Why You Feel Like You Have Nothing To Wear

Tell me if this sounds familiar. You open your closet, pull a couple options out, but nothing works. The floor is covered with clothes, you should have left 5 minutes ago, and you are seriously considering who will notice if you wear yoga pants to work. 

If you’re thinking, 'How did you know?', don't worry - we’ve all been there, and I can help! Here are a few reasons why this happens, and how to save your future mornings: 

Reason #1: You don't have enough basics

I have been in so many closets where the client's biggest complaint is a lack of creativity in their outfits. Yet when I look into their wardrobe, I see a ton of statement options. Multiple floral blouses, colorblocked sweaters, boho dresses, and overly distressed denim. Don't get me wrong - these are great options - but what’s usually lacking are good quality basics. I'm talking solid colored shirts, sweaters, and clean denim. That color blocked sweater and ripped jeans can be cute for brunch, but what if you want to wear that sweater on a date? Denim in a darker wash without any rips or whiskering is key here. It lets the eye focus on the beauty of the sweater, or the blouse, or your hat. When there's too much going on visually, your eye doesn't know where to focus, which can make your outfit feel unbalanced and chaotic. 

Reason #2: You need more one + done pieces

Especially for those rushed mornings! One + done pieces are my *favorite* when I'm in a hurry. A dress or a jumpsuit can be styled in so many ways, and the cohesiveness instantly helps you look more pulled together. Try layering within them as well. A sweater over a dress, a turtleneck under a jumpsuit. The possibilities are endless, as long as you give yourself permission to be creative and have fun with your clothes.

Reason #3: You're not planning outfits

I know so many people avoid this, but it truly makes all the difference. Even if you spend 20 minutes a week, you will come up with new ideas. Every time you do this, you're training yourself to be more creative. Think of your creativity like a muscle - the more you work on it, the stronger it gets. Planning outfits will also keep you from falling back on the same options all the time. If your wardrobe feels stale, this can be a great place to start.

A great solution to all of these: take inventory of your closet. What are you always reaching for but don't seem to have? You would wear that dress more in the fall if you had a transitional jacket, or you would wear that skirt in winter if you had the right boots. Make a list of the items that will help round out your wardrobe, and keep them written down in one place (in my signature program, The Refresh, we use The Closet Assistant Sheet for this). This is the real way that I keep my wardrobe on track, and it helps me avoid the dreaded buyer's remorse. I keep the list near my closet and add to it every time I realize I would love a brown belt, or I need to replace my favorite white t-shirt. Then when I go shopping, I take a picture of that list, and it helps me stay on track.

Go through your closet and create some outfits. Plan a few day’s worth of looks - notice what you might be missing, what would amplify the pieces you already own, or how you can get creative with what you already have. Head to Instagram or Pinterest if you find yourself needing inspiration, and take back control of your mornings!