Update Your Style For Fall Without A Shopping Haul

Style Confidence: Elysha Lenkin

Isn’t fall the best for fashion?

After sweating it out in the heat of summer, I’m so ready for some leather and boots! If you’re thinking you must head straight to the store for your seasonal update, think again! There’s no need to spend a fortune in order to look fresh and stylish for fall. 

“By creatively combining pieces you already own, you can discover new looks and combinations that you might not have thought of before.”

In fact, I’d argue that shopping less and reworking what you already have is better for your personal style. By creatively combining pieces you already own, you can discover new looks and combinations that you might not have thought of before. You’ll also save money and keep clothes out of landfills. Read on to see how to update your style for fall without a big shopping haul.

Your Fall Style Update Starts Here:

Before heading into your closet to get into your clothes, take a moment to consider your personal style. Because the truth is that we’re always growing and changing, and our clothing needs to keep up! I recently worked with a client who thought her entire wardrobe was outdated. Nothing felt like her anymore. It’s because she’s changed and her clothes didn’t.

With that in mind, your first step in the update is to take a look at your current wardrobe and figure out what makes you feel like you, and what no longer reflects your style or who you are. 

Now, imagine yourself in the coming months, and think about what feelings you want your style to convey. Then choose three words to describe those feelings. It doesn’t have to be complicated, just think about how you’d like to feel and what words express that! I call these your north star words as they’ll guide you to your best style options.

What’s In Your Closet?

Once you’ve decided on your north star, it’s time to move onto the next step and do a closet inventory. Take stock of your current wardrobe, and identify the pieces that make you feel confident. You could simply eye the items, but it’s even better to go through everything and try stuff on. Take note of what fits, what flatters, and what you love wearing. The goal is to find the items that spark joy, as the saying goes. 

After finding the pieces you love and want to bring into the new season, it’s time to get creative. When you approach your closet with creativity, you’ll see your wardrobe in a whole new light. You might find yourself thinking of unexpected combinations and discovering hidden gems that have been hiding in plain sight. You can even rediscover pieces that you thought were out of style, and give them new life. 

“It’s all about experimentation — think of this as playing dress-up, but for adults!”

Get Creative With Your Clothes:

My favorite way to introduce creativity to my styling clients is to encourage curiosity with the  “what if?” game. Take a piece you haven’t worn in a while and ask yourself, “what if I styled this with a different piece, or in a different way?”. This might lead you to try things you never considered before, like wearing a button-down shirt as a jacket, or tying a blouse at the waist for a new silhouette.

It’s all about experimentation — think of this as playing dress-up, but for adults! Have fun with it! You may be surprised at the outfits you come up with. Best of all, there’s no commitment. If you don’t like a combination, you can easily change. Plus, did I mention it’s completely free, since you’re using what you already own.

As you’re styling pieces in new ways, you may discover some gaps in your wardrobe. For example, you might realize that you don’t have any belts, or you’re missing a neutral-colored pair of shoes. This is a great opportunity to create a shopping list for the new season. And because you’ll be shopping with intention and filling specific gaps, you’ll be more likely to buy pieces that you’ll actually wear and love.

Update Your Style With Intention:

With your north star and your updated list of missing pieces, you’re ready to shop. But make sure to keep it focused. Stick to your list, and only look for those specific items. This will save you time and money, and it will help you build a cohesive fall wardrobe that makes you feel great. Once you have the items, try them on with your existing pieces and start creating outfits you love.

Now you see how to update your style for fall without a huge shopping spree. Start with some introspection and self-reflection. Then examine your current wardrobe with a critical eye, identify the pieces you love, and use them in new ways. With a few smart additions and some creativity, you can have a stylish and sustainable fall wardrobe that truly reflects who you are.

For some wonderful resources, check out Elysha’s bio down below.

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About the Author:

Elysha Lenkin is an expert personal fashion stylist who helps women revive their styles and clear out their outdated clothes. Grab her free closet cleanout guide to get the exact process she uses with private clients to help them have less clothes, and more outfit options. https://elyshalenkin.com/kuelcloset

 Throughout Elysha’s 20 year styling career, she has worked with women of all shapes, sizes, and ages, including Carrie Underwood, Tina Fey, and Serena Williams. Today she helps career women become confident curators of their clothing and style. For more style tips and inspiration, head over to Elysha’s website here https://elyshalenkin.com/ or follow her on instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/elysha_nyc/