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Adding and subtracting formality.

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

I often dress in a base outfit that is appropriate for WFH and dog walks. Then I add or subtract things (shoes, outerwear, earrings) to make the outfit appropriate for whatever extra activities the day holds. ( or whatever weather situation arises… in rainy mountainous Taiwan, it changes constantly). It’s just practical— I rarely want to put on a whole new outfit.

So I’m always interested to hear about methods for doing this better. For example I recently heard somebody say that they like to have a variety of shoes in the same color (she prefers white) so they will still work with the outfit when she swaps shoe profile. White sneakers to white pumps: different look but still coordinated with whatever she is wearing. Brilliant!

And yesterday I stumbled on this style guide for men:
https://www.permanentstyle.com.....ality.html

This blogger writes a lot on various menswear topics but this article struck me as particularly useful. It almost seems systematic! Love that.

I experimented a bit this morning but I have to say it’s more complicated with women’s clothes. Sometimes if I change pants, I also need to change undies style. Or if the pants are very wide or very skinny, they may not work with all of your shoes. Etc. Still I think this is an interesting way to consider adding and subtracting formality.

How do YOU do it friends?

Dressing

38 replies

Latest reply was from Jessikams

Joy

Veteran

I swap out part of an outfit often and wear house shoes inside. I have duplicates for most pieces…2 very different blue jeans, three pair of coral pants, lots of white bottoms. But my favorite way of adding dressy to an outfit is tossing a topper over it. The most used are poncho types. I also change shoes for something dressier like ballet flats or weather appropriate like boots or espadrilles for warm weather. A leather coat or jacket is another favorite.

VioletMyra

Because I wear straight skirts or straight legged pants adding or subtracting footwear is easy, as are the other components. I use this idea for short weekends away . . . makes packing simpler.

Best wishes to all.

Sal

Veteran

Yes I do this - it doesn't always work.

1. Casual pants with a black tank as per the finds being the base layer.

I would wear this with white trainers and a leather jacket, puffer or denim jacket for casual work or weekend.
To amp it up I would swap in a blazer but keep the footwear.
To take it into an entertaining situation I might swap out the footwear too for black heels.
I would swap out the bag if needed too.

2. My purple dress gets worn with white trainers or with heels. I also plan to wear it with a blazer and heels in the transitional season for work meetings.

For me I like a simple column as the base whether that's a dress or a top and pants in the same colour.

(I haven't worn the dress with this blazer yet - it might not work in reality)

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Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

I realize that these days I really prefer clothes that work within this framework: pants that work with multiple shoe styles or heel heights, tops that layer well etc. I’m losing patience with clothes that are “bossy”

I also notice another corollary: my “base layers” must be sturdy to put up with WFH (inevitably I end up doing dishes, cooking, or playing with the dog). Delicate fabrics rarely get worn. Only for a very special night out— which doesn’t happen too often these days!

BlueJay

Veteran

Oh what a fun and interesting topic! Reminds me of pre-COVID Days with multiple activities in one day. As Sal mentioned, I would start with a column of one colour too, then accessorize differently such as adding or taking away: statement necklaces, earrings (as you mentioned), silk scarves, different toppers (they're easier to add or take away without fully changing), makeup, purses, shoes, hair (put up or take down), and hats (baseball cap, beret, tuque, etc).

Also, even just styling the items different ways such as fully tucking/untucking, adding a belt, cuffing or rolling sleeves, popping collars, undoing (or doing up) more buttons, etc.

Brooklyn

Veteran

My life is pretty casual but I do this a fair bit in warm weather. My basic formula would be to treat my skirt as the base and add to that. So:

* skirt and tank top or tee for at home wear
* add sneakers, combat boots or comfy sandals for a walk. Jumper if needed. Backpack or tech bag. Hat.
* switch to dressier top for meeting a friend or going out, dressier sandals, add jewellery, put on some make up (!), add jacket if needed. Switch to a dressier handbag.

It’s a bit different for me in cool weather because I tend to prefer jeans and jumper at home and I’d probably switch to a skirt if I was “going out” anywhere special. If it was just for a walk or errands I’d stay in the jeans but wear boots and a jacket to amp it up a little.

I will wear cotton, viscose, linen and poly skirts at home but not silk for the reasons you mentioned. Too delicate. So when I buy a silk skirt I have to remind myself that its use will be limited to more special occasions and consider whether the purchase is justified on that basis.

I wear flat shoes all the time now. Can’t remember the last time I wore heels. So changing heights of footwear is not an issue for me, at least in Summer. But in cool weather I often switch to tall boots when I switch from jeans to a skirt to add formality, so that’s really a whole new outfit.

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Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

Gorgeous illustrations Brooklyn!

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

What a great article - glad to see a guide where the 'before & after' photos are taken in the same pose! It grinds my gears when the 'after' results are so different that it's hard to be able to compare the changes...

I think the success of this formula depends on how you like to add variety to your closet - for me, it's by colour but not so much by silhouette (I stick to a fairly simple formula of either a crop top + wide long bottoms OR a long top + slim long bottoms). So I can keep those same base layers but add or subtract everything else (like a scarf, topper, shoes, &/ or jewellery) with relative ease (especially with my higher affinity for colour mixing).

But I can see how that may become trickier for someone with lots of different lengths & volumes in their closet - especially so for those chic neutral minimalists, who like to wear no more than 1 colour in a look!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I love this topic.

And I hope people join in with more ideas. I agree it is more complicated for women than men -- I think in part because we may play with silhouette more often. VioletMyra alluded to its being easier if you maintain the silhouette.

Sal's idea of maintaining a column of colour is a useful thought. Also, the shoes thing you mentioned -- wow! Interesting indeed!

My own strategies are fairly basic. Add different footwear, add a topper, add a scarf and/or statement jewellery.

I deal with the same difficulties in wearing more delicate fabrics at home as you mention. Silk shirts and blouses get less use than I might like (I enjoy wearing silk).

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

Exactly Suz and Zaeobi. Strategies! My goal is to be able to think less about the switches; I get frustrated and irritable when it takes me forever to get out the door! (Especially if I’m just doing something quick like running an errand). Maybe another way to say this is, I would like to be clearer in my own mind about what exactly I am trying to DO to my outfit. That’s what I loved about the article— the author seems so calm and clear about it. Definitely not someone who would end up with a huge pile of scarves, shoes and cardigans on/near the bed LOL

quietloud

Love the article (his casual to semi-dressed outfits look like something from my husbands closet), and this is such a great topic. I love the idea of having a sort of formula for different levels of dressiness.

As I am spending most of my time at home these days, I want look put together but comfortable, but also easily ready to leave the house if needed, without too much fuss. In regards to bottoms, I aim for two things:

1. That my stay at home trousers be nice *enough* that I can dress them up with nice shoes and coat and be seen outside in them.

2. That I have the same silhouettes in both casual and dressy versions. So for example, a slim jogger could be swapped for either wool slacks or slim jeans, wide leg yoga pants for a nicer pair of culottes or wide leg trousers, etc. I'm not too adventurous when it comes to the cut of my trousers, so it shouldn't be too hard, I think.

Also, I only wear black shoes and all of my outfits go with them, so there are different levels of dressiness there.

Sisi

Veteran

Extreeemely interesting - thank you for posting!
I'm in a hurry now but I want to read very attentively the article and the fabbers' comments later. I always struggle with this sort of things.

Anonymous

I almost never change my entire outfit during the day, and make sure that the base is appropriate for the dressiest thing I'm doing. TBH it's rare that I go home between activities, cause I live pretty far from everything, but when I do change, it's just to heels and a dressier topper if need.

My kintsugi outfit is my best example ATM. The base was the kintsugi top and flare leg jeans. I had to work an event in the am, so I wore my work issued vest over it (most of the gold wasn't visible- and so what it if was) and low heeled booties for walking and schlepping stuff. The coat was my black puffer cause rain.

I had time to go home before drum circle, so I switched to the long vest and higher heeled black boots. Plus a bunch of gold eye makeup to fake that I hadn't gotten up at 4am! Would have switched to my black leather coat, but for the rain. Actually I would have worn the leather coat all day...

I always wear makeup, even if I think I'll be home all day, so that's done if I do need to go out!

LaPed

Veteran

I love Permanent Style! I often get better inspo from menswear, and his articles break down all the elements so clearly. Shoes are usually my first switch (in the winter, going from a chunkier utilitarian boot to a more refined one), and then topper (moto or blazer instead of knitwear). Summer is completely different; it's usually a matter of switching out shorts and tee/tank for a dress or a skirt plus woven shirt.

kkards

Veteran

My #1 rule- if it doesn’t work with my everyday underwear and bra it doesn’t have a place in my wardrobe. Really I don’t want to think about if I wear X I must have these panties clean etc…now, I will admit to 1 slight bend in the rule, I wear slip shirts with dresses but they are not needed, it’s just what I prefer.

Also think it helps to have an guide as to what works with what bottoms silhouette. So for example, if I’m wearing a long cardi and legging and want to swap out the cardi to go out (bc it won’t fit underneath a coat for example) I would know that I need only look at my tunic length knits/sweaters.

For what it’s worth, I’m not sure it’s that much easier if you’re a guy…for example there are 3 things that most guys I know wear on rotation that this gentleman did not show in any of his outfits - a polo/golf shirt, a tee shirt, and chinos/khakis/dockers. Lol I can’t remember the last time I actually saw a guy I know in flannel dress pants.

Jules

Veteran

Very fun read! I agree it’s easier for men - but I think most men’s style is basically formula dressing, in terms of proportion/silhouette. And as a woman I am also happiest when I have some go-to formulas. As of late, due to the Canadian climate and trip capsule planning, I’ve been figuring out my individual outfits and formulas ‘footwear first’. Would that kind of approach help? Ie, on a given day you know you want to to switch from sneakers to a specific pair of dressier shoes, so you plan your outfit around that. And maybe eventually acquire things like deceptively simple dresses with interesting proportions which work with a variety of your casual and dressier shoes.

Dee

Veteran

That is a very interesting idea, with the basis of it being a “permanent” style. The silhouettes of his changing pieces remained fairly similar which allows for all the interchangeability. I think it may be a bit easier for men but I think it could work for women too.
When I change my silhouettes/ proportions too much, that’s what triggers all the confusion on finding the right shoes, tops, coats etc…to make it work properly.
I actually love this idea of a basic permanent style to play off of. Stick to a certain colour palette and maintain similar silhouettes/proportions for your pieces.
It sounds like a great formula for getting more wear out of your wardrobe.with less stress and clothing churn, although it may not provide enough variety for those who like to experiment more with all the fashion trends.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Good topic!

I WFH, walk doggies, see clients, go on appointments, cook, and am out and about on foot in the city - ALL of these things DAILY.

This is my strategy: (I think it's similar to Bijou and Brooklyn).

I am am always dressier. My base outfit errs on the dressy side. Even my most casual outfits - utility pants and a denim shirt - is dressier. I don't wear Athleisure.

I groom the same each morning. Shower, make-up, scent, pearls and styled hair. No matter what! I am always "READY".

I wear dressy pants at home too! They are VERY comfy - and comfier than jeans, actually. I also wear skirts and dresses. Dressy knitwear, shirts, and blouses too. I wear my pretty clothes. That is what they are there for! Granted, NOTHING is form fitting. Skirts and dresses are always flared. Pants and tops are fluidly tailored or fluid. In the Summer I wear oversized shirts. Lots of comfort. IMPORTANT! Especially for doggie walking.

I don't workout after I'm dressed. So I stay in my outfit all day until I get into loungewear at night.

No shoes or toppers at home. Slippers!

When I head out - I add shoes, dressy crossbody bag (one of my Furlas or a Pom Pom London), and topper. And when it's cold I add a scarf, hat and gloves. Peel off when I get home to the same dressier outfit.

I am set in my ways with shoes. No heels - ever. I wear boots, hi and low top fashion sneakers, and loafers. Sometimes oxfords, ballet flats, mary janes, and occasionally sandals. Most are a shade of white or blush pink.

Hope that was a tiny bit helpful

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

What's worked for me is to identify which parts of an outfit I consider a chore to change up & then keep those constant on purpose - for me, that's underpinnings & bags (I *hate* switching everything out, so my convertible cross body/beltbag is a mainstay for most 'desk to dinner' looks).

I actually employed this on Monday, going to work all day, then to a physical workout right before dinner. I wore loose trousers but without an elasticated waistband, a light top & kept my sports underwear on throughout (see above re: underpinnings), but then...

FOR WORK: I tucked in the top, added a topper/ makeup/ earrings/ watch, changed my bag to crossbody mode & clipped hair.

FOR CLASS: Removed the jacket, untucked the top, went into fanny pack mode, removed jewellery/ makeup/ shoes, & added a headband.

FOR FOOD: Let my hair down, reattached my earrings, retucked my top, swiped on some lipstick (HK was literally the last place in the world to lift its mask mandate, my face can finally breathe again!) + shortened straps to shoulder bag mode.

Does that list help any?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Until I moved to a more suburban location, I more or less followed Angie's process. But it isn't as easy where I live now...an urban walk is not a beach walk or a trail hike. I guess what I mean is that my general daily level of dressiness had to go down some for practicality's sake, while at the same time, my need for some dressiness remains, because I might go directly from that beach walk into town.

In a way, this isn't much different from what I used to experience back in Ontario where my "enemy" was the weather -- which prevented me from wearing all kinds of footwear that might have made my outfit feel and look better. My climate now is much more forgiving, but my place of residence puts similar brakes on my aspirational style.

I am trying to look on it as a fun challenge.

Lesley

Veteran

Very fun topic! I have a similar lifestyle and approach, and I definitely tend to keep the same bottoms on all day and maybe even the same top (and switch out a topper and shoes). I also didn't do it on purpose, but I definitely tend to have the same color footwear across levels of formality (lots of tan, silver, animal print, red, and the odd wild card (cobalt)). I am with Angie on doing up face/hair every day so that I am done and ready!

jussie

Veteran

I only really have one good tip for this, and that is switching out the puffer for a wool coat. Doesn’t take more than a sec, and really increases the formality. Of course that’s not a summer option!

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

Totally agree with Angie et al that doing the basic grooming each day sets a good tone for whatever outfit may follow! I do it too.

Tanya

Veteran

What a great and informative topic! I don't do this much, I guess it is easier for me to build whole outfits from scratch than adapt existing ones. The only instance when I do this relatively often is for Zoom meetings while WFH. My WFH outfits tend to be pretty casual, so for the camera I throw a blazer over them.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

What a great thread and I haven't even read the article yet! I am intrigued by the taking one's outfit up through shoes of course! That said, however, this is not me! I do have a solid morning routine in terms of grooming, but change multiple times through the day - one outfit for going out, another outfit for being home, another outfit if I go out again and so on. Basically being home inevitably involves oil and/or bleach for me, and I am very far from pristine by nature .

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I was also thinking that this might be affected by weather as well. I mean...fine to add or switch out layers to up the formality, but when you live in a hot sticky climate then you can't really use that option. So you are likely to change altogether, instead.

Zaeobi, that's a really interesting approach -- to consider what is a pain for you to switch out -- which might not be the same for all, of course....

I'm really keen on this idea of footwear at different levels of formality in the same colours. I have a bit of this going on, but it can be surprisingly hard to find navy footwear, for instance -- I have a dressier bootie but not a more casual boot.

Carol

(website)

Veteran

At work, I have developed a uniform, and I never thought I would be one of those people. But I do get compliments sometimes on looking put together.

Strategies that work for me:
have a minimal, manageable amount of shoes that don't overwhelm you.
majority of underwear are seamless, so they're the default.
pops of color or geometry in various ways--earrings, turtlenecks, scarves, glasses--not too many but these stand out.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Haha @suz oh yes, we're entering the hot & sticky 'pea soup' levels of humidity over here right now so, as much as I hate having to change my underpinnings, I do bring an extra pair of socks & underwear when changing up my outfits on summer days. But I still keep the silhouettes of my other clothing similar (e.g. if I wore an orange cotton tank top underneath a thin cardigan to work, I then change into an orange linen tank right after - maybe under a robe?).

Agree with @Carol - best way to change things up in hot weather are scarves (not always around the neck!) & jewellery (not metal though, if it's touching skin...). I keep an updo but sometimes change up the style to denote formality too (e.g. clip VS plaits).

Olive Green

Veteran

I feel lucky to love button downs, a basic for me. Mostly wear them in the summer, spring and fall, and without fail, can throw one on over a sleeveless tank or tshirt and look like I tried. I will wear a shirtdress or a shirt with a lot of volume over capris to stay cool. Or a more tailored shirt over pants. Or a jean shirt to look quite casual…or a cover up over shorts…
Add jewelry or a statement hat, and I am ready for most outings. A shawl if it’s air conditioned.
That menswear article was fascinating. He certainly knows what he likes! And comes across as a very confident dresser.

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