Details: Lewit sweater (swap), tulle skirt (thrift), Silverado jacket (gift), BR belt (thrift), Ralph Lauren bag (Poshmark), Laredo boots (consignment)

Thoughts: I am so happy to have found this tulle skirt because the colour is gorgeous and it opens up a world of possibilities in my closet. This outfit being a case in point. While I prefer fluffier tulle skirts in general, this more streamlined style makes this skirt a lot more “everyday” wearable. I loved the tonality of this outfit, and this shade of blue is so soothing.

Details: Frank & Oak turtleneck (swap), Everlane sweater (thrift), Ralph Lauren skirt (Poshmark), Chelsea Crew shoes (thrift)

Thoughts: I chose this outfit based on a colour palette inspired by the skirt. It’s nice but in retrospect, feels a bit too muted for me. I am going to brainstorm some ideas for a brighter/more contrast-y pairing for this skirt.

Details: Wilfred sweater (retail), Ralph Lauren blazer (Poshmark), Fossil belt, Twik pants (both thrifted), J. Crew shoes (retail)

Thoughts: I am obsessed with this outfit. It’s a lot of brown, and I know brown isn’t for everyone. But I am loving it right now. Does it suit my colouring? I am not sure it does. I think I look better in colours that contrast more with my hair, but that could be a personal bias. (I am still not sold on seasonal analysis/colour theory, lol!) That being said, I will wear colours I enjoy regardless; I tend to simply wear them away from my face, but clearly that isn’t a rule set in stone either. Break the rules!

Details: Tommy Hilfiger vest, J. Crew blazer, Esprit belt, ASOS shoes (all thrifted), Banana Republic jeans (retail), Picasso tote (consignment)

Thoughts: A very simple but satisfying combination. This knit vest slash sleeveless mock-neck top was a strategic buy, and I’m thrilled to have found it because it suits my purposes perfectly. Basically, I have been wearing my ivory cable knit sweater a lot, and find it super versatile … but it can be bit too bulky to wear under some of my blazers. I decided a sleeveless version would be useful to have on hand. And this piece is perfect! The mock neck gives it of a cozy-looking vibe, but it’s actually 100% cotton so great for layering in all kinds of different situations (not too hot, not too cold). If I need arm coverage, I wear my white H&M long-sleeve pima cotton top underneath (remember that purchase?), and the combination is great.

Details: Tabi sweater, Chichwish skirt (both thrifted), Zara boots (retail)

Thoughts: A chunky sweater with a “chunky” tulle skirt, what’s not to love? I added chunky boots to keep the vibe a bit more punky than twee.

Details: Toni T dickie, Gap sweater, Higher State dress, petticoat (all thrifted), Laredo boots (consignment), Coach bag (eBay)

Thoughts: Jo March meets après-ski. That’s it, no notes.

Details: mushroom sweater, Kimchi Blue pants, Office London shoes (all thrifted), Coach bag (eBay)

Thoughts: This is some rando brand dupe for a Zara sweater I had eyed on Poshmark a couple of years ago. It’s cute. It’s so cute, in fact, that my daughter has already claimed it. I guess it’s communal property now. To be honest, I’m not mad about it. This sweater doesn’t really align with my current aesthetic — it’s a bit too whimsical — although that could change; in the meantime, it’s still gonna get some wears.

Last week we talked about outfit building blocks; this week, we are moving on to outfit formulas. What are outfit formulas? Think of them as templates rather than recipes – the individual elements are somewhat interchangeable. By keeping the overall architecture the same, but changing up the pieces, we can create different outfits quickly and with relatively little planning. What constitutes a successful outfit formula will depend on you. Your preferences – for specific types of clothing, for certain colours or patterns, for particular trends or aesthetics – inform how you like to get dressed. Some combinations will check off more boxes (or check them off in a more satisfying way) than others. I can’t give you an exhaustive list of outfit formulas and even if I could, it wouldn’t be worth much. You can’t know if an outfit formula works for you until you try it. A certain amount of “workshopping” is necessary. But here are some things to consider.

The Third Piece

What makes clothes into an outfit? Often, it’s the third piece. That might be a coat, a blazer, a vest. Maybe a skirt over a pair of pants if the thought of revisiting the 00s intrigues you. Or a shirt layered over a tee, worn with jeans (shades of Papa Ralph). There are many different ways of incorporating a third piece into an outfit, and doing so adds a sense of intentionality to the overall look. If a third piece is not feasible – for weather-related reasons or otherwise – and you have to work with a two-piece outfit, consider either (i) making one of the pieces a statement, or (ii) adding a statement accessory.

A statement (clothing) piece can be something in a bright colour, or a bold pattern, or a more unusual texture like leather or metallic fabric. These types of pieces can supply enough visual interest and “drama” to make up for the missing third piece. A statement accessory is something that stands out and draws attention; think an oversized or highly patterned scarf, a chunky necklace, or a colourful bag or shoes. Such accessories can basically take the place of a third piece.

Now, of course, you are never limited to only 3 pieces. The more components to an outfit, the more stylized it will appear. This can look impressive, but it can also appear “fussy” especially in a casual setting. I don’t believe that you should always dress for the lowest common denominator – I’m all about marching to the beat of one’s own drum – but I think it’s helpful to be aware of the impact that your fashion expression may have on others. With a 3-piece outfit, you’ll rarely run of risk of being underdressed or overdressed.

Depth, Texture, Contrast

When picking outfit building blocks to slot into your formula, think about the visual impact. Impact can be created through the use of colour and pattern, but that is only the start. Depth, texture, and contrast also create the impression of intentionality. Depth can be achieved through layers and the use of different shades of the same colour, for example. Texture can be achieved by pairing different types of fabrics and materials. Contrast can be achieved through colour and texture but also juxtaposition – think a men’s shirt paired with a full skirt, or a satin slip dress with combat boots. I aim to have at least one of these elements present in each outfit.

Under and Over

The strategic use of layers can transform an outfit. For example, one of my favourite styling “tricks” is to layer a longer skirt under a (full) shorter one to elongate the vertical line and/or create more volume on the bottom half of the outfit. This also maximizes the versatility of each individual item of clothing.

A similar “trick” is layering a dress or tunic over pants. This isn’t something that works for everyone — some people are still traumatized by the 00s version of this, and it tends to suit more niche aesthetics anyway. But something to consider.

I also love adding lightweight base layers to transition summer pieces into the colder seasons. My favourite “tools” for this are a black turtleneck; a white tee; a mesh turtleneck; and a white collar dickie.

The key thing is that these pieces are lightweight and fitted, so they don’t add extra bulk; and cotton, if possible, so they are also breathable and soft against the skin.

I must also give an honourable mention to another favourite styling “hack” which is layering a shirt or sweater over a dress to create the illusion of separates. Cropped tops are best for this, but you can also use a belt to create the same effect with a faux tuck. A wide belt is required for this, but keep in mind that you only need to tuck an inch or so of your top and then simply fold over the extra material.

Old Favourites

I said I wouldn’t be able to give you an exhaustive list of outfit formulas, but it seems unfair to not at least share some of my favourites.

Shirt + vest + blazer + pants

Long skirt + top + topper

Short skirt + top + long topper

Sweater + pants + statement coat

Crop top + high waist bottom + topper

Dress + vest

The last formula is a good example of how I “style up” a 2-piece outfit so that it looks intentional. A belt or large necklace are my usual go-tos.

I hope these examples give you some ideas to explore in your own outfit-building, but remember the most important consideration of all: have fun!

Details: MaxMara sweater (Poshmark), Jessie skirt, BR belt, Chie Mihara shoes (all thrifted)

Notes: It’s been far too long since I last wore this MaxMara sweater. I still adore its whimsy; it makes me smile. As I was debating what to pair it with this time, I realized that the colours of the flowers matched those of the skirt flowers. The design is different, but visually “close enough” is good enough. I really love this pattern mix, if you can call it that. I was a little bit concerned at first that it might be too chaotic, but I don’t think it is.

Details: mystery dress, necklace (both thrifted), Zara boots (retail)

Notes: When I say this is a mystery dress, I mean it. I have so many questions about it, none of them satisfactorily answered. There is no brand tag. The inside tag lists the RN # for Michael Kors, but a Google Image search for this pattern only returns Dries Van Noten dresses. It’s silk with hand-finished hems, which you would not expect from a counterfeit (assuming that’s what could explain the other oddities). So, who knows? I like this weird, mystery dress and I paid $4.50 for it, so I am not too fussed about it. It certainly has a 2018 Adina vibe to it, but I enjoy a good throwback now and then.

Details: vintage sweater, Woolrich vest, Everlane pants, Laredo shoes, Coach bag (all secondhand)

Notes: My husband said that I looked very Canadian in this outfit, and it’s hard to argue with that. I love this not-really-Hudson’s-Bay-but-pretending sweater and it makes a statement outfit out of any basic pieces. That being said, the accessories are maybe my favourite part; these shoes and this bag are on repeat and I just can’t get enough. Luckily, they go with everything.

Details: Lewit sweater (swap), Elena Wong coat, H&M pants, Gap belt, Modern Vice shoes (all thrifted), Tignanello bag (Poshmark)

Notes: Remember this coat? It’s still one of my faves. I love how unusual it is; the graphic pattern makes a great visual impact. I like to play up the yellow accents. Here, I doubled up with the yellow bag, and added blue for contrast. This shade complements the yellow really well. I wanted to keep the rest of the outfit neutral so I chose my tan paperbag waist pants; they are the best “blank” canvas piece.

Details: Oak & Fort turtleneck, H&M Studio skirt (both thrifted), BCBG belt (Poshmark), J. Crew shoes (retail), Warren Steven Scott earrings (retail)

Notes: I don’t like to wear orange; I feel like it clashes with my hair and isn’t kind to my complexion either. But I enjoy it in this context, because it’s a splash of colour far enough away from my face not to cause me any grief, but bold enough to make a statement. Since I don’t have a lot of orange in my closet, I decided to use red as an accent colour since the rest of the outfit is very neutral. Red and orange might not seem like a very felicitous combination, but I like it here. I added the white belt to tie the outfit together and I think it does that very well.

Details: Toni T dickie, Esprit vest, Higher State dress, vintage petticoat, Nine West shoes (all thrifted)

Notes: I call this Jo March, winter edition. I know petticoats are old-fashioned, but I like how the mostly-black outfit is bookended by white in this way. I think it makes the outfit “pop” more. The grandpa vest gives it some visual definition – otherwise, the black might be a bit overwhelming (and too Wednesday Addams, which isn’t the vibe I was going for this time).

Details: Oak & Fort turtleneck, cashmere cardigan, Twik pants, Fossil belt, American Apparel coat (all thrifted), Mia shoes (retail), Coach bag (swap)

Notes: I’m obsessed with this shade of brown — I call it whiskey brown — in case you couldn’t tell. I’ve been wearing it a lot this fall, and I especially like it paired with black. Here, I softened the palette a bit, adding yellow and grey into the mix. The grey wasn’t something I came up with on my own; I was inspired by the coat itself, which has a brown collar. It made me realize that brown and grey could work together too. See … inspiration is everywhere!