You Don't Need a New Outfit, You Just Need to Switch Up the Styling
Easy tweaks that will freshen up a look.
There have been two events this summer when, in thinking about what I’ll wear, my knee-jerk reaction was: “I’ll get something new.”
The first one was for a wedding, where, thanks to our collective feeling that we can’t wear the same thing twice as a wedding guest, I felt as though I had to don a dress that no one had seen before. The second was for my recent hen weekend, where, similarly, as the bride-to-be, my thought was that I had to make the “effort” by wearing something new.
But on both occasions, I stopped myself. My wardrobe is already brimming with pieces that don’t get a look-in very often. Pieces that are fancier than my everyday wear, so they’re not the workhorses or staples in my daily outfits. So instead of heading to the new in sections of my favourite stores online, I tasked myself with making my existing pieces feel new instead. How? By tweaking the styling.
For the wedding, I took a vintage silk chocolate brown Max Mara vest top and trouser set that I’ve worn multiple times (and always feel good in) and added accessories I’ve never worn with it before. Déhanche’s dark chocolate Hollyhock belt* with its silver hardware looped through my belt holes and brought more detail to my waistline. I mirrored the croc-embossed leather in the belt with a black, oversized croc leather clutch from the recent Soeur x Sophia Roe collection*. And I added some lighter, tonal pieces of jewellery in the form of a brown and white resin bangle from Dinosaur Designs that I’ve owned for years, and an ivory plexiglass bracelet from Soeur*. Subtle tweaks, but it felt completely new all the same.
As for the hen, I pulled out a voluminous strapless dress from Matteau that I bought in Sydney about five years ago, but rarely have the occasion to wear. The shape of it gives it a bit of drama, so it doesn’t need much to make it interesting. But to make it feel new to me, I reached for jewellery I’ve never worn with it before: a Jenny Bird arm cuff*, BAR choker* and PDPAOLA ring*. On the lips? A subtle dab of Merit’s Signature Lip in Cabo to add a touch more colour.
And, honestly? As much as I love the thrill of a new addition to my wardrobe, I found it just as fun thinking up new ways to style pieces I already have. So, in light of that, here are a few more tweaks you can make to your outfits to make them feel new.
Play with jewellery
Maybe I’m paying more attention. Or maybe the words and creativity of
from The Inside Pocket and from Vejeweled are starting to seep into my subconscious, but I feel as though we’re living in an interesting time for jewellery.Brooches are having a moment (Etsy is a treasure trove of vintage pieces), we’ve got beaded necklaces for grown-ups, and colourful cord necklaces with cute charms. Anklets are back (I can’t stop wearing this one*). So are arm cuffs. There are shapes, finishes and styles that go beyond the usual pendant necklace or statement earring, and it’s amazing what a difference switching out one piece of jewellery for another can make.
My advice? Instead of reaching for the jewellery you automatically would with an item of clothing, try a different piece, or combination of pieces, and see what you like the look (and feel) of best.
Add a scarf
I have a few silk scarves in various colours, ranging from subtle navy and brown to bold red. And whenever I feel like my outfit is missing something or I want to change how I’ve worn something multiple times, I can almost guarantee that a scarf will do the trick.
Whether it’s loosely knotting a scarf around the neck to add something to the open collar of a shirt, or slinging one around the waist to add more colour and pattern to a top-and-trouser combination, it never fails to bring a fresh feel to an outfit.
Roll up your sleeves (or don’t)
I love anything with long sleeves because there’s so much versatility in how you can wear it. Wear them in their full length for a covered and polished look, or roll them up for something more casual. You’ll get even more variety out of an oversized sleeve, too, as pushing them to your elbow or midway up your forearm will create more volume.
Use your shirt as an accessory
Speaking of long-sleeved button-up shirts, they come in handy as a layer-meets-accessory, too. If you live somewhere with fluctuating temperatures, a light linen or cotton shirt can be a lifesaver, especially in summer.
I’ve been wearing mine around the waist of a jersey slip dress I wear a lot, which not only creates a different silhouette (and feels like a whole new look), but it’s useful too. Too hot? Keep it around the waist. Cool breeze and a few goosebumps on the arms? Pop it on and wear it open, like a jacket. And when they’re linen, it doesn’t matter if it’s a little creased.
TL;DR: For that next occasion you think you need a new outfit for, go and have fun with the pieces you already own instead.
Any items marked with * have been gifted by brands. All thoughts, picks and reviews are my own.
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We should be more like the men, apparently Barack Obama wore the same tuxedo at White House events for eight years.
Gorgeous accessories, Angharad! Love how you rethought what you already owned, and I love the drama of your hen do dress SO much.