How to put an outfit together

[Twitchcoco]

Sorry, I don't have any answers, I'm looking for help for both myself and lots of others here I'm sure.

I'd like help in putting an outfit together. I don't want high fashion, I'm looking for a chic, groomed, put-together look.

I have a wardrobe of basics in winter colours. My neutrals are black, grey and navy with loud shouty cobalt, fuchsia, emerald green cardis. I need high contrast so usually have a white top under the cardi.

When you choose a dress or skirt in a pattern does the Colour of the topper get worked out by some magical formula?

My question is where do we start to build an outfit? Assuming I don't want to clash prints in a fashionable way a printed top goes with a plain bottom and vice versa I assume. I think my plain plain plain everything is getting a bit staid but not sure how to move it forward.

Thank you for any help.

I wonder if the putting me together blog might help you OP? She takes you step by step through building a capsule wardrobe and then how to mix it up.

Plain does not = classic, plain = BHS

That's funny cos on the pinterest boards you have linked, most of the outfits are plain

Plain can look amazing if it's great quality. Think Jaegar plain dresses and a fabulous bag!
I think as you get older you should buy the absolute best quality you can afford.
Having said that, I've just discovered the magic of patterned/loud coloured scarves for lifting an outfit

The best way is to look at what other people wear, get ideas online too. see what you like, go home and have some trying on sessions. See what you feel good in and what goes with what. You might surprise yourself with what you combine and and have some fun!

Thanks. It's quite daunting. It seems most people know what goes with what instinctively.

I know what colours I can and can't wear so that's half the battle at least!

If you need jewel/strong colours then I'd avoid black bottoms with them.. It can look ok, but more often than not it looks cheap. Stick to your greys and navys on the bottom. Also, although you can't wear it beside your face, remember you can wear cream trousers/skirts etc

You can always wear the strong colours all over in the form of a dress or matching tops and bottoms..

Have you tried pinterest? Just go on it and search for outfit ideas eg:

'Fuschia outfit' search on pinterest

Most of it may not appeal but occasionally one will and give you ideas at least which you can maybe adapt to suit you. I quite liked the Fuschia jumper with the black and white patterned trousers for example.

Plain as in Audrey Hepburn black looks magnificent. Plain as in block bright colours looks BHS.

Thanks happy :).

It difficult salt when you have a classic style, there's nothing edgy or dramatic about me. I'm soft, kind and gentle. I like disappearing into the background and the loud shouty stuff goes against the grain for me but I know I look better in stronger colours.

I've gone a bit too Trinny and Susannah but I'm working my way back!

Oh twitch sorry you feel,overlooked on the winters thread. I haven't been on there too much lately.

If you want to break it up a bit then as others have said maybe try other neutral combinations rather than just black and white. Have you tried navy? I pretty much wear navy tops most of the time nowadays. And it goes really well with the brighter jewel colours. Grey tops work well too. I love pale grey/silver but a darker grey works better on me. How are you in stone or mole? If you want to stick to black trousers have you tried different styles? I prefer ankle grazing length but you could try flares/wide legged. Like you I look better in brights (sprinter winter) but instead of adding in a cardi I'll add in a bright bag, bracelet or nail polish instead.

Do you wear jeans? Indigo jeans are a good versatile bottom...

Cigarette trousers are great versatile bottoms... As are cotton tapered trousers - Next do lots of these..

Do not wear cardigans. I am 42 and I've stopped wearing cardigans as I've realised they can be really ageing unless you're 20. Better with a light jacket/blazer...

Is there anyone's style you admire? Google pics of them for inspiration.

Best of Luck
The Fashion Police

Thanks for your thoughts queen! I'm a sultry winter so I look better on the moody colours but for this time of year I was trying to do brights.

Neither stone nor mole work for me at all but I'm high contrast hence the white. Will look at navy and grey more.

I really appreciate you popping in!

I just spilt wine down my considerable frontage thanks to your input happy

I love indigo jeans and I just bought a pair of JL navy trousers that are a bit cigarettey, they even have zips at the ankle.

I live in cardis :(. Must I chuck them all out? I get cold. I'm an old lady :(

I'm 41 and love my cardigans. personally I'm more likely to look aging in a blazer than a cardi.

Have you tried a coloured top with a white cardi?
What about the ice colours? Are they any good for you? Although notoriously difficult to find.

Those trousers sound fab twitchcoco

Aw I am sorry, maybe cardis look good on you and Queen but they just do me no favours anymore.. I try and stick to blouses, sweatshirts, sweaters... I think the top/cardi combo can be very dated, but I suppose it depends on the style.

I also feel the cold

I struggle with the white cardi thing, probably because I haven't found one dense enough to not look odd over a darker colour.

I bought a fairly icy lilac cami in Next though! I got complimented on a burgundy top and light grey cardigan recently so I may look at doing that version of contrast more.

Cardis are cool

TBH I'm quite busty so the cardi makes me feel a bit more covered up. Silly I know but a lifetime of cardis and covering up is difficult to shake off.

I like my new trews :)

Even though a large bust and skinny ankles gives me a certain parsnip look....

I do not have the large bust issue... I have more of a large arse issue

You're a pear and I'm a parsnip! With a wine-stained frontage on my part.

What a waste of good wine

Try looking at 'romantic classic' styles. I'm also a sultry winter.

I wear cardigans?? generally avoid patterns

I tend to do top and trousers in same colour, contrasting cardigan.

I'm in navy and mid / light grey a lot as base colours.

Thanks itsnot I'll have a look at that style. I'm officially a natural classic with a bit of ingenue but that doesn't seem to be helping me so I'll look at yours :)

I'm a winter too, and I can't wear muted/earthy colours either. Even cream looks weird on me, I need bright pure white.

Fuchsia and cobalt look really good on us. Just tricky to incorporate in a serious workplace wardrobe.