Building Style with an Imperfect Wardrobe

Style doesn’t require perfection—just engagement.

It’s good to be back after an extended holiday break. Now that the holidays are behind us and winter has more than settled in, my thoughts are turning back to my closet.

It feels a little late to be coming up for air, but the flu stepped into our house during the first week of the new year and proceeded to take us out one by one. This was the first week I can honestly say I feel back to normal. The flu is no joke!

I was chatting with a friend a few days ago, and we were commiserating over how disconnected we’ve been feeling from our style lately. For me, it was the craziness of the holidays followed by the flu that muscled out any intentionality I could have mustered while getting dressed.

It was similar for her. Between the holidays and caring for a family member recovering from major surgery, her usual rhythms were thrown completely off. That’s what we’re up against on a daily basis: The Stuff Of Life.

One thing I noticed during this time, though, is that even when I’m choosing to throw on just anything, the inputs are still coming in. These are the subtle cues that offer the chance to be intentional — even if it’s only in a small way.

In the chaos of life, there’s always an opportunity to show your style, even if it’s just a little bit.

When I throw on sweats for the day, it registers somewhere in the back of my mind that it doesn’t feel great. I may ignore it, but I do have a choice. I could respond to that quiet voice and reach for something else… but instead, I decide that I can’t.

There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s just that I’ve missed an opportunity to exercise my style.

Style is simply the particular way we do something. If my brain is saying, Try something else, and I ignore it, then I’m dressing by default. I’m not considering any better options.

Right now, I’m in a season where I don’t feel like I have a lot of good options in my wardrobe. That’s okay. It’s on my radar, and I’m trying to do something about it a little at a time.

Maybe you’re in a similar place. Maybe you’re not too fond of much that you own.

So what can you do to exercise a bit of your style with an imperfect wardrobe?

For me, it could mean reaching for the jewelry I love. A beloved bracelet stack, a favorite pair of earrings — and suddenly whatever I’m wearing feels a little more like me. If I’m heading outside, I’ll throw on a favorite hat and my new leopard belt bag that was thoughtfully put in my Christmas stocking (my family knows me well!).

Maybe you can add something small that does that for you. Just one or two intentional touches can put you a little farther ahead.

That’s just the way style in real life is sometimes. There’s no magic process waiting to be discovered.

You just have to engage.