I am often asked how to put an outfit together. In some ways it is a simple process, but it is one that often flummoxes people and also causes a lot of anxiety.
I find that if you have an outfit formula, getting dressed every day becomes simple and it also translates across into the times you have a special occasion or need to wear something smarter than you normally would.
An outfit formula? I hear you cry - that sounds complicated and boring! But no, it is really very simple when you get the hang of it.
First of all you need to decide what silhouette you want - this does involve some research on your body shape, but I am a strong believer in the fact that you know what you feel good in and that is usually an indicator of what suits your shape the best.
For me I like a silhouette that is lean and minimal. I like classic shapes, but with a dramatic twist - so, my skirts are normally straight up and down, but are always maxi length - down to my ankles. Trousers again are usually a straight leg, but more often than not, I wear them at my ankle, not longer.
Once you have an idea of your silhouette, then you can start working on your formula.
So, again, for me the formulas are -
Formula 1
Ankle length trousers (pants), elbow length sleeved t-shirt or sweater/classic shirt, jacket and sling back shoes (my heels are very narrow and I find I “walk out” of standard shoes, so sling-backs work well for me.
Formula 2
Ankle length skirt, elbow length sleeved t-shirt or sweater/classic shirt, jacket and sling back shoes.
Then within the formulas I can dress them up for evening/occasion wear - maybe a satin skirt and silk blouse, or velvet trousers and a sparkly T-shirt. For a wedding, I could wear a taffeta silk skirt and jacket, with a silk t-shirt underneath.
Or I could dress the formula down with a denim maxi skirt and white t-shirt, or ankle-length jeans with a sweater and sneakers.
Do you see what I mean?
Whenever I am thinking about an outfit, I have two main “rules” (obviously made to be broken!) -
I always start to plan the outfit (colours, textures, “dressyness”, etc), with the shoes - always shoes. Why? Well, I have to think about what the day will look like - will I be driving a lot (never drive in your good shoes, it ruins them - always have a pair of driving shoes), will I be getting in and out out the car a lot (don’t want to keep changing shoes!), will I be walking a lot (heels all day in town can be a killer at my age!), what is the weather like, do I have meetings - you get the drift! Once I have decided on the shoe and the heel height, I can then plan the outfit around them!
Layering - in the UK, the weather is nothing if not temperamental! Layering is a must (hot flushes don’t help either!). But to layer successfully, you have to make sure that each layer counts - it is no good having lots of layers to strip off if the ones underneath don’t bear scrutiny! If you are boiling hot, but the strappy top you have on as your last layer is full of holes, or shows your bra, then it isn’t worth wearing as a layer - you need to feel comfortable to be seen in every layer you have on!
So, head over to Pinterest now. Make yourself an account, if you haven’t already done so, and start browsing. Put in things like “street style over 50” or “Italian style”, or maybe something like “lounge wear” or “pinstriped suit”. Make a board with all your favourite looks - whatever it happens to be. Add anything from a colour you might like, maybe it’s a chair in a certain fabric, a landscape that catches your eye, or an outfit you love. Anything at all.
When you have collated things for a few weeks, go through it again and look for anything that stands out - be it a colour you that recurs, or a silhouette that keeps cropping up and you will start to see your style emerge before you and the type of formula you can put together for yourself.
Why not head over to my Pinterest page and look at my "MY STYLE" Board to where I get my inspiration from?!
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