Archives for July 2022

5 Summer Trends You’ll Want in Your Closet

Summer is here, and you may feel lost about what you need to have in your closet that is on-trend and cool for the hot summer days! Here are 5 closet staples you’ll want to have to incorporate top summer trends:

Denim Shorts:  

summer trend: denim shorts

A pair of denim shorts is essential for any summer wardrobe. They are versatile and come in many different lengths to fit your comfort level. Light-washed, distressed denim is trending this summer, but a dark wash will always be in style!

White Tee: 

summer trend: white tee

A white tee is a staple piece that can be worn with anything. It’s perfect for those hot summer days when you just want to throw something on and go. Dress it up with a skirt, or tie a knot in it with high-waisted shorts!

Midi-Dress: 

summer trend: midi dress

A midi-dress is perfect for a summer day or night. It can be dressed up with heels and jewelry or dressed down with sneakers or flip-flops and a denim jacket. Choose your favorite solid color, or go bold with a bright pattern.

Floral Top: 

summer trends: floral top

A floral top is a must-have for summer. It can be worn with shorts, skirts, or jeans and can be sleeveless, short, or long-sleeved, depending on how much coverage you’d prefer. If you’re not a floral type, go bold with an animal print or stripes instead!

White Shorts: 

summer trend: white shorts

There’s nothing that screams ‘summer’ more than the perfect pair of white bottoms!  Whether you prefer denim, linen, or cotton, make sure they fit well and are comfortable. You’ll want to live in them all season long!

You can adapt closet staples by choosing items with trendy fabrics and patterns. For example, linen is a hot trend this year, and would be perfect as a dress, shorts, or top! Now that you know the 5 things you need in your closet this summer, go out and enjoy the warm weather in style.

About Outfit Formulas®

Much like combining the ingredients from a recipe to create a meal, an Outfit Formula is a combination of pieces to create a complete look. It’s like meal planning for your closet! The beauty of an Outfit Formula® is that you can make it your own by shopping your closet and filling in any gaps by looking for similar pieces at your favorite stores. 

If you love these looks, then we know you’ll love the Outfit Formulas® Summer 2022 Capsule Wardrobe! This guide is your key to effortlessly chic summer style, and includes 30+ days of easy, casual outfit ideas that can be dressed up or down to fit any occasion. You’ll also get a shopping list of essential items and on-trend pieces that are perfect for summer. So whether you’re hitting the beach, going out with friends, or just want to feel confident in your everyday style, this guide has you covered!

What is age-appropriate style?

You may ask yourself, ‘Am I too old to wear distressed jeans?’ or, ‘Should I wear longer skirts?’, and maybe even ‘Do I look too old in this top?’. Our take on what is age-appropriate style may not be what you expected!

At Outfit Formulas®, we believe every woman has the right to dress however they want, as long as they love their clothes and are comfortable in what they are wearing. So, when it comes to figuring out what’s age-appropriate, you really just need to ask yourself these three questions:

  1. Does this make me feel more confident and stylish when I put it on?
  2. Does this fit and flatter my body?
  3. What do I want to tell the world about myself and how do I present myself through my style?

Your answers will help you figure out what’s age-appropriate for you. You may be surprised to hear that many of the so-called ‘rules’ about age-appropriate dressing are nothing more than myths. The MOST important thing to remember is that it doesn’t have to be age-appropriate! It just has to be YOU appropriate.

Are Outfit Formulas® really age-appropriate?

Outfit Formulas® is just that- a formula which you can follow by using clothes that you love and that fit YOU, from ANY store. So, if you’re a size 2 or a size 20, age 23 or 83, you’re going to love our capsule wardrobes! The adaptability of the Outfit Formulas® is what makes them such a great investment. No matter where you are or what you do, there’s an Outfit Formula® perfect for your lifestyle!

About Outfit Formulas®

Much like combining the ingredients from a recipe to create a meal, an Outfit Formula is a combination of pieces to create a complete look. It’s like meal planning for your closet! The beauty of an Outfit Formula® is that you can make it your own by shopping your closet and filling in any gaps by looking for similar pieces at your favorite stores. 

If you’re looking to build a closet you love with less, The Closet Staples Casual Capsule Wardrobe Builder is perfect for you! It includes coordinating tops, bottoms, shoes, and accessories every woman needs in their closet for Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter looks. It’s the ultimate style guide!

4 Ways to Add Interest to your Summer Outfit without Layers!

With summer in full swing, it can be tempting to just throw on a pair of shorts and a tank top and call it a day. But why settle for boring when you can have fun with your style? Here are four easy ways to add some interest to your summer outfit without having to pile on the layers.

1. Kimono 

summer outfit layer - printed kimono

Ok ok yes… technically a kimono is a layer, but it’s so lightweight and airy that you truly won’t notice it and it certainly won’t add any unnecessary warmth to your look. They come in a variety of colors and patterns, so you can definitely find one that fits your style. They are very lightweight!!

2. Printed Sandals 

summer shoe - animal print sandals

Another great way to add some pizzazz to your outfit is printed sandals. Some of the summer trends include leopard print, floral, and even stripes. Whatever your preference, there are definitely some great options out there!

3. Scarves, Headbands, and Hair Wraps 

summer accessory - floral headband

These are all great accessories that can really make your outfit pop. They come in a variety of colors and styles, so you can definitely find something to match your outfit. Plus, they help keep sweaty hair out of your face!

4. Go Bold! 

summer shirt - striped t-shirt

One of the best ways to add interest to your outfit is to go bold with your clothing and accessories. If you’re feeling daring, try a bright patterned top or statement necklace. You can also try a fun print or pattern, like neon geographic leopard or stripes. Whatever you choose, make sure it expresses YOU!

These are just a few easy ways to add some interest to your summer outfit. So don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun with your style! Check out how our founder, Alison Lumbatis, amps up her summer outfits in the Texas heat.

Embed Video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CdrNlw7gOBL/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=

If you love these looks, then we know you’ll love the Outfit Formulas® Summer 2022 Capsule Wardrobe! This guide is your key to effortlessly chic summer style, and includes 30+ days of easy, casual outfit ideas that can be dressed up or down to fit any occasion. You’ll also get a shopping list of essential items and on-trend pieces that are perfect for summer. So whether you’re hitting the beach, going out with friends, or just want to feel confident in your everyday style, this guide has you covered!

Summer Outfit Idea: White Top + Printed Skirt + White Sneakers

Say hello to warm weather with this trendy, yet comfortable summer outfit idea. The light-weight top and skirt will keep you cool, while still looking put together. Swap the pieces out for linen material for a chic look!

White Top: 

A white boxy linen jersey tee with short sleeves or any favorite white top is perfect for this look! Dress it up with a white blouse with flutter or puff sleeves for a date night look.

Printed Bottoms: 

A chambray blue patterned tiered midi-skirt is perfect for hot summer days! You can dress it down with chambray or patterned shorts.

White Sneakers: 

Any of your favorite white leather or canvas sneakers is good to finish off this look. You can swap out for white sandals to dress it up, or flip flops to dress it down!

About Outfit Formulas®

Much like combining the ingredients from a recipe to create a meal, an Outfit Formula is a combination of pieces to create a complete look. It’s like meal planning for your closet! The beauty of an Outfit Formula® is that you can make it your own by shopping your closet and filling in any gaps by looking for similar pieces at your favorite stores. If you love these looks, then we know you’ll love the Outfit Formulas® Summer 2022 Capsule Wardrobe! This guide is your key to effortlessly chic summer style, and includes 30+ days of easy, casual outfit ideas that can be dressed up or down to fit any occasion. You’ll also get a shopping list of essential items and on-trend pieces that are perfect for summer. So whether you’re hitting the beach, going out with friends, or just want to feel confident in your everyday style, this guide has you covered!

The Ultimate Swimsuit Style Guide

Summer is in full swing which means it’s time to find the perfect swimsuit. With so many options on the market, it can be tough to know where to start. Whether you’re headed to the beach or the pool, there are a few key things to keep in mind when choosing the right swimsuit. We’ve put together a comprehensive swimsuit style guide to help you find the perfect swimsuit.

First, consider your body type. Are you petite or plus-size? Do you have a long torso or a short one? Knowing your measurements will help you choose a swimsuit that flatters your figure. Second, think about the style of swimsuit you want. Are you looking for a one-piece or a two-piece? A tankini or a bikini? There are a variety of styles to choose from, so take some time to try on a few different options. To make things a little easier, we’ve put together a style guide of the most flattering swimsuit pieces for each body shape.

swimsuit style guide for pear/triangle body shapes

How To Choose a Bikini for a Pear-Shaped Body?

The trick to choosing flattering swimwear is getting the upper and lower body proportions in balance. A pear body shape tends to be proportionally bottom heavy. So to balance it out, you’re aiming to add more curves and volume to the top, narrow the waist, and draw the eye away from the hips. You can do this by choosing certain types of swimwear, and avoiding others.

One-Piece Swimsuit

Fit is important here: you’ll find many one-piece swimsuits are too tight below or too loose up top when you’re a pear. If you’re struggling to get the right fit, try a tankini combo instead. That said, there are a lot of great one-piece options out there. Look for designs with eye-catching necklines and details up top, and plenty of coverage below. Also, look for swimsuits that combine light colors and patterns around the chest with plain, darker colors around the waist.

Bikini Tops

Pear types typically have small breasts, in which case you can have a lot of fun making the most of what you’ve got! Strapless bandeau tops are perfect for Pears, while padded bikini tops and push-up bikinis with bold patterns, elaborate styles, and sexy, revealing necklines are all great for emphasizing your bust’s natural curves. Playing with bikini textures and ruffles is a good way of adding overall volume up top.

Bikini Bottoms

Besides their stylish retro look, high waisted bottoms add coverage to your hip and butt while emphasizing the curve of your waist. When it comes to bikini bottoms, high cut waistlines are more flattering, and will also help to elongate your thighs. If you prefer the extra coverage that boardshorts or swimshorts offer, take extra care to get a good fit and feminine cut, as boy shorts tend to be unflattering for wider hips. Pairing a swimsuit with a sarong is often a better way to combine coverage with style.

swimsuit style guide for inverted triangle body shapes

How To Choose a Bikini for an Apple-Shaped Body?

The trick to choosing the right swimwear for any body shape is to balance out the proportions and emphasize your strongest features. In the case of an Apple shape, you’re aiming to highlight your chest and legs, while adding to the curve of your hips and waist.

Add emphasis to the curve of your hips with patterned bottoms and side-ties.

Mix & Match tops and bottoms to fine-tune to your personal dimensions.

A tankini top paired with a high waisted bottom will tone and flatter.

One-Piece Swimsuits

A fitted one-piece can help elongate and add definition to your figure. Look for designs with eye-catching shapes and details around the hips and neckline, with darker colors around the middle to flatter a wider waist. Deep V-necks and sweetheart silhouettes will highlight your neckline while zips and adjustable straps will allow you to dial in your perfect level coverage. Also, don’t be afraid to try out ruffles around your waist: even though they add volume they’re fun and will create a visual waistline.

Bikini Tops

Even though you probably have a large bust, it’s fine to go for bold, designs that draw the eye up to the bust and neckline. If you have wide shoulders, avoid strapless or spaghetti strap designs, otherwise… go wild on bikini top styles.

SHOP BIKINI BOTTOMS

Bikini Bottoms

With your bikini bottom, a good approach is to opt for curves that will narrow hips and add shape to your waist. A retro high-waist bikini bottom is a great way to define and accentuate your figure. For narrower waists, a skimpy, horizontal waistline bikini bottom with side ties will emphasize the curve of your hips and butt while highlighting elongated legs.

How To Choose a Bikini for a Rectangle Shaped Body?

Because a banana shaped body is well balanced, you can wear pretty much any bikini or swimsuit, and it will look fine. However, because you have a relatively straight silhouette, it’s good to know which swimsuit styles work best for creating curvier-looking hips, waist and breasts.

One-Piece Swimsuit

A swimsuit that’s cut high on the hips with a deep, plunging neckline is perfect for adding emphasis to smaller breasts and hips. Add a belt to make your waist look even slimmer. For the ultimate in silhouette shaping, a monokini with cut-out sides can bring the illusion of an hourglass shape to the straightest of rectangles

Bikini Tops

If you’re blessed with a slender rectangle body shape, a skimpy triangle style top will add flattering curves to your bust, giving you a more feminine silhouette. Halter bikinis and tank tops also look fantastic on rectangle body types.

Bikini Bottoms

When it comes to bottoms, to get that curvy bikini body look you’re aiming to minimize your waist, and maximize your hips and butt. Classic straight-across, tie-sided bikini bottoms are ideal for emphasizing the curve of your hips. Bold patterns and colors, ruffles, frills and ruching are also perfect for adding extra volume to your hips.

How To Choose a Bikini for an Hourglass Shaped Body?

If you’re lucky enough to have an Hourglass figure, looking good in a bikini is easy – you just need to keep your naturally even proportions in balance. The simplest way to achieve this is to wear matching sets – mixing different bikini tops and bottoms can throw off the balance, making the process more complicated. 

One-Piece Swimsuit

Lengthen your legs and add emphasis to your natural curves with a high cut hip and plunging neckline style. For maximum curve enhancement, go for a side-cut monokini.

Bikini Tops

Highlight your full bust with a classic breast-enhancing triangle bikini top. If you have a smaller chest, try a sexy strapless/bandeau design. If you have larger breasts, you may prefer the extra support of a halter top.

Bikini Bottoms

When it comes to swimsuits for curvy hips, simple bottoms that cut right across the waist look great. But, if you want to enhance your natural curves even more, then add volume with ruffles and other embellishments. For the retro look, a high-waist bikini will draw the eye to your narrow waist.

About Outfit Formulas®

Much like combining the ingredients from a recipe to create a meal, an Outfit Formula is a combination of pieces to create a complete look. It’s like meal planning for your closet! The beauty of an Outfit Formula® is that you can make it your own by shopping your closet and filling in any gaps by looking for similar pieces at your favorite stores. 

If you need more summer style inspiration, then we know you’ll love the Outfit Formulas® Summer 2022 Capsule Wardrobe! This guide is your key to effortlessly chic summer style, and includes 30+ days of easy, casual outfit ideas that can be dressed up or down to fit any occasion. You’ll also get a shopping list of essential items and on-trend pieces that are perfect for summer. So whether you’re hitting the beach, going out with friends, or just want to feel confident in your everyday style, this guide has you covered!

How to Adapt Summer Outfits for More Coverage

Here at Outfit Formulas®, we believe that every woman deserves to love their wardrobe, and should feel comfortable in what they are wearing! One of the top questions we get in our Outfit Formulas® Closet Crew Community is how to put together summer outfits that help you stay cool in the summer when you prefer to be more covered over showing bare skin.

Whether you like tank tops and shorts in the summer, or something with a little more coverage, our Outfit Formulas® will work for you! See how we take one summer outfit idea from our Summer 2022 Capsule Wardrobe and adapt it for different levels of coverage:

Outfit Idea: Patterned Top + Denim Bottoms + Neutral Shoes

Light Coverage:

We style a patterned, sleeveless blouse with distressed denim shorts, paired with neutral sandals. You can choose your favorite length shorts to go with this look.

Medium Coverage:

summer outfit ideas for medium coverage: light blouse, denim shorts, and sandals with a lightweight kimono

Take the original look and add a solid color, lightweight kimono or cardigan to cover your arms. Perfect for being in an airconditioned space when you get chilly!

Full Coverage:

summer outfits for full coverage: long sleeve pattern top with denim jeans and sandals

With a patterned top, lightweight kimono, swap the shorts for pants to fully cover your legs. You can also use a cropped pant, if it’s too hot!

More Inspiration for Summer Outfits:

If you prefer a short or long-sleeved top instead of a sleeveless, here’s a few more summer outfit ideas adapted for more coverage: 

About Outfit Formulas®

Much like combining the ingredients from a recipe to create a meal, an Outfit Formula is a combination of pieces to create a complete look. It’s like meal planning for your closet! The beauty of an Outfit Formula® is that you can make it your own by shopping your closet and filling in any gaps by looking for similar pieces at your favorite stores. 

If you love these looks, then we know you’ll love the Outfit Formulas® Summer 2022 Capsule Wardrobe! This guide is your key to effortlessly chic summer style, and includes 30+ days of easy, casual outfit ideas that can be dressed up or down to fit any occasion. You’ll also get a shopping list of essential items and on-trend pieces that are perfect for summer. So whether you’re hitting the beach, going out with friends, or just want to feel confident in your everyday style, this guide has you covered!