When Jean asked me to show how I make an outfit before adding shoes and jewelry, I thought, “What a brilliant idea!”
Quote of the day: “I’ve always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come.” Michael Jordan
We often see only the final, styled look either online or in real life, but that’s skipping over the most creative (and sometimes the most fun) part of the process.
So today, I’m breaking it down and showing you three outfits, from the base pieces all the way to the finished look, so you can see and hear how I think through what works (and sometimes what doesn’t).
And remember: everyone’s “recipe” for how to make an outfit is a little different depending on the occasion or mood.
There are times we start with footwear (as Tresi and I have showcased).
Or you can be inspired by a scarf or necklace.
There is no right or wrong.
For myself? It depends on my frame of mind, what’s happening during the day, and what piece I feel like wearing.
The key is to play, take photos as you go, and enjoy the process.
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For this first look, I started with my brown sleeveless sweater vest and denim, baggy, Bermuda shorts. Nothing fancy, just two simple pieces.
Step 1: The Base
Without shoes or accessories, the outfit looks very basic and, for me, a tad dark. This is where most people stop and say, “This doesn’t feel like me.” But it’s just the starting point! You have to look past the simplicity and imagine how you can elevate it.
Step 2: The Shoes
Next, I tried two different shoes: my cow print Mary Janes and thrifted Chanel sneakers.
Matching colors tends to be our fallback (and when I say “our,” I mean women of my age). That’s why I ended up choosing the sneakers, because they already had a 3rd color built into them that I could use in other parts of the outfit.
Pro tip: You’ve heard stylists talk about how a “third piece” is the secret to looking fabulous. Well, a third color can do the same thing, so the outfit is not overly matchy-matchy.
Step 3: The Finishing Touch
I knew I had this blue self belt hanging with my other self belts. It’s from a pair of pants from over 15 years ago (I wore them during my working days). Luckily, I kept the self belt when I gave the pants away, because it’s wonderful with other items.
And it brings the blue from the sneakers into the mix.
Other finishing details:
-I pulled my hair back with a baseball cap (you saw how messy it was in the first photos). Baseball caps come in all materials and fun prints, and mine is a gold sequin one.
-I added more gold with a chain necklace and gold star earrings.
-Bold brown eye glasses.
-A white and turquoise bracelet adds another element of blue, along with some blue rings on my fingers.
I had both of these pieces hanging on my valet rod and noticed how they incorporated the same colors. Thus, the idea for this outfit was born.
Step 1: The Base
Just the top and skirt alone looked a bit busy to me. While I Love print mixing, I wanted more. That’s when I thought to add a peplum sleeveless top under the vest.
Step 2: Adjust the Layer
I played around with how much white should show by folding up the bottom of the vest in the photo on the right.
In real life, I liked the extra white showing, but the photos told me a different story. Thus, I left the vest hanging full length.
Step 3: The Shoes and Socks
Mini skirts can feel a bit too exposed for me some days. Especially in the summer when I’m wearing sandals. That’s why I tend to wear them more in the winter so I can pair them with tights and boots.
But today was still too warm for boots, so I jumped on the sock trend.
Pro tip: Socks are back. The ones that show above your shoes, and even fun prints and ruffles. No, it’s not too young for women our age.
I vacillated between my gold Mary Janes and my tan platform loafers. The Mary Janes won out.
Step 4: The Accessories
I wanted to add more “white” to the look, so I layered this multi-strand necklace along with the white feather one (that is off-center in the photo, LOL)
Other details:
-White & gold earrings.
-Gold button bracelet that my mom made ages ago, and I’ve had to fix recently.
-White “dog” purse (it’s in the shape of a dog)…I found it in Rome and love the whimsical aspect.
-Lime green eyeglasses.
Obviously, I was on a vest kick with all of these outfits. Not on purpose, but they fit our changing weather. Another similarity is the peplum hanging under the vest for 2 of them. For some reason, this silhouette just floats my boat lately.
Step 1: The Base
I wanted to wear this vest that I knitted recently, and this peplum top has been showcased on my site to prove how it hides a tummy wonderfully.
White pants (cuffed to show skin) were an easy option, but I would argue you could wear a ton of different colors pants and make it look great.
Step 2: Shoe Experimentation
I tried a bunch of different sneakers with the look. A matching option (the white) vs. the green, but nothing struck my fancy.
Then I tried the pink vs the dark floral, and decided to keep it more neutral and darker with those.
Pro tip: If I had chosen the green or pink, I would have accessorized with those colors to pull it all together. Although it’s also fabulous to have your shoes be a totally different color. Just like Lesley did in our matchy-matchy looks.
All of these sneakers are Cariuma brand shoes. Their sustainability is unmatched, and with the canvas sneakers, I size up a half size. The leather shoes are TTS. One reason I have so many is that they will send a survey, and when you complete it, you get $30 off another pair. How can I resist?
Step 3: Add the Extras
Sometimes the extras can be more functional than pure decoration. For instance, this furry scarf.
The vest was a tad scratchy against my neck, so I used the scarf to make it comfortable by tucking part of it under the vest neckline.
Then, to hold the scarf in place, I wanted a brooch. Instead, I found this huge pin from a local museum. To give it the “extra” that I crave, I hung this bee charm from the back of the pin. I think it pulls up the bits of black and yellow from the sneakers.
Other details:
-Yellow earrings.
-Multi colored bracelet made by my friend, Judy.
-It was another hat day, but this time a light pink, which matches nothing, but blends in.
-Black half-frame eyeglasses.
-White and beaded purse.
The biggest takeaway from this little experiment?
Photos are powerful.
Taking photos as you go helps you see what works and what doesn’t. Sometimes, you think an outfit looks good in the mirror, but then the proportions or colors look off in a photo. There is a scientific reason things look different in a mirror vs a camera. Neither is right nor wrong…but it’s good to have both perspectives.
Small tweaks make a big difference.
Cuffing your pants, changing the length of an item, or wearing different-colored shoes can completely shift your look.
There’s no one right or wrong.
Sometimes we obsess over whether something is “right”, but there are many variations of right.
For example, with my shoe choices in #3. I could have made any of them work if I had varied the accessories.
Pro tip: I was looking through the Evereve catalog the other day and had an”Aha” moment. Catalogs will “style” the outfits minimally for a reason. Their goal is to showcase the clothing…what they are selling. Not showing you how to make an outfit.
Thus, don’t be hoodwinked into thinking that everyone should be a minimalist when it comes to the finishing touches.
Making an outfit isn’t about rules. I think it’s more about curiosity, creativity, and confidence.
In all reality, it reminds me of the trend on social media called: Wearing vs Styling. A final outfit is more than just 2 or 3 clothing items. It’s all about how to combine them and have it look like you.
So, next time you get dressed, take a few extra minutes to snap a photo before you add shoes or jewelry. Then take another one after each step. You’ll be amazed at how much insight you gain just by observing your own process.
Pro tip: Have trouble taking selfies? I made a video, but the 2 biggest points are:
1-You should be FACING the light (a door or window).
2-Set your phone down on something…lean it against a book or a holder (this is the one I use) and then ask Google or Siri to take a selfie, (be in the camera app so you can see your placement).
Thank you again to Jean for sparking this idea. It was such a fun challenge to slow down and really show my process.
Now it’s your turn to grab your phone, pick a base outfit, and start playing. Because once you see how each layer transforms your look, you’ll never think of “getting dressed” the same way again.
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The post How to Make an Outfit: My Step-by-Step Thought Process appeared first on Jodie’s Touch of Style.
