how to get out of a rut & feel inspired again

Getting stuck in a rut happens to everyone. Especially at the start of a new season, you start to get bored with what you are wearing and don't know how to change your shopping habits.

If you have ever felt nothing but intense boredom at the sight of your wardrobe and wished you could just throw it all out and start from scratch, you know what it feels like to be stuck in a style rut. A most miserable place where clothes you once loved and felt inspired by, now just seem dull and underwhelming.

The key to getting out of a style rut is to break through old thinking patterns and the comfortable, monotonous routine you have built up for yourself, put on your creative hat and immerse yourself in new inspiration.

The best way to get out of a rut is to get some outside help. Most people only wear about 10% of the clothes in their wardrobe, so it is easier for somebody else to see the gems in your wardrobe than you can. I'll go to a client's house who has said "I have nothing to wear" and after I spend a couple of hours editing her wardrobe and putting new looks together she realises that she has a lot of great outfits waiting to be worn. 

Read Jane's experience -

" I have to admit I had reservations about the wardrobe detox and styling session my husband had brought for me for my birthday present. I thought my wardrobe didn't need editing because I don't own alot of clothes but it turns out I was wrong! Having Nina give a fresh eye is pretty revealing; for starters I had no idea I owned so many pairs of jeans (18!), but rarely wear more than 3 pairs of them. I also discovered I am seriously lacking in items that make up outfits together and Nina was really helpful with her styling tips on how to utilise what I have in my wardrobe and what I need to fill the gaps. It was such a thrilling and enjoyable process, and much less exhausting and over whelming when you are not the one pulling everything out. I loved Nina's easy technique, as I sat on my bed answering questions such as, "Do you wear it?" and "Do you love it?" at no point did I feel under pressure to ditch anything or embarrassed by some shopping mistakes. Afterwards I felt exhilarated, buzzing and confident about my clothes and what choices I wanted to make when shopping in the future based on Nina's appraisal of my wardrobe. The follow up email with Nina's edit of item updates and wardrobe gaps is a great starting point for my shopping trip and will ensure that I make better-informed purchases rather than panic buys. I have recommended Nina's service to all my friends and can't wait for them look and feel better about themselves too."

Here are some tips you may want to try, as the smallest changes can also create big results-

1. Assess one part of your wardrobe - such as your jeans - spend some time trying them on, looking in the mirror and asking yourself some questions, such as; "When did I last wear these?", "Are they flattering for my figure?" or "Do I feel good in them?". You might find a pair that you had forgotten you had and you can incorporate back into your wardrobe again.

2. Take a style risk - do you need a new pair of trainers or bag or scarf and feel bored of the same things you normally buy? Then take more of a risk with your accessories purchase, perhaps buy the brightly coloured trainers over the blue ones, or a bright yellow bag instead of a black one, or even a over-sized leopard print scarf instead of a grey one. Just by adding one thing different it can rejuvenate your look and make you feel more confident.

3. Try shopping in a new store - Go in and walk around, or go online and take a browse. Perhaps is somewhere you've not shopped in years or somewhere some recommended, you might be surprised what you like and how the style could influence your outfits and looks.

4. Give yourself a pep talk - You need to be prepared to feel differently when you’re coming out of a rut. When you try on something that’s out of your comfort zone, you may feel nervous, or excited!  This is the time to pause and have a conversation with yourself. What’s stopping you from wearing this new style, colour or accessory? Maybe this new look is the real you; the part of you that’s wanted to be expressed for a while. Give yourself a chance. Don’t put the brakes on. Experiment and have fun. 

5. Find someone to help -  I’d love to help support you in finding ways to get out of your rut.

reasons to be cheerful

Often at the start of a new season you see some theme's emerging that will end up becoming a big part of our lives culturally, socially and stylishly for the next few months or years whether we realise it or not. Recently in these turbulent times, there hasn't always been alot to be cheerful for, but designers are giving us something to smile about and it is filtering down to the high street and social media. With fashion month in full swing, now more than ever designers are getting the opportunity to say how they feel using what they know best - clothes and style.

Take the Channel 4 show 'Inside Dior' for example, it wasn't just about how new designer Maria Grazia Chiuri, prepares her first collection and shows it at Paris Fashion Week. All anyone could talk about afterwards was the feminist slogan t-shirt she sent down the runway with "We should all be feminists" on it. Feminist is a word that always gets people talking, but the slogan tee paired with a blue tulle skirt was the most instagrammed moment of the entire show.

Designers are responding to the political upheavals of the past year by injecting some much needed humour into women's wardrobes. Clothes are becoming more playful, less about rules and more about having a potent pick-me-up kind of power, one that consumers are responding to. Bold colours being mixed and matched, cartoon creatures and stickers adorning bags and upbeat slogan t-shirts are ironic and lighter than perhaps more serious trends of previous seasons. 

We are all feeling like we don't want to conform to the norm of the highstreet and as customers we are getting increasingly confident with our own style. Street style bloggers have such an important part to play in the current fashion trends. Their looks are playful, original and inspirational but not out of reach for everybody to take cues from.

Super style blogger Leandra Medine @manrepeller

Net-a-Porter fashion director Lisa Aiken @lisa.aiken

Editor of online magazine Hey Woman! Veronika Heilbrunner @veronikaheilbrunner

In these uncertain economic times, consumers are buying less clothes but doesn't mean they are spending less. More and more I am finding clients wanting to slim down their wardrobes, take the stress out of getting ready in the morning and investing more in pieces that will last. Wanting to buy something colourful and fun can easily lift your mood and increase your confidence in your style. I always suggest buying something because you love it, not because you need it, but because it makes you happy and excites you! Wearing your clothes with joy and having fun with your style is a formula for dressing your way to happiness.

Here are my top 5 pieces to give you something to smile about:

1.  Mini Banana crossbody bag - Zara £17.99

2. Ruffle crepe midi skirt - Topshop £42.00

3. Shoplifter Tuft call t-shirt dress - &other stories £39.00

4. BDG More self love hoodie - Urban outfitters £49.00

5. Leather glitter sneaker - &other stories £69.00

gingham revisited 2017 style

This time last year (March 2016) I wrote a blog post entitled "how to wear gingham - Spring's most wearable print trend". I am pleased to say that this print trend seems to be even bigger for 2017, so you can pull out any gingham printed items of clothing you brought last year and re-wear them again! Glad to be of service...!

But gingham for 2017 has been updated. It's more about the styles and styling rather than the print. You can see the print with embroidery on top of it, ruffles and taping on printed pieces, mixing the different sized gingham and even layering gingham on top of gingham for a truly one off style!

When Sienna Miller wore a Sonia Rykiel gingham dress during a photocall for her new movie, a Vogue article commented that the gingham check can also be worn in a bohemian style rather than a polished look of before - this is what sums up the difference between this year and last year's style.

Pieces I have chosen to buy this year so far are -

Red gingham dress from Zara

Black gingham top from Topshop

Here is some 2017 gingham style inspiration -

So if you want to buy it this year, here is my top 5 gingham pieces to invest in for a wardrobe update:

1. MADAME embroidery boots, Topshop, £89.00

2. Malone mixed gingham dress, Finery London, £85.00

3. Lori check ruffle blouse, Storets, $72.00

4. Embroidered gingham shirt, Zara, £29.99

5. ASOS jumpsuit with cold shoulder detail, ASOS, £38.00

what to wear now...

February is a strange month for clothes and I don't know about you but I am so over wearing my thick coat, woolly hat, scarves, jeans and boots. I am starting to crave spring pieces and I want to shop all the 'New In' pieces on everyone's websites. I have started my Spring Summer shopping list and I will be sharing it with you in the coming weeks...but February's dilemma is what to wear now daily that keeps me feeling warm whilst feeling up to date in the style steaks?

Layering is the key to dressing for our unpredictable weather.

As it is so cold, the more layers you can wear the better. But how to master the art of layering without looking like the Michelin man? Try wearing a Denim jacket - the great thing about a denim jacket is that most of us have one of these kicking about in the back of our wardrobe's. I often mention layering a denim jacket under coats and leather jackets so if you don't have one now is a great time to invest as it is so versatile in Summer aswell as Winter. The more fitted and shorter the better as they are often more flattering.

Going back to basics.

It's not a great time to buy new things unless you need basic updates like trainers, jeans, stripe t-shirts or updated knitwear options. It is a good time to go back to your style basics. For me; Skinny jeans, grey jumpers, shirts and trainers - on repeat. But it's a look that is timeless and stands the test of time, one that I go back to again and again. Leather jeans are a great update - see last week blog post here - to skinny's and can be worn in the daytime with trainers so pull them out of your evening wear. Grey jumpers can be updated with shirts underneath or new styles with frills on the sleeves - like this one from Marks and Spencer - and trainers have been on the fashion radar for a while now but can change up an outfit instantly, I love these Stan Smith's from adidas. Whatever your basic style, as it will save you everytime!

If you want newness in your wardrobe...

I suggest buying something with embroidered words on it as embroidery will be a massive style trend for Spring Summer, so these pieces will update your wardrobe now but can be worn in the Spring. Here are my online pick's to add some freshness to your style -

1. & other stories - ' Future Perfect' embroidered white shirt £55.00

2. Whistles - 'Happy Days' Embroidered t-shirt - £49.00

3. Maison Labiche -  'Amazing' Embroidered sweater - £90, from The Dressing Room