When it’s time to get dressed, I find a style formula so helpful for sparking some creativity and keeping things simple. It’s smart to know the formulas that work best for you and specifically how you need to work them for your body type so you can get the best results on repeat without having to calculate the components every time you wear them. Today I’m sharing three of the easiest style formulas to create elevated casual outfits using some of my new favorites from Frank & Eileen.
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You can actually use these same 3 style formulas to create outfits for work, church and even dressier occasions. But today I’m working them with separates from Frank & Eileen for decidedly casual looks. I’ve been shopping Frank & Eileen for several years now as I’ve begun to refine my wardrobe for my truly casual lifestyle. Their unique combination of responsibly harvested, fine fabrics, hand-crafted designs and California lifestyle vibe really resonates with my personal style aesthetic. And I love that this woman-founded, slow fashion brand is serious about helping you to build a sustainable wardrobe you can wear and love for years. Several of the pieces I’m wearing today are new to me, but have been in their line-up for quite a while because Frank & Eileen continues to offer their best-sellers, sometimes for years.
The 3 Color Style Formula
The first style formula that I think every woman needs to learn to work for her body type and style aesthetic is the 3 Color Formula. This formula is based on the principle of incorporating three colors into your outfit. I think one of the keys to successfully using this formula is to have some continuity, using those colors in fairly “big chunks” throughout your look.
Here I’ve worked the 3 Color Formula with a classic white button-up shirt (similar) from Frank & Eileen, their Eileen triple-fleece shirt in camel and their signature jean, the Derry, in the 2001 wash. It is key to use at least one neutral in your 3 Color Formula for a more grounded look. But for my personal style aesthetic and coloring, I prefer to have at least two neutrals. Here I’ve used three and I like that combination best of all.
I’ve worked the 3 Color Formula above with camel and white sneakers. I think this use of color looks cohesive but not overdone. Do be careful about putting too many splashes of color throughout your outfit. The thinking behind this first formula really is to keep the combination simple but impactful. Below I’ve worked this formula with camel colored booties.
Yes, I did add in a black handbag. But there is a method to the madness here. Sometimes when you create the 3 Color Formula you get stumped when it comes to accessories. Don’t get hung up on trying to make sure that your handbag, shoes or belt are one of the three colors. It certainly makes the look even more cohesive when they are, but if you don’t have accessories in one of those three colors, opt for black or another basic neutral. Of course beware of wearing, say, a black bag, cognac shoes and a brown belt. That would more or less ruin the 3 Color Formula effect. But adding in one splash of black somewhere doesn’t throw things off at all, in my opinion.
By the way, let’s talk sizes a bit. Both of my shirts are a medium and fit nicely. I used the Frank & Eileen size charts to calculate perfect fits. But my size 32 jeans are too large for me. I sort of freaked out and ordered up. Lesson learned. I normally wear a 30 or 31 in jeans these days, so I don’t know why I diverged from that here. These Derry jeans are Frank & Eileen’s signature denim offering, made from Italian dream denim, and have a 4.5 rating out of 5 from well over a hundred happy customers, so yeah, they’re great jeans. I just have the wrong size. Let’s check out the next style formula.
The Two Over One Style Formula
The Two Over One style formula is another personal favorite. In fact, I think anyone will look chic and pulled together wearing two doses of the same color up top over a second color below. You can work this formula in multiple ways with the pants, skirts, sweaters, shirts, jackets and cardigans in your wardrobe.
But I’ve worked the Two Over One style formula with {what I thought was} a black Dublin sweatshirt blazer over a black Eileen denim shirt. So the concept is simply to double up that color in your top and outer piece. The impact is substantial and the look is so cohesive. And this formula never fails.
Back to that mistake. Ha! I placed the order for a British royal navy blazer, but I forgot that when I received the package. It turns out that British royal navy is very dark, easily mistaken for black. So I thought I was wearing black over black here, but it is in fact British royal navy over black. Still, I went ahead and shared the style formula because I think it still works here. Hopefully you get the concept. 🤦♀️
I’m wearing a medium in both the Dublin sweatshirt blazer and the Eileen denim shirt. Both are so soft, comfortable and substantial. They also each come in a number of other colors or shades in those fabrics, as well as different materials, too.
The Column of Color Style Formula
The third style formula that I think is flattering on everyone is the Column of Color style formula. Wear the same color in your base layer head to toe (or ankle) and top with a contrasting color in a completer piece, such as a jacket, coat or cardigan. Here I wore the Derry blue jeans, my Eileen relaxed button-up shirt in vintage stonewashed indigo and the British royal navy Dublin sweatshirt blazer.
You can work this simple and effective style formula with any colors really, but I find it easiest to create the look with black, navy or denim from my closet for the base layer. Then really the rainbow is the limit for the outer piece. The style formula creates a very elongating and slenderizing silhouette that flatters everyone.
Thanks so much for stopping in for a little style inspiration. And thank you to Frank & Eileen for sponsoring today’s blog post. As always, I only work with sponsors that I truly love and shop, I personally selected all garments shown and all opinions expressed are genuine. If you have any questions, please let me know. I’ve collected some other favorite from Frank & Eileen and included them in the shopping widget below, along with the garments I wore here.
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Blessed for My Day
Hard times do come to every woman. I hate that, but it’s true. We live in a broken and dying world, so we are going to experience times that seem unbearably difficult and troubling. Look around you today and you will see women who look polished and pulled together on the outside. But inside many will be hurting, struggling, weary.
We are wise and Christlike if we can see other people with compassion and know that everyone has “something.” And when we find ourselves in a difficult season we can turn to the greatest source of comfort and encouragement: the Bible. God’s Word will sustain you like nothing else when you walk through a valley. In fact, Scripture will be your greatest treasure if you lean into it during your hardest days.
Trouble and anguish have come upon me, Yet Your commandments are my delight. ~ Psalm 119:143
Love all the inspiration! Definitely have this brand on my Christmas list. Frank and Eileen likes wonderful quality . My husband is 5’6 and only wears Untucked shirts,shorts, pants, and jackets. I am yet to buy anything for women. Can’t wait to see what you style.
Wonderful! I look forward to sharing that with you Friday. I was duly impressed.
The widget is not showing up on my screen, maybe is just me.
Where did you get your sneakers? I am looking for pair like that.
Thank you for the post. I love new tips!
Hi Karin, thanks. I fixed the widget now. My sneakers are here: https://go.shopmy.us/p-8927872
Thanks for your Style Formulas. One of your past Style Formula posts really changed my life. I have too many clothes but was always wearing the same things because I was overwhelmed. Now I pick from different style formulas each day and write them down. After I wear something I turn the hanger around so that at the end of the season I can see what I am not wearing and scale back.
Your style really resonates with me. I appreciate you!
Thanks, Patricia
That’s amazing, Patricia. Thanks so much for sharing. I love that you’re benefiting from those formulas. So smart!
Love these looks and especially the sweatshirt blazers! I’ve seen a lot lately that we need to elevate our casual look and get away from leggings and jeggings!
Just putting on an oversized jean shirt or corduroy over a tshirt gives a more polished look IMO. Thanks for all you do!
I have 4 or 5 pcs from Frank & Eileen now because my lifestyle is more casual since I retired. I still love my blazers though and wear them more casually or on Sundays for church. I just got the mini Belfast peacoat blazer last week and love it. They also have it in a longer length which would probably work better for taller women.
Their items are really good quality and will have in my closet for years.
I really like these style formulas. They would be easy to copy and dress up or keep it casual as you have shown beautifully. Well done!
Thank you.
These are really great ideas, simple formulas based on color, which can be applied to any type of clothing. My personal favorite is the three color, I’d do 2 colors and 1 neutral. Since I love wearing multiple colors, I might even cheat and do 2 colors and 2 neutrals. 🙂
Hi Kay,
My name is Pamela and I live in UK . I have only just come across your blog and am hooked. I look
forward to further posts but I think I have an awful lot of catching up. to do of previous posts and great Videos.
You are just what I need to cheer me up in the cold winter gloom and usually a very cold wet winter in UK 😕.
Kind Regards .
Pamela
Casual and pulled together. These are my style!