How not to get bored of your clothes

how not to be bored with your clothes

I was talking shopping with the girl who was shaping my brows. We were chatting casually, as you do, in that artificial, intimate bubble. I told her about my year long no new clothes commitment. She thought I was slightly (admirably) nuts.

I need new clothes,” she said immediately and then she paused “well, maybe I don’t but I’m bored with what I have.

Ah, there is the crux of it really. One of the big issues with the no clothes commitment. Once the virtue of it all subsides, it is kind of boring. 

I’ll admit that three months in and I’m feeling the itch of something new. Luckily I can somewhat scratch that by making a new top. It’s been under the sewing machine for a while now.

I am missing that thrill of finding something pretty and making it mine. Something that will add a bit of sparkle to a dulled wardrobe. I’ve been avoiding the shops in general just to keep away from the temptation.

My lofty ideal was to regard window shopping in the same vein as visiting an art gallery. Beautiful to look at but clearly not destined for my home. That might work if I visit only very expensive shops, but I’m sure the consultant (there are no sales assistants in those stores) would see through me in a moment. So I have been turning a blind eye to the very lovely new things in the Cue window and ignoring the sales rack of the little boutique that I pass on my way to work.

But I wonder if I will bend to the boredom. Whether I will buy, not because I need something, but because I feel tired of what I already own. The highly functional work clothing will start to feel bleh and meh and it may seep into how I am feeling. Or I will feel bleh and meh and look for the shopping remedy.

How will I keep the boredom at bay?

Accessories

The self-imposed ban didn’t reach accessories and I have bought one new necklace. It is amazing how a beautiful accessory can lift a tired outfit. My necklace and earring collection is as overflowing as my wardrobe. There are also the usual suspects with broken clasps and missing beads. Which are a treasure trove just waiting to be re-used and re-inspire.

Find the hidden treasures

My wardrobe lives in various areas over the house. There is downstairs wardrobe, which holds the fancy frocks. Under the bed, plastic containers store clothes that aren’t in season or that I just couldn’t bear to part with. A good look through both will find some forgotten treasures that I can add back into rotation.

Swap

Clothes swaps are traditionally a way to breathe new life into clothes we no longer love (or can no longer fit into) by handing them permanently to someone else. But there is no reason a clothes swap can’t be a clothes loan. Swapping clothes with those who are similar size and style can open up a whole new world without hurting the environment or your wallet.

Wear clothes in different ways

There is no reason to limit a piece of clothing to how the designer intended it to be worn. I wear dresses as tops and skirts by combining them with other separates. I’ll play with wearing things back-to-front. You can be quite creative in finding new ways to wear old favourites. A top in the “special occasion” part of your wardrobe might do well as work wear with the addition of a jacket. I’ll avoid boredom by using all the clothes in my wardrobe.

Style challenges

Instagram style challenges are a wonderful way to look at your wardrobe through fresh eyes. When someone else challenges you to put together a certain look, it’s amazing what you can find. The outfits put together by others also offer fabulous inspiration.

Take care of your clothes

Tired clothes that have seen better days are definitely boring clothes, so keeping clothes in their best possible shape is important. Treating them with respect in washing, storage and wearing will lead to less wardrobe boredom. I’ll be blogging soon about how to keep your clothes beautiful.

How do you beat the wardrobe blues
and the “I’ve go nothing to wear” boredom?

19 thoughts on “How not to get bored of your clothes

  1. Micaa says:

    Good advice! 🙂 While I’m only on a 6 months no-shop challenge I’m very aware I’ll get bored with my wardrobe. I follow a lovely blogger, Sheila at sheilaephemera.blogspot.com who set herself little wardrobe challenges and I might try do that. I’ve been finding instagram style challenges a little tricky lately as I’m not always getting time to get on instagram, so I am going to take a leaf out of her book and pick a theme for myself for a week when I start to fell uninspired. The change in season will help too and give me some ‘new’ clothes so I’m a little more motivated again.
    Micaa recently posted…Colourful Maxi Dresses, Blue Balenciaga Tempete Day Bag and ABAMy Profile

  2. Ingrid @ Fabulous and Fun Life says:

    I’m off to a clothing swap early next month. I’m excited to be decluttering some clothes out of my wardrobe that I see as a bit boring now and some that are too small. I’m hoping to find one or two new items at the clothing swap as well. I’ve never considered clothes loans before. Definitely something to think about.
    Ingrid @ Fabulous and Fun Life recently posted…7 Easy Ways To Relieve Low Back PainMy Profile

  3. Kat says:

    I am so terrible with accessories. I buy things, put them in a box or a drawer and never wear them. Or wear them a few times, and forget all about them. Plus I never know what accessories look good and which are too much. It’s all so damn confusing so I opt to wear nothing at all (or just earrings) and not care.
    Although, I’m going to buy some accessories to wear with an outfit for a wedding this weekend. Should go well 😉
    Kat recently posted…Paying off HELP or TSL debts while working overseasMy Profile

    • Robyna says:

      Wedding outfit accessory shopping – fun! good luck and I hope you find something wonderful (that you might be able to wear again soon).

  4. Jody at Six Little Hearts says:

    I have so many clothes – a floor-drobe in fact. And accessories, bags and shoes. I don’t buy clothing as much as the latter two. I want to get back into sewing my own but Spotlight is quite a distance from my home. These days I can share quite a bit with my teen daughter.
    Good on you for taking up such a noble challenge!
    Jody at Six Little Hearts recently posted…Hosting A Fun Family Movie Night With Sing and Some Chocolate Vanilla Cookies to Bake!My Profile

    • Robyna says:

      I’m not sure it’s that noble – I really have more clothes than I need. My SIL shares her wardrobe with her girls and it seems like a nice way to double the options.

    • Robyna says:

      Oh you make me laugh. But I know you’re not exactly joking. I get the idea of associating clothes with certain feelings.

      • Vanessa says:

        I’m working on it haha. My work is very casual so I can’t help but combine worn and non work clothes. Which is good – as I actually really hate wearing corporate clothing.

  5. Jan says:

    Great inspiration here Robyna. I have been selling a few things on eBay and at a local quality second hand sale which happens twice a year. That then means I can buy a couple of bits and pieces to freshen up my wardrobe without being out of pocket.
    BTW nobody would know you are on a no spend, you always look so stylish 🙂

    • Robyna says:

      That’s such a great idea – keeps the wardrobe fresh, wallet full and clothes out of landfill. BTW You’re very kind.

  6. Elisa @ With Grace & Eve says:

    Hi Robyna, Great tips. I am really impressed by your no new clothes commitment! Is it for the whole year? I’ve just given project 333 a go – 33 items in your wardrobe for 3 months (a season) – it’s everyday clothes, shoes and accessories but not activewear/sleepwear. It’s made me narrow my wardrobe down to only items I love and love the way they look on me – and that’s made such a big difference to how I feel about my wardrobe – and made choosing clothes to wear very easy/fast! Also avoiding the shops is my plan!! Too much temptation otherwise! Elisa X
    Elisa @ With Grace & Eve recently posted…Deciding on less and moreMy Profile

    • Robyna says:

      No, I do fear that I will be the same way. Although if those skinny jeans for boys come back, maybe they will raid ours when they are older.

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