American Eagle tank (I have it in 3 colors!), wearing size small; Apricot Lane shorts (sold out), similar pair HERE; Steve Madden sandals; DSW macrame tote (obsessed, under $30!)
Jewelry is a mix of Stella and Dot, Baublebar; and Alex and Ani. Sunglasses are Rayban.
This post is a continuation of THIS POST that I wrote last year, where I outlined how to figure out your actual style and what to buy to create the closet of your dreams. I highly suggest this book if you are looking to create a curated/capsule closet.
Let’s start with the assumption that you have figured out what you really wear, picked out a basic color palette (mine is black, gray, white, blush, denim, and pops of mustard lol), and gotten rid of what doesn’t bring you JOY (basically anything I bought in a rush or on sale…)
How do we begin to create a closet full of pieces you love?
By picking out outfit formulas.
You see, my life is really simple. I’m a stay at home mom, I work from home, and my real life is very casual. So my closet is as well. That doesn’t mean I don’t have special pieces (that will come in a later post!), it just means I concentrate my buying power on what I wear most (workout clothes and casual looks.) I tend to wear two basic outfits this time of year, shorts and a tank, and simple sundresses. That’s it. It’s simple and basic and it allows me to buy pieces that work inside these formulas so that I always feel like me.
Let’s dig deeper into the first formula: shorts and a tank.
First, I try to find the perfect pieces in each of these categories. Basically that means I look for the best fitting shorts I can have in several washes, and I find a tank that I buy in multiple colors. Lastly. I pull it all together with accessories.
Right now my favorite style shorts are high-rise, with a 4 inch inseam. The ones I ordered above were from a pre sale from Apricot Lane and I am OBSESSED. You can join her Facebook post here for when she restocks. These are seriously the best shorts ever. I bought them in 2 washes (I’m wearing the light wash above.) I linked a similar pair above and also love the fit of shorts at Aberbrombie, currently.
Next I pick a couple of tanks I love in a few colors. I have this button Henley tank in white, blush, and black; this Free People long beach tank in mauve, white, gray, and black; and I am eyeing this Free People tank in white and blue! I just rotate these simple tanks with my denim shorts and it is so easy to get dressed and feel like me.
Lastly, accessories! This is where I have a bit more fun. I love my rose gold Birk’s and always get compliments when I wear them, as well as my crystal embellished Steve Madden slides. I use this macrame tote daily (it holds and ton and looks really Summery), and almost always have my Raybans on. Add in some delicate necklaces (typically from Stella and Dot), and my fave Nickel and Suede earrings and I feel put together. This brings me to multiple sports practices, trips to Home Depot, etc;) If I’m not in gym clothes, or a bathing suit, I’m in this OR my other uniform (coming in next post!)
Tell me, do you wear a “uniform?” What is your fave outfit combo?
