A Hoarder, a Time traveller, a Story Teller or a Comfort Craver

Which type are you?

Do you keep everything ”just in case”? Are you wearing clothes from a previous era? Do all of your pieces tell a story? Do you always prioritize comfort over style?

If any of these patterns ring true for you in the style department, you may be caught in a rut. These are common patterns or mindsets that people - especially women navigating life transitions - can fall into with their wardrobes. Each type has its own emotional or practical reasoning behind it. And solutions on how to overcome it.

The Hoarder

The core habit of the Hoarder is to keep everything just in case an opportunity presents itself again to wear that safari outfit she wore back in 2010 on the Kenya trip. Her closet is bursting with clothes, there is no obvious concept recognizable, and she has a constant feeling of “nothing to wear.”
The hoarder will typically keep knickknack, furniture and other things too, not just clothes. This often roots in scarcity thinking and feeling guilty over money spent, or then the fear of letting go of things. It’s hard to see personal style when it's buried under clutter.

Style Solution:
- If you edit ruthlessly and only keep what fits, flatters, and reflects the current you, you are on a good path to overcome the hoarding rut.
- Create space for the new, by letting go of the old. And why not make a ritual out of this? Say thank you to the piece for serving you and bid it farewell. If letting go feels too overwhelming, break it down into: tops one day, trousers the next, and so on. Small wins build momentum.
- The old rule of not having worn it in a year? Still valid. Let it go, it is not serving you any more.
- Not quite ready to let go? Store the items out of sight for 30 days. If you forget about them, you’re ready to release.
- Focus on a smaller wardrobe of well-loved, versatile pieces rather than overflowing drawers.

2. The Time Traveller

The core habit of the Time Traveller is to dress like in a previous era, meaning keeping clothes that reflect who she used to be. This could be the funky party outfits from her life as a club girl back in the 90ies or it could just be that blue eyeliner that was trendy many moons ago (why? If there is so much to choose from now?). Her wardrobe is full of items that suited a past job, lifestyle, or body shape. She may be struggling to let go of a former identity or be afraid to embrace change.

Her current self feels disconnected from her style.

Style Solution:
- You can either wait it out until a certain style makes a comeback. It happened for cowboy boots, it came true for mullets, and we see hipster trousers and skirts again too.
- Or you acknowledge the beauty of evolution: good things can come from new things. And your style can grow with you.
- Update key pieces to reflect your now, while honoring the past with select, meaningful keepsakes. A perfect piece to commemorate said past could be a vintage purse, a scarf or a (Swiss) watch. Classics never go out of style.

3. The Story Teller

The Story Teller assigns emotional meaning to clothes. Every piece has a story. This is the dress that she wore on her daughter’s confirmation or when she got to know her husband. She holds onto clothes because they are sentimental, not because they are stylish or useful. Clothing becomes her memory archive.
The challenge here is that emotional attachment blocks clarity and versatility in the wardrobe.

Style Solution:
- Separate memories from materials: photograph cherished items before letting go. Or better still, turn them into a pillow cover, tote or framed textile art. This keeps the memory alive outside the closet (this has been done with great success on the TV-show of the “Fab Five” and brought tears to the participants’ eyes)
- Create a “memory box” instead of a memory closet.
- Go through your wardrobe and ask: “Would I wear this today if it weren’t attached to a memory?” If the answer is no, it doesn’t belong in everyday rotation.
- Keep a small box for truly meaningful items - like the piece you wore to a milestone event or your favourite vintage purse from your mom.
- Photograph the rest, and write a short story about why it mattered, then let the item go.

4. The Comfort Craver

The core habit of the comfort craver is to prioritize ease and coziness above all, mostly at the expense of style. It is very easy to fall into this rut as it comes from the fear of trying new styles or simply being too busy to think about trying something new. We like to stick with what we believe works, and it is easy to grab an old-reliable pants for the sake of predictability and to save time. Being stuck in the comfort craver’s rut means that she will wear the same combinations over and over again. And will also stick to one colours, because: practical. So if this is you and your ten pairs of skinny jeans with sneakers, your ears should be ringing. To buy more from the same is a common symptom. She feels completely uninspired, bored and tired of her wardrobe because she either doesn’t feel great in any of her clothes or believes that only those clothes fit her personality. Since she is “practical” herself.  Her outfits are fairly random and say nothing about who she is, but she is too busy or confused to know what to do. She confuses "comfort" with "giving up." and will only get into action when boredom or very low self-confidence kick in too hard. This rut may be a response to stress, physical changes, or low confidence/budget.

Style Solutions:

- Choose elevated basics that offer both comfort and polish (e.g., soft knits, pull-on trousers, stylish sneakers).
- Explore textures and shapes that feel good and look intentional.
- Add structured layers like a lightweight blazer or a tailored cardigan to elevate comfort pieces
-Swap out slippers or worn sneakers for chic, comfortable shoes - think loafers or cushioned sneakers.
- Avoid overly baggy clothes; aim for relaxed but intentional shapes that skim the body
- Add a pop of colour or an accessory: use scarves, statement earrings, or a bold lip to make comfort feel stylish.