Take an Outfit from Good to Great

When it’s your first time at New York Fashion Week, how exactly do you decide what to wear?! I know this is a tiny concern in the grand scheme of the world, but while packing for NYFW it stressed me there for a couple minutes. 

I wrestled with it then realized the best thing I could do was stick with outfits that reflected my style and I’d be comfortable enough to wear again. While I love a beautiful dress or other “occasion” piece here and there, most of the time I try to feature “elevated everyday” looks any girl can wear for almost any casual activity. Thus, when it came time to pack for New York Fashion Week I realized it made sense for most of my outfits to fall into that category.

Now here’s the thing: even if an outfit is casual it can still look uber polished.

So how do you take an outfit from good to great? Here are my little strategies:

1. Make sure the color palette works really well together. This will immediately give your pieces a cohesive feel (more on that here). In this look, my blush pink cardigan, white lace up tank, light grey jeans and bag all have the same light, almost “pastel” theme. If you pick colors in the same scheme, they’ll always complement each other well. That being said, there are other ways to make the colors in your look cohesive. Complementary colors (colors opposite each other on the color wheel) work well together too.  One other way to create an ultra-chic cohesive palette: opt for only neutrals– for instance black and white, white and grey, white and cognac, black and cognac, etc. etc.
2. Think about details and texture. In this look, while the colors are basic and my accessories (aside from my bag) are extremely simple, this look doesn’t feel boring because of what’s going on with the pieces. I am in love with this layered, lace lace-up top because of how rich it is in texture and detail. The layering, lace overlay and lace-up neckline make it totally pop even though it’s the most basic color (or is white tehcnically a non-color?! Haha.) Similarly, the grey jeans have a shredded hem and a generous amount of distressing that levels up their unique factor. Even the cardigan is deceptively detailed: a longer “circular” hem, oversized shoulders and ribbing at the sleeves.
3. Patterns. A pop of the right pattern- especially if it somehow relates back to the colors in your theme-can tie everything together while kicking things up a notch.  My bag’s “checkerboard” colors complement the top and jeans while the pattern adds an element of complexity.
4. Balance. If you have a lot going on with your clothes, stick with simple shoes and accessories. Alternatively, if you’re pairing basic pieces without lots of detail, statement shoes or jewelry is the perfect way to kick things up a notch.

Anyway, that’s pretty much my thought process for putting together a good-lookin’ look. 🙂 I know I totally over-analyzed this little outfit but hopefully breaking things down is helpful if you want to play with these elements in your outfits too.

I hope you are having a great week! We got back yesterday NH where we spent the weekend visiting my parents, hiking, and otherwise walking down memory lane in the little towns where I grew up. It was a wonderful visit (New Enlgand is SO gorgeous in the Fall!) but after all the recent travel I’m so excited not to be stepping foot into an airport for over a week!

XO,

Terra

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