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For someone who doesn’t like to buy a lot of clothes, how can I get the most out of what I have? – Cleaned-out Closet

Hi Cleaned-out Closet! Shopping can be hard, and I understand wanting to work with what you have. The first step is surveying your closet. You might rediscover certain pieces or be struck by some inspiration. Next, document everything. Take photos of all your items in your closet. This will help you remember all of your pieces, allow you to build unexpected outfits and is a great resource overall. After you have looked through your closet and taken pictures, go to your favorite source of outfit inspiration. I personally use Pinterest, but you can use anything from Instagram and Tumblr to print magazines. Look for outfits that are made with the pieces you have. For example, if you have a lot of white t-shirts and jeans, look up “T-shirt and jeans outfits.” It’s a great way to see different ways of wearing the clothes you already have. After styling the pieces in your usual rotation, challenge yourself. Pick a piece you never wear and look up inspiration on how to style it. This allows you to get full use of every part of your closet, not just the pieces you usually use.

How can you switch up your typical going-out look? – Partying Problems

Dear Partying Problems: To differentiate yourself from the masses on a night out, invest in interesting pieces. You can still follow the very common outfit formula of a cute top and jeans, but sub in more interesting pieces within the procedure. Instead of going towards plain denim, pick a more colorful denim or go for a different style than you’re used to. You can also ditch the denim entirely for cargo pants or a skirt. Instead of the everyday top, go for a sparkly or shimmery piece. Or, switch it up from the top you usually wear. For example, if you usually wear a corset top, try a top with flowy sleeves. Spice up your outfit by customizing your shoes. Your going-out shoes are probably already beaten up, so there’s no harm in adding some fun new elements to your footwear. If you wear canvas or fabric shoes, like Converse, add some funky embroidery or a fresh coat of paint. If you’re wearing sneakers or any shoes with laces, you can add colorful charms or even switch out your laces entirely. Investing in interesting jewelry is an easy way to spice up your outfit as well! To get started, though, try switching out one piece from your usual outfit at a time so you don’t overwhelm yourself.

I’m looking for more timeless, cute and comfy clothes. What should I look for? – Comfy, cute, and confused

Dear Comfy, cute, and confused, when I think of comfortable clothing, three things come to mind: loose silhouettes, cozy fabric and elastic or stretchy waistbands. When building a comfortable outfit, each item of clothing should fit one of these criteria. For an easy, cute and comfortable option, check out some matching sets. There are many different types of sets out there, from sweat sets to athleisure, or even button-up sets. Many sets are made out of breathable fabric and are a great way to look put together. There are a bunch of comfortable — and fashionable — options for tops and bottoms. I lean towards graphic hoodies and crewnecks for cozy tops. Plenty of stores sell interesting crewnecks and hoodies, like ASOS and Urban Outfitters. There are also plenty of lesser-known brands such as Lonely Ghost, twinflames. and The Mayfair Group. There are also plenty of cute bottom options. You can find comfort in a lot of unexpected places, such as a long, loose skirt, wide-leg palazzo pants or even wide-leg or baggy jeans. While it may be an unpopular idea, it’s possible to find jeans as comfortable as sweatpants. Finding a cotton blend, loose fit and sizing up is imperative when finding comfortable jeans. Another way to spice up a cute outfit without sacrificing your comfort is investing in a good pair of sneakers. There are also tons of options for slip-on shoes, such as Birkenstocks, loafers or clogs. Comfort is what you define it as, so make sure these outfits meet your standards.

Edited by Ever Cole | ecole@themaneater.com
Copy edited by Emily Rutledge