Style Your OutfitsNothing to Wear, Part 6 of 7
This is the part everything has been building toward. You've figured out what you need, found your mood, and gone through your closet. Now you get to play.
Styling your outfits means taking the clothes you kept and building complete looks for the real moments in your life. This is what happens in a Wardrobe Study, and you can absolutely do it yourself.
Set the scene
Make it fun. Clear a little space, pull your clothes out where you can see them, and throw on some music. Getting dressed should feel good, and so should this.
If you can, invite a trusted friend. Someone honest who knows you can spot combinations you'd never think of, and tell you when something really works.
Start with your moments
Pull out your list from Part 2. Those moments are your assignments: work, everyday, going out, whatever your week looks like. You also have your numbers, like four work outfits or five to seven everyday outfits. Work through them one moment at a time.
For each moment, remember how you wanted to feel. Confident? Relaxed? A little dressed up? Let that guide what you reach for.
Mock up your mood board
Look at your mood board and pick the looks you love most. Then try to recreate them with what you already own. It won't be exact, and it doesn't need to be. A long coat over a simple sweater and straight jeans might be all it takes to get a 90s minimalist feel. One oversized piece might be enough to bring in the shape you've been drawn to.
This is where your closet starts to feel new.
Style it all the way
An outfit isn't just a top and bottom. Style each look completely:
Shoes
Bag or purse
Jewelry
Outerwear
Belts, scarves, hats, socks, anything that finishes it
Small details make a big difference. Try the cuff, the tuck, the rolled sleeve, the different shoe. Keep adjusting until it feels right.
Take a picture
Once an outfit feels finished, put it on and take a photo of yourself in it, head to toe. I use an instant camera, because the prints go straight into my style book, but your phone works just as well.
Then write a few notes next to it: what it's for, any styling details you want to remember, and how it makes you feel.
This is the step that makes it stick. Without photos, you'll forget half of what you put together. With them, you have a book of outfits ready to go.
Keep going
Work through each of your moments until you have the outfits you need. It goes faster than you'd think. In an afternoon, with good music and a good friend, you can have a whole season of outfits styled, photographed, and ready.
Want help with this part? That's exactly what a Wardrobe Study is: three hours in your home, styling outfits from your own closet, with an instant photo album to keep.
Schedule a Wardrobe Study →
Next: Part 7: Make a Wish List →