The real reason your outfit feels off and the instant styling hacks to fix it.

I've styled hundreds of women for a living, and one thing I hear all the time is: "This outfit feels off… "

Yes, sometimes it is the clothes; maybe they're outdated, there could be a better-suited silhouette to work for your natural shape or never really worked for your personal style. But more often than not, I find it's not what you're wearing, it's how you're wearing it.

You know that moment when you've put together an outfit that should work — the colours and textures all feel cohesive, the pieces make sense — and yet, when you look in the mirror, it just feels off.  Like spaghetti Bolognese without Parmesan. Still a meal, but missing that little something that pulls it all together.

Watch: Sometimes it's just the colour pairing that's quietly throwing everything off. Post continues below.

As a personal stylist, I see it all the time. An outfit that's just fine, but it's not doing what you want it to. No matter how hard you try, everything still feels off. 

Here's something that completely shifted the way I think about styling, both in my clothes and with clients. It's something I learned back in styling school days and still come back to constantly: the way our brains get stuck in familiar patterns.

The Reticular Activating System (or RAS for short) is essentially a filtering system in your brain. It helps you process what's familiar and relevant, and mostly blocks out everything else. It completely changed the way I looked at clothes, not just in my own wardrobe, but in how I work with clients too.

If you've always worn a certain piece the same way, your brain gets used to that version. It stops questioning whether it still works. Even if the proportions are off or the outfit feels "meh" and deep down you feel like something is off, your brain will keep defaulting to what it already knows.

Once you become aware of that, you can start to look at your wardrobe with fresh eyes. You start asking, "Is this actually the best way to wear this or just the way I've always worn it?"

Here are five quick styling tweaks that can take your look from "not quite" to "this actually makes me feel confident."

1. The midi skirt dilemma? It's probably the shoes.

Midi skirts can be a tricky one to style at times. The issue often isn't the skirt itself, but rather the shoe choice that can throw the look off. 

What I see a lot (and I'm guilty of it, too) is pairing a midi with a shoe that interrupts the leg line. Ankle booties, heavy loafers, or anything with a chunky silhouette can feel like they're working in theory, but in practice? The outfit ends up looking not quite right and the proportions are really thrown off. 

If you're petite or anywhere near the 5'3" mark like me, you need to be more strategic with where things cut off visually. A shoe that covers too much of the foot or hits at the wrong point on the ankle can create visual bulk, which can throw all of your outfit proportions off.

Instead, opt for something with a lower vamp (i.e. more of your foot showing), a pointed, almond toe, or a sleek slimline foot silhouette that extends the line rather than breaks it. A slimline knee-high boot that fits close to the leg can work beautifully too; it continues the flow underneath the skirt and gives structure.

Image: Supplied.

2. The winter coat reminder you didn't know you needed.

Since we're deep in coat season, this feels like the perfect time for this little styling hack reminder. And just so we're clear, I'm not here to shame anyone. I actually did this myself a few weeks ago, rushing out the door in a new coat.

If your coat or blazer has a little X-shaped stitch across the back vent (that's the slit at the bottom back of the coat), it's not a design detail; it's meant to be temporary. That vent is there to help the coat (or even jackets, blazers etc) move and sit properly on your body. The stitch just holds it together while it's in store or during transit, so it stays neat and crease-free. 

But if you leave it in, it can hold the coat closed in a way it's not supposed to. It stops the fabric from flowing properly, can make the back bunch or ride up, and throws off the overall fit.

So, if it's still there? Grab a pair of scissors and gently snip it. Trust me — it's a tiny fix that makes a big difference. Once you see it, you'll never unsee it.

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3. Remember the rule of thirds.

You might not realise it, but one of the styling secrets to making your outfit go from basic to brilliant is something borrowed from photography, art, and architecture. You may have heard of the rule of thirds; a concept where things look more visually pleasing by dividing things — and in your outfit's case — into one-third and two-thirds ratios to create balance, interest, and a natural flow that our eyes love.

Imagine your outfit is sliced right down the middle, like a top that hits exactly at your hips paired with pants. It sounds harmless, but this equal split can make your silhouette feel boxy, chopped, or just a little flat. Your eye gets stuck, and your outfit loses its visual interest. 

The styling hacks? Break your look into thirds. Think a front tuck at your natural waist with high-waisted pants or a shirt that falls just below the hip paired with slimline bottoms. 

This little fashion architectural tweak transforms your outfit from "meh" to magic. Next time you feel your look is missing something, ask yourself, am I dividing my outfit thoughtfully, or just splitting myself in half?

Image: Supplied.

4. Don't underestimate the power of tailoring.

Something I see all the time is women finding a piece that's almost perfect. They love the cut, the colour, the fit, but there's one or two little things that are off. Maybe it gapes slightly at the waist, the legs are too long, or the jacket doesn't quite sit right at the shoulders. And because of that, they put it back, despite loving nearly everything else about the piece. 

But here's the thing: no brand can make clothes that fit everyone perfectly. We all have different proportions, heights, shapes and fit preferences and that's exactly where tailoring comes in.

A small tweak like taking in the waist or adjusting the hem can make all the difference. It's the shift from "I'm going to leave this here" to "this feels like it was made for me."

I'm not saying everything's worth altering. But for the pieces that are 90% there? That little fix could unlock your best-fitting outfit yet.

5. Ditch the number on the tag and focus on fit, feel and function. 

One of my favourite style hacks — and honestly one that doesn't get enough love — is understanding sizing. It sounds simple, but it can actually be a total game-changer, especially when you feel stuck in that "this doesn't fit right" loop. I see this come up all the time in fitting rooms, styling sessions, and even scrolling through social media.

Australia no longer has a standardised sizing system; it was scrapped back in 2008. And sure, it's frustrating not having one, I get it, as it can make shopping feel confusing and unpredictable. But when you think about how many women there are, each with their own unique shape, proportions, features, and style preferences, how could one single system possibly work for everyone?

Instead, brands are free to define sizing however they think best suits their customer. That means a size 12 in one brand might fit more like a 10 or a 14 in another. I've seen differences of up to 7cm or 8cm in the waist alone. That's a pretty big jump when shopping between brands. 

Image: supplied.

So, if you've ever tried on your "usual size" and felt disheartened, please know it's not you. It's the system (or lack thereof). I've had clients swear a pair of jeans wouldn't fit them, only to be surprised once they tried a different size.

The truth is, you're not one fixed size. You're a mix, depending on the brand, the cut, the fabric, and how you want something to feel. Want a more relaxed fit? Go up. Prefer it fitted? Go down.

The number on the tag? That's just a guide. The fit, the function and, most importantly, how it feels? That's where the real magic happens. 

Next time you're standing in front of the mirror wondering why something feels off, try these simple tweaks. Often, it's the small changes that have the biggest impact.

And remember: style takes time. It's about exploring, having fun and experimenting with new things. Sometimes, going that extra distance with the little details is exactly what lifts your looks and your overall personal style.

Want more practical styling tips?

• So, blouses are becoming extinct. Here's why.

• A stylist's instant hacks to elevate your wardrobe.

• 'I style women every week. These are the gaps I see in every wardrobe.'

Feature: Supplied.