Subscribe
The Daily Grind Video
CLOSE

August is creeping around the bend, and all those summer trends we were excited about when the mercury was a-rising are kind of falling into the “meh” category of our closets; they’re either over worn, over washed or just plain out over.

You may be experiencing what we’ve diagnosed as a case of the summer wardrobe blues, where the sundresses and sandals that brought you glee in May simply stop cutting it. With a few more weeks left until the leaves start to change, it isn’t the prime time to re-vamp your wardrobe with new purchases, instead it’s time to make what you have work. 

Check out our 5 tips for prepping your wardrobe for the final stretch of summer below. 

1. Get inspired! 

Spend some time looking at beautiful things, be they people, fashion magazines or boards on sites like Pinterest and Polyvore. Find style bloggers with personal style you admire and follow them on social media or check out community sites like Lookbook.nu where you can be inspired by the every day fashion of others. All this research is prime ground for a light bulb to brighten up with an outfit idea utilizing a piece you haven’t paid mind to in months. 

2. Re-visit some of your old pieces:

We know you pushed all of last year’s trends to the back of the closet when you racked up on new things this year, so stop “top wearing” the things at the very front of your closet. Move some hangers out the way, pour a glass of wine, pump up the music and play dress up! Pair together some old pieces with new ones, model them in the mirror and even photograph good outfits if you need to. It will serve as an archived reminder on those “I have nothing to wear” days we all have (like every morning).

3. Switch up the makeup routine:

This doesn’t exactly fall into the closet area, but you would be amazed at what a good lip can do to make an outfit pop. Step away from the redundant Ruby Woo and experiment with some oranges and pinks for a little more summer lipstick fun before it’s back to wine lips and deep reds for fall. 

4. Plan your outfits in advance: 

It may sound a little uniform, but rushing against the clock and the snooze button in the morning, isn’t a breeding ground where you are prone to being the best dressed version of yourself; you’ll end up throwing on the same ol’ reliable outfit. Take 10 minutes before bed to take a gander in your closet and conceptualize what you think you want to wear and how you can accessorize it. We know dressing comes with mood, so leave a little wiggle room by not physically committing to a ‘fit by laying it out before hand. 

5. Don’t wait for special occasions to wear special things:

Bought a gorgeous necklace and you’re waiting for the right time to break it out? The time is now. Learn how to make your accessories work for both day and night, not just special occasions! A special occasion was waking up this morning, so we all have the right to dress the part every time. 

And if all else fails, buy a pair of shoes. That’ll shake the funk out of anyone. Here’s to happy re-inventing! 

*A special thanks to Carrie Bradshaw for being able to illustrate just about everything we think about fashion.