4 Elements to Consider When Creating Your Next Outfit
*Contributed Content.
The best and worst thing about going out is choosing what to wear. It is quite a brilliant irony actually for fashion lovers. Figuring out what you’re wearing can be super fun and a great way to pass the time in a creative manner. But it can have a slightly negative impact if you get stressed out trying to come up with new outfits for every occasion. In theory, you could wear the same outfits over and over again, but that would be boring!
To prevent yourself from falling into a style rut, now is the time to look at your wardrobe through a new perspective and start creating fabulous outfits for yourself. If you find yourself stuck while choosing your next great outfit for the next special outing, here is a list of four things to consider to make sartorial magic happen.
Theme/Style Genre
Every outfit begins with a theme. The theme of your outfit will be a particular style genre of sorts and it will determine which wardrobe pieces to include in any given outfit. Some examples of outfit themes include the following:
- Smart-Classic
- Smart-Casual
- Relaxed
- Sporty
- Bohemian
Those are just a few examples, but the list goes on as there is basically an endless amount of styles that you could choose. The first step in creating any outfit is to determine which style theme will work for the occasion. Sometimes you have to choose that theme yourself and other times the social situation itself will dictate the appropriate theme.
If you are getting dressed for work, you know that your outfit theme will depend on your workplace dress code, for example smart and professional is a good idea for an office environment. Most workplaces have a fairly clear dress code so you are never uncertain of what is appropriate. Most likely, you can cast aside the sweatpants and sweatshirts and look at your smarter attire when choosing a workplace outfit.
Perhaps you are getting dressed for a coffee date with friends. Your theme will likely be relaxed or casual. You may opt for smart-casual or sporty depending on other activities that you may have planned after coffee. Whatever occasion you are getting dressed for, every outfit starts with a theme and you can build from there adding pieces one by one until you have the perfect outfit.
Color Choices
Once you know the style genre, it is time to start picking a color palette for your outfit. Sometimes the color will be directly related to your outfit theme. For example, if you are choosing an outfit for work in a professional atmosphere, there are certain colors that are more appropriate. Neutral hues like black, gray, tan, navy, and white will generate an aura of professionalism more than vibrant shades of primary colors or bright neons.
Depending on your workplace environment, you may or may not choose a bright pink and neon green outfit. This, of course, will depend entirely on the nature of your job as well as the dress code set forth by your employer. A general guideline to keep in mind is that neutral colors are viewed as professional while neons and super bright shades may be considered a bit too outlandish for work. If bright colors are not aligned with your style theme, you can easily eliminate them from consideration for building that particular outfit.
It is important to be aware of the theme when deciding on your outfit colors. However, there are lots of instances where you will have more flexibility to get creative with your color scheme. For example, going out with friends or planning a day of solo activities are situations where you have plenty of room to get as creative as you’d like with your outfit choices. When choosing a color palette for your outfit, one key component to consider is choosing colors that complement one another.
If you are fashion novice with little experience in color coordination, pairing complementary colors can be a bit intimidating. Some colors naturally pair together while others do not and then there is also an in-between area of color pairings that are more difficult to understand. It does require a keen eye and experience in color analysis to properly identify which colors coordinate and which ones should never be seen together. Once you have chosen a color palette for your outfit, things will slowly start to fall in place.
Practicality
So you know your theme and you have chosen the colors for your next outfit. Now it is time to consider practicality. First, refer back to your theme. What occasion are you getting dressed for? What will you be doing? There may be specific elements of your outfit that are necessary for the occasion. For example, if you are meeting friends at the gym and then heading out for brunch afterwards, you will want a cute workout outfit that will transition easily to something that is appropriate for a casual brunch atmosphere.
Practicality also takes the weather into account. Your professional outfits for work will look different depending on the season. A winter work outfit will incorporate layers for warmth when outdoors that can easily be removed in a heated office space while still maintaining a professional appearance. For summer, your work outfits may lean more toward lighter weight clothing that is breathable and cool. To complete any outfit, accessories provide lots of added interest, but that is the next topic for discussion.
So you have your theme, you have chosen your color palette, and you have determined what types of wardrobe pieces to eliminate or include from a practicality standpoint. Now let’s add the icing on the sartorial cake.
Accessories & Extras
Once you have all the basic pieces of your outfit assembled, you pull the whole thing together with accessories and other extras. Below is a list of a few extras that can be added to complete any outfit.
- Jewelry
- Hats and Other Hair Accessories
- Scarves and Gloves
- Piercings
- Handbags
- Necklaces, Earrings, Bracelets
- Belts
Obviously, different outfits will call for different types of accessories which again is determined by your theme as well as practical purposes. Some accessories will work well with most themes and occasions while other types of accessories can be rather impractical for certain occasions. The weather is one factor that will help determine your accessory choices as well the activities that you will be participating in. For example, long scarves are usually not the best accessory if you are working in a kitchen and dangly earrings are probably best left out if you are working with small children.
Overall, the purpose of your accessories is to complement your outfit. They are not always the central focus of your outfit, but serve to elevate it a bit. When you look in the mirror, an outfit may look perfectly coordinated but still missing something. This is where your accessories come in. Add a few and you have taken your outfit from okay to wow. When choosing your accessories, keep in mind the color scheme of your outfit.
Of course, these four elements are just a simple guideline to follow if you are struggling with creating unique outfits for any occasion. This easy step by step framework can be applied for any type of outfit that you may be creating. But always remember to stay true to your own personal style and don’t be afraid to take style risks every once in a while. There are situations when you may want to blend in but there are also plenty of occasions when it is totally acceptable to stand out.
Do you have a process that you follow when creating outfits for different occasions?
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
28 Comments
Nancy
That’s why you’re outfits always look interesting. Because they are never the same. That red baret outfit is so good! The baret looks so good! Happy weekend!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Nancy! I have been organizing my closet room this week and Archie said to me, “Hey, mom, I think you could get dressed every day for 2 years and never wear the same thing twice.” I think he might be right! LOL
xoxo
Shelbee
jodie filogomo
I love thinking about it different ways like this. Practicality always plays a part when we are going exploring…the need for comfy shoes and many times a hands free purse are a huge factor.
XOOX
Jodie
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Jodie, thanks so much! Practicality is so important for me when the weather gets cold and the snow starts falling! And hands free bags are a must for so many different outings. I spent the weekend organizing my closet and rediscovered some wonderful treasures that were buried in that mess!
xoxo
Shelbee
Ellibelle
Great tips, Shelbee. I’m definitely in a style rut especially now when the highlight of our week/month now is a trip to the grocery store. Funny though I clicked on your link of what colors not to wear together, I see black and brown as well as black and blue. Personally I love those colors together, but some rules are here to be broken 🙂
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Ellibelle’s Corner
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Ellie, thanks so much! I have been in a bit of style rut as well since I don’t go anywhere these days. I laughed at some of those “forbidden” color combinations myself…I was wearing black and brown while I was typing this post! Haha. I love blue and black together as well! That article is like 6 years old though and style rules have definitely come a long way even since then! Wear whatever colors you like together!
xoxo
Shelbee
Mica
This is good advice to share! 🙂 I tend to build my outfits around a piece I want to wear – often a bag, haha!
Hope that you are having a wonderful weekend! We started putting up the Christmas decorations yesterday 🙂
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Mica, thanks so much! I love that you start with the bag to create your outfits. I often start with the shoes! I bet it is starting to feel very festive with your decorations up. We put ours up a few weeks ago and it makes me smile!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jean | Delightful Repast
Shelbee, great post! I always start with the shoes when dressing. About a year ago when I was reorganizing my closet, I discovered three pairs of shoes I hadn’t worn in ages but the styles still looked great and I got them out to wear. Problem was, they had deteriorated with time. I took them to my favorite shoe repairman and he said they could not be saved. He said shoes need to be worn. If I had been wearing the shoes occasionally, that would not have happened. Expensive lesson learned! I got all my shoes out of their boxes and lined them up on shelves, and I just go down the line, take out the next pair of shoes and dress around them!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jean! I had no idea that shoes would deteriorate for lack of wear! Poor shoes. They do need to come out and play! I love your methodology for creating an outfit from the shoes up. I do that sometimes as well. I have a lot of shoes that need wearing so I might need to implement your strategy more often so I don’t lose any good shoes to lack of wear!
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
You are always looking nice. I learned something here. I am pretty much “If it is clean and you grab it first and then wear it” person.
Thanks for the tips.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Patrick! I love your method as well! We all find whichever ways work best for us! I could not wash my clothes for two years and still have enough clean things to wear!
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
Cool post! I think I create outfits the same way I design some quilts – start with a focus fabric. 😀 But I am fortunate that I don’t have many demands about how I dress. Weather is the usually the number 1 consideration.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Michelle! It all depends on my mood where I start my outfit building. Sometimes I start with the shoes or an accessory or a color. Anything goes really, this was just a little guideline for those days when we struggle to put together an outfit. Practicality definitely plays in part in winters here!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jennifer
Practicality is important! There are some outfits that I’d love to create but in reality, I would only ever wear it to photograph and then never wear it out.
Jennifer
Curated By Jennifer
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I agree completely, Jennifer! There are plenty of outfits that I photograph but never have any other reason to wear them. But I do love to play dress up like a child!
xoxo
Shelbee
mireille
I love how you embody diversity in fashion: your outfits are so fun and creative and help us think differently about our wardrobe. I love all of these outfits! So jealous of your berets for one!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Mireille! I really appreciate this comment and the validation! There are lots of cute berets on Amazon! I bet you would look adorable in a knit one!
xoxo
Shelbee
jess jannenga
Shelbee
LOVE these looks! I remember the lavendar and plum outfit and love all the tones in this look. The rock look with your fishnets peeking through your jeans and pearls is fab ! The color of the kimono dress in the teal is beautiful on you! I love this color myself. The polka dot dress with the pink belt is so good on you! I have been more adventurous since blogging and dress usually by my mood or what colors I want to wear. I’ve bought 2 pairs of Lou and Grey sweatpants frm Loft recently to have some nice looking loungewear.
Have a great week!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jess! I love getting creative with my outfits. It really is the only thing that keeps my creativity flowing these days. I could definitely use some new cute sweats and loungewear. I just cleaned that all out and what’s left is kind of ratty! It is snowing like crazy today so I am all bundled up in leggings and a cozy sweater. Have a great day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Celyn
These are all very great tips! I never really think about it actually but you’re absolutely right about all these elements especially the part about practicality! There are always ways to look stylish and fun but still stick to practicality! Thank you for sharing!
Life is a Shoe
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Celyn, thanks so much! I had to compromise on practicality yesterday for a photoshoot on an icy surface in heels! I did wear snow boots to get to and from the location but only wore the impractical shoes for photos. Haha. Practicality definitely is key! I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Jacqui Berry
Stay safe and well Shelbee, hope you’re getting sorted for Christmas. Jacqui x
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Jacqui! I just have a few more things to pick up for Christmas and I am ready to go! I hope you are well and holiday ready!
xoxo
Shelbee
Lucy Bertoldi
Shelbee you know how much I love styling tips, perspectives and new ideas and ways to change it up. So I devoured this post. In fact, I love it so much I’m featuring it as my favourite read from the Linkup:) xx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, Lucy, thanks so much! You are too kind! I will be on the lookout for your post today! Happy weekend, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
fourseasonslasercenter
I’m going to practice these elements. Holidays are coming and this outfit will be stunning. Thank you very much for sharing this. You may also recommend us what mask are you wearing so we can figure out the best mask that we can pair on these elements.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much! I am glad that you found these elements helpful. As for styling masks to match your outfit, for me comfort comes first and I really only can tolerate the disposal medical masks. But I think finding a few fashion masks in neutral colors or prints that coordinate with your wardrobe would definitely give you some versatility and keep you looking stylish even with a face covering.
xoxo
Shelbee