Putting together an outfit- what do you do?

Susie

I am always excited to start wearing fall clothes and I have some new items in my closet.

But I get overwhelmed by where to start. I will have an item in mind...then jump to something else, then think of another combination, etc etc.

When all that is running through my head in the morning, I end up just grabbing something to get out the door on time!

I need to spend some time getting outfits together. . What do you do? Do you make a list of combinations? Do you pre-plan your outfits for the week?

All advice is appreciated!

13 years ago

Dressing

14 replies

Latest reply was from JR

jayne

Veteran

I preplan for a week, hanging a n outfit together on 5 hooks I have. Changeout is allowed for weather or other events that I didn't take into consideration. But it saves me time

13 years ago

Irene

Veteran

Most of my wardrobe works all together, especially winter's (summer's is much simpler and most times consist on two pieces: dress and shoes.

For winter, I get to play with all my shoes, my several jackets, my several jeans and dresses and tights and sweaters. It gets harder, but I still buy items I can pair with what I already own, and with as many other items in my closet as I can: aka jeans and nice sweaters/casual shirts. I also have my own wardrobe capsules in my mind already, so I really only have to decide whether I feel like it for the day or not.

If you have more trouble, I would suggest getting your outfis ready the night before. OR, if you have the time to bother, make lists or take photos of each of your capsules and keep them next to your closet for ideas. You can go as far as organizing your closet in capsules/outfits.

13 years ago

Anonymous

What a great question. For me, I always start with the bottom. Once I have picked out the bottom, I select a corresponding top. I got into the habit of clicking a picture of myself every single morning. Once I had a catalogue of pictures for each set of bottoms, I found dressing to be really easy. I could see in a second what combinations worked really well for me and were winners. I could also see which combinations got worn the most (or the least). That helped me hone my outfits even more.

Other things I learned. Color combinations that work for me. What made me look good and what made me look dumpy or matronly. Whether something was too boxy. Whether the top should be tucked in or left out (back to boxy here). And although tunics seem to look great in magazines, they look awful on me.

I hope this helps. It may seem like a lot of work, but it really benefited me a lot in the long run.

13 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

I create a core outfit that everything else works with - in my case, slim jeans and a slim top. Then everything can go over it. The jeans and tops can change colors, but I work with a limited palette so everything pretty much plays well with each other. This allows me to grab what I feel in the AM and not agonize too much.

13 years ago

merwoman

Veteran

I generally start with thinking about the weather and the activity...that narrows the field. Then it's over to what piece will have the starring role (bottom, top, footwear) - then I work everything else around it.

13 years ago

Anonymous

I start from the shoes up. I live in a walking city, with all kinds of weather related issues thrown in, so that's what I need to do.
When I'm away to places I drive in and out, I'm still thinking shoes! My trips are usually on a profesional capacity, so I try to pack a capsule that will allow me to take one or two pairs of shoes, tops. I hate how crumbled and bent out of shape shoes become after being squished in luggage, so I only take one pair in my carry on and wear another.

13 years ago

(website)

Veteran

I'm with Merwoman, activity and weather. Activity first, because comfort and constrictive are concerns if I'm being active. Shoes would be different whether I'm walking or just sitting out at dinner. And weather obviously for the comfort factor and exposure.
I should add that I wear a uniform to my job(s) so I am speaking of dressing in my leisure time.

13 years ago

Kim

Veteran

I preplan the night before (it only takes a couple of minutes)and I can work out any little problems then, rather than in the morning. I take the weather and the activity into consideration then look around my closet and see what's calling to me to be worn. It could be a top, or a scarf or a pair of shoes, or whatever. I build an outfit around that item.

So I guess I'll call it "Item of the day dressing"...LOL

13 years ago

Anonymous

I am probably the exception here on YLF, but I cannot plan outfits ahead of time. What I wear depends on so many factors: how I feel, the weather, bloated or not, my mood that day. I typically don't know what I will wear until I walk into my closet after my shower. I have MANY combinations to choose from and I just select what I "FEEL" like that day. This formula works for me, I used to have it all planned out for a week, together on hangers. This did not suit my lifestyle at all, I'm too fussy.

Today I have on a black midi flare skirt, a cobalt/black/white/silver top, a coral cardigan and cobalt pointy toed flats accessorized with a big black and white bangle, silver earrings, and my big black bag.

13 years ago

Traci

Veteran

I'm the same as shabbychick. I can't plan until the day of. Too many variables at play, from fussy feet to bloat to leg hair. I usually start pulling an idea together in my head in the shower. I try to take a picture before I head out the door and that allows for some adjustment. This gives me a quick easy catalog of outfits that worked that I can scroll through on a day where I don't have the time or mental energy to do battle with the closet.

I also try to spend some time on my weekend tending to my clothes. I think this helps my morning shower planning time be constructive because I'm basing my ideas on clothes that I know where are and are clean, not sending myself on a frustrating hunt.

13 years ago

cheryl

Veteran

Fun thread to read. I always start with a top and then pick pants, shoes and a topper if needed to go with the outfit. I have tried to plan outfits in advance but then I am never in the mood for the outfits I have ready. I do think I need to start keeping the weather in mind because I love boootcut jeans but when its raining sitting all day with wet pant legs is no fun. On those days I need to wear skinnies or straight legs.

13 years ago

cjh

(website)

Veteran

I like to choose 5 tops for a week of work. I hang them in the front of my closet. Generally I know what bottom pants or skirt will be worn with the top, along with shoes, accessories and any jacket or sweater required for weather. But putting the tops in the front of the line reminds me of the preplanned outfits as I get ready each morning. Sometimes I'll substitute items or an entire outfit, but knowing that I have a good choice helps speed things up each morning.

13 years ago

qpswan

Active Member

First of all, I have WAY TOO MANY clothes.

As a teacher, I spend July and August in casual vacation clothes. From September to Canadian Thanksgiving (second Monday in October) I wear my spring/summer clothes. From Thanksgiving to Easter, I wear fall/winter. I have a closet in the basement to store my off-season wardrobe.

Here is the link for my wardrobe planning http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....t-it-works

13 years ago

Veteran

I pre-plan several outfits and hang them together at the front of my closet. I'll choose the most appropriate one in the morning for the weather and the activities. Things can be swapped out or I can choose something else altogether if I want to, but at least I have something I can grab without having to agonize too much.

Lately I spend more time playing around with combinations, because I have been learning to challenge myself, but I expect that will settle down with time.

13 years ago

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