Have you ever brought home something new, full of excitement, only to realise a week later that you are wearing it in exactly the same way every single time?
Caroline sent through a similar question, and it is something I hear often: Why do I keep styling new pieces the same way, even when I want more variety?
It is a very human pattern. Our brains love the familiar. When an item only seems to match one combination, we reach for that combination repeatedly. The good news is that this is completely solvable, and it begins long before you even reach the wardrobe.
Start Planning Before You Buy to Get More Outfits from Fewer Garments
Before adding anything new to your wardrobe, pause for a moment and ask yourself:
- Can I name four or five garments I already own that this could be worn with to create a variety of outfits?
- Does it work with my current colour palette?
- Is it filling a wardrobe gap?
- Does it work for my lifestyle?
- Does it fit with my Style Recipe?
- Do I love it and rate it an 8 or more?
- Does it work for my current body?
- Is it a clone of something you already own? If yes, is that garment heavily worn and wearing out, and you desperately need a replacement for it?
If the answer is no to any of the above, the item is likely to become a one-outfit wonder, or a garment that you don’t wear because it doesn’t work in some way for your body or life. Or potentially, an orphan that doesn’t work with anything else you already own.
It will sit there looking pretty, but it will not earn its keep. When something only matches one existing piece, your brain simply has no other options to reach for, so of course it ends up styled the same way again and again.
This is why working with a colour palette is such an invaluable tool. When you buy something in a colour that truly harmonises with your palette, it naturally blends with the rest of your wardrobe. The colours already relate to each other, which means they play well together with less effort from you.
Often, the pieces that feel tricky or limiting are the ones that sit outside your palette. They might be beautiful, but if they only link to one outfit, they are never going to support the creativity or flexibility you want.
Give yourself permission to experiment.
Even with a harmonised wardrobe, creativity only happens through curiosity. Once that new garment is home, spend a few minutes experimenting.
Try it on:
- With different colours
- Different bottoms or tops
- With different garment layers
- Different levels of refinement – dressy, smart casual, casual… does it work for all or just one of these?
Ask yourself: What else could this work with that I have not tried yet?
When your colours support each other, this becomes so much easier. Instead of staring blankly at your wardrobe, you begin to see possibilities. A top that worked with one pair of trousers might also pair beautifully with a skirt you had not considered. A jacket might match more dresses than you expected.
The more you play, the more confident you become in your own ability to create outfits that feel like you.
Why Style Education Matters
Many women tell me they feel overwhelmed with colour, shape and proportion. They wonder if they are getting it right or if they are wasting money on pieces that never feel quite like them. The truth is, we were never taught any of this.
Without education, you are left guessing:
- Are these the right colours?
- Is this the right shape?
- Is this neckline too wide or too high?
- Why does this outfit feel slightly off, even though I like all the pieces?
When you understand colour, shape, line, proportion and scale, everything shifts. Your wardrobe starts to work with you, not against you. You get dressed faster. You make better decisions. You stop buying clothes you never wear.
This is exactly why I created the 7 Steps to Style program. It is the education you never received and the system you need if you want clarity, confidence and a wardrobe that genuinely supports who you are now. Yes, you can absolutely DIY your style journey, but it usually takes longer, involves more trial and error, and comes with more frustration. Having expert support simply speeds up the process and removes so much uncertainty.
If you are ready to understand what truly works for you and to create more outfits with less effort, I would love to welcome you into the program.
