5 Ideas for Styling Your Existing Wardrobe

Buying new clothes is exciting, no doubt. Science tells us when we are buying something new our brain releases dopamine and we feel excited. Add a sale price on top of it and we are outright giddy, but that high is sometimes short-lived. What if you could style your existing wardrobe and feel excited about what you are wearing? It’s possible! Here are 5 Ideas for Styling Your Existing Wardrobe:

how to style existing wardrobe
Earrings
Tee
Cardigan
Belt: Old
Jeans: Everlane (high rise skinny)
Shoes: Thea Noir Flats

MONOCHROMATIC

Try a monochromatic look with basics from your existing wardrobe. White on white, black on black or tones in the same family. Add a belt for interest and some fun earrings for a color pop. I’m a firm believer in statement earrings making the outfit.

White on white isn’t my usual go-to for colder weather, but I love it every time I remember to go for it. It’s clean, crisp and always looks fresh.

outfits with clothes you already own
Earrings
Link Stitch Sweater
Wide Leg Jeans (Similar)
Blythe Boots

TUCK YOUR TOP

A tucked-in sweater, tee or blouse totally changes the look! This is a trick I use all the time to change up my outfit. A front tuck, side tuck / half-tuck, or full tuck will really elevate your style.

Check out more tips on tucking and styling sweaters here.

how to style your existing wardrobe
Earrings
Necklace
Tee: Not Perfect Linen (secondhand)
High Rise Pants
Boots

This boxy, linen tee pictured above would look like a potato sack on me without that little side tuck. Now it has shape and some definition. You can tell I have a waistline, and that’s simply because of the side tuck.

Pro tip: start a side tuck just above your pocket and adjust from there.

styling your existing wardrobe
Jaclyn Necklace
Earrings
Link Stitch Sweater

ACCESSORIES

Same sweater as above, totally new look. What changed? I added a necklace to my outfit! It’s like magic.

styling your existing wardrobe for women
Earrings
Similar Scarf
Long Sleeve Tee

Feel bored with the same old long sleeve tee? Instead, think of it as a blank canvas for your beautiful artwork. Add accessories! A scarf completely changes this tee from basic to cute.

And tie that scarf in a new way – try turning it opposite how I’m wearing it in the picture like a typical bandana. Put it in your hair or tie it on your bag if you are going out. A simple scarf adds so much interest to basic outfits for women.

And a great pair of earrings pulls the outfit together – I know, I sense the theme here too!

LAYER

Look at the transformation of this outfit from the first photo to the last. It’s the same few pieces layered, tucked and accessories. 5 different outfits with the same 4 pieces of clothing.

Layering helps you style your existing wardrobe throughout various seasons and changing weather. It also adds interest.

Check out more ways to style a skirt here.

This leads to my last tip:

10X10 CHALLENGE

Want to really challenge yourself to style your existing wardrobe? Pair down your closet to a minimal number of pieces and style them as many ways as you can think of!

A 10×10 Challenge or 30×30 Style Challenge is the perfect way to do this. You pick 10 pieces and style only them for 10 days. Next, try it with 30 pieces for 30 days.

You’ll be amazed by your creativity and how many different outfits you can come up with using only your existing wardrobe! It will also help you figure out which pieces you really love and which ones you might want to let go of.

5 tips on styling existing wardrobe

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