When there is nothing going on, no special outings or social gatherings, it's very easy to let your style slip if you're just staying at home. So on those days that you're not leaving the house how do you keep yourself motivated to dress stylishly?
Here are 3 ways that I'm keeping myself motivated to not let my style game slip!
1. Take an outfit photo, do some live streaming or online meeting
Taking an outfit photo helps you to become more aware of what does and doesn't work for you. In fact, it's one of the best ways to become more aware of what is and isn't working about each outfit you try. It gives you a more objective look at how you really look to others as even in the mirror we don't see ourselves the same way we do in a photo.
What do you do with those outfit photos? You may like to post them on social media. Or you may just like to keep them as a record of outfits you've put together. What is great is that having a whole lot of them allows you to compare your style as it develops over time (you may still think you are not particularly stylish, but you'll often find if you compare photos you see just how far you've actually come).
Putting a bunch of "like" outfits together and comparing the photos allows you to see what works for you, your shape and colouring so much more easily. You can see which outfits look best and figure out your ideal value, your colour and value contras t and then take this knowledge to any new outfit you create.
Why Taking An Outfit Photo Can Really Help You Become More Stylish
You may also be doing more time on screen - with video conferencing like Zoom, and Facetime replacing face-to-face. Knowing what to wear on screen can help you feel better about your style as you see yourself on the small screen.
This means you have to be aware of grooming as well! Doing your hair, putting on a little lippy and adding an accessory to create a focal point in your outfit all have a bit impact on what you look like on that video call.
It's worthwhile figuring out what your grooming bare minimum is (for me it's mascara as I've got blonde lashes and my eyes get lost without it).
I'm doing my own manicures, and use a dipping powder system which makes for stronger longer nails that last me a couple of weeks (at least - depending on how much gardening I do in the meantime).
2. An awareness that dressing well does improve my mood
Research has shown that when you're depressed you'll wear your sloppy clothes. When you feel good you'll dress in your "good" clothes.
Yet if you dress in your good clothes all the time - you'll actually feel better all the time.
You Can Never Be Overdressed or Overeeducated - Oscar Wilde
Just knowing this is a great reminder that making a small effort to put on an outfit that makes me feel good, even if it's a totally comfy casual one, will make a difference to my mood. That extra couple of minutes it may take me to do this repays itself multiple times over. I never regret wearing a stylish outfit. I do regret when I don't make any effort and just feel like crap!
If you're feeling down, it's good to know that research shows that wearing colour and repeating patterns can bring you joy.
What 2 Things You Should Wear to Bring More Joy Into Your Life
This is where if you're pushed for time or just motivation - having some go-to-outfits that you love can really make you feel much better about your style and take the brainpower out of the occasion.
You may just want some inspiration to which is where my comfy casual outfit ideas to take and adapt for you right now. Now I love a pair of jeans and they are my most common bottom in a comfy casual outfit. But maybe jeans are not your thing - so here are 8 ideas to look stylish when jeans are not your thing but you still want to dress casually.
3. Have some fun creating new outfits shopping my wardrobe
Spend some time shopping your wardrobe and creating outfit combinations you've not tried before. Shopping your wardrobe and challenging yourself to put your existing items to use in different combinations can really help you figure out what is (and isn't) working in your wardrobe, where your wardrobe gaps lie (that is if you actually have any) and will help you hone your personal style.
Tips for Building a Functional and Fabulous Wardrobe
Look at how you can use your accessories in different combinations as well.
Maybe you always wear some things together - why not see if there are other ways to wear your scarves - different knots or even on your head, around your wrist, or as a belt instead.
How to Style a Scarf as a Cowl Neck Top
One of my favourite ways to tie an outfit together is to use a scarf and actually create the outfit from the scarf .
Along with challenging yourself to be a little creative and come up with some new outfits from your existing wardrobe, knowing your criteria for making your outfit great helps you to figure out when you've hit the style nail on the head (so to say).
The more you know about your personal style and what flatters you, the easier it is to put things together (and also have shopped and bought the right things to go into your wardrobe to start with). This is why I developed my 7 Steps to Style program as it gives you a really great foundation in all aspects of your colour and style, your values, your lifestyle needs and how you can put it all together to create your own personal style guidebook.
Lifting my Style Game: A Daily Outfit Photo Experience
If Nobody Sees You Does it Matter What You Wear?
