Do you look at your closet and feel like you have nothing to wear even though you spent a lot of money buying nice clothes? Or you just don’t like anything in your closet. This post will help you find the real reason behind why you have nothing to wear and more importantly help you fix it.
If you are reading the post then I am sure you have at some point in time, have looked at your closet full of clothes and wondered why do I still feel like I have nothing to wear. I hear you girlfriend and I know exactly how that feels because I have been there.
Why You Have Nothing To Wear + How To Fix It
You Buy Clothes For Who You Want To Be But Not Who You Are Now?
This is a common problem for most women, and honestly I have also fallen in this trap many times which led to never having anything decent in my wardrobe to wear. But you must be wondering what the hell does this even mean.
Let’s break it down. You are constantly shopping to better your style but for a self or for someone who you want to be and not for your current lifestyle. Believe it or not, this happens more than you can imagine.
Instead of paying attention to your current life needs and style that you are comfortable with, you are constantly shopping for aspirational clothes. And you are not comfortable wearing those aspirational clothes everyday.
HOW TO FIX THIS?
- If your everyday needs are casual style, look for clothes and inspirations that will help you elevate your casual style.
- If you have a business casual dress code at work, don’t go out and buy suits or edgy clothes that you can’t comfortably wear to work. Focus on clothes that are work appropriate but will elevate your style.
You Just Shop For Party Wear Clothes
I get it, there is nothing cool about shopping for everyday clothes in high quality.
But have you ever realized why our mothers (Boomers) always looked well dressed and we just look like we woke up from bed and walked out?
It’s because they invested in good quality everyday clothes, and repeated their party wear. On the other hand we always buy cool special occasion clothes, but dress like a homeless person on a daily basis.
So, no wonder when you want to dress better everyday, you won’t find anything good in your wardrobe.
Don’t feel bad, I used to be there as well. I had all these party wear tops and bottoms piled up in my wardrobe, but when I needed something nice to wear to work, or just to my daughters recitals, I literally had nothing.
HOW TO FIX THIS?
- Make sure you have all the right basics in your wardrobe before you even think about shopping for party wears.
- Once you have them, make sure each party wear that you buy is versatile and can be worn again.
Looking For The Next Shiny Thing
I was on this boat for the longest. I always wanted to wear something new so I was always on the hunt for something better. While I did enjoy what I wore, but later on they would just be another piece in my closet that I will never wear because well, I never found another occasion fit where I could wear them. Are you relating to this?
There are many reasons for this to be happening, while for me it was peer pressure of proving that I needed to wear something new every month just to prove that I am stylish.
Style is totally not that, I don’t want to bore you with the philosophy behind style, but it was doing the exact opposite. I had a closet full of items that didn’t compliment each other, so whenever I would try to put together an outfit, I always felt like I had nothing that look good together and as a result I always felt like I literally had nothing to wear and got on the shopping bus again to do this all over.
HOW TO FIX THIS?
While I love shopping, and I will never say not to do that. I strongly advise being a smart shopper. You should think before you buy a piece whether:
- It fits in your existing closet and style that you have.
- Whether you really like it or you are just shopping because it looks cute on the model and you want it.
- Can you create multiple outfits with the piece that you are buying. If the answer is YES, then by all means, go for it.
You Always Buy The Same Things
This is the exact opposite, but it is also very much a reason for why you don’t like anything in your closet and feel like you literally have nothing to wear.
You buy the same style of clothes always, because either you hate shopping or you think since it’s working, why not buy it.
But this will easily lead to getting bored with your wardrobe and getting into the slump of not having anything to wear.
This does not mean that you need to buy all different styles of pieces. Or buy clothing items that you probably would never wear to begin with.
HOW TO FIX THIS?
If your style and wardrobe requires a certain clothing item that you buy on repeat, maybe it’s time to try it in a different fabric or silhouette. For example, if you love wearing white shirts, grab them in different collar styles or silhouette.
This way you have a couple of variations of a style allowing you to dress differently every time.
Your Clothes Are All Mismatched
Do you have clothes all in different colors, so when you are trying to put together an outfit, nothing matches together. Or you only have one or two options or ways you can pair a clothing item.
This is just not for colors but also happens to styles of clothes. You have tops that you want to wear with black jeans, but you only have a black skinny jeans and plenty of blue jeans. And the outfit does not look good in black skinny jeans.
Does that sound familiar?
This is one of the biggest reasons you have nothing to wear in your wardrobe. And you are not entirely to be blamed. Trends change so fast that, it becomes difficult to keep up. And no one really tells us how to shop for our wardrobe.
HOW TO FIX THIS?
We are now in the age of online shopping, where we can buy clothes from stores outside of the country as well.
- So, don’t get pressured to buy an item immediately if you are at a store.
- Think of ways you can style it and whether you have the right clothes to style it with before you swipe your credit card.
- You at least should have 5 ways to style an item.
You are not buying the Right size!
This can be a deal breaker. If your clothes don’t fit you properly, then you will never look good in them and you will never wear that piece again.
I used to think that I am size small in everything and that made me frustrated and upset always, because there would be clothes that would be way too tight for me and I felt uncomfortable in them and as a result never wore them again.
If you are not making that mistake, then its amazing, but if you are then please stop. Your wallet will thank me later.
Emotional Attachment to Clothes
When it comes to our wardrobes, the emotional attachment we have to our clothes can play a significant role in the difficulties we face in decluttering. Let’s delve into the sentimental versus practical value of clothing items and explore ways to preserve memories without overcrowding our closets.
Sentimental Value: Clothes are not just pieces of fabric; they hold memories and emotions. That shirt from your first concert or those jeans you wore on a special date might have sentimental value, making it hard to part with them.
Practical Value: On the other hand, practical value refers to how often you wear an item or if it still fits your current style. Assessing this aspect helps differentiate between clothes you genuinely need and those you hold onto for sentimental reasons.
HOW TO FIX THIS?
If it does not fit, it should not be in your wardrobe, even if you love it.
To strike a balance, consider ways to preserve the memories associated with certain items without keeping them in your regular rotation.
- Taking photos of sentimental pieces, creating a memory box for small accessories, or even transforming items into something new can help you let go while still cherishing the memories.
You are Always On The Trend Wagon
Another obvious one, but you don’t have to wear all the trends to be stylish, in fact I would say don’t wear them at all till you finally have a closet that works for your style.
Because every time you spend money on something trendy, you are one clothing item away from the basic that would have lasted you way longer.
Not all trends are made for you or look good on your body. You have to understand that what looks great on mannequin will not look good on your specific body type.
HOW TO FIX THIS?
- Invest in timeless pieces that reflect your unique taste and mix in trendier items selectively. This approach ensures you always have a solid foundation to build your outfits on without succumbing to trend overload.
- Look for trends that are age, and your body type appropriate.
- Check the price tag before you shop. If it’s too trendy, no point spending too much money on it.
Quick Fixes "Nothing To Wear" Feeling
I wanted to share some steps that you can take that will help you to get out of the nothing to wear slump you feel when you are getting ready for the day or any special event. These are also steps that I personally follow because trust me, I also feel the panic sometimes when I have an event to go to and I suddenly feel that I don’t have anything to wear and I should have bought something new.
- Think of where you are going: This will help you to come up with outfit ideas that will be appropriate for that occasion.
- Find one item that you can wear: Find one clothing piece rather than an outfit which is always easier. This makes you start thinking logically rather than feeling frustrated that you can’t find anything.
- Find some inspiration: You can try to find some inspiration, and it does not have to be social media, you can think of how you wore that item the last time, which can make it easier to come up with an outfit, or you can try Pinterest which is always an excellent source of outfit inspiration.
- Accessorize: You might still not like it. But if you accessorize it correctly, that will definitely change your mind. I love adding blazers or cardigans to my outfits which look plain or boring and not so fun to wear. This adds a personality to my style. You can do the same with a scarf or a hat as well as jewelries.
- Change Your Hairstyle: Sometimes, changing your hairstyle is also a quick way of looking a bit different in the same outfit. And you don’t have to do the full thing. You can simply add a hair accessory, or add some curls or part your hair in a different way. Trust me, it makes a huge difference.
- Change Your Makeup: Change your lip color or apply a thicker eye liner and that changes your look and brings in a fresh perspective to your outfit.
Completely Fix "Nothing To Wear" Feeling
Feeling like you have nothing to wear is a common frustration many of us face when staring at a closet full of clothes. The good news is, there are practical solutions to tackle this conundrum and revamp your wardrobe without breaking the bank or contributing to excess waste in the fashion industry.
Organizing Your Closet: From Chaos to Clarity
Start by organizing your closet to gain a clear overview of what you own. Sort through your clothes, donate or sell items you no longer wear, and arrange your wardrobe in a way that makes it easy to see and access different pieces. Utilizing storage solutions like bins, dividers, and hangers can help maximize space and keep your closet tidy.
Capsule Wardrobes: Quality Over Quantity
Consider creating a capsule wardrobe consisting of essential, versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched to create various outfits. Investing in high-quality basics like a tailored blazer, a classic white shirt, and a well-fitted pair of jeans can form the foundation of a timeless and functional wardrobe that transcends seasonal trends.
Mix and Match Mastery: Creating Versatile Outfits
Experiment with mixing and matching different items in your wardrobe to create fresh and stylish combinations. Pairing basics with statement pieces, layering textures and patterns, and playing with accessories can breathe new life into your existing clothes and expand your outfit possibilities without needing to shop for new items.
The Power of Accessories: Elevating Any Look
Accessories have the transformative power to elevate even the simplest outfits. Experiment with adding scarves, statement jewelry, belts, bags, and shoes to enhance your look and express your personal style. A well-chosen accessory can instantly upgrade a basic outfit and make it feel new and exciting.
Mindset Shift
It’s important to change your mindset towards your wardrobe. Clothes and style is not just to look pretty. It’s building a personal style and expressing yourself through style.
So, its important that to love what you have is to change how you look at yourself and your wardrobe.
