One of the reasons I started this blog and my quest to find glamour in the desert, wherever it may be, is because with months and months of 100+ degree temps, it’s so easy to fall into a fashion funk.

Today it’s supposed to reach 110. And even though this year we’ve been lucky that it’s taken so long to get there, I already want to hide out some place air conditioned and just give up,  forget about fashion and step right into my jeans-and-a-tank-top funk.

When you don’t live in a big city like LA or NY, there isn’t street style all around to inspire you.  So if you’re already feeling like nothing will go except a summer dress and shorts for the next few months, here’s  5 ways to find some style inspiration and help beat that wardrobe funk.

1. Read style blogs

Sassy summer style from Jessica of What I Wore

There’s nothing like cruising your favorite style blogs to get an instant fashion-inspiration fix. Unlike fashion magazines, you’ll see real people and how they style outfits, which is kind of refreshing! Not to mention, you’ll find just about every kind of outfit blogger niche to relate to from budget outfit bloggers and plus-size outfit bloggers to bloggers that live across the world and everything in between!

Jessica totally rocks the red

Perhaps what I like most about outfit bloggers is so often, the clothes are actually wearable. As much as magazine spreads are often inspiring, they’re also styled in a way I just can’t wear in real life.

Jessica from What I Wore (above) looks darling in her summer outfits and they’re totally approachable too.

2. Make a mood board

Try a mood board with looks that inspire you

In my office, I have a cork board that I use as a “mood board.” I tear out fashion spreads and ads that I totally covet  and anything else that may be inspiring. Even if I don’t have the budget to be dressed in the head-to-toe Gucci fashion spread, it doesn’t mean I can’t put together my own, similar look.

Ads, fashion spreads, colors and anything else you find pretty is perfect!

As a bonus, my mood board so happens to be in front of my second closet so I can just reach in and start digging!

3. Travel

Chic and pretty in a spring skirt

One of my favorite places to people watch (and totally judge people’s outfits) is the airport. Everyone is coming and going from different places so you never know what you’re going to get. That and everyone’s idea of “airport style” can be hilarious (but that’s a later post entirely.)

Loose and comfy pants are still oh-so-stylish

But traveling always leaves me fashion inspired. Every city has its own vibe, its own “style” and getting to see something that I don’t every day makes me want to run home, rummage through my closet and see what I can invent.

Shorts that are cute and not at all like the girls in AZ wear

When I can’t travel, I’ll live vicariously through street style shots like these from The Sartorialist.

Effortless style

4. Play dress up with a friend

Find new options right under your nose!

I love to play dress up (who doesn’t?!) but inviting a friend into the mix is oh-so-fun. An outside source getting into your closet will pair things in ways you just didn’t think of before. And just like that, you have tons of outfit options you didn’t see before, and they were all hiding right under your nose!

5. Hit the bookstore

Quality time with your fave fashion mags is a total must!

Sure, there’s fashion magazines everywhere, even at the gas station, but do you ever pick up their other-country counterparts? Whether it’s British Vogue, Milan or Glamour en Espanol, I love going to the bookstore and sifting through fashion magazines from all over the world. It’s an awesome source of inspiration and fun to see how style around the world is just a little bit different.

What are your favorite tips for beating a fashion funk?

For constant style and beauty chatter, follow me on Twitter.

Feeling: Red.

Images:alltheprettybirds