Ask a Stylist: how to get out of a style rut

I am so bored of all my clothes and feel rudderless when it comes to even beginning to say what “my style” is. What should I do?

Please know that this is such a common problem. Almost all of my clients have said the exact same thing to me when we start working together. So often, we stay dressing a certain way as it worked for us back in the day. We then get stuck in it and the effort involved in changing things up feels momentous. Believe me, it is worth allocating some time to it and it isn’t as hard as you may think. 

There are two separate streams to this. One is understanding what suits you. The other is about finding out what your style anchors are. 

Understanding your body shape, proportions, lengths, body sections, form and frame are integral to any restyle. It is vital that you understand what suits you and why — working with your body not against it. 

Then you need to find your style anchors. To begin this process, and it is a process, you need to think of some words that encapsulate what you want your style to be. Once you have those you can review your wardrobe and search for new additions. I actually did this myself about a year ago. My words, in case it’s helpful for you, were “an interesting silhouette”, adding a “bit of drama” and “an unusual colour mix”. 

If you don’t know what you like, you don’t stand a chance of defining your style. Use Pinterest or screenshot a selection of looks and outfits you like on your phone and make a folder to refer to. 

Lastly, I would have a bit of a clear-out. Do it when you have no other pressing tasks to complete and are feeling calm and relaxed. Go through your wardrobe looking at each piece in a detached fashion. Anything that’s old and tired should go. Anything that makes you feel flat, boring or downright unattractive should go, ditto anything uncomfortable. If this feels like a Herculean task, engage a stylist to help you. Ask friends and colleagues for a recommendation, or look at the stylist’s Instagram to see if their dress sense appeals to you and if you think you will get along.

One trick, which I like to do periodically, is to get a freestanding rail and only put the pieces you wear the most on to it. Now assess those pieces. What do they say to you? What are the colour mixes, what shape are they? What are they made of? In essence what is it that makes you favour these over all the others? Write some notes about what you’ve discovered. If you’re like most women there won’t be many things on that rail but they will always tell you something important. Now you have a core of pieces to look at, to build around and to add to. 

Another fun way to inject some new life is to reverse some of your tried and tested looks. For instance, if a standard for you is a slim trouser and a roomy shirt, what about a wide-leg trouser and a neat top instead? 

These Saloni crepe trousers have an easy leg shape (£375, matchesfashion.com). I love them with this fun abstract top from Tory Burch (£441, neimanmarcus.com).

You could also buy one piece that totally turns one of your perennial looks on its head. Let’s say you always wear blazers, how about you add a bit of edge? Could be an interesting shoulder cut, sleeve or detail. Max Mara has a jacket with buttons on the sleeves that open up to flare the lower arm or turn into a full cape sleeve — just watch you don’t dip them in your teacup (£410, fenwick.co.uk). This floral blazer from Dries Van Noten will pep up any simple look in an instant (£850, mytheresa.com) or use Helmut Lang’s blazer for a cool take on the cut-out trend — pair with simple navy, black, cream or charcoal trousers or sling over a dress (£480, luisaviaroma.com). If colour is more your thing, then select one of the candy hues from Max Mara, Marella, Christopher Kane, or Alice + Olivia.

Go to an actual store; what the hell, go to a few! Not with any intention of buying, in fact definitely don’t buy anything, take the pressure off, just look. Browse through the rails, take in the mannequin displays and gaze at the shop window outfits. Take photos of things you like. In London I would recommend boutique department stores such as Liberty (always a feast for the eyes and quiet on a Monday), Harvey Nichols and Fenwick — they are smaller and easier to shop than their larger cousins. Take a stroll down Bond Street to see all the designer shop windows, visit Portobello early Friday morning or go to a vintage fair. Hammersmith is usually good — the next one is on March 26. If that doesn’t get your creative juices flowing, I will eat my hat. 

Some other thoughts for you to mull over would be buying a pair of on-trend shoes, be it an elegant wedge (By Far and Wandler have beautiful options) or a brightly coloured heel to lift the spirits. Seek out something bonkers from Loewe, Camper or Proenza Schouler, or stay classic with a revved up Mary Jane from Nodaleto (£575, farfetch.com). An awesome shoe turns a classic suit or separates into something more modern and fashion focused. 

Sit down with your closest female friends and have a talk about how you all feel about your style — you never know what gems they might come out with. Ask for honest feedback from those you trust the most.

And finally, don’t forget the hair and make-up — pay for a make-up lesson and try out a new hairstyle or just a fringe! That can feel like a huge change all in one go. 

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