the fashion formula

Let me preface this post with a sincere confession that I don't know much about fashion or clothes or style. Everything I know has been learned through others via TV, magazines, and totally stylish friends. I do not claim to be an expert. I simply find this information fun and quite helpful as I rummage through my closet each morning and I hope others will enjoy it as well.

This formula I'm about to share with you, which I've dubbed "The Fashion Formula", I learned from my many hours of watching What Not To Wear. It's a favorite show of mine and has taught me much about how to dress for my age, my body type, and my lifestyle. And this formula, my friends, is golden. You won't believe how easy it will make your life, from getting dressed every day to shopping for clothes to picking out accessories.  

Let's break it down. Your outfit* should consist of three main pieces: a basic piece, which is something solid and simple and an everyday staple. The second piece is an interest piece, which includes something with color, pattern, texture and/or shine. The third piece is the completer piece, which finishes the look off. A jacket or cardigan are the typical go-tos, but a belt (skinny or wide) do the trick as well. I even think in some cases a long necklace could serve as a completer piece, especially when wearing a warm weather outfit and layers are out of the question.

And of course the accessories are the fun little extras that make the outfit really you.

I've found a few examples to show you how each piece tranlates into an actual ensemble.

This outfit is by Garnet Hill. It's simple, sleek, and the horse is a nice look too. :) The pattern on this blouse is the interest, but the ruffles on the jacket are a welcome addition as well.

This ensemble is by Forever21. There really isn't much to it. The colors are neutral and the silhouette is simple. But it works because it has all the pieces that pull everything together.

This oufit from H&M kills me! (That skirt is less than $15. What?! Get me to their nearest store!) You'll see that this outfit doesn't really have accessories, as most outfits shown through online retailers don't. You add the accessories when you get home. Some sparkly earrings or a shiny black bangle would look nice here, I think.

This outfit from Gap doesn't really show the entire look, but I wanted to make a point that sometimes pieces can have multiple purposes. The pattern on this top serves as the interest, while the cinching at the waist serves as a completer look, instead of maybe a belt that could be worn if the top had more flow. But you could still add a cardi to this and give it a more well-rounded look.

So there you have it. The formula at work!

*A few additional thoughts...

-I can promise you that my outfits don't always include every piece. I consider it a lucky and magical day when they do. It usually only happens on date night or for outings with some girlfriends. When I'm spending the day being Mommy, I'm all about the jeans and t-shirts.

-When you can't put all the pieces together, the most important part is that the fit is right. If you're wearing clothes that are too big or small for you, nothing else that you add to it will work like it should.

-Dresses are a whole different story. Don't ask me what you need when you're wearing a dress. Actually, you can ask me and I'll tell you to wear tights and boots with everything, because I'm in love with that look. But I'm sure Stacey and Clinton would disagree.

-When all else fails, wear what feels best for you. Be comfortable in your clothes and be comfortable in your own skin! After all, you're never fully dressed without a smile.

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