How do you make basic outfits look more put together?

[OneOpalOwl]

I wear a lot of very basic (boring) outfits - t shirt and jeans, cardi and jeans, jumper and jeans. All usually with trainers.

The items themselves are nice and fit me well, but the outfits are just so plain. I’ve been a bit lost style wise over the last couple of years and while I’m never going to be the most fashionable person ever I’d still like to look and feel a bit more put together!

I’d love to know how people manage to make basic items like these look like an actual intentional outfit?! What is the secret because I can never seem to get it right!

You can get nice puffer coats, I have this one

https://www.endource.com/product/stand-studio-edna-oversized-quilted-shell-down-coat/Y4PGFNs5UwABZDl4

Just add a nice Acne or inspired by Acne scarf

I can't remember where I saw this but it was a video by a stylist and it stayed with me on how to be put together;

Give each item of clothing a 1 if it's a basic, or a 2 if it's got some interest
Your outfits should always add up to 7

For example - outfit 1
Tshirt - 1
Jeans - 1
Plain trainers - 1
Plain belt - 1
Bracelet (discreet ish) - 1
Necklace (discreet ish) - 1
Huggie earrings - 1
=7

Outfit 2
Tshirt - 1
Jeans - 1
Belt with interesting hardware/ twisted leather etc - 2
Plain trainers - 1
Interesting necklace - 2
=7

When she said 'interesting' - doesn't mean 'out there' - just not plain. So an interesting necklace could just be on with a bit more bling on it than a small gold chain, or it could be a big gold chain - just anything that doesn't fade into the background of the outfit.

I do this now and it works!

I also have quite a few coats in different prints and colors which lifts a more basic outfit.

For me, it’s often the jacket! Jeans, a plain T-shirt and trainers can look like a whole outfit as soon as I put on a blazer, leather jacket or another jacket I really like.

I’ve also found that picking up the same colour in my bag and trainers helps. I wore my burgundy trainers with an oxblood bag recently and immediately felt more put together, even though the rest of the outfit was simple. They weren’t an exact match, but they looked like they belonged together.

I like lisa angel for jewellery. Its costume jewellery but lovely designs.

Agree with the need for ironing - for even greater speed I have a travel steamer tucked away in the bedroom. Takes seconds to steam any creases out!

I was going to suggest an element of this! It’s very unpopular to suggest shoes and bag or shoes and belt match on this forum, but in practice, it’s often the easiest way to make your outfit look intentional, not just a collection of things you happen to be wearing.

This also works for patterns and prints, pick a colour from the pattern and repeat elsewhere. You can use makeup to be the colour repeat, just be subtle about it. (no clown eyeshadow, but perhaps match the red flowers in a dress to your lippy)

Good quality things and maintenance are often overlooked. I like watching what people wear and often see great outfits but it’s also (unfortunately) common to see looks ruined by dirty shoes, clothes that need ironing or bags with cracking, scuffed leather. These are all easy fixes.

Textures and good quality accessories. Jewellery is often overhyped, I prefer a good quality scarf to do the work.

Sticking to one point of interest per outfit is a common rule. Which I often break, I have too many loud accessories (iykwim) that I like too much! I try to make sure that they are far away from each other - scarf around the neck and fun shoes on my feet, I also try to make sure they have a common theme - similar colours for instance.

Quality is important, I think. Good quality materials fit better, lined coats, skirts, jackets and trousers look better. Wearing clothes in the right size.

I avoid plastic in clothing and accessories for health and environmental reasons but this also (unintentionally) affects how things look. There are very many natural fabrics to choose from and they all reflect light in different ways that add interesting textures.

I am not sure “intentional” dressing is the key to good style. Dressing by numbers/rules is somewhat formulaic and I think it’s one reason why we have so much homogeneity now. The people I think of with great style are the ones who look effortless and they have something about them that just stands out.

Also to add to the matching colours thing, matching your metals always looks more intentional. Not just your earrings and necklace/bracelet, but belt buckle, bag hardware, visible zips, metal buttons on jeans etc.

I agree that following rules too closely can look formulaic, but I do think looking effortless sometimes takes a surprising amount of effort! I can try on three jackets before finding the one that makes a plain T-shirt and jeans look as though I just threw them on. Most days I’m simply wearing the T-shirt and jeans at home 😄

Yes effortless can definitely take effort and you need to understand your proportions and what suits you

I think this is something where you really need visual references, so I’d look on Instagram for people who style interesting and simple outfits to get an idea of what would make the difference for you.

I have always kind of struggled with professional outfits since almost all my working life I’ve been self employed in a role where I can wear what I want.

What’s helped me is now I just have four really good, really put together outfits I can wear for conferences and stuff like that. One is a nice t shirt and trousers with a belt and simple but classy jewellery, then they just incrementally get more formal. I don’t really wear the jewellery any other time as I prefer either really intricate stuff or fun jewellery, but honestly just get yourself 3-4 really good options to start with and you can go from there, then it’s less overwhelming.

Accessories and grooming. A bit of effort with your hair goes a long way to make you look more put together.

The people I think of with great style are the ones who look effortless and they have something about them that just stands out.

Plus

Yes effortless can definitely take effort and you need to understand your proportions and what suits you

I’m wondering how helpful you feel you’ve been, @spinnerzs? 🤔😄

I think this is the 'in' look now though? A lot of the cool women are very plainly dressed, sort of Scandi vibe. 'Intentional' hair dos and a purposely groomed look are a bit try hard in most circles.

Definitely accessories .
i wear quite simple clothing , ( jeans, cropped trousers , shirts etc) . People always tell me that I looked well dressed
I always wear earrings , a watch , a nice belt .
I may wear a wide hairband
I style my clothing , so for example a may roll the sleeves up of my shirt or tie a baggy shirt at the waist .
it is not about what you wear , it is how you wear

@TheOriginalFrench I suppose it is how you define effort. So an effort to understand your body shape & what suits you & your lifestyle (a lot of people don’t do this), effort to understand changing fashions & how shapes & silhouettes work together & how that fits with your own body shape & style (again not common) & then effort in terms of healthy looking skin & hair. A lot won’t see this “effort” when looking at someone who looks good.

Plus for some people it is a lot easier than others eg if your body is very well proportioned it makes a world of difference and some people have naturally great skin & hair & some instinctively know what suits them. You don’t have to agree though & can stick to your gauntlet gloves!

Tell me more about the wide hairband please. What age are you, if you don't mind me asking?

I wear similarly plain things. But I do ensure that my knitwear is always Cashmere. My t shirt is a v or scoop neck as I have square shoulders & is in pure cotton or linen. Plus my jeans are a modern shape and fit me well. I always buy wool coats and jackets. Add in some slim gold bracelets and earrings plus a mid length necklace (often Monica vinader or i like Celeste Starre too ) and a belt. M&S animal print leather belts are good to add interesting texture in either snake/leopard/cow print. Tone your bag with your trainers. And make sure your bag is a modern shape. My favourite winter bag is an vintage Autograph burgundy tote from eBay that was like new when I bought it paired with Adidas burgundy trainers. Or currently a brown woven leather bag from Tk Maxx paired with animal print flatforms. I don't really care about having a designer bag.
So in essence buy the very best quality clothes you can afford and always wear the best make up consistently. My hair is not particularly well groomed, as it's wavy and has a mind of it's own, but it suits my style. And I don't have my nails done as I really dislike long painted nails .Some prioritise nails and hairstyling as it suits their style and that's all fine.

I have this issue too OP, as live in jeans and tee shirts. Agree with earlier post that the fit and silhouette makes a huge difference. A jacket always elevates an outfit, however casual the jacket to match the casualness or otherwise of the clothes. It all looks more pulled together. If not wearing a jacket, scarves always work too if you find a way to wear them that feels "you".

You need something about your outfit that is interesting. It could be your hair or make up, jewellery or an accessory. All neutral colours can easily be boring.

Lots of great advice on here. I would add, follow Jade Holland Cooper on FB or other social media. Her clothes are way too expensive but that girl knows how to accessorise. Sunglasses, a good belt, jewelry, quality tote, scarf and nice perfume can all dress up a relatively cheap pair of jeans and t shirt. Good luck

Thanks so much all, I’m feeling much more inspired now.

One of my black puffers (lol) is actually way too big now so will be relegated to baltic winter walks over a fleece and I’ll find something more interesting for day to day 😅