about bringing out my fall/winter clothes and making outfits. All the ingredients seemed so vibrant. I was so happy to see them again after being stored away for six months.
I remember seeing everything with fresh eyes. I remember being SO HAPPY!!
Whoopee! We’re making new outfits! What fun!
Thank goodness for Wardrobe Charts
I did what my wiser self told me to do: I reviewed my charts.
Oh yeah, I remember that outfit! Gee, I never tried that one out.
I was leaning into the creativity that existed then.
Wardrobe charts lead me away from a rut
What a boost it was to read those charts. I feel a bit more excited! My wardrobe charts are taking my hand and saying, “Come on Brenda, you can lean on us.”
I can totally understand when my clients tell me how they use the wardrobe charts all the time and love them. It’s because you never ever have to feel like you have nothing to wear. You have well thought out outfits that are offering you the luxury of not thinking and being dressed in five minutes.
It was good to swallow my own medicine. I know exactly what I want to wear tomorrow. And I’m excited about it! If the road to get out of Sonoma isn’t flooded (like it was for a week), I know just what I’ll wear on Friday.
Wardrobe charts have saved the day.
One more tip to avoid style ruts
There was one other thing I did when I pulled out the wardrobe charts. I went to my bracelets and pulled out three of them that I haven’t worn in months. One is a leather cuff by Calleen Cordero. One is a square cuff in kind of a butterscotch color and the other one is a textured looking, animal print lacquered wide bracelet.
I’ll let myself ponder those three bracelets and see if I can work them into an outfit. They may unlock some winter creativity. Wait, I think they already have. I’m thinking of a way I can wear the darkest one with a cardigan I haven’t worn in a bit. Hmm. That could work!
So from the sometimes wise image consultant that you often come in contact with here, let her give you some advice: When the creativity is flowing, make outfits and write them out on wardrobe charts … put in every single detail so you never have to rethink it when you wear it next week, next month, or three months from now. Wardrobe charts are your style safety net.
And when you’re feeling dull or drab, take a look at your accessories and pull some out you haven’t worn in a while. Let them marinate in your style slow cooker and one day they may surprise you with great ideas for a must-wear-this-minute outfit.
What do you do when you lose your style mojo?
24 Comments
La semaine d'une gourmette
January 19, 2017 at 5:35 amI love to cook, I don’t like making the same dish twice, and I plan my meals in advance a week at a time so I can buy what I need at the farmer’s market on Saturdays. Well, it’s funny, I have exactly the same experience you write about, but with cooking: I jot dishes/meals down when I’m inspired, because I know that sometimes, on Friday night, I have no inspiration whatsoever about my menus for the coming week! That’s when I tap into my list of things to cook, and I love it. So I understand perfectly what you’re talking about, and I think it’s a brilliant idea to apply it to clothing! I’m definitely going to do that.
Brenda
January 19, 2017 at 12:10 pmThis analogy is PERFECT! And I so relate! When I’m hungry, my hunger is louder than inspiration. I can’t think. Having something written down would help with the not thinking part. Now I’m going to take your ideas about food and pull out my binder of meals I love and remind myself of them! I’ve got some cooking to do! Thanks so much!
La semaine d'une gourmette
January 19, 2017 at 11:50 pmHe he, you’re welcome! Seems we have learned from one another 🙂
Brenda
January 20, 2017 at 3:41 pmIndeed!
AnnG
January 19, 2017 at 5:52 amScarves are my signature piece of clothing and I have – probably close to 100 of them. I often select one and build an outfit around it. It’s fun to waltz a scarf around the closet and find new combinations!
Brenda
January 19, 2017 at 11:53 amWaltzing a scarf around the closet–now that is a great image!!! And a good reminder. Yesterday I saw a picture on Instagram of a woman in all black and then she had this fabulous large print scarf that draped beautifully and made the whole outfit sing. Great suggestion, Ann. I’m going to do that next! I know just the scarf I want to start with.
Sara
January 19, 2017 at 6:28 amBrenda, I have to ask: What’s the framed Bergdorf Goodman receipt about?
Thanks for all the inspiration and beauty you bring to my life!
Sara
Brenda
January 19, 2017 at 12:06 pmOkay, here’s the story. I believe we (women) face a sale rack and can lose our minds. The hang tag that has several markdowns is super enticing especially when it’s a designer piece or at least something you’d never consider at full price because it would be outside your budget. This is an example of that. I was at Bergdorf Goodman in NYC nine years ago now and it was January and sales were all over the place. I found this Carmen Marc Valvo dressy jacket that I fell in love with. Originally it was $1280, then it got marked down to $759, then $509 and currently it was $330. I asked myself, ‘Are you buying this because of the markdown or because you love it?’ I loved it, could imagine wearing it with lots of things. It’s an example of when things go right in the face of shopping sales. You can seem me wearing it in a “frisky” way in the link below. I thought a way to demonstrate “falling in love with a price tag” was by framing the price tag. It still delights me! It’s a reminder to love the garment as well as the price tag to win at the sale shopping game.
http://www.brendakinsel.com/anatomy-of-a-frisky-outfit/
Sara
January 25, 2017 at 12:24 pmWow. I think that could be a blog post on it’s own.
I’m very cost conscious, but as I wean myself off of shopping too much and declutter my closet, I’m moving toward investment dressing. (After all, if you have clothing budget and don’t want to add a lot of things to your closet, you might as well buy one nicer thing.)
“Love the garment as well as the price tag” is a good piece of advice. And it’s a lovely jacket.
Brenda
January 25, 2017 at 4:18 pmThanks, Sara. I like your new thought–going for something of higher quality. When I started doing that, I felt totally satisfied with less. I know you will too! Thanks for your comment!
Ann Werries
January 19, 2017 at 7:44 amI took your “bracelet” advice today, and picked out a bracelet I loved in Oct and Nov, but went on hiatus for Dec….I got it out today and built my entire outfit around wearing it! Now, thanks for the kick in the behind to work out my wardrobe charts. I’ve never really used them because I’m pretty good at making outfits. However, maybe a fresh new thing will open my eyes to some new outfits. Thanks, Brenda!
Brenda
January 19, 2017 at 12:07 pmI love this!!! Glad to hear it inspired you! Yes, I think we have oodles of outfits inside our closets that are just waiting to be built into outfits. Good luck!
Sandra Bax
January 19, 2017 at 10:08 amI love your wardrobe charts. I use them to keep track of what I wear. I discovered the outfit/style inspiration challenges on Instagram. I use them to plan my outfits. Out of the outfit inspirations, I have challenged myself to not repeat an outfit this year. I have lots of clothes, so it shouldn’t be too hard.:) I use your wardrobe charts to keep track of my outfits and make sure I don’t repeat an outfit. I add notes as to what worked, why I liked my outfit, or what I could change if an outfit didn’t work for me. I have put together outfits that I might not have in the past because I have to work with the day’s style inspiration. Thanks for the wardrobe chart. I look forward to looking back on them at the end of the year.
Brenda
January 19, 2017 at 12:09 pmThis is a fabulous idea! The thing I love about the Wardrobe Charts is that every detail goes on them. Because if you look at a picture, you can’t always tell what all the pieces are. In fact, I wore something yesterday that I’ll be blogging about soon because what you saw on the outside was one thing but what was going on underneath was a whole other story! I admire your ambition to wear something different every single day. Awesome!
Neti*
January 19, 2017 at 11:24 amI love this post and will re-post the link in my next “Link Luv” post. Thanks so much for the Inspiration!
Brenda
January 19, 2017 at 12:12 pmThanks so much! I appreciate it!
Cathy D.
January 19, 2017 at 3:16 pmBrenda, thanks for another very useful post. I discovered your blog fairly recently and had not seen the wardrobe charts before. What an eyeopener! I had been planning outfits using a Word document, which ended up looking more like a novel than a useful tool to grab when I’m desperate in the morning. The biggest mistake, however, was that I was starting each outfit with a top, not a bottom. For some time I’ve thought I needed more pants, and have spent hours shopping for them. Now I see that I probably have enough pants. What I really need is more tops. And more accessories. Thank you so much for setting me straight!
Brenda
January 19, 2017 at 5:46 pmHi Cathy, so happy you discovered the wardrobe charts! Having that realization about pants and tops will really help you have a wardrobe that works better for you. Thanks for sharing!
Andrea
January 20, 2017 at 9:56 amI was first introduced to your wardrobe charts in your books, and they helped me a lot. Now I use the Stylebook app on my iPad. It’s a quirky app and takes some time to populate, but it’s invaluable for tracking what I wear (including price per wear) and for trying out ideas in a visual manner using photos of my actual clothes. I also love that I can share my “looks” with my friends. Check it out: http://www.stylebookapp.com/
Brenda
January 20, 2017 at 3:42 pmAndrea, thanks for this. I’m sure others will want to check this out too. I had tried an app–can’t remember now which one it was. I’ll definitely take a look at this!
Linda Ianson
January 20, 2017 at 10:46 amHi Brenda, I’m in England and ‘discovered’ you during the Christmas holiday break. I’m busy compiling my wardrobe charts and I’ve just been some rather neglected bracelets!! I’m sure inspiration will follow. I was also able to secure a copy of your wonderful book 40 over 40….so inspirational ! And full of humour too… It was a pleasure to read and I’m already adopting many of the principles. Thank you so much. Kind regards.
Brenda
January 20, 2017 at 3:45 pmSo happy to hear this, Linda! Can’t wait to hear what happens with those neglected bracelets! I’m so happy you found 40 over 40. It was a delight to write it. I’m glad you’re adopting principles in there. Please visit us here often!
Jean Melnick
January 25, 2017 at 3:38 pmHi Brenda, I am the classic case of looking into a full closet of mismatched items and saying, “I have noting to wear.” I tend to wear the same black comfortable pants and jacks in the winter. And in the summer I switch to cute dresses and heels. My fashion is boring and predictable. I’ve been buying more sophisticated and designer pieces by visiting vintage and consignment stores. Now I have more mismatches pieces although of better quality. I am also NOT a person who accessorized in the past, but I realize now that accessorizing is the KEY to a fashionable look. Yesterday I became overwhelmed with the task of trying to look more put-together with a clean and classic look. It seemed exhausting to me to improve my look. But then miraculously, I discovered your website and your wardrobe charts, and voila, I have hope now. I am looking forward to trying to put my new pieces together and learning how to accessorize to complete the new look.
Brenda
January 25, 2017 at 4:16 pmWho’s thrilled? I’m thrilled! Wardrobe charts are perfect for you. I have seen closets like the one you have and yes, it is very hard to get a sense of how to make things work. I was just writing about this earlier today in an educational report! But you are absolutely on the right track. You have more than hope, you have a plan! So happy to found me over here in this corner of the internet!!! Thanks, Jean!