The Magic Formula: Basics + Statements
As fun as it would be to have a closet filled with the funkiest, thrifted clothes, it is in no way practical. You would inevitably run out of things to wear and get bored of your wardrobe fast. On the contrast, too many staple pieces would make your wardrobe boring and uninteresting. So, it is important to have a balance between your basic wardrobe pieces and statement pieces.
Here is an example of a lovely outfit worn by Grace. As you can see, her outfit is not outwardly complex, but it is still interesting. This is because she has a balance of basic and statement pieces. Let’s take a closer look!
Grace’s top might appear simple, but it has a delicate lace detail that actual makes it a statement piece. Even though her top is a statement piece, it’s off white color makes it not too much of a bold fashion move.
To spice up her outfit a little, Grace added a colorful striped scarf. This is another statement piece that is much louder than her top, and contrasts the delicacy nicely. She paired these pieces with a pair of basic blue jeans and a brown leather jacket. These basic, capsule wardrobe pieces can go with pretty much anything, but if you are not careful to add some statement pieces, can make outfits forgettable.
Key basic outfit pieces:
1. White tops
Different white tops are important and versatile clothing pieces. A white top can go with almost any pant and any jacket, and are always perfect for layering.
I would recommend looking for white tops at places like Gap, Old Navy, Brandy Melville, or Hollister.
2. Blue jeans
A good pair of blue jeans can go far. Make sure that these jeans are flattering to your specific body type, as any style of blue jeans can be the perfect base of your wardrobe. And most importantly make sure that these jeans are comfortable! There is nothing worse that a pair of jeans that doesn’t quite fit right.
I would recommend looking for jeans at Gap, American Eagle, Old Navy, or H&M.
3. A versatile jacket
Especially if you live in a cold climate like me, an everyday jacket is absolutely necessary. This jacket should be comfortable and in a color that goes with a lot of the other clothes you own. For an everyday jacket, I would encourage getting a basic color, like black or brown. A fun colored jacket is cool in the moment, but you will get tired of it fast.
I would recommend checking your local thrift stores for leather jackets, as a leather jacket is the perfect staple. If you are looking for something warmer, then I would try a store like L.L. Bean or Patagonia for a long lasting, quality jacket.
Statement Pieces: How to Not Dress Boring
We’ve gone over the basic pieces to have in your closet, and now it’s time to talk about what kind of statement pieces to look for.
A key point of statement pieces is picking out things that you know you will wear more than once. Even though super unique clothes are always cool, it is not practical to buy something that you will only wear with one other thing.
When looking for statement pieces, look for clothes that have interesting patterns, colors, or textures. I would recommend looking for unique statement pieces at your local thrift store. A bonus of thrifting is that if you find something you love for a very small price it is easier to justify buying it, even if you might only wear it with one or two other things. If you buy statement pieces at full price be sure to really evaluate whether or not you are in love with the piece.
The most important thing in life is balance, and finding a balance between your basic and statement pieces will make your outfits appealing and fun.
