How to jump right out of a style rut

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Today I thought I would offer a few tips in how to get out of a style rut. By a style rut I mean, when you feel bored or uninspired by your clothes and they don't make you feel great.

This is somewhere that I sometimes find myself in, partly due to being tired, partly because I am severely lacking in time and also because of the practicalities of being a mum. It is easy to fall into a pattern of not paying much attention to what you are wearing. Every one has their own reasons for falling into a style rut ranging from lack of money to poor body image and just feeling a bit fed up with life.

I am a strong believer in the power of getting dressed up in clothes that make you feel good as a way to feel happier, more self confident and motivated. So here are just a few of my ideas on how to jump right out of a style rut (although I am sure there are plenty more ways too).

Impose a clothes shopping ban

It might seem like a strange thing to do when you are bored of fed up of the clothes that you have but I actually found that a shopping ban forced me to look very differently at the clothes that I already have.I found lots of different ways of wearing my clothes and saved money. Part of being in a style rut can be the repetitive buying of clothes that you don't need or that you don't feel great in. Whilst on a shopping ban, I started to get a really clear idea of where the gaps in the my wardrobe were and when I did start shopping again I put so much more thought into what I bought. You could also use the money saved to buy something amazing that you wouldn't usually be able to afford.

Start a style blog

Showing off your daily outfits on a blog is guaranteed to make you think about what you are wearing a little more creatively. Well it worked for me ! I'll admit not every outfit works and sometimes I look a state but at least I don't wear jeans and t shirts every day and I really enjoy picking out what to wear.

Swap some clothes

Swapping the clothes that you don't feel great in is a fun and risk free way of trying out a new look. Holding a clothes swap party with friends is a good opportunity to try on clothes that you might never normally consider buying. If you want a bit more choice in terms of styles or sizes try a clothes swap website like Posh-swaps.com (sorry I am a bit biased about this).

Try shopping with someone different

Friends and family can have a string influence over what we buy if they come shopping with us. If you always shop with the same person, try shopping with someone else or even on your own for a change. You will probably find you come home with some really different stuff.

Edit your Wardrobe

This is an old favourite of the stylists but it really does work. I try and have a clear out regularly of anything that doesn't fit properly, looks awful etc. This eliminates the temptation to wear those old comfy clothes that just don't do me any favours. Even if I am just sitting around the house working, I try and make an effort. I swap, sell and donate some of it. I also store some clothes that I am bored with as find that a season or two later I suddenly want to wear them again. Going through and editing your wardrobe also helps you to remember what you have actually got and think about how you might wear it.

Do a SWOT analysis of your wardrobe

This probably sounds a bit technical but looking at what works well, what doesn't work well and what potentially would suit your body shape, colouring, lifestyle and budget is a good way to move forward with your style. Just write a list of strengths, weaknesses and opportunities. You could also think of a few words that you would like your style to project, then search for clothes that fit in with these words.

Take a few risks

Go into a shop that you would never usually go in and pick up five pieces of clothing that you wouldn't even consider buying and try them on. You don't have to buy them but you may find they give you a few ideas on new looks that you could try.

So that's it for today, I hope you find these ideas useful. Do you ever find yourself in a style rut and if so how do you jump right out? I would love to hear your ideas.

Ceri X

International Day of Swishing and Hemp Hand Protector

If you are feeling a bit gloomy and spent out after Christmas Swishing or clothes swapping is a great way to have some fun, get some new clothes and all without spending loads of money. Swishing.org has declared January 9th International Day of Swishing (what a great idea) and is organising a flagship event in London. As much as I would have loved to attend, unfortunately the time, cost and logistics of getting there have ruined it for me (again). So I have decided to organise an online swishing or swap party through my website posh-swaps.com to allow those who don't live near to London to join in the fun and celebrations.

I am hoping that some of my fellow fashion bloggers and many more will be coming along to join in the fun and swap some clothes, as lets face it most of us are so completely clothes obsessed we need a constant stream of new clothes. But this can be damaging for both the environment and our bank balances so swapping is a great guilt free alternative to shopping.

I will be listing as many clothes for swapping as I can - more details soon. If you would like to come along and join the fun, just register with posh-swaps.com and list some clothes on or before 9th January, then browse what is up for swapping and propose a swap or wait for someone to propose a swap with you. Further details can be found on www.posh-swaps.com/blog/press/.

With the money that I save, I will be investing in a few bottle of my favourite hand cream which is an absolute essential for this time of year to keep my hands soft. In fact, the Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector the only hand cream that I have managed to find that stops my hands from cracking in the icy cold and centrally heated warm. I also love the smell

Posh Swaps Clothes Swap Party - Bath

After the success of the last Posh Swaps clothes swap party in Chiswick, I can't wait until the next party in Bath. A really fun evening which combines a chance to have a chat with friends, a glass of wine and refresh you wardrobe with some new (swapped) clothes. At the last Posh Swaps clothes swap party, there were so many gorgeous clothes including a Marc Jacobs coat and Missoni dress. So if you live near Bath, I would strongly recommend that you get your ticket now before they sell out. Details are below:

When? 24th November 2009 7.00 -9.30pm
Where? Brunswick Room, Guild Hall, Bath
How? Just bring along 2 or 3 items of clothing that someone else would be delighted to own
Why? It’s fun, it’s frugal and it’s eco friendly, plus a great chance to refresh your wardrobe!
Cost? £10 in advance, £12 on the night including…
entrance to the swap party and our fashion and beauty market
a glass of wine and nibbles
the chance for one lucky person to be styled by Personal Stylist, Emma McDonnell of Style to Wear
a reusable goody bag with fashion and beauty goodies

Why not arrange a girls or work night out? Buy 5 tickets in advance and get the 6th Ticket free!

For further information and to buy tickets visit Posh Swaps Clothes Swap Parties or email Ceri (at) heathcotecommunications.co.uk.

Round London recycled fashion

Just thinking of ways to brighten up my plain old boring white top. I got the neck / scarf thing from a label called Round London that came along to the Posh Swaps clothes swap party a few weeks ago. Round London creates gorgous and unique clothes using vinatage and recycled fabrics. They can also create customised pieces using a piece of your old clothing. A very stylish way to recycle

Moi in the Mail on Sunday

I am very excited to have had a little tiny mention in the Mail on Sunday regarding my clothes swap website Posh-swaps.com. I couldn't help telling everyone about it and it is also great to see that swapping and second hand clothes are becoming so popular.

Clothes Swapping Party in Chiswick

Dress - Butterfly by Matthew Williamson at Debenhams

Necklace - French Connection

Shoes - Next

On Thursday I co hosted the first ever Posh Swaps Clothes Swap Party in Chiswick. After much deliberation over what to wear, I followed by general rule that it is always better to be over dressed than under dressed. As it was a party, I decided on my new dress that hubs treated me to for a weekend in Cardiff on our recent Wedding Anniversary. I love the pattern on the dress which reminds me of fireworks and the way the skirt drapes. Anyway enough about me.

The party was great. Unfortunately I didn't have the chance to participate but I wish I had with so many gorgeous clothes there including in Missoni dress with tags still attached, which was snapped up by Alice of Refection of Alice (pictured above).

Everyone had a really good rummage and although it was a very friendly atmosphere I was quite surprised by how seriously everyone took it. All in all a great girls night out with the chance for a chat over a glass of wine as well as coming home with some great new clothes.

Posh-swaps.com to hold it’s first ever clothes swap party in London

Posh-swaps.com, the clothes swap website is holding it’s first ever clothes swap party in London. The party which will include a pamper treatment, glass of wine and goody bag for each guest will be held on 17th September from 7.30pm until 10pm at St Michaels and All Angels church in Chiswick.

Posh-swap.com is a website where users can swap, buy and sell second hand, vintage and recycled clothes for free. The latest plan to hold clothes swap parties in various locations around the UK in collaboration with Total renewal beauty and Style to Wear, Personal Styling, reflects the growing popularity of clothes swapping and second hand clothes. The website has proved a huge success, but many swappers also want to combine the clothes swapping with a social event and the opportunity to look at the clothes up close. The pampering treatments provided by Total Renewal will allow swappers to really relax and enjoy themselves.

Clothes swapping parties which are also referred to as swishing originated in the US. Their popularity has quickly grown in the UK as consumers abandon fast fashion in favour of sustainable style. This change in consumer behaviour is due to a much greater awareness of both the environmental and ethical issues surrounding fashion and the current economic conditions.

Each attendee at the Posh Swap Clothes Swap party will be asked to bring along 5 pieces of unwanted clothing that someone else would be delighted to receive. All of the clothes will be laid out so that swappers can browse and socialise while enjoying a drink before the beginning of the swap is announced. Once the swap begins, swappers can claim up to 5 pieces of clothing. Swappers will also have the opportunity to indulge themselves with either a mini manicure or neck and shoulder massage and one lucky person will receive a styling and makeover session.
Tickets for the first ever Posh Swaps clothes swap party in Chiswick are £15 by advance purchase only. Full details of Posh Swaps clothes swap parties are available on www.posh-swaps.com/blog/posh-swaps-clothes-swap-parties/.

For further information and free online clothes swapping visit www.posh-swaps.com