Elizabeth Banks

Alissa is the runner-up of the Fashion & Beauty Blogger contest. I love this idea and isn’t she lovely? I’m going to remix my closet right now. Thanks, Alissa! - EB

You don’t have to buy a brand new outfit every time you want a new look from your closet. Chances are, you already own more than you think - you just have to get creative!

Most of us walk into our closets and look at it for what it is. We buy pieces that we like and wear them with our usual staples. My inner dialogue usually goes something like this:

“Here’s a dress with a floral print I wore last summer with that pink cardigan, here’s a dark-wash pair of jeans - I need to lose 5lbs - that I wear with that vintage tee. Oh, here’s my t-shirt from the ’99 Spice Girls World Tour...should’ve gotten rid of that - hope no one sees this.”

That’s where I, including most women, fall into our fashion ruts. We end up wearing the same outfits over and over again, and then slowly begin to hate our closets and curse the universe that we don’t have unlimited funds for clothing.

So learn how to get creative with your closet:

1. Pin until your eyes bleed - Research, research, research! A college professor once told me, “Stealing from one person is plagiarism, and stealing from many is research.” Get on Pinterest and pin the stuff you want like a crazy person. Start by following Elizabeth on Pinterest. Don’t over think it – this should be fun, not stressful. Then, forget about these outfits for awhile.

2. Revisit Your Research - After you’ve forgotten about the items in step 1, revisit these looks. If you’re still head over heels for the look, it’s time to take action. Figure out WHY you like the outfit. Is it the color combo? Or maybe it’s the silhouette, accessories or a specific trend. By figuring out the “why you like it”, it will become much easier to recreate.

Read winner Alison's blog on outfits with "Hi & Lo" pieces!

3. Don’t be a Copy Cat - I know you’re saying, “I can’t find/afford that Chanel skirt that Celebrity A is wearing!” (sobbing ensues). If you know the WHY, this step will be easy. If you like the outfits because of the color, then chances are you already have these colors in your closet. If you like the ruffles, again, chances are you have this in your closet. Do don’t need to copy the entire outfit, just borrow the parts you like.

4. Take off the Closet Goggles - Once you’ve done steps 1-3, you should be able to look at your closet with a new eye. See if you can find pieces similar in textures, colors or shapes. They don’t have to be exact! Try on everything, and you’ll find that your closet isn’t as boring as you thought.

Check out the final looks below. I’ve never worn these combinations before and I never spent a dime! I felt like I had won the closet jackpot!

My challenge for you: Browse some of Elizabeth’s looks and see what outfits inspire you. What look of hers would you like to try to recreate with your wardrobe?