Do you ever have an outfit that is good — but could be better — but you’re just not sure how?
Even with a plethora of style inspiration and outfit formulas, styling can become overwhelming when figuring out what to actually wear. One place to start is to take a simple outfit formula you feel works for you and then slightly tweak it into a better look. Subtle tweaks will result in chicer style. So, if that’s what you’re after, read on for a rundown of how to instantly elevate your outfits, and the key pieces for each tweak.
First up, add a fancy scarf. As the season has turned, I find myself reaching for printed scarves and bandanas to put the final touch on a simple sweater and jeans combo. For a folksy fall feel, I’ve made a bundle purchase from Handker Bandanas of four bandanas that I’ve been wearing simply around my neck with dresses, button-ups, and even T-shirts to add a bit of punch to a neutral look. Vintage scarves are also a great option to add to your all-denim formula or a striped shirt, black pants, and black blazer look.
Another easy tweak is to tuck it and belt it if a more polished outfit is what you are seeking. A classic white shirt, tucked into straight-leg jeans, is a very basic look, but when tucked and belted with Gap’s Suede Oversized Belt, it becomes more elevated. Or, for less of a statement belt, there’s Quince’s Elissa Triple Kepper European leather belt in black and silver. This bit of hardware has a sense of jewelry, and you can let it hint out from under an oversized cardigan or skip the tuck and wear it on the outside of the cardi to better define your outfit’s silhouette.
Some other standard tweaks involve swapping one piece for another. For example, if your outfit is feeling a bit dull, then swap out your dark-colored shoes for cream ones. This will add an unexpected freshness to your look. I know, cream shoes can be tough to pull off and keep scuff-free, so this is not the tweak for a day of exploring or outdoor activities. But for a day mostly indoors at work, school, etc., consider swapping out your black ballet flats when wearing a striped button-up and pull-on pants with eggnog-shaded leather loafers like Aerosoles Don Loafer from DSW. Or give your sweater and leather jacket combination a sporty vibe by swapping boots for a white/taupe Adidas Barreda Lo Sneaker, also available from DSW.
Speaking of sporty, many great looks include contrasting pieces that add an element of surprise. So go ahead and match up a sporty piece like a windbreaker with something elegant like a midi satin black dress. Or pair track pants like Old Navy’s High-Waisted Trek Tech Active Pants in black with a white side stripe with a white button-down and dark blazer. You can even pop on the white/taupe sneakers from above or go with a standard loafer. Or switch this up and wear a sweatshirt or active top with suiting trousers. Again, lean into the sporty side of this combination with sneakers, or the more business side with loafers.
Back to the swapping technique, instead of a solid-colored jacket try instead a chic printed jacket. For myself, I’ve been setting aside a standard black blazer for a thrifted brocade-printed one to top off high-waisted dark pants and graphic tees. Or try a tapestry floral-printed utility jacket like Free Assembly’s Cropped Jacquard Jacket from Walmart. For something more on the wild side, there’s Target’s A New Day’s Fauz Wool Leopard Swing coat to wear with a midi-skirt.
Oftentimes, all an outfit needs is the addition of a trendy accessory. Completing your look with trending jewelry like a strand of big beads or a lariat necklace is just the tweak needed to bring a lackluster jeans and tee combo to the next level. Or pop on some oversized sunglasses like LC Lauren Conrad’s Margai 53mm Square Sunglasses from Kohl’s to add an air of mystery to your go-to office outfit formula.
These are just a few basic tweaks to elevate your outfit formula this season if they aren’t as polished as you’d like to look. One tweak I’ve yet to try but have on my styling to-do list is to wear a pair of stud earrings as matching brooches; as a clip-on wearer, I’ve felt a bit left behind on the earring front. Hoping this tweak not only enhances an upcoming outfit but opens a whole new section of the jewelry department for me.
