Put-together, effortless, stylish. Why does it work?

The top 3 words I hear are put-together, effortless and stylish. The inspo is usually that pic of a European woman who is casually strolling down the lane. Most of us don't live that life, but we can learn WHY that is a vibe and how to recreate.

Let's look.

Step away from your opinion about the cut, color or style here.

I want you to look at why these outfits look put together. The top 2 are fairly casual, but they are finished. Belt, bag, accessories. They finish the story. If you hate that statement necklace, drop it and find a colorful bag.

Step away from your opinion about the cut, color or style here. I want you to look at why these outfits look put together. The top 2 are fairly casual, but they are finished. Belt, bag, accessories. They finish the story. If you hate that statement necklace, drop it and find a colorful bag.

The jackets on the bottom tell a story. The white has a great cut and beautiful texture. Although I realize the shoes make the outfit fun here, I can't imagine strolling about in them. 😬 The middle two pics are neutral and monochromatic. Very understated, but layers of color in the same family elevate a look more than the traditional denim/white T look. The last one is a personality piece. You don't need much here, because it carries the outfit.

Too much? Let's go more casual.

Color, style/shape, texture, pattern

Outfits work when you have at least one of four things- color, style/shape, texture, pattern. If you can have 2 or more of these points, it makes your outfit look more interesting, more thoughtful, more intentional.

The style/shape of the pants above have small little details. The white dress has a very exaggerated shape and a gorgeous color bag. If that shape is way too much, grab a knit dress and make the bag your focal point. Fashion has less and less "rules". Look at the bottom right. Flowy wide leg pant with an unstructured top. Used to be the rule of tight on top, flowy on bottom. But the sizing of her top is perfect-she's not lost in fabric. It's proportional, it works.

The easiest way to finish a look

A really easy way to finish a look is the scarf trend that is everywhere.

What a way to play in a trend without spending hardly any money. You can get a scarf at Goodwill for a couple of dollars! You can go down the rabbit hole of content around 10 ways to wear a scarf, and if you're not the scarf girl, your bag can be!

Again, it's another focal point in your outfit. That's what makes an outfit interesting. Drawing the eye with color, style/shape, texture, pattern. It's the put together, stylish effortless look that shows you put in effort. It carries an energy that you cared about getting dressed today.

When we care, we feel better. When we feel better, we do better.

And we have things to do my friend- let's get out there!

Give yourself a chance to look through your wardrobe and see what you can put together from what you already have. Don't go out and buy a bunch of stuff unless you have a SOLID plan on how you are going to wear them, and integrate them into your current wardrobe and lifestyle.

If you need a plan, I'm here. Two hours in your closet, anywhere in the Denver Metro. ❤️