Style Ruts in Midlife: Why your clothes no longer feel like you (and some quick fixes)
We all get stuck in a style rut from time to time. It often sneaks up on us without realising. One minute you’re up-to-date with fashion or wearing lots of variety, the next you realise you’re reaching for the same few outfits on repeat, or that your wardrobe has slowly turned into a collection of “what’s easy” rather than “what actually feels like me”.
Sound familiar? I’ve been there too, in fact a little secret to share with you all, I am in a rut right now after 4 months of living in ‘house’ clothes and recovery clothes from my recent breast cancer journey.
It’s happened before too: after having my two children in my early forties, I vividly remember standing in front of my wardrobe, staring at rails of clothes and still feeling like I had nothing to wear. Everything was neutral, practical and, if I’m honest, a little boring. Somewhere between career changes, raising a family & adjusting to a new stage of life, I’d lost my spark, my passion & enjoyment for getting myself dressed.
So what do we do ladies, well here are the three most common style ruts I see so almost daily among midlife women, and some simple ways to start getting yourself unstuck.
1. Why you keep wearing the same outfits on repeat AKA your comfort zone
Jeans & jumpers become the default winter wardrobe right? (They certainly have for me these last few months & I am bored of it). They’re safe, familiar and easy to reach for, especially when life feels busy. But over time, they can make us feel a little invisible. Joy slips out of getting dressed and it becomes a chore rather than a way of expressing who we are.
Try this: introduce just one intentional piece; something with texture or colour. A striped shirt, a textured handbag, or use the current scarf tend to add print & a nod to the trend, or even another accessory that makes you smile when you put it on. You don’t need to overhaul everything, just remind yourself that dressing can feel good again.
2. How losing colour can affect your confidence AKA the colour void
Everything in the wardrobe feels neutral and safe (maybe even boring), with nothing really lifting & brightening you. This is often where confidence gets lost, because we underestimate how powerful the right colours can be in bringing our face to life.
Try this: pull out an item of colourful clothing you love, even if it feels a bit much, and wear it today. Firstly notice how it makes you feel, and watch how people respond. It’s often these tiny changes that reignite your spark.
3. Why your clothes might fit but don’t flatter anymore AKA The forgotten fit
Ladies our bodies never stop changing; our monthly cycles, post babies, the menopause, for me even my breast cancer medication, and lifestyle. We naturally reach for clothes that simply fit rather than truly flatter, and it’s so easy to settle for clothes that are “fine” but don’t make you feel your best.
Try this: have fun playing with proportions again. Find your natural waistline (yes ladies we all have one), play with different jean shapes, or swap your usual denim for a straight leg or soft wide-leg trouser. A subtle change in silhouette can completely shift how you see yourself.
If you’re nodding along, the good news is this: getting unstuck doesn’t have to be complicated, in fact it is so much easier when it isn’t. Start with just one small re-fresh. Maybe it’s a scarf in your best colour, a neckline that better balances your shape, or wearing something you already own in a new way.
This isn’t about a full wardrobe overhaul. It’s about gentle, thoughtful tweaks that reconnect you with who you are now. Because style isn’t about perfection, that doesn’t exist as we aren’t all ‘perfect’ Instagram photos.
I see this transformation all the time with my amazing clients, ladies who who thought they’d lost their confidence, only to realise it was still there, it just needed a little encouragement or the “honest best friend’ approach & a few mindful changes.
If you’re ready to feel like yourself again, explore my personal styling services here.