▎❝ Style with me: the 5 steps that I use to create any outfit. ❞

In celebration of the 500 view milestone this blog has recently reached, I thought I’d throw in a bonus post this week as a thank you! I often get questions and compliments regarding my outfits, which inspired me to share my styling process in a way that might be helpful for others embarking on their own outfit adventures! While my styling posts might not be as lengthy or detailed as my usual content, I plan to include pictures and dive into every aspect of the outfits I create. Though I’ll be speaking about a woman’s outfit that I wore, these basics apply to all styling, not just women’s fashion. The same rules apply to menswear and men can use the same steps in their own closet too! Think of it as if we were collaborating in person, discussing and styling together—good, yes?

For today’s style with me, I’m excited to walk you through the outfit I chose to wear to the local first responders’ appreciation dinner that I recently attended. This particular outfit strikes the right balance between dressy and casual, making it suitable for a formal event while also having the potential to be dressed down for more laid back occasions. I’m eager to explore the different ways to adapt this look, so don’t worry; I’ll guide you through the entire process! We’ll discuss various options, accessories, and styling tweaks that can transform this ensemble from high-end elegance to relaxed chic, allowing for versatility in your wardrobe. So grab your pinkest drink and let’s start creating our perfect outfit together!

Step one: Find your focus

When you style any outfit, there is typically a focal point that you’re working with whether it be the shirt, handbag, shoes, pants, etc—literally anything that you are designing around. Once you identify that one thing, putting the rest of the look together will be much easier because you’ve already chosen your base, if you will.

This would work the same way if you were using a picture of another outfit as inspiration. You’d find the one thing that struck you as most unique about that picture and that would be your center so that’s the mentality you need to keep when styling. What is my center? What do I want to draw attention to? In some cases, what piece am I most proud of wearing? It’s totally up to you what you choose but you do need to pick something.

In the case of this outfit, my focal point is my iconic vintage baroque Gianni Versace blazer that I got second hand on the Etsy. I believe it is from the 1992 Fall/Winter Versus collection which not only makes it vintage but archival. For anyone curious about this particular type of style, baroque, I wrote an introduction to it here. She is probably my favorite piece that I own and I drag her out of the closet anytime I need to look good in a pinch because I know she won’t let me down. Every time that I wear her, I get compliments because she’s just that fabulous. So naturally, whenever I decide to wear her, I style around this blazer religiously—I’ll show you how!

Step two: Pull your colors

As an artist, my brain is trained to automatically pull colors and sort them into a palette in my mind at first glance but I understand that not everyone does that so I’ll explain how you can train yourself to pull colors quickly. Without being able to pull colors, you’re sort of at a loss going forward because color is essential to the fundamentals of styling period whether it be clothing or anything else such as interiors, etc. This is super important—don’t skip this step! I mean don’t skip any of them, but people tend to overlook how important color is and so don’t do that!

When you’ve identified the focus of your outfit, that will be where you pull your colors from. What does this mean? Look at the all of the tones, shades, and hues within the garment—not just the surface color or the color it looks from a distance—and decide which ones you’re going to match to for the rest of your ensemble. Shades are really important because something that’s red won’t go with just any red, there are different hues of each color usually divided into hot and cold on the color wheel and a warm red probably won’t look good with a cool red, they’re not the same.

Keep in mind that even though it might be tempting to match to the most obvious color, don’t. For example, a lot of people would look at this blazer and assume that because it’s primarily crimson, that would be the color I would pull but no! I’m not saying you can’t do it or that you never should because sometimes you’re just wearing a solid, however, matching to a detail color rather than a primary color allows you more freedom to not have an exact match. What does this mean, Sydney? It means that detail colors are usually smaller on the fabric and so they’re not going to be as easily noticeable, giving you more flexibility if you don’t have the exact shade to pair with it. You have salmon but you don’t have peach but from a distance, it’s a pass because they’re close enough of a match from a distance. Color science. Hot girl class. Magic.

So instead of pulling the crimson, I will pull the gold because it’s a detail color. I would also be right to pull either of the purples in this jacket or black to match the trim but a black top right beneath the blazer has the potential to make look the jacket too busy for the kind of event I’m attending unless it was done very well. I will match to the gold and this is also a going to make my gold jewelry pop better because again, style science. You can also match to the color of your buttons which I kind of did here by pulling the gold but that’s another pro tip. Also remember that the colors you choose to layer set the formality of your look. By choosing gold to wear underneath this blazer instead of black, I am instantly elevating this look. If I was just going out with friends, I could style down.

Step three: Complimentary fabric choice

When you’re putting together an outfit, mixing up fabrics and textures is super important to nail that balanced vibe. The way different materials work together can really make or break your look. For example, wearing a chunky knit sweater with some flowy silk pants can create an eye catching contrast, but if you don’t think it through, it might end up looking a bit off and disheveled. It’s best to pick fabrics that compliment well together—like soft cotton with a bit of textured linen, or structured wool paired with silky touches. This way, you not only highlight what makes each fabric special but also up the overall style of your outfit! Of course these are just examples. We all know I’m never going to discourage your own creativity in fashion so play around with it and have fun!

The way fabrics feel against your skin really changes how an outfit looks and feels on you. If you pick the right textures, they can make your outfit visually interesting without being too much. Like, teaming up a sleek leather jacket with fur trim and comfy cotton jeans can create a cool layered vibe that catches the eye. Leather and sequins? Another winning combo! It shows that you’ve put some thought into your look, and it tells a neat story about your style and attention to detail. You just want to avoid looking hoboish with too many things going on—the goal is not to look like a walking flea market.

In the case of this look, I decided to go for something satin and sheeny because this was an evening dinner event and satin is always an elegant touch. Know that there is a difference between day and night fabrics. Also, having a nice luxe fabric peeking out from beneath your jacket or blazer is a classy look, in my opinion! As I mentioned earlier, this is a versatile outfit and if I wanted to wear it more casually, I could change the black dress pants into jeans and keep the rest of this outfit the same or I could go a step farther and change the shirt to a black blouse or tee shirt. That simple change in fabric elevates this look back down to an everyday ensemble whereas the satin elevates it up to an event worthy masterpiece. Texture is just as important as color, ya’ll! Little details like this are so important in your styling journey and also how you create transitional outfits.

Step four: Choose your silhouette

The silhouette that you want to create is important to identify when styling because shape is crucial to your whole look and will affect how people see you and your body. The right silhouette can highlight your best features and balance out your body proportions, making it essential to find what flatters you though I encourage you to play around and experiment a little regardless of your body type. Just because you have one body shape doesn’t mean you can only wear types of clothing for that body, it just means it’s probably the most flattering option but you can still make others work depending on how adventurous you are. I’m never going to sit up here and put anyone into a box because of how they look, it’s up to you! As long as you look good, who cares? If you try it out and it looks hideous, don’t do it again, lesson learned—just say it’s for someone else’s body type and move on.

A good silhouette catches the eye and adds some flair, letting you show off your personal style. Plus, there are so many shapes out there! Whether you want the dreamy vibe of an A-line dress or the sharpness of a crisp, tailored blazer, different silhouettes can totally change the mood of your outfit. Knowing how to play with silhouettes helps both stylists and everyday beauties create looks that not only look great but also really represent who they are. In the end, nailing the silhouette game is key to making outfits that turn heads and leave a lasting impression!

In the case of the outfit we’re styling here, this gold satin top is quite blousy which means that I almost need to recreate my waistline because there is so much fabric around me—this is typically the case with oversized clothes in general unless you really want a flowy, flouncy look and that’s your vibe. Keep in mind that just because something is blousy doesn’t mean it’s oversized. Many clothes are made to look this way true to size. If I’m wearing a puffy shirt, I prefer my hourglass waist cinched and my fabric billowing so I refer to this as the “pirate”. I know there’s probably a better term for it but to me, it is the pirate and that’s how I remember the proportions. This shirt has longer fabric around the neck that’s meant to be tied into a bow but given that it’s been colder, I wanted a scarf type of look instead so I didn’t tie it into a bow, I just tired a regular knot to mimic a tie or scarf for something different.

In addition to the loose shirt, I chose black paperbag dress pants that came with a thick, gold buckle belt. When wearing oversized shirts, it’s highly recommended by me to tuck it into your pants and consider choosing bottoms with a higher waist to further give you your waistline back. It’s also good for creating the shape by emphasizing the loose look on top while your pants are more fitted creating that exaggerated hourglass. I also recommend using belts to help you get the shape you’re looking for whether it be wearing a thick belt with a dress or wearing a belt with a shirt you’ve tucked in. Belts aren’t just for keeping your pants up, they naturally give you your waist and draw the eye wherever you wear them so be creative!

In the pictures above, you can see how I created the shape I wanted for my body. For size reference and comparison, I am a size 6/8 hourglass, admittedly with spaghetti curves, that is 5’6 and I typically wear 3-4 inch heels. The vintage blazer I’m wearing is a vintage Italian size 46 (which runs smaller), the pants are medium, and the top is also an oversized medium. It’s very important to me when I wear something like a blazer, sweater, or any type of outerwear to try and have something fitted underneath so I keep my shape and don’t get lost in the garment. Though the blazer is tailored, it does add a bit of bulk to me but it’s taken away by the waist cinching to keep me properly proportioned.

If you’re looking for different shapes to try for yourself, you can search for various kinds based on your own personal body and build! Also remember that no matter what your size is, being fashionable is still very attainable and finding the right shape for your body is a great way to maintain your confidence!

Step five: Accessorize like royalty

Accessories play a crucial role in outfit styling, acting as the finishing touches that can transform a look from ordinary to extraordinary. They allow individuals to express their personality and creativity, often showcasing unique tastes and styles beyond the basic clothing choices. A simple outfit, like a white t-shirt and jeans, can be elevated with the addition of a statement necklace, a trendy hat, or chic sunglasses, instantly adding character and flair. Moreover, accessories can also serve practical purposes; for instance, a stylish handbag not only complements an outfit but provides functionality as well. Whether it’s the pop of color from a scarf or the elegant touch of a watch, accessories enhance the overall look, making it more cohesive and visually appealing. They just make you look more together, yes? Ultimately, they are a reflection of one’s personal style and can help convey mood or theme, offering endless opportunities for creativity in everyday fashion.

In my family, it is a punishable offense to leave the house without your jewelry. I recently went to a little black dress event and was in such a rush to get out the door, I forgot all of my jewelry except my Vivienne Westwood pearl choker. I didn’t notice until I got in the car and was devastated the whole night even though I still rocked my look. My mother loves accessories and I never realized how truly important they were until I started watching her get ready in the morning. So yes, she was right—as usual. They are important! Your jewelry, handbag, and shoes are the most vital accessories you can have and you should choose them wisely and accordingly depending on your outfit. Your accessories should also be personal and a reflection of you.

In the case of this look, I chose the black quilted flap Chanel dupe handbag that I got on amazon prime day for $20, regularly $27. You can read about it here if you’d like. To be fair, I didn’t actually plan to wear this blazer to the dinner I was going to, I was dressed in my vintage Moschino blazer instead only to realize it had gotten stained sometime after it came back from the dry cleaner’s. My Versace was my backup so I could’ve probably chosen one of my better designer handbags but I didn’t. Everything was already in this one and it looks just as expensive as my luxury ones, so why bother? It looked great regardless of the price or lack of label and it was the classic, elegant look I was going for so let’s not ruin a great thing! Names aren’t everything!

The gold handle ware of the handbag decided the color jewelry I would choose though in the future if I wanted to wear gold jewelry with a silver handled bag, I would choose a piece of two tone jewelry that incorporated both to get away with it. Whenever I look for something easy, breezy, and beautiful, I reach for pearls. They’re so quick, they go with everything, and they’re always chic. For this outfit, I wore a vintage gold herringbone pearl choker and an estate gold natural goshenite cocktail ring which is often mistaken for a diamond on my finger but is actually in the beryl family—I’ll write about colorless stones that aren’t diamonds another time! I promise, it’s not a diamond, ya’ll. All those carats are natural beryl, calm down. If you want to read my post about vintage jewelry like what I’m wearing, it is here.

For shoes, I wore my black Christian Siriano pumps that I wear everywhere. I’m honestly surprised they haven’t gotten a restraining order against my feet at this point. They have always served me well and faithfully and the black leather was a great match to my bag and the trim of my blazer. You can read about Christian’s shoes here.

Mix it all together

Creating a cohesive outfit is an art that revolves around harmonizing colors, patterns, and styles, allowing you to present yourself as effortlessly put together. We’ve discussed focus, color, fabric, shape, and accessory—a creative process that can be applied to any type of design and isn’t just limited to clothing, by the way! I would use this same process when working with interiors, graphic art, web design, or anything else that required a “design” approach. It’s important to remember that styling an outfit is very much like painting a masterpiece.

No matter what you’re are piecing together, the principles remain the same. Each element should resonate with the others as much as yourself, creating a unified vision that feels balanced and innovative while still remaining true to your own character. Just as an artist must consider the interplay of forms, colors, and textures on a canvas, so too must a stylist curate clothing and accessories to reflect a unified image. Understanding and mastering this design approach not only elevates personal style but also enhances creative expression in any artistic endeavor. I can guarantee that if you start styling better, you’ll start being able to carry that to other areas of your life as well because you’re training your brain to think aesthetically.

It’s also worth mentioning that this outfit specifically is baroque and can be used as an example or inspiration for styling that trend as well but again, these 5 steps apply to any outfit no matter what look you’re trying to achieve. A lot of styling is trial and error so don’t be too hard on yourself if you feel like you just aren’t getting it or are having a difficult time nailing down a particular look. Also remember that fashion should be fun and if you’re not excited to wear something, should you be wearing it at all?

A special thank you to first responders and their families. The event that I attended was lovely and I was happy to be apart of a night appreciating their service and what they do to keep our communities safe. I hope this was as helpful as it was fun! If you’d like me to break down more outfits in the future, let me know! Leave a comment, send a carrier pigeon! Thanks so much for 500 views and here’s to 500 more! All my love!