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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Favorite outfit formulas?

Gigi

Veteran

I've been wearing skirts a lot lately—both maxi and pencil—and I just noticed that when I wear a skirt, I almost always do the same formula: skirt + cami/tank + cardigan. So the cardigan really becomes an integral part of the outfit and isn't just a "topper."

Does anyone else have formulas that they turn to time and time again? I suppose they would be FFBFs!

Dressing

28 replies

Latest reply was from NDMom

cheryl

Veteran

I would say the silhouette I wear the most is bootcut jeans/pants with a waist surrendering knit top and some sort of tennis shoe.

AJ

Veteran

Tube knit skirt + high-low blouse + strappy sandal.

I just find this combo to be a comfortable, fun, and ladylike look.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Jean jacket + fit and flare in a fun print + Anthro-style belt + funky earrings + wedge sandals = summer formula!

[ETA]

Cardigan (print if not print on dress) + fit and flare (print) + Anthro style belt + one accessory + tights + tall boots = winter formula

Basic pattern top + skirt with larger pattern + skinny belt + tights/boots (winter) or sandals/flat (summer) = separates formula

Adelfa

Veteran

My latest summer formula is ankle pants + fluid tee + topper (cardi, blazer, jean jacket) + Okalas (nude or black)

MsLuna

Veteran

My cold weather no-fail formula:
Structured topper + slim/narrow dress+ tights + low heel or flat tall boots

I'm still figuring out the warm weather version of this look but so far:
Lightweight structured topper + slim/narrow dress+ edgy low wedge sandals

bella

(website)

Veteran

Lately my formula is black or navy straight khaki pants (rolled at the hem) + short sleeved or sleeveless blouse + jacket. I've worn many many variations of this in the last few weeks.

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

Sheath-style dress, cardigan if needed, and 3" heeled sandals. I can live in this all summer. Easy to pack, too.

leopardluxe

Veteran

My formula is pretty basic but allows for a degree of variety: moto jacket (usually leather), jeans and boots. I've managed to make this formula work in numerous ways (dressy, casual, colorful, edgy, punk, etc. --but when it all boils down I'm still usually just wearing some type of jean, some type of moto, and some type of boot (sometimes swapped for loafer or heel or sneaker).

T

Skinny black or blue pants + button down patterned (plaid / polka dots / striped) shirt (semi-tucked with rolled sleeves) + belt + ankle boots for office with topper as it gets quite cold.

Carla

Veteran

#1Pencil skirt, T style top, boxy/jean style jacket, pointy toe shoe. #2 switch out skirt for cropped pants.

gryffin

Veteran

Who wants to think? Love formulas!! Leggings, tunic, hip belt, blazer/topper, booties. It works for me!! PS your outfit sounds elegant, comfortable and very versatile!! Why mess with success!!

Alassë

Veteran

Top (tucked) + pencil/a-line + belt
Top (semi-tucked) + shorts/trousers + belt

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Put a belt on it that is about it. That is my go to thin thick double belt you name it.

AnnieMouse

Veteran

Loving reading everyone's formulas!
My two current formulae:
1) Coloured/ patterned skinny jeans + fluid top half tuck + wide belt + oxfords
2) flowing midi/ maxi skirt + plain coloured tee + topper + strappy wedge sandal
Very dull, but it's keeping me clothed. LOL!

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

Cropped jacket, jeans, tee or button down, fun flat shoes.

retailgirl

Veteran

My favorite formula for work: blazer, tailored shirt, pants with belt loops and then I add personality with a scarf, belt, shoes, and jewelry. Or substitute a cardi for the blazer. I try to coordinate my accessories with color or theme, I.e. If my scarf has a floral print, I wear earrings that are a flower...you get the idea. I am maybe a step behind Natalie when it comes to matchy-matchy! I keep a list of combinations that work well and I never go to bed at night without the next days outfit all picked out and hanging on the outside of my closet.

Susie

Veteran

Previously, I would have said that I had 2 basic formulas:
1) jean style pants (with a belt) worn with a tee or tank tucked and a topper
2) slim leg pants with a tunic length top or sweater

But I am finding lately that my most frequently worn formula is just 2 pieces (usually top and pants and occasionally top and skirt). One of them is generally fairly basic and the other more of a 'statement' piece with some kind of interest such as pattern, texture or shape. Add interesting shoes and a bag and done!

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

A have a couple -
1. fit and flare dress, cropped jacket, big earrings
2. pencil skirt, knit shell, blazer, scarf
3. jeans, button front shirt, statement necklace, booties

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Right now at its most basic: drapey top over slim fit bottoms, flat shoe. No belts, no toppers, heck no bag most of the time. Too hot :/

Joana

slim jeans/5pocket pants + fluid or loose top + stud earrings + flat shoes/sandals + jacket/drape cardigan(optional when hot) + bold glasses + artful mess hair + optional big scarf

sounds like a lot, bet it's very basic, hair and glasses does the trick. If you ad a bold lipstick and clutch, it even can do as evening look

Gracie

Veteran

For awhile, it's been:
1. skinny pants + button front semi-tucked shirt with rolled sleeves + pointy toe shoes
2. knee-length shorts + cropped, square silky sheer tops with cami under + strappy sandals
3. dressy slacks + knit 3/4 sleeve boatneck sweater or tee + wide strap sandals
and always, always, a belt

Gigi

Veteran

Oh, this is so fun! I wish I had time to read everyone's responses now. I'll have to come back later. Thanks all for chiming in!

I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who does formulas like this. I was wondering if I was just being unimaginative or in a style rut, but it looks like a lot of other fabbers do the same thing. Whew, I'm normal.

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

Just starting to care about looking good after a long hiatus--so reading these is great fun. Thanks!

Gigi

Veteran

Welcome to the forum, Alana! I hope some of the formulas will be helpful to you. I'm marking this thread as a favorite, since there are so many good ideas and I know I'll forget them if I don't come back periodically.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Gigi, I do the pencil skirt + loose tank + cardigan formula an awful lot these days, too!

Another no-fail formula for warmish spring days is skinny jeans + loose linen tee or tank. I usually semi-tuck the top so my belt buckle shows. If it's warmer out, I'll roll the jeans and wear with sandals.

Sharon

Veteran

I'm coping with the onset of winter here, my least favourite season as I hate to be cold.
Work formulas:
1.Pencil skirt, long-sleeved T-shirt style top tucked in, then a cropped or fluid knit over that.
2. As above, but with a jacket and scarf instead of a knit.
Home: Much the same, but with jeans instead of a skirt.

MRL

Veteran

Lately it's skinny pants/crops, summery shirt or knit top, cardigan (I work in a cold office) and loafers, pointy toe pumps or dressy sandals. I don't do a lot of accessories, maybe a beaded necklace or a scarf depending on the top.

NDMom

I have found that I keep throwing on a tunic top over skinny ankle pants accompanied by fun sandals. So easy and covers the jiggly bits but also shows the structure of my legs. I am in weight loss mode, so this is working well for me.