You don’t need to spend a lot of time deciding what to wear to look good. In fact, the most effortless-looking outfits are often made up of simple pieces that go well together.
A good pair of trousers, a comfortable top and the right shoes will do. Usually the difference is in the assembly of those pieces.
A few small tweaks to fit, color, layering and accessories can make an ordinary outfit feel much more thoughtful without looking overdone.
First, Build a Good Base
Every outfit has to have a starting point.
This can be a favorite pair of jeans, tailored trousers or a simple dress or even a plain T-shirt. Once you choose the base, the rest of the outfit is easier to put together.
Neutral colors are especially handy as they go with just about everything. You can mix and match black, white, gray, beige, navy and brown any way you like.
That doesn’t mean every outfit needs to be plain. The truth is that a simple base allows you more freedom to add color, patterns or interesting textures elsewhere.
Get the Fit Right
Fit is one of those things that can change an outfit completely without changing the clothes.
Even basic clothes will look more polished if the shirts fit properly on the shoulders, the trousers or jacket are the right length and the right shape.
Big clothes can look good if they are supposed to. The same goes for fitted pieces. The proportions look balanced, and that’s what counts.
If everything is flowing, adding a structure will help to shape it a little bit. If the whole outfit is fitted, a relaxed outer layer can make it feel more comfortable.
Need More Depth? Add Layers!
Layering is an easy way to make simple clothing more interesting.
A plain T-shirt under an open shirt looks different than the T-shirt by itself. A light jacket over a dress can totally change the feel of the outfit.
Layering also makes clothing more functional because you can add or remove pieces based on the temperature.
The trick is not to layer too much at one time. Normally two or three decent ones will do the trick.
Take Care of Your Shoes
Shoes really are the first thing to change the overall character of an outfit.
The same trousers can be casual with trainers, smarter with loafers or something completely different with boots.
You don’t have to have dozens of pairs. A few pairs of versatile shoes can handle most everyday situations.
Comfort should also count. Shoes that look great but are difficult to walk in will likely spend more time in the closet than on the street.
Add One Interesting Detail
You don’t need multiple statement pieces in one outfit.
One interesting detail is all it takes.
It could be a bright handbag, a patterned scarf, a quirky pair of earrings, a textured jacket or a unique pair of shoes.
That one detail will pop if you keep the rest of your outfit fairly simple, without the overall look getting too busy.
Fear Not Simple Colors
There’s something timeless about a well-put-together neutral outfit.
Cream and beige are subtle and understated combinations. Black and white gives a sharper look. Navy and gray can be smart without being over-dressed.
The trick is to experiment with various shades and textures.
Say you have a few neutral pieces. They don’t have to look flat if one is knitted, one is structured and one has a smoother finish.
Texture can sometimes be as much of an interest as color.
Mix Casual With Polished Pieces
Mixing casual and smarter pieces can make an outfit more interesting.
A good example is a tailored blazer worn with jeans. A structured trouser can go with a simple knit sweater. A dressier skirt can be paired with a casual shirt.
These mixes are good because they stop an outfit from looking too formal or too casual.
They also add more options for existing clothes.
Add Some Accessories
Accessories don’t have to be an after thought.
A belt can define the waist and alter the proportions of an outfit. A watch can add a subtle polished touch. A bag can bring in color or structure.
Changing your scarf or slipping on a pair of sunglasses is sometimes all it takes to turn a familiar outfit into a new one.
This is especially handy if the base clothing is the same.
Know When to Quit
One of the easiest ways to dress an outfit down is to simply keep adding things.
More jewelry, another layer, another color and another accessory doesn’t always mean a better outfit.
Once the proportions, colors and details are working together, often there is no need to add anything more.
Part of developing personal style is knowing when an outfit is finished.
Get Dressed
You don’t have to dress the same all the time to be fashionable.
Dress appropriately for the environment.
You can wear a relaxed outfit for everyday errands but you may want a more structured outfit for a dinner or formal occasion. It is not to dress up all the time, but to know what is appropriated for the occasion.
It is generally more fashionable to dress for the occasion than to wear something that is obviously inappropriate but fashionable.
Take Care of the Little Things
Sometimes it’s the little things, not the clothes themselves, that make an outfit look messy.
Wrinkled shirts, worn shoes, loose threads or clothing covered in lint can ruin an otherwise good outfit.
Checking these details before leaving the house can make a noticeable difference, taking just a few minutes.
Clean shoes, neat layers and well-maintained clothes can often take you a lot further toward a more polished look without needing anything new.
Your Style Takes Time
You don’t have to create a personal style overnight.
Usually it occurs naturally through trial and error. Some colors start to show up more frequently. Some silhouettes are more comfortable. Some combinations become reliable favorites.
What you wear repeatedly can tell more about style than just following trends.
Often the clothes that feel like you are the ones you want to build around.
Keep It Simple.
You don’t need a complicated wardrobe to be stylish everyday.
Good fit, clever combinations, useful layers and a few well selected accessories totally change the way simple clothes look.
The best way is to use what is already in the wardrobe and to improve little by little, rather than always looking for something new.
Usually, style looks most effortless when an outfit feels comfortable, suits the occasion and still feels like the person wearing it.
