How do you put together stylish outfits? Is there a specific formula to follow such as a pattern, a colour, a third piece and a neutral? How about a light garment, a dark garment, a patterned shoe and a scarf?
Well, either of these outfit formulas could work - but they don't take into equation anything about you - such as your body needs - maybe if you're petite that patterned shoe is not the right thing for you as it will most likely be an attention seeker that draws the eye down to your feet, or if you're low contrast - those light and dark garments will wear you, rather than you wearing them.
As much as I would love to be able to give you a really simple formula that works for every woman for every occasion, this just isn't going to happen! No matter how hard I try. This is because you are a unique woman, beautiful in your own way - and the clothes and outfits that work for you, work for you because they are representative of who you are on the inside - on the outside (this is why this blog is called Inside Out Style!).
Instead, I want you to look at every part of you - the whole woman - and help you figure out what does and doesn't work for you - so you can put together your own stylish outfits that truly express your inner and outer beauty. You may need to spend a little time training your eye to learn how to create those stylish outfits. But with some practise and knowledge, then applying that knowledge in a considered way - you can learn how. You don't have to be born with style (I know I wasn't!).
So here I've collected together some awesome blog posts full of tips and tricks to assist you in discovering what works for you so you can take your outfits up a notch.
1. Find an Outfit Formula That Works For You
This is How to Put Together a Fabulous Outfit In Minutes
You can use a capsule wardrobe formula - if that's the direction you want to take.
How to Create a Capsule Wardrobe on a Budget
It might be that you should look at finding your own version of a uniform.
Discover my body equation that will help you identify the elements of clothing that flatter and work for you. It's not just body shape - that's just one small piece of the style puzzle.
What Guidelines to Follow When Your Body Shape isn't "Standard"
It could be that you love a column of colour as it helps to elongate your body. This is a brilliant tip for petite's!
Creating a Column of Colour Casual Outfit
Which shoes should you wear? Here are 6 ways to choose them.
Top 6 Ways to Choose Shoes to Go With Your Outfit
Discover the tricks of the clothing magician - the art of illusion and distraction to flatter your body.
Brilliant Tricks of the Clothing Magician - How to Highlight and Camouflage for Figure Flattery
2. Discover how your personality influences your choices in putting outfits together.
And don't forget that you want to own your style.
Owning Your Style - Creating Fabulous Outfits for You
Discover Jill Chivers and my step-by-step guides to putting outfits together
Getting Inside Our Heads with a Step by Step Guide to Putting Outfits Together
And never forget that you are expressing your beautiful personality through your image.
How to Express Your Personality Through Your Personal Style
You may find that digging in to discover your style DNA is the key to developing your style.
Tips on Finding and Defining Your Authentic Style DNA
Is There a Process for Putting Stylish Outfits Together?
3. Get a Grip On Your Contrast Levels
Not sure of your colour or value contrast? Then figure it out with my 3 Step Process here.
How to Find Your Ultimate Colour Contrast - Your Three Step Process
Already know it? Then get tips on putting together outfits using it.
7 Important Factors for Working with Contrast
Discover what your contrast is telling the world about you (before you even open your mouth).
What is the Contrast of Your Outfit Telling The World About You?
4. Use These Handy Styling Tips
11 Ways to Style Cardigans so they're Funky not Frumpy
How to Style Leather Look Leggings Over 40
How to Style Print Pants
How to Style Paperbag Waists
How to Style One Patterned Dress Five Ways
How to Style Black Pants for the Office
How To Style Your Loose Tops with a Rubber Band - The Kimtuck Revealed
5. Use Accessories to Make Your Outfits Sing (and Work Fabulously)
Link Your Clothes Together with Linking Pieces and Accessories
How to Choose Linking Pieces and Accessories to Co-ordinate Your Outfit More Stylishly
Find the right necklace that harmonises with the colour of your clothing.
How to Choose the Right Colour Necklace
Don't ignore how your personality influences your accessory choices
How to Choose Accessories to Match Your Personality and Occasion
You may also want to take into consideration your personal scale and the impact of your personality on choosing accessories.
How to Choose to the Scale of Details and Accessories Based on Your Personality
6. Just Steal Some Outfit Ideas
Maybe you can't think today and just want to steal (copy) a few outfit and styling ideas - this is a great way to try out new outfits and putting together your clothes in new ways.
12 Work Outfit Ideas to Steal
A Week's Worth of Pants Based Office Outfits to Inspire
What to Wear with Brogues and Oxfords
10 Comfy Casual Outfit Ideas You Want to Copy Now
8 Ways to Look Stylish in a Casual Environment when Jeans are Not Your Thing
7. Don't Forget To Take Outfit Photos
This really helps you improve your style! I hear this from my participants in my Evolve Your Style and 7 Steps to Style programs every day - as they discover that by taking a simple outfit photo they discover more and more about what is and what isn't working - things they just couldn't see in the mirror.
Why Taking An Outfit Photo Can Really Help You Become More Stylish
Discover how to take a great outfit photo
How to Take a Good Selfie Outfit Photo - The Technology
How to Take a Great Selfie Photo - The Art of Posing
So there you have it! Lots of tips to help you start to work out what to wear and how to wear it and look stylish. And of course if you would like my professional opinion on your body shape and colouring (including contrast) you can get this as part of my 7 Steps to Style program - find out more here.
