7 Steps for Calculating Your Perfect Fashion Equation
Whether you are getting ready for the summer or simply wanting to redefine yourself right now, coming up with the perfect fashion equation every day can require a lot of thought and planning. But most of us need life to be simpler and that is where calculated fashion formulas come in handy.
Now you may be wondering what the heck is a fashion equation and how can it make it life simpler. Basically, a fashion equation is a thoughtfully crafted formula that you can apply to everything in your wardrobe to create your perfect outfits with ease on the daily. Instead of pulling out a random item that strikes your fancy and then struggling to find a variety ways to style it, you will already have worked that out when you have calculated your own fashion equation.
How do you calculate a fashion equation?
You ask yourself the following 7 questions and answer thoughtfully and honestly. By the end, you should have a much clearer picture of how your wardrobe can work best for you making outfit creations that much simpler. Remember to add your most brilliant smile to everything you wear for a surefire winning look.
1. What styles look best on you?
If you always have a personal preference for a whimsically unique boutique dress, start taking photos of yourself wearing this style. Viewing yourself in photographs gives you a different perspective for discovering which styles suit you best and make you feel the most confident. When you look at photos of yourself wearing different outfit combinations, don’t just focus on whether or not the outfit flatters your figure. Take note of your smile and facial expression in the photographs as well. Your smile will quickly indicate the level of confidence you are feeling in that outfit. Pictures are also a very helpful guide in discovering which colors look best on you. By viewing yourself through a different lens, you will quickly discover what looks best on you.
2. What defines your signature style?
If you have a few favorite things in your wardrobe that you wear repeatedly, ask yourself what is it about those items that you really love? Is there a particular garment style that you wear so often that people begin to associate it with you? Those styles that you wear frequently become an inherent part of you. Or maybe you are an inherent part of the styles you favor most. Either way that works, these styles would be classified as your signature style. And your signature is the first step toward creating your personal fashion formula.
I am a bit of a chameleon, preferring to combine very eclectic fashion genres into my own personal style. But if I had to assign myself a signature style besides chameleon, it would be bohemian with a Western flare, frequently styling drapey kimonos and beautiful dusters with fancy cowgirl boots.
3. What do you like to wear?
Building from your signature style, scan through some of your favorite outfit photos and see if there is a pattern or trend in the types of garments you wear most frequently. Once you have identified your favorite styles and garments in your closet, start weeding out the items that you never reach for. Clear them out and make room for the clothing that brings you the most joy.
4. How do you accessorize?
As you identify your favorite outfits, pay attention to the accessories that you tend to include frequently or with every outfit. Do you always wear earrings, bracelets, or rings? Do you have any favorite necklaces that you wear every day? Do you keep things simple or do you prefer more dramatic accessories like scarves, hats, and statement shoes? Whatever your favorite accessories may be, they are the perfect way to quickly complete any outfit formula.
5. What prints and patterns appeal to you most?
Some people love prints so much they are consistently clad in bursts of color and contrasting patterns, boldly expressing their creativity. But that kind of style explosion is not for everyone. If you prefer a more subtle way of expressing your personal style, maybe you have just one pattern that you love above all the others. From polka dots to floral prints, you can choose whatever most accurately reflects your personality. If you want to dress head to toe in animal prints, you can even add leopard print face masks or other unique statement making accessories to your wardrobe. When you find a print or pattern that really reflects your true self, add that into your fashion equation.
6. What are your favorite colors and color combinations?
Colors are always an essential part of your personalized style equation. Choose colors that make your soul happy and uplift your spirits, but also try to wear colors that flatter your skin tone and make you shine your brightest.
Some people choose to have color analyses done to determine which colors look best on them. I have always relied on the mirror and photographs to tell me which colors look best on me. It really is easy to tell as long as you are viewing in the proper light.
If there is a color that you absolutely love but find that it is not all that flattering with your skin tone and hair color, consider adding that color in wardrobe items that are not worn near your face. For example, you can add your favorite unflattering colors in shoes, handbags, or other accessories. Even pants or skirts will work with a more flattering color worn on top.
Perhaps a neutral color palette is a more adequate representation of your personality. If that is the case, definitely make that part of your style equation. But also consider choosing one bold accent color to add as an occasional statement that could transition into your signature color.
7. What kind of lifestyle do you lead?
Whenever we are getting dressed, we always want to be dressed properly for the occasion. And by occasion, I mean every single day, not just special occasions or events. We do things, no matter how boring or exciting they may be, every single day. And we generally have to wear clothes to do those things. While I am not opposed to wearing a ball gown to go grocery shopping, it is not the most practical attire for the occasion. I would certainly never judge a person who has enough pizazz to grocery shop in a ball gown, but practicality in our outfit choices is also an important element in your fashion equation.
If you are a busy stay at home mom on the go, you want your wardrobe to reflect your personality as well as make your life simple and that requires appropriate clothing for your lifestyle. If you live in jeans and leggings, then make them part of your equation and style up your jeans and leggings in accordance with your perfect style formula. When you remain true to yourself and your lifestyle, you will never fail to look great!
Once you have figured out the specific fashion formula that works best for you, your personality, and your lifestyle, then getting dressed every day will become one of your favorite things to do!
Do you already have a fashion formula that works for you?
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Joining these Fabulous Link Parties.
Outfit Details: Kimono-Shelbee’s Shoppe / Tunic-Torrid / Jeans-Charlotte Russe / Boots-Idyllwind by Miranda Lambert (Boot Barn) / Necklace-Susan Shaw (Traveling Chic Boutique, Asheville) / Earrings-Old / Gloves-Gift Shop in Sylva, NC
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.
18 Comments
Patrick Weseman
For some of us. This wouldn’t even help. LOL-talking about myself.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Haha, Patrick, you always make me laugh on your fashion comments! You are a jeans, tee shirt, and hoodie kind of guy! Just like my husband. You have your perfect outfit formula already! It works for you and your lifestyle. It adequately expresses your personality. And it is what makes you comfortable and happy! You are winning in the style department as far as I can tell!
xoxo
Shelbee
Marsha Banks
I am finding your hint #1 to so true! When I look at photos for the blog, I can tell the times I’m loving what I’m wearing and the other times when I’m just going through the motions…it’s all there right in the smile and the eyes! I think I’m probably closer to a chameleon than anything. Once upon a time I would have said I was a classic dresser. But, now, I’m just a throw on what’s comfortable, warm, and somewhat stylish person! It’s been such a long time since I’ve been out and about I think I may have forgotten what it’s like to wear “dress up” clothes on the regular! Fabulous tips, my friend!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Marsha! I enjoyed writing this post! I was astonished by how much I could tell about my moods from my photos. Now I am at the point that I won’t even take photos if my mood is off. I never like the way my face looks if my glow isn’t at its brightest shine! I can spot it in the mirror now so I don’t waste my time on dreadfully sad Eyeore photos!
I also discovered so much about which colors and styles work best for me since I started taking photos for my blog. Before the blog, I never took photos of myself. I hid from cameras all of my life. In fact, there is about a 15 year period from my early 20s to my mid-30s where not photograph of me exists. I literally couldn’t even tell you what I looked like or how my hair was at that time. But I do know that I have always been a chameleon when it comes to personal style. I love that you are in that group, too!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jennifer
Yes! I agree with all of these!! I love your floral kimono!
Jennifer
Curated by Jennifer
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Jennifer! This was a fun post to write!
xoxo
Shelbee
Carol
Lots of food for thought in this post! Pinned to my fashion board to read again later.
I highly recommend taking selfie photos of favorite outfits to determine what looks good and what should be avoided in fashion formulas. Seeing the photos, you can get a helpful perspective on your personal choices.
Carol
http://www.scribblingboomer.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Carol! I had fun drafting this post with these fun little tips to make getting dressed easier. I agree completely that taking photos of yourself is a huge help in learning what looks best! I appreciate the pin!
xoxo
Shelbee
Rosemary Davis
Shelbee,
This post is stocked so full a great information that I have pinned it for future reference!
Rosemary
http://www.distinctlysouthernstyle.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Rosemary Davis
Shelbee,
So much great information today!
I pinned your post for future reference.
Rosemary
http://www.distinctlysouthernstyle.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, thanks so much, Rosemary! I really appreciate that. This was a fun post to write!
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
Totally excellent advice! Until I started following fashion bloggers and participating as a fashion blogger, albeit a novice, I was totally clueless. I spent most of my working life in scrubs and my off time in jeans and a tee shirt. No idea what I truly liked or what looked good. I’ve slowly been getting a handle on it. Taking photos has been key for me. It’s not the same as simply looking in the mirror – for reasons that I don’t understand.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Michelle! I have really enjoyed watching your style evolution on your blog! I remember how uncomfortable you were with all of it at first and now you are a total fashion icon, my friend! There is definitely something different about a photo compared to your mirror image. I think the difference is because a mirror is still giving you your own perspective where a photo is giving you the perspective through a lens as it would be viewed by someone else. I don’t really understand it either just as don’t understand those outfits that look fabulous in the mirror and photograph terribly or the ones that look great in photos but terrible in the mirror. Perspective is a super weird thing!
xoxo
Shelbee
jess jannenga
I feel confident in my color choices and know that I am a dress girl , with much of my closet having prints. I do also love a classic look- a tailored style. This is great information Shelbee! Love the light denim and that cute kimono! I do think about lifestyle, as both hubby and I are at home doing work, but I still love to dress up a bit as it feels more natural that me wearing a tee shirt and jeans… I am currently out of the Covid phase of living in a nightgown and robe. 🙂
thanks for linking!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Jess, thanks so much for sharing your style aesthetic with me! I feel like I am always changing my vibe with every season. I have been enjoying my leggings of late and have been growing fond of long comfortable tunics again. My lifestyle doesn’t require much dressing up at all either, but like you, fashion makes me feel good so I like to wear actual outfits as well even if I am just sitting at home.
xoxo
Shelbee
James
Thanks for the post. http://www.fooddoz.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks for stopping by, James! Have a beautiful day!
xoxo
Shelbee