Simple Styling Tricks to Breathe New Life Into Your Old Outfits

That band tee from years ago and the pumps you save for special nights might be the key to a fresher wardrobe. It all comes down to how you pair them.

It’s not uncommon to feel like your clothes have had an extended run and you’re staring at your closet for minutes with nothing jumping out to wear. Your first instinct may be to head to the mall to shop for new clothes, but fashion writer and Beverly Hills shop owner Laurel Pantin says you don’t need to go shopping just yet. There are simple ways to make your old outfits feel new again, without buying anything new.

1. Change the shoes or the bag

If you’re used to wearing the same outfit combination from head to toe, try swapping just one thing, like your shoes or bag. For instance, if you’ve always worn sneakers with your jeans, swap them for loafers, which will make the look sharper. A slouchy bag can also make a tailored outfit look more relaxed. The secret is to change one thing at a time so you can assess each look and see what the outfit was really missing.

2. Mix worn-in with polished

Pantin likes to pair her well-loved pieces with something more polished. Pulling out a band T-shirt or a 10-year-old pair of jeans and wearing them with something crisp would make the outfit feel intentional instead of simply old. Another idea is to pair an old school hoodie with a sleeker, less worn-out pair of jeans.

3. Dress down your fancy pieces

Your fancy pieces don’t always have to be worn during fancy occasions. Pantin suggests pairing a beaded cardigan or chiffon blouse with pleat-front trousers and flat sandals for a more laid-back look. The same goes for dressy accessories. Instead of saving your pumps for dinner, wear them with jeans.

4. Let trendy pieces rest

Once your trendy pieces go out of style, you don’t need to throw them out or give them away. Pantin suggests storing them for at least three years until the trend fully fades. In time, you can revisit them and wear them like a vintage find straight out of your closet.

If you have pieces that you just love and never get tired of, go ahead and keep wearing them. “No amount of time or advice in Vogue can take that away from you,” says Pantin. “So do you, and it will be great.”