It's now that time in summer when you are totally bored with your summer wardrobe and the stores have already started stocking winter garments. Yet you know you have another six to eight weeks left of hot, hot heat and summer fashions.

One of two things happens at this stage. Either you get stubborn and stuck in a style rut and just keep running through the same tired, old dozen outfits you have been wearing for the past five months, and hope that the weather cools down soon so that you can start wearing your new winter wardrobe. Or, you refresh your wardrobe and give it enough pizzazz so that you look and feel great as the sun continues to shine.

Here are five top tips on how to revitalise and invigorate your summer look.

Mixing it up

It's time to mix up your look a little. Start by digging out some of the things in your wardrobe that haven't had much wear this season. I wear dresses a lot in the summer. It's so easy to just slip on a frock and head out, so in the past week, I have tried to wear shorts instead.

I have challenged my brain to come up with two-piece outfits from my existing wardrobe.

It's funny how you suddenly fall back in love with that silk blouse you almost forgot you had because you never have a reason to think about it.

And no matter what anyone says, leggings are a fabulous way to change the look of a familiar dress. Pop them on under your dress, and then add a different belt (not the one it came with) to the outfit, like an old black leather one. And suddenly that sweet floral dress you have been wearing all summer looks and feels very edgy and different.

Buy accessories on sale

Pop into your local branch of Accessorise or Claire's and you are guaranteed to find a sale rail somewhere in store. If you haven't tried the stacked bangle look this season, now is the time to stock up on a bunch of them on the sale. Or find a string of chunky beads in a bold colour — you'll be amazed how something this simple can add zest and points of difference to a tired bunch of clothes.

Or even better, go to a haberdashery and buy lengths of wide robust ribbon and turn them into interesting belts for your existing wardrobe.

Wear a magenta pink silk ribbon with your plain cotton sundress for instant lift and glamour. Or belt a silver grey tunic dress with a length of striped fabric for a wonderful contrast.

New additions

No one said that you can't buy new items at this stage of the summer, if you can find them, that is. The trick is to find out what the trends are for next summer in the northern hemisphere and see what you can find in quirky stores off the beaten path.

Most of the chain stores stick to the local trends and are done with summer now, so go and find a more independent set of shops to uncover one or two great pieces that will revitalise your look for the next couple of months and work really well into next summer too.

Colours to look out for are bright salmon/coral and cobalt blue as they will look fresh this season and still be bang on trend next summer.

Learn the art of layering

It is a good time to embrace the art of layering. If you are actively practicing this, you will soon start to spot the items in stores that can work really well for you through both winter and summer, whilst allowing you to add interest and dimension to your tired old clothes. They are also excellent value for money as you get to wear them all year long.

The perfect item for this is the cropped cardigan. It looks equally stylish over a sun dress — to wear now — as it does, layered, over a long-sleeve shirt in the winter.

You can also try a three-quarter-sleeve jersey knit dresses and tops. During the hotter months you can ruche the sleeves all the way up your arm. And then come winter, slip on a long sleeve t-shirt underneath and you have all the warmth you need.

Disguise the dress

This one is a bit higher grade, but something that I have found really useful combines the art of layering with the desire to mix things up. With a wardrobe full of summer dresses, I find that there is not as much versatility in these as there is in separates.

Until I discovered that the application of a cunning shirt, t-shirt or light cardigan worn over the dress disguises it and makes it look like a new skirt. Add a belt to the ensemble and you have a very contemporary look that is fresh and summery, without having to invest in new pieces or work too hard.

I know exactly how you feel. I too am bored and over it, but by following these five easy tips, it is not very hard to refresh and reinvigorate a tired old closet, just in time for the best couple of months of the year. I look forward to seeing all you stylish folks out there on the summer streets.

For more information on Robyn and photos of stylish South Africans from all walks of life, go to: http://styleguidecapetown.blogspot.com