Happy Monday! Since I shared the final of our seven style formulas last week, I thought today would be a good day for review and a few final thoughts. You know, I’ve been learning these along with you. And as I look back over the outfits I’ve styled here at Dressed for My Day for the past two and a half years, I recognize that the looks built (quite accidentally!) on these formulas were the best, while others sort of missed the mark. So I’ve put some thought into how to work these formulas beautifully, and I’d like to share those with you today.
Seven Simple Style Formulas
We’re in the middle of a style series I’ve titled Oh So Pulled Together. More than any other question, I’m frequently asked to share tips for creating stylish outfits. So I created this little style series to really hone in on how to put together outfits that make you feel and look Oh So Pulled Together. You can check out all the post in this series here.
Within the series I’ve shared 7 simple style formulas. We’ve looked at:
- Style Formula #1: Top This!
- Style Formula #2: One & Done!
- Style Formula #3: Shoes On, Show Off!
- Style Formula #4: Layer It On!
- Style Formula #5: Bottoms Up!
- Style Formula #6: Accessorize to Maximize
- Style Formula #7: Color Me Beautiful!
If you missed any of these formulas, I definitely suggest you go back and check them out. I won’t go into the details of any of the formulas today. I’m just adding a few tips for pulling them off beautifully. But you will be seeing a photo from each of the style formulas as I talk you through my additional pointers. Be sure to refer back to the original post for shopping details if you’re interested in any of the clothing or accessories you see.
My Tips for Working the Style Formulas Beautifully
Tip #1 – Keep it simple. Can we really say that enough? I know I say it over and over, but I’m the world’s worst at remembering to follow this tip! These formulas are each based in simplicity. We really need to resist the tendency to over-think or over-do our styling.
Tip #2 – Choose the formulas that work best for your body type and proportions. You nor I necessarily need to work all seven formulas. Let’s choose the ones that work best for our unique bodies. For instance, if want to minimize a large bosom, you might not want to use Style Formula #1: Top This!. But you might really rock Style Formula #5: Bottoms Up!. Of course, if like me, you’d prefer to draw attention away from large thighs and derriere, you might prefer to use the Style Formula #1: Top This! more frequently.
Need help identifying your body type or proportions? Or maybe you know your type and proportions but need help dressing appropriately. Check out my previous style series, Dressed for My Day My Way.
Tip #3 – Stock your wardrobe to work your favorite style formulas. Again, there’s no need to work all seven formulas unless you just want to (or you’re a style blogger and you’re trying to resonate with all the gals! Ha!). So stock your closet with the pieces you need to work the two, three or four formulas you enjoy the most. Don’t care for oversized or noticeable accessories? Then skip Style Formula #6: Accessorize to Maximize and go with Style Formula #4: Layer It On! instead. Or if you love wearing dresses and jumpsuit, load up your closet with them and work Style Formula #2: One & Done! like a boss. If shoes are your jam, definitely work Style Formula #3: Shoes On, Show Off! frequently.
Tip #4 – You absolutely can mix formulas, stacking them. But be careful! Just like I leave advanced math to my son, some of us need to leave mixing formulas to the professionals. Ha! No really, I think we just need to remember that if we want to wear colorful shoes, for instance, and also layer on bold jewelry, we need to really aim for balance and harmony. Be prepared to spend a little more time on these outfits.
Tip #5 – Practice your one or two favorites so you can work them on the fly. The beauty of these formulas is that you can easily memorize them and practice them to perfection. Then, like reciting your multiplication tables, you can throw together visually pleasing outfits quickly and easily when you’re in a rush but want to look pulled together.
Tip #6 – Keep your look easy on the eyes. Remember, in this first post of our series, I shared that “easy on the eyes” translates as “oh so chic.” So even if you combine style formulas, be sure to have one focal point. You don’t want the eyes to have to scramble to make sense of your outfit.
Tip #7 – Stay true to your personal style essence. Remember, these are formulas, not rules. You get to work them with your personal flair. Don’t know your personal style essence or need help defining how to carry it out? Check out my post, How to Define Your Signature Style. Bottom line, you want to feel like you when you get dressed.
Tip #8 – This one’s up to you! Like I said, I’ve been learning these formulas right alongside of you. And while I was working them, I came up with these seven additional tips. But you may have learned a trick or two as you’ve been practicing them also. I’d love for you to chime in with your tip #8. If you have an additional tip for how to work these formulas beautifully, please share it with us in the comments.
Remember, you can shop the looks above by clicking through to the original post. Most of the items I’ve shown are still in stock and many are on sale right now. (For instance, I know the beautiful ivory silk blouse in Style Formula #1 is still available and deeply discounted.)
Thanks for stopping in today. I hope you have a beautifully stylish day!
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Blessed for My Day
Ah, the patience of our Savior. He wants us to trust Him, to know the depth of His love for us. And He meets us where we are. I love that we see in the Scriptures that Jesus dealt with each person He encountered in a unique way. He had a long conversation with the woman at the well, but He spoke only a couple of sentences to the man of action we meet in the latter part of John 4.
Jesus knew that this official needed to see signs and wonders. At first, Jesus’ statement of this reality seems to be a condemnation, but later we learn that He was simply stating the truth. For Jesus goes on to provide the wonder this man needs for his initial faith to be made full. I believe Jesus does the same for us today. Not all will place their faith in the Lord. But Jesus does indeed give us all ample opportunity. It is not His will that any should perish. He loves us so.
So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering. ~ John 4:48-51
Your email this morning gave me a chuckle…we flat-chested women need to just laugh at ourselves once in a while. ?
Thank you for replying to my comment the other day with a link for a cotton sweater. The details on the one you linked are lovely.
Hahaha! It is what it is! Glad you liked the sweater. 🙂
Hi Kay, I am so enjoying your blog! I spent the last 5 1/2 years caring for my elderly step mother who passed away in April of this year. During that difficult season I really neglected taking care of me. Since my step mom’s passing I have started walking, lost 40 pounds and have begun to enjoy having time to focus on my life. I just recently found your blog and You Tube videos. Because of my weight loss I now need to buy new, smaller size clothes! I have loved watching your videos and getting great inspiration for fall purchases and putting outfits together. I also really love your Blessed For My Day section. Thank you for sharing what God is putting on your heart. God Bless!
I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. It sounds like that was a very difficult time and I’m sure the loss is keen. I know that God will continue to walk with you through your grief.
Welcome to my blog. I’m so glad you found your way here and like what you’ve found. Congratulations on your exercise habits and weight loss. That’s tremendous! Enjoy building that wardrobe. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out my series on building a wardrobe that works for you here: https://dressedformyday.com/category/fashion-2/building-a-wardrobe/ You can also find it under the Fashion tab in the top menu. Blessings!
Hi Kay,
Thank you for these style tips.
Is it okay to cuff jeans? I’m only 5’4” and can’t have them tailored. I don’t want to cut them myself. I see still see some ladies cuffing or neatly rolling them to wear with booties.
Thank you.
Yes you can definitely still cuff. ?
Let me amend that first response. I’d only cuff boyfriend, girlfriend or skinny jeans, maybe straight leg jeans if they are a slim fit. ?
Thank you. My jeans are from Kut from the Kloth and sort of a looser skinny and not super fitted, so glad to know that cuffing is okay.
You bet!
Hi Kay, Love these further tips for working on the formulas for dressing! Can you wear dark straight leg jeans with a light washed denim jacket? In my day, this was known as the ‘Canadian tuxedo’… lol.
Yes, denim on denim like that is actually very on trend right now.
I’m a Canadian “of a certain age” and I’d never heard of denim on denim referred to as the Canadian tuxedo until recently! ?? I have a denim/chambray shirt, a denim jacket , and (of course) jeans, and they are so versatile. This is one style “rule” that many of us, Canadian or others, are quite willing to break.
This was a great recap of the tips! My brain is tired right now, so I don’t have an 8th tip to share. Great BFMD! I hope that you have enjoyed your Monday.
Lol! I hear you. My brain is tired too. Hang in there, Ginger. Blessings! ?
I have an 8th tip. Don’t ever, ever wear something that makes you feel uncomfortable even if it cost a lot and you just love it. Too tight, too short, too anything is not worth it., Give it away or sell it but don’t guilt yourself over it. Out This applies to shoes too.
Amen! Thanks for sharing Eve. ?