Repetition breeds familiarity… they use it against us, we use it for good.

I talk a lot about repetition breeds familiarity with my in person clients, but I don't think we've chatted about it here much. It's where my grocery store analogy comes from.

It goes wrong when we don't listen to ourselves and buy things because they're trending. But you hate wide leg and would never wear leopard.

We use it for good because we understand that maybe we need to try something a couple of times to decide if we can learn to like it. See also, my new brooch infatuation!

Brooch + necklace =

Cool new necklace!

It's called the mere exposure effect

Let's talk about the science behind it. It's the same science that teaches us toddlers need to try broccoli 8-10 times before they like it. Think about music, or even how you bought your last car!! It's a psychological bias where people tend to develop a preference simply because it is familiar.

It's called the mere exposure effect. It's how advertising works and why algorithms have taken over our world. Have you ever talked to someone with such certainty about something that they’d never heard of? Yeah…you're on different algorithms! 😉

My son says "yeah mom, we have vastly different explore pages".

In the world of fashion, it's the reason that new styles/silhouettes look insane when they first come out and after several months of seeing them, you're on board to try it.

It goes from Shock Stage - first look, absolutely not. Looks weird/ugly/crazy

To Seeing Stage - ok, I've seen it a few times online and once in real life. Hmmmm.

To Normal Stage - more online (algorithm) but also your friend looks pretty cute in it.

To Buying Stage - feels normal to you, and it was on sale so you go for it.

So why can't you do this in your closet?

So many women, and I mean SO MANY women, are in a bit of a [style rut](/blog/the-only-difference-between-a-rut-and-the-grave-is-the-dirt-in-your-face) and their first impression when trying something new is…that's not me.

***Quick nuance break***

There is a big difference between "this is not me at all" and "hmmm- not sure, but kinda intrigued". You will know. When I put on a little dainty printed dress or blouse, it feels like sandpaper on my soul. It is so NOT me. But when I embrace the brooch? I'm thinking I'm kinda digging it and will use my errand time to play around and get dressed and go out in the world and see if it is indeed me.

Can you carve out some time this week to take a piece you may be bored with and find another way to wear it? Jump on Pinterest with a search of chambray shirt outfits and you get this.➡️

Or olive pant ideas and you get this.

⬅️

Does it seem crazy to wear a chambray shirt with a suit or tucked into a skirt?

Maybe? But it would be an easy thing to try, and you don't even have to spend any money. Even though Pinterest is full of ads and it is annoying, it's the fastest way to find ideas around styling things differently and FANTASTIC around ideas for mixing colors that may be new to you.

If we've done your color analysis session, you have tons of ideas in your color report. (If we haven't, that happens in my studio in Highlands Ranch, here's how it works.

Here's an example of Soft Summer Color Harmony around sage and soft teal.

If none of this appeals to you stylistically, that's ok. We're just here to level up your color game.

Your homework

So if you're bored, and I know that's the majority of women, your homework is to rework one piece this week.

Or if you want it done quickly, let's schedule a wardrobe session. Two hours of reworking your current wardrobe, in your closet, anywhere in the Denver Metro, to give you many more possibilities. 🎉