My Go To Guide For Putting Together an Outfit
Wearing an outfit that feels like me can be challenging to sustain daily, especially with school and managing social media. As a college student, I wanted it to be easy to tell what my major was based just on my outfit. With this in mind, there can be a lot of pressure to put together the perfect outfit. For years, I have always been proud of having outfits planned and ready for any occasion, which is why I decided to write my first article on how to put together an outfit. People always ask me how I have a cute outfit ready to go, so this is exactly how I do it.
This guide breaks down the system I use to plan outfits ahead of time, find inspiration that works for my closet, and feel confident getting dressed without overthinking the creative process.
How I Build Outfits Ahead of Time
Whenever it is laundry day or I have the free time, I lay out all of my clean clothing before sorting them into piles of long sleeve shirts, t-shirts, shorts, skirts, jackets, etc. From there, I put together outfits purely based on my imagination. Right now, I have class a few days a week, so I want outfits that will be comfortable while still being stylish enough to post on social media. For you, this could be outfits for work, class, meetings, or even going on a morning walk. I like to keep the intentions of what I will be styling for in mind throughout the entire process. If I know I have an event coming up, I will put outfits together specifically around that. Some days I am only able to put together one or two outfits, whereas other days I may have no trouble creating as many as my wardrobe will allow me.
Using Social Media as a Styling Tool
Once I feel stuck on what garments to pair with each other, I open up Pinterest and go to my clothing boards. I organize my boards mostly by weather and season to make it easier to find outfits that are appropriate for the current climate. I have a few other boards for moods if I am looking for something more specific or custom. An example of this is “An All Black Serve” and “Colorful/Funky.” I personally enjoy giving all my boards fun names instead of just fall, summer, winter, or spring. When I am doing my daily Pinterest scroll, I often think about the clothing I already own so I can save outfits that reflect pieces already in my closet.
Organizing Outfits So Getting Dressed Is Easier
Next, I start putting clothing into a pile of what each outfit will be, and I move the Pinterest post that inspired that look or was recreated from that look into a new folder called “Current.” This makes it so much easier in the morning when I am not sure what shoes, hairstyle, makeup, or accessories I want. I can just open up the “Current” folder that has all the outfits I have layed out together for that period of time. Additionally, I have a folder specifically for accessories, shoes and purses to make styling even more seamless.
Outfit Examples Inspired From Pinterest Posts
Additional Steps That Can Add to an Outfit
For those of you who do not know, I am a fashion merchandising student at CSULB in my senior year. Recently, I did a project on self color analysis, body shape, face shape, and what garment cuts and silhouettes look best on me. While the project I had for school broadened my perspective on personal styling, it did not change the process of how I choose to style outfits. Instead it furthered my fashion knowledge to be more intentional with my styling. I enjoy incorporating these elements when styling a new look. Everyone is unique and learning about what looks best on you can help with feeling more put together and confident even on days when you feel like a hot mess.
Problem-Solving & Real Life Styling
When an Outfit Doesn’t Work
I am sure we have all had those days where we have an outfit idea in our head we are obsessed with, and then we try it on and absolutely hate it. This can happen more often when you are styling directly from an image of someone else without taking into consideration your own body type and color palette.
Additionally
Doing your own research on your body shape and coloring can help you identify garments that suit you best before laying out all your clothing and making a giant mess of your closet. At the end of the day, the perfect outfit isn’t about following trends or copying someone else’s style—it’s about building a system that makes getting dressed feel easier, more fun, and more like you. Regardless of what you’re wearing or how you style it, what matters most is confidence and adding a personal touch that makes it feel like you.
Thank you for reading my first blog post. I’m excited for you to read next week’s post about how social media influences the way we dress. New posts every Wednesday.
