I saw this influencer’s outfit and thought I could come up with ways to change it up. Thus began this challenge: how to make an outfit more interesting.
Quote of the day: “It doesn’t matter what you say you believe; it only matters what you do.” Robert Fulghum
Because here’s the thing: knowing how to make an outfit more interesting isn’t about buying more clothes. It’s about using what you already own in creative ways.
And I’m not here to criticize the inspirational photo. Sure, it’s too basic and plain for me, but that doesn’t make it bad.
I just thought it would be a great foundational outfit to see how you can change it up with the extras.
(While I kept the base outfit the same and added the extras one at a time, personally, I would be adding lots of my ideas at once for the daily look.)
The base outfit is intentionally simple:
Classic? Sure.
Interesting? Not for me.
And while my starting outfit isn’t exactly the same… my skirt is a pencil skirt, but shorter, it should still give you the same ideas.
Stylist truth: I’m not here to compare. One is not better than another. I’m here to give you ideas.
This is the perfect example of an outfit that can go in a hundred different directions depending on the styling details.
I Love transforming outfits this way, and have tried this idea in the past:
–Oversized shirt
–Black sweater and jeans
–T-shirt and leggings
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The easiest way to add interest is with a colorful purse.
Back before blogging, I never thought that a purse was a powerful part of your look. But now I realize that it can be.
Thus, use it to your advantage.
I showcased both a bright green purse and a multicolored, blue, straw purse.
I realize that the shirt ends are tied at the waist. But that doesn’t mean you can’t decorate them.
Instead of looking corporate or traditional, I can add something fun, and the outfit becomes playful and artistic.
For this example, I wore a flower clip for contrast and a large, silver brooch that blends in more.
If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you know I love a good hat. I used to wear them to hide a bad hair day, but now I realize they are a fantastic accessory for any day.
Plus, hats have a way of making an outfit look intentional, even when you’re just wearing basics.
I’m a firm believer that you can change the vibe of the look with your hat.
Case in point, I wore a lime green beret vs a red cowboy hat.
Toppers are the 3rd piece that can completely change an outfit.
When it’s hot and summery, it’s not the time for a blazer, jacket, or cardigan. But there are other options.
I always love a kimono, but today, for “how to make an outfit more interesting”, I tried a denim vest vs a corset top.
Related post: I talked about how you can layer a corset to make it work for any age, any shape woman.
You realize that scarves are having a moment, right?
Scarves are one of the most versatile accessories in your closet, and I’m showing that whether you wear it around your neck or around your waist, you’re going to make the outfit more interesting.
Insider tip: Maybe it’s obvious, but those are 2 different scarf shapes. The one around my neck is rectangular, and the one around my waist is a large square.
Shoes may be only about 1/10 of your overall look proportionally, but they can make or break an outfit.
Personally, I think black shoes in the basic outfits seem too heavy for the look. Granted, that’s just my opinion, but I hope to twist your arm to stop only matching your shoes to your bottom half.
PLUS, it’s way more fun to have colorful footwear. If nothing else, you will appreciate it since you look down and see them more than anyone.
Never underestimate the power of footwear.
I’m here to say I’m glad delicate jewelry has taken a back seat to statement jewelry.
Jewelry adds sparkle, movement, and detail without requiring a whole new wardrobe. Plus, you can find it for a steal at secondhand stores.
I’m only showing 2 options here, but of course, you could layer a bunch of necklaces or try all sorts of different colors to make this outfit pop.
I wanted to explore 2 different necklace lengths.
The red one is closer to my face and doesn’t compete with the blouse’s ties.
The multicolor one hangs lower, and I would counter that maybe competition is a good thing.
EVEN if you don’t have an indented waist, I hope I’ve shown over the years how a belt can work to give the illusion and interest of a waist.
For this example, I experimented with a colorful belt vs a black, structural one.
There isn’t a right or wrong, just ideas to get you thinking outside of the box.
And I couldn’t leave out one of my favorite ideas for “how to make an outfit more interesting”…origami something.
For this example, I thought I’d have fun seeing if I could wear this cotton button-down differently. Here’s the TT video if you want to see it in action.
Related post: There are more ideas that work wonderfully with a silkier blouse.
But you could also wear the skirt as a top (just like I did back in this post).
What this little experiment taught me is that most of us don’t need more clothes. We need more curiosity.
When you’re wondering how to make an outfit more interesting, start by looking at the pieces already hanging in your closet. A basic outfit can become ten different outfits simply by changing one element at a time.
That’s why I always say you should be the boss of your clothes.
Instead of asking, “What should I buy?” try asking, “What can I add, swap, layer, tie, clip, or style differently?”
You might be surprised how many possibilities are already sitting in your closet waiting to be discovered.
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Jodie Filogomo is a retired cosmetic dentist and fashion blogger behind Jodie’s Touch of Style, where she has been helping women over 50 experiment with style in fun, creative ways for over 12 years.
Find out more about the crew, because we love to showcase all ages, body shapes, and women who love different styles.
The post How to Make an Outfit More Interesting: 9+ Easy Ways to Elevate a Basic Look appeared first on Jodie’s Touch of Style.
