What is an Outfit Formula?

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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! Well, what is an Outfit Formula anyway?

This is sometimes called an ‘outfit uniform’ as well. You probably have a few ‘go to’ formulas you use already without even realizing it. For example, Jeans + T-Shirt + Cardigan + Flats. That sounds like a regular, everyday outfit that you’ve likely worn many times before.

If you think about the formula in mathematical terms, a formula is meant to be evaluated. That is, you replace all variables in it with specific values. As such, the ‘variables’ of Jeans + T-Shirt + Cardigan + Flats can be replaced with ‘specific values’ like:

  • Dark Wash Jeans + Striped T-Shirt + Red Cardigan + Leopard Ballet Flats
  • White Jeans + Solid Navy T-Shirt + Beige Cardigan + Strappy Sandal Flats
  • Light Wash Jeans + White T-Shirt + Grey Cardigan + Red Flats

Each of these options still include the variables of Jeans + T-Shirt + Cardigan + Flats, but the details of each piece vary to create three completely different looks. When you consider an outfit formula, look at your closet for ‘specific values’ and your outfit options will become endless. You’ll never say you have nothing to wear again!

Outfit Formulas® can help anyone stuck in a style rut or in need of a style update. Our members include women of every stage of life. It truly is the all-inclusive solution for any body, size, age, and budget.

Who Outfit Formulas® are for:

  • Young women who want to revamp their wardrobe as they begin their careers.
  • Busy professionals who are looking to save time and simplify their closets.
  • Women who work from home who want to keep up their style even though they don’t work in an office.
  • Stay at home moms who want to be stylish without sacrificing comfort.
  • Mid-lifers who aren’t sure what’s in style vs what’s on trend but want to look stylish and appropriate for their age.
  • Empty nesters who finally have time again to focus on themselves and want to refresh their looks.


The Outfit Formulas® Style Guides help you choose the right clothing from your favorite stores with our easy shopping lists, and pair them effortlessly with our daily outfit ideas. You can learn more about how it works and the benefits of building your own capsule wardrobe here.

Trench Coat + Striped Top + Boyfriend Jeans + Leopard Flats

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Striped and leopard are one of our favorite combos. Did you know we consider both of those patterns a neutral?! You can essentially pair it with almost anything for a chic look. Here’s how to style both in a spring look!

TRENCH COAT: 

A light khaki color classic trench coat, neutral lightweight jacket, or cardigan works for this look!

STRIPED TOP: 

A black and white striped long-sleeved or short-sleeved tee shirt will work. You can choose your favorite stripes, or stick with a horizontal thin black striped pattern. 

BOYFRIEND JEANS:

Medium wash boyfriend jeans, distressed or not, work for this outfit. You can also choose any skinny, flare, or wide-leg jeans in a medium wash, too!

LEOPARD FLATS: 

Leopard loafer-style flats or any neutral printed flat is great to complete this Outfit Formula. 

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. The Outfit Formulas® Style Guides help you choose the right clothing from your favorite stores with our easy shopping lists, and pair them effortlessly with our daily outfit ideas. You can learn more about how it works and the benefits of building your own capsule wardrobe here.

Chambray Top + Gray Tee + White Bottoms + Color Flats

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Nothing says spring like white jeans! White denim is a closet staple around here, even in the winter (yes, really!). 

CHAMBRAY TOP: 

Long-sleeved medium wash chambray button-down shirt or your favorite chambray or Oxford shirt works! Be mindful of the cut you choose; a collared shirt will work best for layering.

A denim jacket can be substituted when styled as a top layer!

GRAY TEE: 

Gray v-neck tee shirt or any style gray tee-shirt, long or short-sleeved works!

WHITE BOTTOMS:

Choose your favorite white jeans, or, chino-style pant works, too! In the summer, you can substitute white shorts. 

COLORED SHOES: 

Make your outfit pop! Any solid bright sandals, mules, or flats work, depending on the weather. We love a bright red!

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. The Outfit Formulas® Style Guides help you choose the right clothing from your favorite stores with our easy shopping lists, and pair them effortlessly with our daily outfit ideas. You can learn more about how it works and the benefits of building your own capsule wardrobe here.

Denim Jacket + Solid Neutral Dress + White Sneakers

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This is a classic look that’s great for warm days and chilly nights in the spring. Layers are key to seasonal weather changes!

DENIM JACKET:

A medium wash denim jacket or any favorite denim jacket or vest. A chambray shirt can also be substituted when styled as a top layer!

SOLID NEUTRAL DRESS: 

Black midi tank dress or a solid neutral dress. A sleeveless cut will work best for layering in the spring!

WHITE SNEAKERS:

White leather sneakers or your favorite white shoes or sandals. You can really make the outfit pop with a pair of leopard patterned shoes, too!

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. 

The Outfit Formulas® Style Guides help you choose the right clothing from your favorite stores with our easy shopping lists, and pair them effortlessly with our daily outfit ideas. You can learn more about how it works and the benefits of building your own capsule wardrobe here. 

How to Apply The Rule of Thirds

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When it comes to style rules, we are firm believers that a few should be thrown out the window. For instance, the rule that you should always dress according to your age. We believe in wearing what feels YOU appropriate, not age appropriate. But because fashion is a visual medium, there’s one particular rule we love, and that’s the rule of thirds.

What is the rule of thirds? Simply put, it’s a guideline to create more proportionate looks that flatter your body. Because this is a visual rule, check out these ways to apply the rule of thirds when wearing leggings, pants and midi/maxi dresses.

rule of thirds for leggings

When it comes to leggings, the rule of thirds is all about choosing the right top. If you’re wearing printed leggings, pair them with a solid top in a complementary color. If your leggings are solid, look for a top with some visual interest like ruffles or a print. And if you want to go for a monochromatic look, choose leggings and a top in the same color family.

rule of thirds for pants

Pants are probably the easiest clothing item to style with the rule of thirds. If you’re wearing wide-leg pants, pair them with a fitted top or sweater. If you’re wearing skinny jeans, look for a top that’s looser and more relaxed. And if you want to go for a cropped pant, choose a top with some volume like a peplum blouse or billowy sleeves.

rule of thirds for midi/maxi dresses

Midi and maxi dresses are also great for styling with the rule of thirds. If you’re wearing a fitted dress, pair it with a jacket or cardigan that hits at the hip. If you’re wearing a loose-fitting dress, choose a belt to cinch in your waist and create some visual interest. And if you want to go for an ultra-relaxed look, layer your dress over pants or leggings.

So there you have it, a few ways to apply the rule of thirds to your everyday outfits. We hope you found this helpful and that you’ll start experimenting with this style rule the next time you get dressed!

Do you have any other tips for how to style leggings, pants or dresses using the rule of thirds? Share them with us in the comments below! And if you’re looking for more outfit inspiration, be sure to check out Outfit Formulas for inspiration for stylish everyday looks. Happy styling!

The Power of the Fourth Piece Rule

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What’s the easiest way to complete out your outfit? Add a fourth piece! Start with any basic Outfit Formula – a top, bottoms and shoes. Then add any fourth piece outfit completer, like a jacket, belt, handbag, hat or scarf. Voila, your look is complete!

Printed Top + Boyfriend Jeans + Neutral Flats

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This is the perfect spring look for any occasion!

Printed Top:

Any printed top–floral, plaid, polka dot, animal print, geometric, etc. Let your personality shine!

Boyfriend Jeans:

Medium wash boyfriend jeans or any favorite denim!

Neutral Flats:

Tan d’Orsay cut flats or any neutral flats, mules or loafers that you love most.

Accessories:

A neutral bag and simple necklace and earrings are perfect for this classic look!

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.

What is a Capsule Wardrobe?

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So if you’ve heard of it. But do you actually know what a capsule wardrobe is?

The term capsule wardrobe was coined in the 1970s by a London boutique owner. The phrase has evolved over time to mean a collection of clothing that can be mixed and matched together to maximize the number of outfits that can be created. At Outfit Formulas®, every capsule wardrobe begins with classic basic closet staples that are always in style. Then we add current trend pieces into our seasonal capsule wardrobes to keep your look up to date.

African American woman and Caucasian woman sitting together on the floor with a rack of clothes in the background while smiling while looking at paper.
Each Outfit Formulas® Capsule Wardrobe includes coordinating tops, bottoms, shoes, jackets, and accessories, along with an easy shopping list and outfit ideas.

Before you start shopping, remember the three golden rules to building a capsule wardrobe:

1. We are closet curators, not caught-up consumers. We don’t buy clothes because we are bored or just because something is on sale. We buy clothes because something fills a gap in our wardrobe, makes us feel confident, and will serve us well. Those magical unicorn pieces are what we call a HECK YES! That leads us to rule #2…

2. If it’s not a YES, it’s a NO! If you feel just ‘okay’ in something, the material is uncomfortable, or it’s not the most flattering cut- guess what will happen… you’ll rarely wear it and it will be a waste of your money. Nobody wants that! We’re here to help you learn what pieces will serve you best so that you can curate your closet with confidence.

3. It takes time and patience to truly create a closet you love. Start with what you already own to assess what you want to keep, toss, or donate.

If you find you still have gaps in your wardrobe after shopping your closet, you can review the suggested items on your list and choose what you want to buy first. Remember: you don’t have to buy it all at once to make this program work! Keep in mind the first two rules before you hit the stores.

The Outfit Formulas® Style Guides help you choose the right clothing from your favorite stores with our easy shopping lists, and pair them effortlessly with our daily outfit ideas. You can learn more about how it works and the benefits of building your own capsule wardrobe here.