Five Things To Try if You're in a Style Rut

You begin to feel afraid of trying anything different and before you know it, you're wearing the same old clobber, day in, day out. But our style - just like our lives - needs to be shaken up from time to time. So don't get bogged down by your 'uniform' and don't let your wardrobe confuse the hell out of you!

It happens to the best of us. And even the most stylish.

You're looking fantastic, feeling confident, dressing well and then bam, without warning you soon find yourself in a style rut, bogged down and fearful there is no way out, no matter how much you trawl the high street or online.

And so what do you do? You panic. Or sulk.

You begin to feel afraid of trying anything different and before you know it, you're wearing the same old clobber, day in, day out.

But our style - just like our lives - needs to be shaken up from time to time.

So don't get bogged down by your 'uniform' and don't let your wardrobe confuse the hell out of you!

If you feel yourself stuck in the style mud, here are some things you can try:

Do the opposite of what you normally do

This is an easy rule to remember but works an absolute treat. Think of how you dress on a day to day basis and then do the exact opposite!

Wear jeans everyday? Then lock 'em away and wear skirts instead. Only ever seen in a frock? Then treat yourself to some trousers.

It may feel weird at first, but dressing totally differently will inspire you and force you out of your style shell, which can only ever be a good thing.

Think in numbers

Layer up your clothing or wear multiple jewellery pieces together. So instead of wearing one necklace, wear three - of different lengths - at the same time.

Play around, experiment and see what works well for you. But where possible up the style anti by going for more than one.

Inject some colour

You can't go wrong with classic neutrals that's true, but think about how much fun you had with colour when you were a child and be inspired!

Jewel colours like ruby red and jade green scream class, vibrance and confidence and are great to wear when you're not feeling at your best.

While softer colours like lavender blue and blush pink are perfect for those times when a little romance is needed.

Scared of colour? Still no excuse to at least not try. Start with a pattern or add some vibrant accessories into the mix and then go from there.

Finally, be sentimental

What you wear speaks for you, before you even open your mouth. Pretty powerful huh?

But these days, with the high street and disposable fashion, the danger is that we can all start to look and dress the same.

So how do we fight it? How do we find our own individual and unmistakable style?

Easy.

We can add pieces that tell a story. Your story.

Wear pieces from your history. Stuff passed down from your family. Things that mean something to you. Items you cannot live without.

Wear the brooches that belonged to your Grandma. Wear you wedding shoes with jeans.

Alter a T-shirt, knit yourself a jumper or take up a hemline.

Wear that beloved dress you found in a charity shop and have been eager to dance in. Wear the bracelet that your daughter made for you at school.

Wear your favourite things. Alter items so that they suit you better and don't ever save things for best.

Unusual pieces are conversation starters. They enable strangers to approach you and provide you with a powerful opportunity to share a story, your story, with others, in a subtle but effective way.

Wearing something that is important to you, makes you authentic, helping you to stand out from the crowd.

Ultimately it makes you, YOU. Which is what finding your own personal style is all about.

Katie Portman writes Pouting In Heels, an award winning parenting and lifestyle blog. You can sign up to her weekly newsletter here, and follow her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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