In this post I identify my current Key, Statement, and Basic pieces.
Next, I list out currently used outfit formulas as well as brainstorm new and untried outfit formulas.
Lastly, I create a final shopping list based off of this and order each garment or accessory by priority to achieve my ideal versatile wardrobe.
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What are Key, Statement, and Basic Pieces?
- Key Pieces reflect the look and feel of your personal style 100% and are ultra versatile and optimially tailored to your lifestyle. They are neither too bold nor plain but in the middle of what you consider dressed up versus dressed down. Key pieces are an investment (last several years) and get priority treatment during wardrobe revamps since they will have the biggest impact on your ability to express your style.
- Statement Pieces add variety to your wardrobe and give you a chance to express different aspects of your style/personality. I think of this is a fun (and necessary) bonus to a wardrobe for when I'm feeling a bolder look.
- Basics support and balance out the above pieces. They can tone down a bold look or give other pieces a neutral foundation to stand on. They can be used to fill any gaps. Basics are generally simpler than key or statement pieces however they should still reflect your style.
What is an outfit formula?
- An outfit formula is a recipe for a specific combination of items that you can wear in lots of different versions.
Key, Statement, and Basic Pieces:
Key
Lou & Grey Chambray Top
Lou & Grey Dots Top
Lou & Grey Plaid Top
Lou & Grey Ombre Top
Lou & Grey Speckled Sweater Top
Cloth & Stone Plaid Top
Ric Rac Lace Top
Joie Floral Cold Shoulder White Top
Joie Floral Cold Shoulder Navy Top
Madewell Gardenlace Top
Madewell Sweater in Oatmeal Top
Madewell Sweater in Rose Top
Madewell Cardigan Sky Blue
Madewell Cardigan Marled Grey
Free People Lace Cuff Ivory Top
Free People Lace Cuff Plum Top
Club Monaco Silk Polkadot Blouse Top
Nanette Lepore Butterfly Silk Tank
Brandy Melville Grey Top
Silence + Noise Romper
Jasper & Jeera Village Espadrilles
La Manual Alpargatera Ivory Espadrilles
La Manual Alpargatera Indigo Espadrilles
Statement
Miu Miu Gingham Lace Up Flats
Repetto Brigitte Flats
Vera Wang Lavender Nude Sandals
Free People Glitter Block Heels
Evelyn K Crochet Cardigan
Basic
Madewell Jeans
Madewell Whisper Cotton V-Neck Tee
Lou & Grey Softserve Tee
Madewell Offline Slim Sweatpants
Anthropologie Coffee Shop Tee
Formulas:
Current:
- (+Cardigan) + Tee/Top + Jeans + Espadrilles or Flats
- Casual Top + Layered Tee + Perfect Sweatpants + Espadrilles + Mineral Necklace
- Floral dress + long cardigan
- Romper/jumpsuit
To Try:
- Oversized chunky sweater + silk midi skirt + kitten heels or flats
- Tee/Top (+ leather or embellished belt) + Midi/Maxi skirt + flats
- Loose basic tee + high waisted shorts
- Long trench + tee + jeans
- Long cardigan + crop top + jeans + flats
- Romper + long cardigan
What to buy:
High Priority
Oversized stripe shirt (to go with sweatpants)
Loose tee + High waisted midi or above knee pleated skirt
Floral midi or maxi
Stripe midi
Cuffed cropped jeans
Leather midi with slit + longer knit sweater (untucked)
Navy courduroy pants or shorts or skirt (to pair with plaid top)
Medium Priority
Silk midi
Low Priority
White v-neck long sleeve (to tuck into high waisted jeans) or long loose fitted tee + Trench to go with it
White v-neck tank (to tuck into high waisted jeans) + Long silk wrap to go with it + Sandals/heels
Conclusion:
In my overall analysis I found that I have too many Key pieces (mostly stand-alone tops) and am missing lots of Basic bottoms to achive my ideal look. Based on my outfit formulas, I could probbaly pair a lot of these tops with different washes and styles of jeans, pants, or shorts. I will be exploring colors that might go well together with each of these tops based on my previous color palette as well as textures that would be suitable for my style profile. I have created an initial shopping list of what I could potentially buy at the moment, and will continue to update this as I generate new ideas!
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