One LBD, Two Looks
/I always had the same problem when getting ready. I'd stand in my closet feeling like a hot confused mess. In my frustrated state with a closet full of clothes, I always felt like I had nothing to wear. You can relate, right?
Photography by Rachel Radcliffe
Finally, I figured out the problem
When picking out new clothes, I never looked at my closet as one big collection... I only saw each piece individually. Eventually, that leads to chaos. It's like having a 1000 piece puzzle, but none of the pieces fit together.
Soon after, I began to shop with intention and became very selective before bringing new clothes home. I only purchased my favorite styles, textures, patterns and kept to a very neutral color palette. If it didn't fit the guideline, it was out. ✂️ Over several months, styling looks became much easier, and all my little puzzle pieces of clothing began to form a clearer picture in my closet.
In a few weeks, we'll talk more about wardrobe planning and personal style, but for now, here's one of the many benefits of my closet glow up.
How to create two looks with one little black dress.
Keep reading to find out how I switched up looks from cozy + cute to city chic in a few easy steps.
Start with good quality basics
First things first, invest in good closet essentials. Basic colored tops, 1-3 solid pairs of denim jeans, a little black dress, etc. We can go deeper this in a future post, but in short... like I said, the basics are not at all basic. Here, I'm wearing a velvet turtleneck long-sleeved dress that I randomly picked up from Forever 21.
With a closet of strong essential items, you will have an arsenal of clothes that can easily be paired with other outfit items. This is the ice cream and everything else in your look is what turns it into a sundae. Two more steps, and you'll be lookin' like a snack. 🍦
Make a statement and layer up with outerwear
Once you've got on that LBD that fits like a glove, time to sprinkle in your personal style. Once you decide on the kind of look you're going for, you can pick your outerwear accordingly. For example, my long multi-slit cardigan and big fuzzy coat makes all the world's difference between the two looks. The outerwear serves as a statement piece which draws attention away from your LBD.
In a season or a city that's too hot for outerwear? No problem, I still got you. Alternatively, switch up the shoes. For the record, I'm wearing the same Charlotte Russe thigh high peep-toe boots in both looks, but you can still diversify your look even more by playing around with different shoe styles. If you're up for the challenge play around with both: different combos of shoes and outerwear.
Last but not least, add in your accessories
So you're half way there, and here is where you bring it all together. Pick 1-2 accessories to top it all off. Anything more than that, and it might distract from everything else going on in the outfit. For me to go from cozy + cute to city chic, I ditched the floppy knit hat for a pair of Quay x Desi sunnies to edge out my look.
Once you throw on those accessories, you are good to slay for the rest of the day!
For my short attention span friends out there 😜 | TL;RD version
Start with strong basic closet essentials
make it your own with statement outerwear or shoes
top it off with 1-2 accessories
Play around with it, there's no right or wrong way to do it, and that's the best part! Most importantly, remember style is very personal to you and have fun with it!
Outfit deets
Photography: Rachel Radcliffe
LOOK I COZY + CUTE
Black winter coat with fleece trim: Zara
Floppy knit hat: Forever 21
the basics
Velvet turtleneck black dress: Forever 21
Thigh high peep-toe boots: Charlotte Russe
LOOK II City Chic
Olive green long knit cardigan: Cotton On
OTL II Sunnies: Quay x Desi
Olive wristlet: Target Style (2016)