6 Simple Strategies for Putting Stylish Outfits Together

Time constraints can make it challenging to curate and coordinate outfits that work well together. If you’re looking for strategies to streamline your outfit coordination despite a busy schedule and recent wardrobe changes, here are some actionable tips to help you efficiently put together outfits that work for your current lifestyle and body shape

&iv;&modestbranding;&rel;&autohide;&playsinline;&autoplay;

1. Principles of Coordination

Unlocking the art of putting stylish outfits together requires an understanding of coordination principles, an appreciation for related shapes and lines, and an eye for refinement.

Principle of Volume

Balance is key. If you wear one voluminous item, pair it with something more fitted. For example, if you have a loose, flowing top, wear it with fitted pants or a skirt. Conversely, if you’re wearing wide-leg pants, opt for a more fitted and shorter top. This balance ensures that your outfit looks intentional and well-put-together, rather than overwhelming or shapeless. Avoid all-voluminous outfits as this can overwhelm your frame and make coordination difficult unless you are bringing in the volume with a belt. principles of coordination in outfits

Levels of Refinement

Understanding the different levels of refinement in your wardrobe is crucial. There are three levels to consider

Formal/Dressy – Tailored suits, evening dresses, and elegant blouses.
Smart Casual – Business casual attire, such as blazers paired with jeans, or dresses with casual shoes.
Casual/Outdoor Leisure – T-shirts, hoodies, and athletic wear.

Mixing adjacent levels can create versatile and stylish outfits. For example, pair a formal blouse with jeans for a smart-casual look. However, avoid mixing the extremes (formal with very casual), as it tends to look mismatched.

2. Build Wardrobe Capsules

Consider creating a capsule wardrobe with versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched. This simplifies the process of putting together outfits and ensures you always have something stylish to wear.

A capsule wardrobe requires a colour palette where all the colours work together. Start with 2-3 neutrals that make you look your best. My advice is always to choose neutrals that relate to your hair, eye and skin colours, this way every outfit will sing and be in harmony with your natural colouring.

Then select 2-4 additional colours for your capsules. These colours must work with all your neutrals (and it’s why having your colour palette makes this decision super easy). I always suggest choosing signature colours for your capsules as this will make coordinating your colours super easy and because all the colours in your capsule are in harmony with your personal colouring, it simplifies your colour and value contrast decisions, as when you’re repeating the colours in the right values of your colouring, your contrasts will automatically be optimally included. Getting a colour analysis and having this information at your fingertips really does help you so much when you’re getting dressed each day.

3. Outfit Formulas

Develop a few go-to outfit formulas that work for your current shape and lifestyle.

Smart Casual: Smart jeans + blouse or quality tee + blazer
Casual: Stretchy pants or casual jeans + shirt + long cardigan or coat

Create your own outfit formulas to make dressing fast and easy

Simple Spring/Summer: Dress with denim jacket
Formal: Tailored trousers + fitted top + structured jacket

There are so many outfit formulas you can try (read this post to discover more). There’s a good chance you’re already using some outfit formulas without realising them. Check out your favourite outfit photos and notice what kinds of clothes you put together and feel good wearing. This is the key to your favourite outfit formulas!

4. Invest in Versatile Pieces

Choose items that can be mixed and matched easily. These could be pieces that can transition from day to night or casual to formal with a few tweaks. Your best neutral in an outer layer such as a cardigan, jacket or blazer. A well-fitting stylish pair of jeans that you can dress up and down easily. A gorgeous blouse in a pattern that makes your heart sing that you can wear with jeans and with your more formal skirts or pants.

There are so many versatile options to choose from. Which are the garments in your current wardrobe that get a lot of work? This is a key to the pieces that really work well for you. For example, some years ago I owned a teal cardigan that was a really flattering shape. And because teal is a universal colour it went so well over so many other garments in my wardrobe so it was super versatile and I literally wore it so much it looked shabby and I had to let it go. I’m still looking for a replacement!

5. Use Accessories

Accessories are the icing on the cake – they add interest and detail, a touch of sparkle or sheen that grabs the light, or texture and colour that may otherwise be lacking in your outfit. You can add interest with pops of colour in accessories and create focal points which draw attention and encourage the eye to linger.

Use accessories to create style and interest in your outfits

Express your personality through your accessories. Are you a lover of hats that start a conversation? Maybe you prefer statement earrings or a cocktail ring. It could be that scarves are your thing you can wear them in many ways as they style up every outfit, from wearing them around your neck, your head, your wrist, waist or even your handbag!

Play with accessories and try out different ways of wearing them.

6. Plan Ahead

Spend a few minutes each week planning your outfits. This can save time and reduce stress on busy mornings. Use a clothing app or take photos of different outfit combinations to create a quick reference guide. You can download my weekly outfit planner and start creating your go-to recipe book of favourite outfits. Next time you’re pondering, “what will I wear this week?” you can easily use this resource to spark ideas and help you quickly and easily fill out your weekly wardrobe plan.

Additional Resources

If you find yourself struggling to put outfits together, consider joining my Outfit Masterclass. In this masterclass, you’ll learn:

In-depth principles of coordination.
How to understand and incorporate your personality into your style.
Practical tips for creating your own outfit formulas.
Strategies to ensure your wardrobe works for you, making getting dressed a joyful and stress-free experience.

Creating stylish outfits doesn’t have to be a time-consuming or daunting task. By implementing these strategies and principles, you can make the process of putting together outfits more efficient and less stressful, even with a busy schedule. Remember, the goal is to create a wardrobe that works for you and makes you feel confident and comfortable.