5 Surprising Ways You’re Sabotaging Your Style (And What to Do Instead)

Humans are complex, but when it comes to how we dress and how we’re perceived, it really comes down to something simple: our senses. We respond to what we see. You've probably heard of the “fight, flight, or freeze” response to a visual trigger. That’s how I started to feel about online shopping. It was overstimulating, overwhelming, and honestly... kind of addictive.

Just when I thought I was out, they pulled me back in!
That line from The Godfather wasn’t about fashion but it could’ve been. Because if you’ve ever opened your inbox, seen a 20% off email from your favorite brand, and clicked “add to cart” on something you weren’t even shopping for... you know what I mean.

As a San Antonio personal stylist (and a recovering shopaholic), I want to let you in on something: it’s not you. It’s the system. And it’s time to take your power back.

1. You’re Letting Color Confuse You

Most people don’t realize that color matters as much as it does. Sure, it looked amazing on the model, but does that color actually work for you? Online photos are filtered, studio-lit, and edited to look great on screen, not necessarily in real life.

When the piece shows up and it washes you out or makes you feel blah, you start to question yourself. But it’s not you, it’s just the wrong color. Once you know your most flattering shades, everything changes. You shop with clarity, you return way less, and most importantly you stop blaming your body for the problem.

2. You’re Overwhelmed by Too Many Options

You scroll. You click. You get distracted. You forget what you were looking for in the first place. This is not your fault, friend. It’s by design and the “infinite scroll” is meant to keep you searching, and as the designers admitted in the documentary Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy, the goal is to keep you stuck in the cycle. The longer you browse, the more likely you are to buy something, whether it works for you or not.

And when you do buy? It’s usually the last thing you saw (that’s the Recency Effect at work). But that doesn’t mean it’s the best thing for you.

3. You’re Shopping for Sales Instead of Strategy

BOGO. Flash Sale. 40% Off. I’ve fallen for all of it. But unless you were already planning to buy that piece, it’s probably not a great deal. It’s just a well-timed dopamine hit.

I can't count how many women have told me they bought something just to hit free shipping... and never wore it.

Not to mention, the return windows are short. And once that window closes? The frustration begins and trust me, I’ve been there more times than I’d like to admit.  

4. You’re Letting the Algorithm Style You

Every click, every pause, every saved item is tracked. It’s in the cookies! Brands can feed you more of what they want to sell. Not what actually looks good on you. This is why you keep seeing the same neutral sweater on every site.

You deserve better than an algorithm. You deserve a strategy.

5. You’re Not Asking Yourself the Right Questions (This One’s the Most Important)

Before you hit checkout, ask:

·        Am I shopping because I’m bored, stressed, or avoiding something?

·        Would I love this item even if it weren’t on sale?

·        Will I wear this next season—or even next month?

·        Does this align with the real me, or a fantasy version I saw on Instagram?

When you shop with intention instead of emotion, everything shifts.

How do I Know? I’ve Been There.

I shopped when I had a great day. I shopped when I had a terrible one. It was a quick fix until I looked in my closet and realized I had nothing I actually wanted to wear.

That’s when I decided to stop buying and start learning. I got certified through Fashion Institute of Technology, dove into color analysis, sustainability, and style psychology and turned my passion into a purpose.

Now, I work with women in midlife who are ready to feel like themselves again.

So What Do You Do Instead?

Let’s be real, you don’t need another haul, you need a plan. If shopping has become a cycle of hope, regret, and returns, then it’s time for a reset.

This isn’t about overhauling your closet overnight. It’s about slowing down, tuning in, and figuring out what actually works for you.  

When you understand your colors and the shapes that fit and flatter, everything shifts. You start choosing with confidence instead of reacting out of overwhelm.

That’s where my work begins with tools that help you see yourself more clearly and shop more intentionally. Two of my most powerful tools? A personalized color analysis and a closet audit to help you clear the clutter and finally see what’s working and what’s not.

What a Color Analysis Actually Looks Like

In a San Antonio color analysis session, we sit down in natural light, with no makeup, and drape color palettes to see what lights you up. Your skin tone, eye color, and undertones give us everything we need to find the shades that make you glow.

What a Closet Edit Actually Looks Like

Closet audits are one of my favorite ways to help clients get clarity fast. We start with a 30-minute planning call, then meet in person for a 2-hour deep dive. We pick one area like seasonal pieces, workwear, or casual and go through it together.

We sort into keep, donate, or repair piles. We focus on what fits and flatters and what doesn’t need to take up space anymore. Then we figure out what’s missing so you leave with a clear, simple list of what to shop for and why.

Style Isn’t Frivolous. It’s Foundational.

Ask yourself:

✨ What if getting dressed felt easy again?
✨ What if you could stop second-guessing every purchase?
✨ What if your wardrobe made you feel powerful, not overwhelmed?

That’s what happens when you stop chasing trends and start building a strategy.

What Happens When You Work With Me

You start showing up differently. People notice something, but can’t quite name it.

Your energy shifts. Your confidence grows. You stop apologizing for taking up space.

Because when your outer image aligns with your inner self, you don’t just look put together. You feel unstoppable.

Ready to Feel Like You Again?

If you’re ready to stop scrolling and start dressing with purpose, I’d love to work with you.

Book a free discovery call 📲 Schedule a call or explore my color analysis services in San Antonio. Let’s find your palette. Let’s build your strategy.

Because style is the antidote.

💜 With love and style,

Laura