If I told you, there was a way you could dress stylish everyday as a professional while saving massive minutes off your morning routine. Would you believe me?
Introducing The Fashion Formula, created by Jodie from Jodie Noted. She was inspired by the former What Not To Wear television show and created a style equation to help herself quickly put together stylish outfits. It doesn’t look like Jodie is blogging anymore, but thanks to her (and the internet); her formula lives on for the rest of us.
Style shouldn’t be complicated. Looking your best doesn’t need to be hard. And I figure, why mess with magic?!
That’s why I’ve included the formula (after minor tweaks) into my top five steps to creating instant outfits – taking the guesswork out of what to wear, allowing you to put your next professional look together lickety-split, and adding the joy back into getting dressed:
Step 1) Agenda: Determine what activities are on your agenda for the day. Do you have a client meeting across town, a potentially game-changing pitch opportunity, a post-work event, or is it an everyday kind of day at the office where you could use a little fashion lift?
Step 2) Weather: Check the seasonal weather forecast, as necessary. Having a personal solar monitoring system can help you prepare for such situations. You can receive weather reports every day at your convenience. Once you have that information, you can decide if you will spend most of your working day indoors or outdoors? Is it going to be cool in the morning and warm by lunchtime? Would layering garments help you to feel your best at the office?
Step 3) Wish List: Incorporate the new. Did you buy a new garment or accessory you’re excited to wear to work?
Step 4) Want List: Decide upon preferences. Would you prefer to wear pants, a skirt, a dress, or denim today? Would you like to pair it with circle sunglasses, a clutch, or boots to slay the day?
Step 5) Outfit Equation: Apply The Fashion Formula (see diagram). My tip is to first focus on the fundamental building blocks to creating your outfit and, then follow-up with accessories, as necessary or as preferred. Notice my tweak to the formula: Basic + Interest + Completer (+ Accessories). Sure you need shoes (accessory) to walk out the door, but the style of the shoe is not an ‘essential’ to the underlying success of your look. The B + I + C take precedence.
Here are my definitions to Jodie’s The Fashion Formula equation:
Basic = include one staple garment, which has a classic design into your look.
Interest = take your outfit from boring to bland, by adding one piece, which has color, pattern, texture, or shine.
Completer = incorporate one garment or accessory, which ties the ‘basic’ and ‘interest’ pieces together to guarantee yourself a winning look.
Accessories = bonus pieces beyond (B + I + C) to personalize and/or finalize your outfit. An accessory may be a necessity, such as shoes, or an extra, such as a bracelet. I recommend only integrating accessories which add value to your entire look.
Let’s put the formula into practice. Note, I excluded ‘accessories’ in the outfit image examples to simplify solving the equation by emphasizing the core pieces to outfit styling success (Basic + Interest + Completer):
Marybell’s look is comprised of a classic shift dress (Basic) layered with a collarless zipper jacket (Interest), and accessorized with a shiny gold belt (Completer) to tie the look together. In case you’re wondering, I chose to name the jacket as the ‘interest’ piece and the belt as the ‘completer’ piece rather than vice versa, because the belt completes the look more so than the jacket. But! If reversing these two makes the equation simpler, then go for it – both options are possible. It is likely that jewelry accessories, sandals, sunglasses, and sunglasses will complete the outfit. The dress, jacket, and belt are more important to an outfit’s success than the (Accessories) design choices.
Olivia’s outfit consists of (Basic) trousers styled with a classically designed open-knit sweater (Interest) and a gray handbag (Completer), which ties the navy pants and pale pink sweater together. The silver pumps, jewelry, and sunglasses are (Accessory) bonus pieces.
Raina creates her look with an a-line skirt (Basic) paired with a graphic floral top (Interest), and completes it with a button-free blazer (Completer). She further personalizes her outfit with a bag, shoes, jewelry, and sunglasses (Accessories).
Merrick’s look includes a white tunic blouse (Basic) styled with ankle-length, print pants (Interest), and a vibrant red bag (Completer) to connect the white blouse and navy pants together. The sandals, jewelry, and aviator sunglasses (Accessories) add the final touches.
Whitney is creating a look incorporating my favorite way to use The Fashion Formula, because it is so quick and easy. Her DVF dress allows her to include B + I + C all in one garment. The dress’ timeless wrap style makes it a (Basic), its print is captivating (Interest), and there is already enough visually stimuli making a (Completer) piece unnecessary. The specific peach pumps and green Chanel bag (Accessory) choices are completely interchangeable with other design styles.
THE FASHION FORMULA SHOPPING IDEAS:
Colorblock Dress: Raoul | Textured Knit Dress: Ann Taylor | Gray Tuxedo Blazer: Maison Scotch | Cutout Pumps: L.A.M.B. | Leather-Sleeved Trench Coat: Ann Taylor | Snakeskin Ballet Flats: Tory Burch | Japanese Crepe Blazer: J.Crew | Two-Tone Gray Handbag: MICHAEL Michael Kors | Tweedy Georgette Blouse: Ann Taylor | 1035 Trousers: J.Crew | Contrast Cardigan: BCBG Max Azria | Graphic Print Skirt: Vince Camuto | Round Neck Jacket: Aqua | Veronica Scarf: Banana Republic | Tiffany Dress: Karen Kane | Nubuck Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff | Colorblock Button-Down: Ann Taylor | Quilted Belt: Banana Republic | A-Line Skirt: J.Crew | Silk Bib Blouse: Raoul
What do you think of The Fashion Formula?
Image credits (order of appearance): Whitney of See Shop Eat Do (Top & last), The Fashion Formula by Jodie Noted, Marybell of MarybellWord, Olivia of Corporate Catwalk, Raina of The Embellished Closet, and Merrick of Merricks Art. Graphics by Kristina Moore for Corporate Fashionista.
Just saw this post – thanks for including me!
Sure thing Whitney! Love your sense of style.