Hello my name is Harling and I am the Queen of Ruts (t-shirt design pending). When I find something I like doing, I become devoted to it in a habit-forming, dog-with-a-bone-ing, repetitive kind of way. It is the inner octogenarian in me, I think. My ruts run the gamut from putting vanilla soy milk in my coffee to buying the same kind of notebook for school every year to parting my hair on the left side. In some cases, even the way I talk has been relegated to rut territory (e.g. I still have not retired my tendency to shriek LOL in real life conversation. Shoot me in the bellybutton.)
Needless to say, my ruts are plentiful, and they inevitably extend into my fashion choices as well. I'm sure you can sympathize with my occasional desire to only wear black for an entire week, or refusing to retire a favorite dress after back-to-back usage (laundry shmaundry), or religiously donning jeans and a white shirt every Saturday without fail, or wearing the same skirt over and over because it makes your hips look like those of a pre-pubescent boy and it's just MAGICAL. Right? Go ahead and raise your mouse if you have ever fallen prey to these Style Rut Conundrums. I know I'm not the only one because I observe the seas of humanity on the daily, and when I witnessed my neighbor riding down the elevator in our apartment wearing the same ultra-flattering red palazzo pants two days in a row, I made a conscious effort to give her a look that said I do not judge you, fellow female, I applaud you, although I was also dealing with a hiccup epidemic at the time so I'm not really sure what my facial expression ended up conveying.
Anyways, while I do understand and applaud the need to embrace a style rut here or there, I would also like to discuss certain tactics for de-rutting your rut-- valuable strategies to have in your arsenal when you recognize the the need for some mock-diversity. In other words, I am about to divulge my tried-and-true tweaks that will significantly change your appearance without requiring you to relinquish your rut. Every ladypersonwithbrains knows that we can have our cake and eat it too, which means we can absolutely wear the same outfit again and again and still manage to look different and interesting on the reg.
SOOOOOO.......
Tactic #1: Switch Up Your Shoes
Feel free to wear jeans and a white button down shirt every day of your life, but try switching up your footwear to add some variety. Sneakers one day, loafers the next, then maybe some zesty pumps the day after that...suddenly you won't be in Rut-Land anymore, Dorothy. (Golden Goose sneakers, Topshop loafers, Schutz heels).
Tactic #2: Whip Out A Statement Necklace
While a bare neck screams "classic ingenue," a statement necklace can say "bohemian tribal goddess" or "I just came back from Greece" or "millennial dowager with serious edge." Your go-to little black dress is one lobster clasp away from totally and completely different. (Necklaces by Yves Saint Laurent, Venessa Arizaga, and New Look).
Tactic #3: Bring On The Bold Red Lip
Add a bold red lip, and I guarantee that your favorite jumpsuit will take on a whole new life, even with yesterday's smoothie stain on the collar.
So, freakaleeks, what are your trusty tricks for avoiding outfit repeater accusations? I can always use a few more.
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