Category: Outfit Ideas
Somehow, a new season has a way of making you feel as if you need to toss everything out and revamp your entire closet. Things start to feel old and uninspiring, as if you haven’t updated anything in years and suddenly, desperately, need to do so.
Ah, but happily, that’s not really the case.
Chances are, that major itch to launch a gigantic wardrobe overhaul is just a minor need to find new ways to wear your stuff. Just a few new ideas and combinations can bring back the romance, often without needing to spend much money.
The problem is, this reinvention nearly always requires a bit of a recognizance mission, requiring time for scouting concepts and experimenting in the closet. That’s not exactly how most of us want to spend a weekend and it’s more than likely impossible to attempt in the morning. Skip a step this week with our Fifty List, a double-digit mix of fifty new combinations you can test drive in your closet.As youroll through, think about yourwardrobe andwhat items you have that could potentially be worn a similar way. You'll geta clearer picture of what you really need to invest in to update your look - shopping will be easier and you'll be less apt tospend onless than necessary objects.
50. Go monochromatic. Gray, ivory and black are the standard, but don’t rule out other hues. Try navy opaque tights with a navy sweater dress, plum on plum, forest green….. the list is endless.
49. Get a little extra mileage from Johnson style shorts with patterned tights and strappy heels. Keep the top fitted but heavier weight (layers work too) – it’ll balance out the lower half.
48. Layer a wool jumper or sheath dress over a contrasting long sleeve t-shirt or thermal. Pair with wooly tights and rugged, flat boots for a cute daytime look.
47. Wear sweater dresses with flat sole boots for a different vibe than the usual heeled knee boot. Add a bold print scarf headband to add a pop of color amidst neutral and classic pieces.
46. Reinvent a basic turtleneck sweater by pairing it with a thin belt worn at the natural waist or just above the hip. It’ll work straight legs, trouser pants, skirts, etc.
45. Winterize frilly tops and camisoles by wearing over a crewneck t-shirt. Wear with wool or tweed trousers or skinny pants.
44. Update cotton jersey pieces by having a band of tweed or brocade sewn across the bust line or waist. It’s an easy step that can winterize a dress or skirt with tights, boots, etc.
43. Cut skinny jeans to calf length. Wear with round toe heels, slouchy knits or striped tees.
42. Reinvent 2005’s cropped cardigans and jackets by wearing over long blouses or tees. Reach for silky and floaty options – slips, camisoles, blouses, etc.
41. Wear wide leg or trouser pants with a fitted crew neck sweater, knit hat and patent flats.
40. Restyle shirt dresses with dark tights and platform slingbacks. Layer a heavy knit or wear over a fitted turtleneck.
39. Extend the lifespan of summer Bermudas with tall boots. Add tights and a chunky sweater for extra warmth during early winter temperatures.
38. Layer colorful but unusual basics. A navy cardigan with a grass green silky top and light gray scarf, a tan turtleneck with a deep teal camisole and dark wash trouser pants, etc. The key is in the individual pieces. Avoid working basic on basic – something with movement or texture is freshest.
37. Wear dresses with heavyweight sweater coats, tights and platform clogs or sandals. Top with a simple gold or silver pendant necklace.
36. Mix wool or tweed Bermudas with dark tights and a fitted blazer or jacket. Add a platform heel or knee boots.
35. Reinvent blazers by wearing with a knit top or tee in a similar or slightly lighter color, such as navy on navy with a charcoal skirt or burgundy with mauve and dark wash trousers.
34. Try a blazer over a fitted sheath or knit dress and wear with flat sole boots. A belt added in can additional detail – just balance it out with a longer necklace. This can also work with ankle boots – just include tights to give a sleek, streamlined look.
33. Get another few months out of loungewear pants by wearing them with heavy knits and simple flats for casual daytime/weekend. It can work for virtually any style pant, including tattoo print and embroidered pieces.
32. Have a tailor trim older boot cut and flare dress pants into straight leg styles and pair with pretty, puff sleeve sweaters, tights and heels.
31. Invest in a vintage bed jacket (try eBay) to wear over distressed and vintage thermals, bold necklaces and trouser jeans.
30. Wear a deep v-neck sweater over a shirt dress and top with a belt and cute flats.
29. Update last season’s sweater coat by belting it at the natural waist, then layering with a loose top and dark leggings.
28. Reinvent metallics and shoes boot by working with ivory or gray patterned opaque tights. Ivory is ideal for gold, try gray and black with pewter and silver.
27. Get extra life out of camisoles by wearing under cable knit and pullover sweaters. It’ll work with a wide range of bottoms, from a-line skirts to lounge pants.
26. Tweed and wool skirts can update white romantic and eyelet tops popular this past year. Add flats, knee boots or heels, either bare legged, with tights or socks.
25. Try cropped and cuffed pants over bold tights with knee boots and a blazer. This may also work with fitted or layered knits.
24. Pair short Johnsons style shorts with leather heeled knee boots with socks peeking out. Wear with a romantic top and knit or wool vest.
23. Have socks or legwarmers peeking out from the top of heeled knee boots over skinny jeans. Wear with a long, slim tunic and a jacket or sweater.
22. Wear a vintage slip dress (or Twelfth Street’s Maldive dress from last season) over a ruffle front top and tights or boots.
21. Rework tweed blazers and jackets by pairing with striped t-shirts and wide leg denim.
20. Get extra life out of summer Bermudas by pairing with detailed flats, a basic tee or sweater and oversized scarf.
19. Try a print kimono top over a long sleeve striped t-shirt. Wear with slim pants or wide leg denim.
18. Wear a knit pullover vest over a floaty dress and top with round toe heels or flats.
17. Update denim minis with textured tights and heavy knits. Wear with flat sole boots or flats.
16. Layer a shirt dress over a print or contrast vintage thermal. Wear with metallic ballet flats and a headband.
15. Take a vintage slip or cotton jersey skirt and wear as a top over a short sleeve tee. Top with a low-slung belt, skinny jeans and heeled knee boots.
14. Layer a wife beater tank top over a striped or print fitted button up. Wear with wide leg denim or a pencil skirt and heels.
13. Belt a sweater dress with a soft color such as lavender or light gray versus the usual black, brown, etc.
12. Winterize a pretty skirt by wearing with a chunky crewneck sweater.
11. Add a pop of color with tweed jackets and pants. Teal, burgundy, and mustard yellow and royal blue or navy are great options.
10. Dress down trouser pants by pairing with flat sole shoes and detailed basics, such as t-shirts, print thermals, etc. It’s a cute look with tweed or pinstripe styles.
9. Layer odd prints and combinations, such as striped with florals, tie-dye with solids, etc. Pair with basic jeans or trousers.
8. Update menswear style vests by wearing over ruffle tops and floaty basics. Wear with simple skirts, tights and boots.
7. Give a pencil skirt a fun feel by wearing with a basic long sleeve t-shirt or tank top, then sneakers.
6. Try a plaid jumper or skirt with a cute or sporty hoodie and flats. It’s a fun way to rework the print and can dress down work-appropriate pieces to give double wear.
5. Leggings are cute under shirt dresses with flats and heavy jewelry.
4. Grab a vintage night gown and work with a belt or sash tied at your natural waist. Pair with flats or sleek boots.
3. Reinvent last season’s bubble and full skirts by working with a fitted button up and rugged boots or flats. A scarf tied as a headband will balance it out and add detail.
2. Experiment with shawls, scarves and other items as belts, sashes, and ties to put a new spin on basic pieces. For example, we recently used a Pucci scarf as a belt, tied high on the waist. It added an unexpected punch of color.
1. Mix a bold color or accessory into an otherwise monochromatic outfit to add detail. For example, layering a black sweater over a royal blue camisole and wearing with black pants, white on white with an oversized gold necklace, etc.