How do you start putting an outfit together ? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

How do you start putting an outfit together ?

Isabel

Veteran

I am quite interested in how you ladies take an inspiration or a look and then put your own look together. Do you look at the shoes, the colors, the textures, the "vibe" and then start from there ?

I am very bad at this....I can look at something and think it is great but then I have no idea how to translate it into an outfit that I could wear, or, better yet, don't have to buy pieces for.

Dressing

17 replies

Latest reply was from Aida

mamaKate

Veteran

Generally I make one guiding decision first, and let the rest follow. The first decision could be a central theme or a focal point. A focal point could be one particular item of clothing or jewelry to which I want all other items to play a supporting role, and a theme could be a unifying color or texture. I use that decision as the starting point and then "fill-in" the gaps.

Example: say I feel like wearing my red patent heels one day. That decision dictates how I build the rest of my outfit - perhaps all in colors / tones that are complementary to the red, or perhaps all in matte textures that make the shiny patent stand out.

A second methodology is to have a structure or particular "style" in mind, and then figure out how to use an item within that existing framework. For example, let's consider a "uniform" for work consisting of sheath dresses or pencil skirts with tucked-in blouses, along with a jacket / blazer. Then if I see a clothing or jewelry item I want to incorporate, I figure out how to modify the existing "uniform" to work-in that item.

Enjoy!!!

taylor

Veteran

I usually start with...I want to wear these shoes, or this blouse,dress, skirt jacket, or pant and go from there and find the perfect pieces to go with (or as perfect as one can get given the present wardrobe...rather like shopping your closet!

Sounds alot like KateS decides her style for the day:)

MsMary

Veteran

Same here -- I start with a piece I want to wear, and try to build the outfit around it. But it's not uncommon that as the outfit evolves, the original piece gets discarded and the outfit turns out to be something completely different!

Kyle

Veteran

I echo what Kate has said. Of course I take into consideration the situation for which I am dressing, and the weather, but almost always I start with deciding how dressy or casual to be...then narrowing down between pants/jeans and a skirt or dress. I usually then will hone in on a single piece, i.e. "I want to wear skinny jeans," or "I want to wear my new boots," or something like that. Then I build from that, calling on inspiration from YLF and other places, plus acquired knowledge about what does and does not look good on me. This I learn mainly from photos. I really can't tell how something works on my body until I see it in a photo -- looking in the mirror can be misleading for me. I hope this helps you.

Lynne

Veteran

Isabel, I usually start with something I've worn but can still be worn again before washing. I hang these on hangers on an over-the door rack so they stay crumple free and I can see them. I try to wear jeans, skirts, or loose blouses again if they're still clean. Am trying to teach DD that her sweaters don't need washing after one wear :)...

Isabel

Veteran

Thank you so much ladies !!!! These are really great approaches.

Kyle, I think that the only thing that I truly consider is the weather, when it is extreme. And I like the photo idea - you make me realize why it is hard for me to look at something and visualize it....I can't, I need a photo. I know that AJ uses a dress form.

I have been dressing in the same silhouette since my kids were born and before that I lived in black. Now that I have discovered a whole new world for dressing, I get a little overwhelmed. So I really like the ideas of focusing on one thing and going from there. I get scattered.

Lynne, your idea is great too. I think that Queen Mum has a similar approach...and it totally appeals to my conservation side ; )

Kate, I love the concept of a " guiding " decision, that is a wonderful, focused way of looking at it !

Taylor, yes it sounds like the "guiding" principal or decision...I like knowing what your method is because you always look so great and have a lot to choose from, especially since you work in retail. I think I would go into vapor lock.

MaryK, I noticed how you said you planned out each day's outfit for your cruise. I think that I will try that for week while focusing each day on one item and then forwarding to the next what is still clean.

Lynne

Veteran

I adore AJs dress form.....isn't it so glam?

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

It depends on the inspiration for me. Sometimes I really like the silhouette, or the vibe, and other times I like a certain piece. It's always easiest when I find a look that I like that has a piece that I know I have a similar one to.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Usually I start with footwear, but I live in a climate with super variable weather. If I lived in Phoenix, for example, where the weather is much more consistent, I wouldn't have to worry so much about what footwear the weather demanded each day.

AJ

Veteran

When I see an inspiration photo I usually try to figure out why I like it. Most often it's the color pairings. So I go from there and start thinking what I have that's in those colors. Below is an example of how I came up with an outfit this past November.

1) I really liked the clean lines of this outfit that I saw of Katherine Heigl in Instyle's Oct. 2010 issue. However, I don't have any pieces like it, but I do have items in those colors.

2) As soon as I paired the jacket with the white lace hem skirt, I focused on offsetting romantic frills with military details.

3) I took a long strand of pearls, doubled it, then twisted and closed with two hoop earrings. The vintage pin reminded me of the shape of military honorary medals and so I attached it to the top of the zipper pull. This outfit was so fun to style!

I also like to just copycat a look if I have similar pieces. Sometimes it works, sometimes not, but I always enjoy trying. : )

This post has 3 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

AJ

Veteran

Lynne - I do enjoy putting outfits together on my dress form. I don't sew...but it's nice to have the outfit displayed on it. Hee-hee!

Aida

Veteran

I use parts of all these suggestions If I have an inspirational photo that I'm trying to copy, I consider all pieces that'll work before styling; if I'm just using an element (vibe, color palette, silhouette, etc.) then it follows my usual styling method:

I always consider: weather, what my hair options can be (depends on whether it's washed or not), whether I'll be hitting a social event that day or not (usually not), and lastly whether I've worn the outfit before (still in my no repeats for a year). Then I start with one element, be it a piece of clothing, a shoe, a color palette, a silhouette, a style, and work around that element. And usually the key element changes as I try to come up with something

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Can't say I've ever looked at a photo of an outfit and consciously tried to follow it. So I usually take into consideration the weather and what I'll be doing (which often dictates the shoes). Like Mary, I will start with one piece I want to wear but by the end of it all, it may well not make it into the outfit after change #4 lol.

Lisa

Veteran

In months where the weather changes often (such as now with snow) I start with footwear. Then I work my way up to the top half. On months when weather is consistent and not prone to ruining my shoes, I go with one item I feel like wearing and build from there. Often it still starts with shoes, or a scarf, or a color (say, a blue top) and I build from there. I have started assembling outfits ahead of time and creating a list, so I can quickly recreate looks when I am in a hurry.

Lynne

Veteran

Aida, no repeats for a year????? How can you do that? How much has to be the same before an outfit counts as a repeat? I am intrigued.....sorry if I've missed the explanation in a prev thread...

Isabel

Veteran

Thank you again !! It sounds as if many start with shoes and weather.

Aida, I too am curious, no repeats for one year ? And could you explain how whether or not you wash your hair affects what you wear. Thanks.

Aida

Veteran

Lynne and Isabel, I haven't really explained this anywhere on the forum yet so you didn't miss anything I started Feb of last year to try and go a year without a full outfit repeat, which I defined as top, bottoms, and shoes shouldn't be the same; if I matched 2 of these 3 elements in a newer outfit then I wanted to be sure the accessories were fairly different than the older outfit.

As to how to actually accomplish this, it's all about layering, which doesn't really come naturally to me though I've certainly improved. So an example of no-repeats on top for a short sleeved tee: layer a camisole or long sleeve top underneath (2 new tops), layer a cardigan or jacket over the top (2 new tops), layer under a dress (1 new top/bottom), wear alone but with a scarf tied various ways (as many combos as scarves that I have), etc. Here's a link to a plain black tee and how I styled it over the year so far: http://www.weardrobe.com/items.....-black-tee

Isabel, about how washed hair affect outfits, I find that some outfits look better with my hair down, up, or half up; freshly washed hair is always down, from there it depends on how my hair is doing. So, let's say I want to wear an outfit that clearly looks best with my hair in a high pony but I've just washed my hair, I'll put the outfit off for a few days so I can wear it with my hair up