#outfitformula

This week I will be sharing another one of my favorite outfit formulas. It is a great one for Spring and Summer and above here you can see some good examples of it from previous bog posts. Outfit formula #2 consists of 1) a dress, 2) a cardigan and 3) a belt. It's that simple.

1) The dress, for me, usually is some print that I love and it is very often a fit-n-flare shape since I feel that flatters my figure most. The fabric varies from silk to cotton to linen to jersey.

2) The cardigan is something finish the outfit off with - or remove if it’s too warm - but I can still carry with me in my bag if need to look more put together for anything.

3) The belt is a fun accent that can be used to highlight my waist and finish the look a bit more. Sometimes I match the belt to the dress and sometimes I use a contrasting belt to add a pop of color.

And you can finish off the outfit with some accessories. Often I choose a cuff bracelet or a necklace, but sometimes just the right pop of color with shoes and/or a bag is all you need. Remember that a great way to find locally made accessories is to visit craft fairs and handmade markets. There are beautiful jewelry pieces and leather and handcrafted items and buying those is not only fun, but it supports our local artists and craftsmen.

When readers ask for style advice this is part of what I recommend (see also this year’s Outfit Formula #1). Try this formula and make some combinations on your own. Check them out and make some more. And once you make a few combinations that look great, don't be afraid to repeat them.

This is Part 1 of a series so be sure to see the rest of the series and more recent versions of the formula throughout the week. 

Here is an excerpt from the guest post I did on Fifty Not Frumpy last year - it outlines a basic style tip of having an “outfit formula” - above are a few examples from over the years and this week I will post a few new ones:

So some days I just throw on something that I already know works. I am not a model. I am not a super-duper high-end fashionista. I am just a mom trying to look cute on an everyday basis. I feel like I am not super easy to dress because I am petite at 5’3” and “curvy” but I have slowly accepted those facts and figured out some things about what to wear. I try to always remember the wise words of Stacy London, "dress the body you have," and then I get up and hunt in my closet for something that looks a bit better. Good fit is very important. 

Another of my style secrets is the outfit formula concept and I do tend to stick to these formulas so I thought I would share with readers here: 1) Bottoms: a pair of jeans (or pants) I love + 2) Top a cute well-fitting patterned top + 3) a blazer or jacket that comes in at the waist The bottoms can be something comfortable, classic and flattering. I often choose jeans and there is a long list of denim produced in America at various price points. Some of my favorites include: Citizens of Humanity, Paige Premium, Earnest Sewn and Bullet Blue Jeans. Friends also swear by Not Your Daughter’s Jeans (NYDJ) to look slimmer. Since denim is one of the things we do best here in America all of my jeans are made domestically. Nothing like a good #madeinUSA pair of jeans! Best sure to check your tags. Then I choose a blazer or outer layer that is appropriate for the weather. I have light summer jackets in brighter springier colors as well as warmer (often wool) jackets that layer well in the Fall. This piece is crucial that it fit perfectly. It should button but not pull across the chest. And for me, I prefer a shape that nips in at the waist. Some of my personal favorite classic and well-cut versions can be found by Theory, Rag & Bone, Nanette Lepore, and others. Then comes the fun part - the top can be almost anything you like that adds interest and coordinates with the other two pieces. I love a floral print so I am often attracted to those in many colors, but blues and pinks in particular. Like animal print? Go for it. Like geometric patterns? Buy ‘em. This is the piece that makes the outfit yours and shows your personality and taste. Sometimes, I go to Nordstrom.com and search #madeinUSA and narrow my search to tops to see what is available, but there are myriad options. Then you can finish off the outfit with some accessories. I often choose a scarf in the fall or an interesting necklace, but sometimes just the right pop of color with a bag is all you need. A great way to find locally made accessories is to visit craft fairs and handmade markets. There are beautiful jewelry and leather and handcrafted items and buying those is not only fun, but it supports our local artists and craftsmen. 

So when readers ask for advice this is part of what I recommend. Use this formula and make some combinations. Try them out and make some more. And once you make a few combinations that look great, don’t be afraid to repeat them. 

This is Part 1 of a series so be sure to see the rest of the series and more recent versions of the formula Part 2: here, Part 3: here and Wrap up: here.