This post may include affiliate links. That means that we could receive a small commission if you make a purchase using our links. Please click here to read our complete disclosure.
This post will teach you how to enhance your style for free without purchasing new clothing.
Let’s be real — these are tough financial times for most of us, especially as college students. We love to shop. No-spend Movement This is why it’s gaining momentum!
Today, I’m here to inspire you to update your style without buying new clothes. (I promise it’s possible.)
Here are my best tips and tricks.
Are You Stuck in a Style Rut
That feeling is something we all share. This feeling is universal. “I don’t have anything to wear” feeling, standing in front of a closet with clothes that aren’t inspiring anymore.
Style ruts are as common as they are frustrating.
We’ve all been there, and this sentiment is usually met with the classic, “But your closet is full of clothes!”
We are aware of our own existence The following are some of the most effective ways to improve your own language skills. clothes. It is not the problem. How to style these items in an outfit we feel comfortable and love. is.
Why you may be stuck in a style rut vary, but at the center is almost always a sense of boredom, of feeling like you’ve tried all possible combinations. We feel uncomfortable wearing our beloved, trusted items.
What is the usual way to fix this? We go to the shops.
We bring in something shiny and new that will make everything come alive with its freshness.
It’s a good idea for a little while.
Then, we’re standing in front of our closet again, wondering what to wear. Shopping didn’t help and now our wallets are lighter with no progress.
So, what else can we do to fix it — without spending money?
How to Freshen Up Your Closet: Tips, Tricks, & Hacks.
Let me clarify something before I go into the tips. It is not necessary to determine Why not? you’re in a rut to start.
Most of the times, we get stuck at the why and become even more frustrated. You can put that out of your head for the moment; it will come at the very end of this article.
Here are some examples Easy tips and tricks How to revive your closet (and find your rut):
- Accessorizing is essential to a look.. Focus on the details of an outfit you wear often. What can you change or add to your accessory collection? You could add something bright, shiny or patterned. Change your shoes to a pair that is more colorful or stylized.
- Hairstyles to play with. Everyone has a certain hairstyle they wear every day. You can try Try out new hairstyles, accessories and even your makeup.. You can add a ribbon, a sleek gel or simply change your parting.
- Change up your makeup. We tend to stick with the same makeup style, just like we do our hair. Why not switch to a red lip gloss instead of the usual mauve or nude? Try a new fun makeup trend.
- It’s time to layer up. Layers are the best way to revive an item. Or two. Layer two pieces you love, but are tired of. You could layer a silk skirt with a tulle one. Layer two jackets to add dimension.
- Turn around. We all have that one piece we love but don’t wear because of a tiny detail in the front. The neckline may be too deep, too modest or have a lot on the front. This can make it difficult to match with other items. Why not flip it over and wear it in reverse??
How to freshen up your closet: A fashion guide
Accessorize, Easy – Outfit #1
Let’s start with something It is easy to understand and use..
While I love a good colorful outfit, I have to admit that on my laziest or busiest days, this is what I’ll probably land on. Simple T-shirt with my favorite jeans.
For this example, I’m wearing my favorite White cotton t-shirt. It isn’t too tight or loose so I tend to wear it like this. I then wore my mediumwash boyfriend jeans Then I added a French tuck.
The outfit on your left is practical. Inspired? Inspired? Makes me feel like me? Does it make me feel like myself?
Add some layers and accessories, and you will see a dramatic change. I added a Silk scarf The following are some examples of how to use The shades of blue and golden yellow are all different. The following are some examples of how to get started: A little bit of red. Since it was still cold, I put on an oversize sweater. navy blazer. To give myself some shape, I also used a Black crossbody bag.
As you can tell, I have added three simple things to my favourite outfit.
What’s the best part? It’s nothing new!
I borrowed the blazer from my mom’s closet (probably from the 80s), the scarf was my grandpa’s, and the bag I’ve had for years.
Now I love the way I look and feel.
Accessorize, Easy – Outfit #2
Now, let’s tackle An outfit that looks more polished.
These are the looks that you know you look good and are your go-to when you have to put together something *nicer* but still comfy in a rush.
It would look like this for me:
I’m wearing a Striped, boxy T shirt Pair of shoes pinstripe, loose pants. You know that I am a fan of a layering, so I probably would wear a black biker jacket Finish with Converse to give the look a new texture.
I love this style. I’ve worn it countless times, but not that often anymore because I feel tired of it.
To bring it back into life, I decided Add a little color. This time, I swapped my usual gold earrings with a pair Big red and gold drop earrings. To complete the look, i decided to carry a Red purse This is a very interesting shape.
It’s the same outfit, but adding color changes everything. Red is more noticeable when combined with black and white.
I’m not going to make a choice that is lazy on my part. Black and white is the perfect backdrop to a statement piece This purse is a great example.
Play With Your Hair, Medium – Outfit #3
Matching Sets The problem is that they are easy to wear. Wearing them over and over again without getting tired of them is the problem.
This is my favorite set out of all the ones I own.
If you’ve been reading my posts for a while now, then you probably recognize this green set. It is a Green shirt with high neckline The following are some examples of how to get started: loose-fit pants.
I have two options for shoes when styling a set: either my Adidas Stan Smiths, or a pair o’ squared off-white booties. Today, I opted for the Stan Smith white and green.
I’d wear the look on the right any day.
Because I wear this when I’m uninspired or in a rush, I don’t do my hair with it that often.
To upgrade this outfit I decided to do some Space buns. For a little more fun I swapped my usual gold earrings with a pair green geometric ones.
It was only a few small adjustments, but it transformed the look.
The attention to detail is evident in the second example. I’m still comfortable, but I don’t feel tired of the set like I did before.
Think of your favorite set as a blank slate to experiment with. You can add accessories or play around with the hair.
Play With your Makeup, Medium – Outfit #4
Now we have a very popular outfit combo that is a staple in everyone’s closet: A white buttoned-up shirt, jeans and a jacket or coat in black.
This is my version of the combo. I’m wearing a white button-up shirt tucked into some loose-fit, high-waisted jeans. For a little texture, I added a black suede jacket. Then I finished it off with white Nikes.
It’s a great look. I wear this or a variation of it a lot. Especially if I’m going to the office.
Just a little more color, or pizzazz will do.
First, I styled a layered look for my hair. Half ponytail Add a Red Ribbon. Then, I added More blush and highlighter I used to use a crayon on my cheeks. Eyeshadow with glitter. Finally, I changed my mauve lipstick everyday to The red-headed acrobat lipstick.
You only need to switch up your hair and makeup every now and then to update your look. They’re as important as choosing the right purse or shoes.
You will notice that the face and hair is the first thing we see when we look into the mirror. Try to spice up your hair or makeup first.
Layer it Up, Difficult – Outfit #5
This is another outfit that we may all have in common: a striped shirt with jeans, and boots.
When I want to look cool and effortless, I like to wear this.
On the left, I’m wearing a Blue and white striped shirt Halfway into a pair black, wide-leg jeans. I bought shoes at Black Chelsea Boots. If I’m going for effortless, I’m for sure putting My hair is up with a clip.
I loved this outfit. It was effortless, cool, and chic. Now, I’m just tired and uninspired.
How do I change the outfit to the right? The art of layering.
This is an example of how I would untuck the shirt. I threw a shirt on and walked out. black denim jacket I buttoned up the jacket. I popped the collar of the shirt and pulled the shirt’s cuffs over the cuffs of the jacket.
Can you see How one item can transform everything?
The little peeks under the jacket give this look a cool, modern feel. Especially since we don’t usually button up jackets like this, you could also switch the shirt with the jacket and make it a monochromatic denim look.
(For more details on how to layer like a pro, read my article on it here.)
Layer it Up, Difficult – Outfit #6
We all have a lot to learn. One dress.
It’s the one that checks all your boxes: fits perfectly, goes with everything, and is 100% your style. You’ve probably had it for years.
And now, you feel like you’ve worn it too much and have exhausted all possible combinations. Me, too.
The item in my closet is this.
Again, if you’ve been reading my articles for a while, you’ll probably recognize it. I’m wearing my Lovely black and white flowers midi dress.
I wear this piece all year round, dressed up or casually, with booties, sneakers, and even boots. This time, I’m wearing it with a pair of Black sock boots.
How can I revive it after wearing it for the past four or five year? It’s easy! Just layer it with your favorite recent piece.
I am a big fan of a good movie Mix of patterns. So I layered a leopard print dress I added a floral design under the first one. Then, I started adding a Brown crossbody bag to bring in more of the leopard print’s color palette.
The longer sleeves and skirt of the leopard-print dress are perfect for a sneak-a-boo moment. Both dresses are neutral in color and have black as a common element.
This is not the right combination for everyone. But I love it. I think it’s really fun and playful without being too loud.
Try something similar using polka-dots and stripes. Or, a big floral pattern layered over a smaller print.
(For more details on how to mix patterns, read our article on it here.)
Turn it Around, Difficult – Outfit #7
Now, let’s cover those items that are *almost* perfect. They would be if it weren’t for the neckline or details on the front.
Maybe you are tired of your current piece.
These items are usually V-necked. I love the You can also find out more about the idea of buying a car by clicking here. of a V-neck, but it doesn’t suit me very well. Since I have a small chest, I feel like V-necks don’t fall where they’re supposed to, and they just look awkward on me.
Here is an example Gorgeous red knitted v-neck gown.
This piece is very comfortable and I wear it with only a pair. White Sneakers. Or I layer with a sweatshirt. Because it already has buttons on the front, I don’t love how it looks with a button-up shirt.
In order to solve both problems, I simply Turned around. Now I can work on a more pronounced neckline in the front.
The dress’s new high neck is perfect for pairing with a Striped button-up shirt. Then I added a layer of acetate to match the stripes. black suede coat. Finally, I changed the sneakers to Red Boots Continue the theme of red
You can expand your wardrobe by wearing items backwards. I’m a fan of a deep-V at the back. I use this hack often.
A lot of you might be wondering whether the buttons on the back look weird, but I feel like they’re an interesting detail to have in the back while having a cleaner, simpler look in the front.
Turn it Around, Difficult – Outfit #8
For my final example, I’ll tackle one more challenging item for me: wrap dresses.
Again, I love the *idea* of them, but they usually don’t fit me right. I have the same issue that I have with the V-neck items: they usually don’t wrap where they should, so I have to pin them where I need.
This stunning Wrap dress in navy and red floral This is an excellent example. It is so beautiful, that I make it the main attraction and tone down my accessories and shoes. It would look great with a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Black sock boots A black purse is a must.
I love this dress, so I do like to wear it, but when I do, I’m never 100% comfortable with the neckline and where the ties end.
I turned it around to fix the problem.
The open back is my favorite part of the outfit. It gives it a more sexier feel. Then I decided to embrace the color by adding a pair Red tights I swapped the black shoes with a pair red booties. Then, I switched the black purse with a Red purse Just make it a bright outfit.
I was once again surprised by a small detail that changed my view of the item. I’ve never worn it like this before, and I cannot believe it has never occurred to me. The creative freedom I felt when wearing it backwards was amazing.
Final Thoughts
Style ruts can be frustrating. I get it. I’ve been through it countless times.
Maybe you are having a hard time in school or work, your personal style has changed so you feel disconnected from your wardrobe, your closet doesn’t match your lifestyle anymore, or your body might be changing.
Personally, I’ve gone through all those reasons at least once in my life.
The latest (Style ruts related to body changes() happened to me two months ago.
Before I knew what I was doing, I went shopping to buy new things. And they didn’t work like I expected. I was frustrated and a bit sad because I couldn’t understand what was going on. I loved my clothes. The colors, the designs. But I just couldn’t make them look like I wanted.
To feel inspired, I then tried out all of the above styling hacks and tips instead of going shopping.
Finally, My body was changing, and the clothes now fit differently.. After making it work, I knew exactly what to do.
Now, I could donate the things I was sure didn’t work for me anymore, repurpose items where I loved the fabrics but not the fit, and make a list of the items I needed to re-buy in the correct size.
As I’ve been repeating through this post, it’s not necessarily that we need to add new clothes, or figure out why you’re in a rut right out of the gate. It is important to see your existing items in a new light..
If you use these tips to refresh your closet before you get rid of anything or shop for new clothes, you will be able to better understand your own style.
Try it out and let me how it goes.
How can you update your wardrobe with out buying new clothes or clothing?
Would you wear one of these outfits? What’s your favorite tip or hack to freshen up your closet for free? Have you got any questions about style?
Comment below to let us know!