How I get out of a styling rut
Where I go for fashion inspiration when my screenshot folder isn’t cutting it
My screenshot folder on my phone is my lifeline. It holds several thousand shots of everything from restaurants in foreign countries I may never visit, cute fonts, makeup tutorials, interior design inspiration, and, most frequently, outfits I want to recreate. But here’s the thing I’ve come to realize - I save a lot of things for the wrong reasons. That’s not to say certain outfits aren’t cute; they are, but it’s an entire narrative I’m buying into - a foggy morning on a London street, a gorgeous girl with flawless hair, coffee in hand, and an effortless pose. You get the idea.
So, I’ve shifted my focus. Instead of hoarding only stylized photographs, I’ve turned to my favorite online retailers. They may lack the charming appeal of sun-dappled sidewalks (I mean, the ones I save don’t even have heads), but they offer clarity for finding outfits I can actually recreate. Sometimes, I save looks as soon as I see them, even if my closet lacks key pieces. Other times, I’ll look up specific items I own that I’m unsure how to wear (case in point: the Western-inspired boots below). It’s a way to infuse new energy into what I own while feeling inspired to try new combinations I wouldn’t normally wear.
Below are eleven outfits I saved and how I styled each with things I already own.
I reach for a chambray shirt several days a week—over a sweatshirt for school drop-off, paired with matching jeans, and worn around my waist to break up a fancier outfit. But I loved how this outfit balanced leather pants and stiletto heels with an effortless white tee and oversized denim shirt. I’ve already thought about how I can recreate something similar using my tan barn jacket.
Ugh I love this look. The monochromatic white base layer would look fine on its own with a trench, but it’s the black accessories - a pointy-toe flat, braided bag, and oversized sunglasses grounds the look and make it that much more impactful.
I’m honestly surprised by how much I ended up loving this look that’s giving urban cowgirl, but in a way I’m not mad at? Apparently, I don’t own a straightforward black button-down, but Army Green worked in a pinch. Sometimes button-downs can feel too corporate-y tucked into jeans with a belt, but the way this was left mainly open but still tucked is a styling trick I’ll be returning to.
The proportions of my sweater would have ideally been a bit baggier for a slightly more casual vibe, but again, we're working with what we have! This outfit felt smart and versatile - good for a business meeting or lunch with friends but with a ballet flat instead. I would typically wear a white button-down under a sweater, but it was the stripes that made me drawn to this look in the first place, so I’m excited to try this out with different patterns.
I own several oversized blazers and short leather skirts but hadn’t thought to wear them together. In my early twenties, my tights drawer was extensive and *very* colorful - mustard yellow, royal blue, and fire engine reds. Now, I pretty much exclusively own black, but it’s made me want to add a sheer brown tight to the mix to be able to nail this tonal look so it feels slightly less serious.
A long jacket with a long dress feels like a walking contradiction, but I loved how sophisticated and casual this looked. I have several studded shoes, but they’re all sandals, so instead chose a patent loafer with some shine to break things up. The white bag was also a move I wouldn’t usually make, but it lightened things up a bit, especially when paired with clear sunglasses.
I had saved this look because I love the combination of navy and black so much and wanted to remind myself to incorporate it into my repertoire more often. My sweater and silk pants are both navy (my black knit in the same style got washed, and now Sloan’s the proud owner of said shrunken sweater), but it still felt like a decent interpretation of this sleek (possibly perfect airport?) look.
I tend to fall into the trap of saving my vests for dressier occasions, but all the saved shots on my phone show them with jeans and minimal styling. I wouldn’t have thought to wear a vest and a strappy sandal, but it was such a nice offset that I’ll be sure to throw on something similar for an upcoming date night.
The oversized blazer and pants could have benefitted from a bit more balance (note to self: find slim, cropped black pants), but I still liked the overall effect. It felt cool without trying too hard, and I tried to add a touch of femininity with mesh Mary-Janes to break things up.
A pair of wide-leg jeans and a white button-down aren’t exactly groundbreaking, but the styling, with a tank underneath and a slightly askew top, feels fresh and fun. I always forget that sometimes, even the smallest of changes can breathe new life into stale outfits.
I needed transitional outfits for this awkward time of year when it’s chilly in the morning and blazing by the afternoon, and this outfit checked all the boxes. The shorts feel appropriate, even in fall, thanks to their length, and I like how they’re grounded by loafers and a sweater in shades of red.
Net-a-Porter is my FAVORITE for saving inspiration photos from; especially when I come across them on Pinterest and divorce them from the actual shopping of product. There is something about the styling on the site that resonates and translates into fabulous IRL outfits!!
Thank you for this! Hearing the why behind outfits/styling is so helpful and your insights and ah-hah moments are wonderful. Love love!