A new way of dressing and a new partner to get over an ex: yes or no?

When people want something in their lives to change, they often start with their appearance: a new hairstyle, new makeup, and reinventing a whole new sense of style after a breakup. And often turn to online resources to change up their style.

Breakups can be rough, especially if you were together for a long time. Some people manage to get over it on their own, but others need help. One reason people reinvent their style is because of the desire for change. They think that if they start dressing differently, something will change for the better. They will not attract the same type of people they used to, and when they attract someone with a different personality, they won’t have the same problems they did with their ex.

Considering that people are drawn to our personality in the long term and not our appearance, the risk of this type of thinking is substantial.

Starting over with a new partner and a new style

People go into new relationships soon after a breakup with the hope that the pain of the previous relationship will subside. There’s even strong evidence that a rebound marriage can be part of this, with around a fifth of men and women remarrying within a few years of divorce.

According to Gitnux’s 2024 report, around 39% of rebound marriages involve partners who used to be in relationships. However, rebound marriages formed within a year of a divorce end in divorce up to 63% of the time. 78% of rebound marriages end in divorce, and rebound relationships cause 34% of second marriages to end within a decade.

The negative aspects of these relationships are well-known. People who enter into them could be emotionally unavailable because they are still processing their emotions from the relationship with their exes. This can stop an emotional connection and intimacy from developing in the new relationship.

You also risk comparing your new partner to your ex. Since so little time has passed since the breakup, you might have unrealistic expectations in the new relationship, leading to disappointment. It’s also not fair to the person you might be using as a rebound.

On the plus side, these relationships can boost your confidence, especially if the previous relationship ended very badly or was toxic. Moving on with someone who appreciates you can be empowering.

You also learn from past mistakes. The new relationship is an opportunity to reflect on what went wrong with your ex. This can help you grow.

Online help to reinvent your fashion style

No matter the breakup’s ultimate outcome, there is no shortage of online resources and services that can help you revamp your wardrobe and discover a new style. You can use personal styling services like Stitch Fix, which sends you curated clothing items based on your style profile and preferences.

Nordstrom provides personalized clothing selections delivered to your door. Nordstrom also offers free virtual styling sessions with one of their stylists.

Online shopping platforms inform about a wide range of clothing styles. Some include a personal stylist feature to help you find items that match your preferences. Some online retailers have a vast selection of brands and styles, including a style advice section.

Fashion apps can help you build a capsule wardrobe by suggesting outfits from the clothes you already own and identifying gaps in your wardrobe. They allow you to organize your wardrobe, plan outfits, and get style inspiration. You can create and share outfit combinations, get feedback, and discover new styles.

Two additional rich sources of inspiration are fashion blogs and YouTube channels. Fashion and lifestyle blogs offer tips on building a functional and stylish wardrobe. They provide outfit ideas, styling tips, and fashion inspiration.

Finally, you can create boards on Pinterest to pin your favorite outfits, style inspiration, and fashion trends, or follow fashion influencers, brands, and stylists on Instagram for daily style inspiration and ideas.