What is your outfit making process? - 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

What is your outfit making process?

SarahD8

Veteran

I find it so interesting when people talk about "pandering to their moods" when getting dressed, or when they post an outfit based on some post Angie has just put up that morning. I am really not good at putting together outfits on the fly!

I do ok when I plan out a week's worth of outfits ahead of time, but I don't always manage to work that into my schedule. And if I just open my closet and say to myself, "what should I wear today?" I am instantly paralyzed! I know that probably sounds very odd, and impossibly remedial (and, it could be that this is just a bit of late-summer funk).

I don't think it's really a wardrobe size issue. I do find it easier to decide what to wear when traveling with a small capsule wardrobe, but that is because I have actually planned specific outfits ahead of time.

I am thinking that maybe the problem is that I don't really have a process for this. So I am curious what yours is! Tell me all about how you put together an outfit, do you start with shoes, weather, an accessory or statement piece you want to highlight, an inspiration word? And where do you go from there?

Dressing

53 replies

Latest reply was from SarahD8

rachylou

Veteran

I start with a consideration of the weather and activity. I pick bottoms, then tops, then shoes then socks. Office days are harder - more leeway. Then I think about if there is something in particular I’d like to give an outing.

Sal

Veteran

At the moment I look at what I am doing. Going to office so no white footwear nor heels! And because it is nearing the end of winter I am wearing my winter clothes hard eg knee high boots, wool culottes- because in 2-3 weeks they won’t be right.

Aside from that it might be new pieces I want to wear or a different colour combo. I also have about four outfits that I know work that I bring out for certain things. This is where WIw pics help. My July challenge consolidated a few favourite looks.

Today I am getting a staff pic taken so I am choosing a dress in a flattering colour.

Ginger

Veteran

The day's activities and the weather are the big immediate constraints for me. That sets the tone for formality (church/work/home/errands) and coverage (anywhere from shorts --> parka).

From there on it's gut feel; either I know what I want, or I winnow it down further.
- Usually I don't want to wear something just like I wore the day before; I just want to feel different. So same dress, different color, is usually out.
- I also like to vary up the color. I don't like to wear blue three days in a row, for example. In winter, I like to alternate my shoe color/leg-covering neutral so I don't fall into a rut.
- What color DO I want? Am I feeling drab, and want something that will go with bright lipstick to liven me up? Am I calm and just want to be pretty but not bright?
- What dress haven't I reached for recently?
- Which one am I particularly loving and it's not too soon to repeat?

I wear lots of dresses, so that's usually the piece I start with. Shoes, jackets, legwear (if applicable), jewelry, all come after that. But if I get an overpowering urge to wear a particular pair of shoes, or I'm feeling worn out and want the comfort of my long hoodie, that may be the piece I start with.

Also, timing. I prefer deciding on the day; but work days are too early for me to really think things through. So I plan my outfit the evening before, usually while taking off my makeup and washing my face. But on off days I will decide when I get up in the morning. It's very difficult for me to plan ahead because I won't know for sure (a) what the weather will be like or (b) if I want to change up my outfit formula from the day before or (c) what color I want to wear, etc.

It sounds pretty complex, but that's because it's still mostly a gut feel. I have guidelines but they're all internal and not rules. (Well, except for dress code.) To an extent I will violate weather dictates, like wearing long sleeves last week in 100+F degrees because I was just so tired of wearing only my "coolest" dresses.

It sounds like you're the opposite, and you do like to plan ahead. What about setting aside time to do that each week? You can approach it like a capsule or not, whichever works best for you.

Anonymous

Day's activities and weather already accounted for , I usually have one thing in mind I want to wear that day (today it was my stupid white booties) and then go from there. I never plan ahead, mostly because I don't have to. I can wing it every morning If there is one particular pair of jeans, or a top or a jacket I want to wear, I pull out the pieces that will make a great outfit (hopefully) around it.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Good question.l usually consider the weather and what I will be doing and start from there.sometimes I have a yearning to wear a certain piece so I will look for a way to work it into an outfit or I might be inspired by a colour or an image and take it from there but the outfit must always be appropriate to the needs of that day so that takes priority.

smittie

Veteran

I do one of the following:
1. I'll peek in my wardrobe and say to myself, 'I haven't worn that in a while. I'll wear it today.'
2. I'll pick something from the bottom of the pile and use that as the basis for an outfit that day.
3. I'll have purchased something new that I really want to wear, and I'll wear it for a couple of days straight out of excitement for the new item. (So this is definitely about mood dressing.)

Planning ahead is inconceivable to me -- I'm good at on-the-fly outfit building! I'm fast and furious.

The Cat

Veteran

I love to play around with my clothes, shoes and accessories. So I, more or less by random, pick three items (which have to be suitable for the occasion and the weather) in two or three colours that look good together, and base the rest of my outfit on them.

LaPed

Veteran

On days when I teach, I'm a planner. Certain days are indoors, certain days are outdoors, and sometimes indoor days still involve recess duty or messy art projects. All of that gets factored in, along with after-work plans (audition? rehearsal? open mic? quick hike? kindergartener's play date or bday?).

Weekends and other work-at-home/stay-at-home days, I'm more spontaneous. Even if I get it wrong, I'll have an opportunity to change later on. I rely less on formula and have more fun when I'm not worried about making it through the whole day and factoring in all the hats I'll wear from sun-up to sun-down. My school day outfits are probably "nicer" if somewhat "safer" iykwim.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Weather is always the first factor for me, as I am quite affected by the weather. This is everything from the weight of the clothes to the type of shoes I need. Sandals in heat, appropriate for rain, etc. And activity-how much walking will I be doing?
Then I decide if it is a capri, pants or skirt kind of day.

Today I was thinking skirt, but I surprised myself and picked a more summery skirt than the one I was planning on. The other one can be worn all year with a sweater, this one is more restricted in season. I put on a sleeveless top, which I won't wear outside the house except maybe for a walk. So I know I need to give myself time to change if I leave the house.

Occasionally I have an item that I really want to wear, I will try and build an outfit around it.

I loved my recent travel wardrobe. I knew exactly what I was going to wear for the 5 events, and I had options for the other days. It is very nice getting dressed when I know what to wear. I went from parking garage to hotel room, changed, to bus in 12 minutes. DH was shocked I could do that. It did take a lot of planning, and I usually don't know until the last moment what I want to take.

Anonymous

Hi SarahD8!

The activity is my starting point. Work, gym, hiking, errands, casual.

Once that is decided, I start with the bottom (i.e., pant) 99 percent of the time. The top is considered next. I have a blue print for getting dressed. If I grab a pair of pants, then there are one-to-three tops that coordinate with those exact pants. So I only have to choose between a handful of tops. Jewelry is coordinated to the top. The jewelry is in a felt bag attached to the top hanger. It all flows without much brain work. My system falls apart when I select shoes. I always great the same shoes as I leave (coordinated to the pants) and others that would have been a better complement are forgotten. This is because the shoes are kept in a coat closet and no work has gone into making them part of outfits. They just "are."

This is all very straight forward but I wanted to share another element to my decision making process.

As a consequence of some of our challenges earlier this year, I realized that even in my smaller-sized wardrobe, there are items that still don't get worn as often as others. I have purposely made it a point to bring those items forward. So I might glance through Style Book and see what items haven't been worn recently. I use the Style Book Calendar to see what has been in heavy rotation and what has been lagging. If something stands out, I will make it a point to incorporate that item in my outfit that week.

The Calendar is a useful tool. I discovered quite by accident that I have unintentional theme months. For example, for some reason, my work outfits in August were literally all navy themed. This was wholly unintentional. Other months seem to have other themes. I'm sure these themes must somehow match a mood, but I am not conscious of it.

Helena

Veteran

Pretty much what Lisa said ... from day to day, knowing what's ahead for the day, I pick something I feel like wearing and then work from there ... I'm sure I have some pretty 'set' combinations although that's not intentional but more personality-driven ... e.g. today I started with a jade green graphic tee, which I only wear with white bottoms for some heretofore unconsidered reason. Jewellery is generally the same every day (hoop vs. stud earrings chosen based on mood and day's activities), shoes and bag generally the same too ... hmm, I'm quite boring with my outfits lol!

Joy

Veteran

My outfit planning is influenced first by weather, then by the day’s activities, then by mood and what I have in my current seasonal capsule. Right now that is late summer/ hot autumn. So I think in terms of dark neutrals and autumn colors. This year it is earth tones and black. Last year navy played an important role. I also work in dresses or skirts at least 2 days that I will not be crawling around the floor playing with a toddler and a preschooler. I try to alternate dark outfits with color and light neutrals. Last I add footwear and accessories plus some sort of topper for warmth. I summer I also think about bras or straps being visible. I do best planning and laying out the outfit the night before. Sometimes I think of a couple possibilities and decide in the morning.
I take lots of ideas from Angie’s outfit ensembles and try most of the week for possibilities from my wardrobe. It makes the whole process more creative and fun.

nemosmom

Veteran

I am horrible at creating outfits on the fly and usually end up with a glazed stare as I stand in my closet every morning. Then, I will reach for/wear the same things over a period of couple of weeks - even going so far as to wash things I've already worn to keep from pulling out anything different. I need to get better here, and will be following this thread closely!

JamC

Veteran

Keeping in mind weather and activities, I usually start with the bottom (jeans, pants, or skirt). Next I choose a top, then shoes. If weather changes or I have multiple activities, I change my clothes as needed. I almost never decide what to wear the night before. If I have a special event, I plan ahead, try everything on to be sure it all works!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Similarly to everyone, I think about how much walking I will be doing, and the weather in the winter months when it might rain or be relatively colder or warmer. (The summer is a pretty constant hot and sunny.) Often I have a certain piece I feel like wearing for some reason (saw something on the internet ). Then I tinker until I am satisfied. The tinker is the most fun.

JAileen

Veteran

1. Anticipated activities
2. Weather (mainly high temperature)
3. What’s clean

That’s it!

Echo

Veteran

I agree about knowing what is planned for the day and the weather, but after that, I generally choose one item that is really calling to me - it could be a dress, a pair of shoes, a handbag, or even a scarf or necklace. Then I build an outfit around that piece. It definitely works for me as far as being happy and feeling good.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

As others have said...activity and weather. Also, do I have an opportunity to change between activities? That might also influence things. E.g. if I'm meeting friends for dinner after teaching a class, I might wear a different outfit to work, or bring different accessories. If it's pouring rain, or freezing cold, I'll choose a different outfit than I would if it were sunny.

Once I've accounted for those...I often want to work in "newer to me" items because that makes me feel happy. So I'll try to create outfits that include my new-to-me (weather and activity-appropriate) pieces.

Of course, I also have a few favourite-fallback formulas, and I'll happily repeat the exact same outfits for similar activities/ weather, both within a given season and across years/ seasons.

Having said that, if I can find a way to incorporate a newer item, I always feel a special zing. I like evolving my style, I guess, and feeling as if I'm "freshening" things each season.

If I'm really stuck, I look at photos of previous outfits from the same time of year and similar activity -- this is one reason taking pics can be so useful. I also look at Angie's outfit formulas or ensembles if I'm feeling bored with my usual FFB and want to know how to style a newer item.

I almost never plan ahead except for special events and travel capsules, and much prefer to decide on the fly, as mood dictates. I am an excellent travel packer (if I do say so myself, LOL) but inevitably, even with great planning, I get very bored of my travel capsule by the end of a trip and can't wait to create an outfit from my larger closet!

I used to stand in front of my closet almost tongue tied at the idea of creating an outfit and I thought it meant I lacked creativity. Turns out, my closet just lacked the depth and breadth it needed to allow my creativity to flourish. I do fine now that I've built a more workable wardrobe.

Style Fan

Veteran

I consider the weather and the day's activities first. I usually change my outfit more than once because of the activities I am doing. For example, during the day I might go to a Yoga class, meet someone for a coffee, go to a lecture and go for a hike in the woods. Someone might wear Yoga clothes all day but I don't. I also don't wear certain things when I am hiking in the woods because my clothes might get ruined. And I have to protect myself from insects because I am very allergic to them.

Outfits for Yoga classes and hiking are standard uniforms in my wardrobe. I have ones that I wear depending on the weather and I don't generally wear them other places.

Outfits for other activities (coffee dates, lecture, movie, whatever else) are more creative uniforms. I usually start with my bottoms. My bottoms depend on the weather and the event. Then I pick my top. I usually wear a T-shirt (short sleeved in warm weather, long sleeved in cooler weather) and I might wear a topper if the weather is cool enough. My footwear is pretty much always the same. I am not going to go on about my foot problems. I add accessories. Done.

I get ideas on how to put things together from Angie's blog posts, other blogs that I read or YouTube Channels that I watch (Style Bee, Seasons and Salt, Audrey a la Mode, Emma Hill).

Gennifyr

I think I have it pretty easy. I have a relatively small wardrobe, a minimalist colour scheme and no skirts or jewelry. Pretty much everything in my closet matches.

The only two things I consider when getting dressed are what temperature it is and what I'll be doing. After that I grab the first thing that catches my eye.

Today I'm going to be painting my house so I'll be wearing junk clothes this morning. I'll quite painting by noon when it will be hot. I won't be leaving the house today so I'll put on some hot weather loungewear.

Tomorrow it will be cooler and I have to run errands in the morning so I will wear a nicer top and bottom that is a little warmer.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

All of the above! During the winter months when the weather is constantly cold, I like to plan outfits around an inspiration (piece of jewelry, an item of clothing like a fun blazer, etc).
Spring and fall dressing is usually dictated by the up and down weather.
During the summer months of July and August, dressing is for the day’s activities, which hopefully include kayaking, paddleboarding, or hiking since I’m off work.
When I travel, I plan outfits around the shoes I’m bringing. I’m a light packer, and typically only bring/wear one pair of shoes (two at the most).

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I’m a mood dresser by a billon percent. I LOVE putting together outfits on the fly, spontaneously, and in a rush. It’s my creative morning fun! The stress-free part of the day.

I DO make sure I account for the weather and that the feet are happy. I am as practical as I am emotional. It’s a very controlled emotion.

The only time I plan my outfits is when I travel. And even then, I make sure I have options....to pander to my emotions

kerry

Veteran

I’m a casual and somewhat uniform dresser so once the new season is well on it’s way - it’s a cycle of outfits (with a bit of mix and match), rinse, repeat. My silhouettes are determined mostly by footwear which is dictated by weather (seasons). On days when I’m especially tired or feeling under the weather (but still going to work), I’ll probably reach for something more cozy.

Outside of silhouette it’s probably colour (and to a lesser degree pattern) that is dictated by season. I’m pretty arbitrary around this. Dark blue factors in all seasons. Black makes an appearance as well but more in summer. Ditto white. Stripes are spring/summer only and plaid is fall/winter. I prefer pink (blush) in winter, burgundy in fall/winter. I save a bit of everyday sparkle/whimsy for the holidays (Nov/Dec).

All of this to say, I like some change season to season but once I’m deep into a season, I’m pretty much in a uniform which makes dressing simple. I like that

Irina

Veteran

Well, my activities are the same Monday to Friday - I go to work
Every Monday I open the weather app and look at the weather for the work week. Then, I plan 5 outfits. I don't need to look in my closet, I remember all my clothes and have a very tight color pallet. Planning helps me to avoid bottlenecks. E.g. I don't have a lot of cardigans I can wear in our freezing office and I can't wear the same one two days in a row. I also do not like to repeat the color of my pants on the consecutive days. If I plan to wear black silk pants, I will not wear a pair black cotton pants next day even if these are two different styles and fabrics. Most of the time I will make changes to these planned outfits to adjust to the weather or if I get a better idea. It works for me, I have very little time and energy in the morning, I don't feel creative Sometimes on weekend I do "brainstorming", I try different combinations or new items.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

For the work week, it's weather first. Weather in the morning, weather at lunch (am I going to be outside?) and weather in the afternoon.

Weather generally dictates footwear, then I go from there. I don't plan, it's a waste of time because I rarely end up wearing what I'd planned... the weather has changed, or I just don't feel like it. I do sometimes have pieces I want to work in.. they're new, or things I want to test out to see how I still feel in them, but I rarely plan further than that piece.

I do have a set of looks in Stylebook that are "outfits to try" that are things put together based on inspiration, or things I've tried on and liked but not yet worn. Lately when uninspired I've been looking at what I wore at similar times last year and either repeating as is or tweaking a bit.

Runcarla

Veteran

When I was in the work force, I would use Sunday night to create a capsule of items that I would hang at one end of my closet and each morning I would create an outfit from those clothes - kind of like living out of a suitcase. (Time in the mornings was limited.)

These days I check the weather and determine what my activities will be, and then make my selections. I often start with something that has previously been worn, but isn't ready for laundering and add new items. I often change clothes during the day.

-wake up and don lounge clothes (I don't wear pj's )
-change into gym clothes and cover up and go to gym ('day' clothes in gym bag)
-change into 'day' clothes after showering at the gym
-make changes to outfit (or change oufit completely) for evening activity (meeting, bridge, theatre)

SarahD8

Veteran

Thank you all for this very interesting discussion!

It seems that many of you first consider your daily activities and weather when deciding what to wear. It strikes me that because 99% of my days are spent doing the same thing (working from home), I don't really have this winnowing process. I don't often need to consider activity, and while I wouldn't wear a sundress in winter of course the specifics of the weather don't matter so much since I am at home. So my options aren't being "narrowed" right off the bat.

I am also struck by the way that outfit creation seems to be a quite intuitive process for many of you. Many (though of course not all) comments boil down to "I consider the day's weather and activities, and then I pick something," and I keep thinking: "But HOW do you pick???" It's interesting to ponder how one might develop a skill that many people learn by intuition.

When I do manage to plan outfits ahead my process is very similar to Irina's. I don't like to wear the same item within a few days of the last time (interesting that Runcarla's approach is very different here) and I try to avoid bottlenecks (a process I refer to as "wardrobe Tetris"). The problem is that I don't always manage to make the time for outfit planning.

I think I would enjoy building outfits around an idea (like a new color combination) or a specific item of clothing or accessory. Maybe I will start a list on my phone or something where I can jot down ideas, and then use that to give me a starting place when I'm staring at my closet with glazed eyes. Plus, it's fun to have something for the brain to chew on in the background of doing other stuff.

nemosmom

Veteran

I was thinking about this more today... I am in a similar situation of WFH most of the time. What about doing mini-challenges of sorts for yourself (a week of no black items, 5 outfits using chinos, etc) - I think Runcarla has mentioned doing this and finding it helpful.

I did Sal’s “wear unworn seasonal pieces” challenge in July and found it really helpful.

L'Abeille

Veteran

Like many on here, I consider first the weather, then my activities (and especially which shoes will be required) and then my mood. I don't like to repeat items too close together. I have fussy feet and prefer to switch out shoes frequently. I rarely change during the day, so if I plan several activities, I choose an outfit that can work for all of them, with possibly different shoes or topper. I used to aim for a new combination every time, but have learned the value of a FFBO and have a few favourites, especially in winter.

I have been doing this for long enough that I no longer need to plan it all out in advance, but I am not a morning person, so ideally at least the night before I check the weather and mull the possibilities while I drift off to sleep. Otherwise I could stand and gape at my closet for an hour in the morning. For example, on Monday past our weather took a turn for the colder, and I worked in the hospital that day where the aircon was blasting cold. So I have continued to pick outfits with sleeves and relatively warm legs that could suit both the chilly mornings and the sunny noon walks.

I used to keep a list on my phone of combinations I would like to try. (I stopped doing it when Evernote became less available, otherwise I think I would still be doing it.) I would list, for example, Angie's trends for an upcoming season, then note items I had that could fit with one of those trends, and then plan on paper some outfit combos using them. Another way I would use lists is if I bought several new items for a season: I would plan out on paper some potential combinations or outfits to wear them in. Hmm, maybe I should start doing this again.

12