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Your tried and true outfit/style formulas

MsLuna

Veteran

Lately, I've been rebuilding my wardrobe despite having a tiny clothing budget. I've been shopping my closet and trying different outfits at various stores and managed to pin down looks that work on me as well as clothing/brands that work with my body type. After a whole lot of trial and error, I find that I have two "go-to" style/outfit formulas:

Skinnies/jeggings + longer top (knit or flowy woven) + longer blazer/cardi + tall boots
Sheath/narrow a-line dress + mid-hip blazer + 2" heels (or higher) or boots

I discovered recently that I STILL don't feel good in other separates (such as stiffer woven fitted shirts, most sweaters, bootcut pants and all skirts) or flats, but I definitely feel good in the items I mentioned in my formula above.

Do you have a tried and true clothing formula? Do you adhere to this formula (or formulas) often? Does this often determine your personal style? Do you find them limiting?

Dressing

14 replies

Latest reply was from bj1111

Asingh

(website)

Veteran

I do have my "go-to" outfit formula and it helps me get dressed quickly when I have to rush somewhere.

So it basically consists of skinny jeans with a longer top (or sweater, depending upon the weather), animal print flats (or other neutral flats), and a bright scarf. I just love scarves. They are the best possible accessory and can brighten up any outfit.

For work, I usually team up trousers with shirts or muted tops and throw on a scarf for a put-together look.

I also love to carry my huge neutral bag everywhere I go. It's just so convenient for stuffing everything in.

MsLuna

Veteran

Ditto on the huge neutral bag! Mine is a hobo style that has a longer strap for days where I just want to go hands free! I'm not much of a purse person so this bag gets so much wear!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Flats are not part of my fashion world, I find them hard to style because I am short (5'3.5" and yes that .5" matters). The only reason I use flats is if I can't make it to the opera/theater/restaurant in my wobbly heels.

I follow your first outfit formula frequently, with the difference that I wear booties instead of tall boots. I am still looking for the perfect tall boots, ones that fit my small calves. I used to wear more tunic length tops but now I prefer tops that end at the low hip level. I especially like asymmetrical tops now, that hit at mid hip or low hip level in front but are longer at the sides and back to cover or almost cover the rear. Sometimes I semi-tuck my top to re-create this silhouette.

My other outfit formula is boyfriend jeans, knit top, big soft cardi and low heeled chelsea boots. This is a volume on volume look that's very slouchy and comfy. This is my blind-fold outfit formula and I can even pull it together without first drinking coffee.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I keep trying skirts but they are fussy to me. Every year I buy a new skirt and it pretty much gets orphaned and I can already see that happening with my latest, a T by Alexander Wang skirt. I thought the knit fabrication would make me love it more/feel more comfy in it.

Maybe I just don't like my legs.

Anonymous

I have a couple of silhouettes that always makes me feel confident. One consists of skinny or narrow pants with a longer blazer. The second is body conscious skinny or narrow pants with a very light weight fitted sweater. Not fitted in terms of tight, but definitely not baggy. Both make me feel good and that tends to translate to confidence. I should also add that neither is fussy. Once I put them on I don't have to think about them for the rest of the day. That is just as important to me.

Lisa

Veteran

In winter months I have two outfit formula's I sport daily.

I enjoy blazers and jeans are one of my favorite because I run on team cold and I like to "dress up" my jeans with the blazers.

Similar to the above formula is boots and jeans as another favorite because I prefer to wear footwear with a sock and for work sneakers are not the best choice.

In both formula's jeans is a staple. I'm not a big fan of dresses for myself and I only recently started branching out into trousers.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I guess my knit dress/tights/booties/jacket would be my tried and true formula.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

For me it's my favorite straight leg levi jeans, a 1.75" belt, a v-neck slouchy tee and one of my pendant necklaces or a chunky bracelet. If it's cool enough I'll add a blazer or jacket or swap the tee for a similar styled sweater. And one of my neutral bags (currently a light caramel color cross body that kind of matches my hair). Shoes for me are usually flats or low heeled boots in winter. I'm still working on my shoe wardrobe. It's one of my weaker points.

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

I have a few formulas:

bootcut or straight jeans, tee, blazer, printed scarf, boots
trousers, blazer, blouse, pumps
pencil skirt, print blouse, belted cardigan
A line skirt, tee or shell, cropped cardigan

Anonymous

This fall my "uniform" was: boyfriend jeans, slouchy v-neck t-shirt in a half tuck, leather jacket and animal print slip ons.

This winter it's turning out to be skinny or jegging jeans, slouchy scoop neck sweater, cozy socks and fun footwear ... like purple sneakers, Frye boots or oxfords. Maybe a scarf if I'm feeling "dressy" ... ha ha!

cciele

Veteran

Here's mine:

- Long top or dress + skinnies/jeggings/leggings + boots/booties + cropped jacket
- Slouchy blouse/tee (half tuck) + slouchy skinnies/skinny BF jeans + stompy shoes + longer jacket/blazer

catgirl

Veteran

Skinnies plus oversized top or tunic and boots.

BF jeans plus half-tucked shirt.

Pull on dress and boots.

Gaylene

Veteran

Fall Formula: straight-legged jeans, long-sleeve T, interesting jacket/blazer, boots

Winter Formula: wool pants, cashmere turtleneck sweater, scarf, duffle coat, boots

Spring Formula: linen or cotton pants, linen or cotton sweater, raincoat, booties

Summer Formula: cotton skirt, cotton top (contrasting color), sandals

And always with a crossbody or shoulder-strap bag. So, yes, I do tend towards formula dressing. It can be a rut, but it also does make it faster to get dressed in a hurry.

bj1111

Veteran

sweater dress and leggings/skinnies and moto boots.