Style Buzz: Tips for Picking The Right Outfit + Anatomy of a Weekend Outfit
- Eugene Stylist
- Feb 13
- 4 min read
Ideas to Inspire Your Style This Week!
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"There's no such thing as bad weather - only the wrong clothing."
You've heard me say that inspiration comes from all sorts of sources, and this week's quote is an oldie but goodie from Billy Connolly, the Scottish comedian. It's true, though. No matter what the weather - hot, cold, wet, dusty - you're much more able to tolerate it if you're wearing the right clothes. This also applies to occasions and events you go to. Whether it's work, an interview, a social get-together, or just doing some DIY around the house, wearing the right outfit really makes a difference to how you get through it.
xxx rachel
BEFORE YOU PICK THE OUTFIT
The Billy Connolly quote above really has been a staple of my world for a very long time. If I ever have to travel somewhere, one of the first things I do is stalk the weather app to find out what it'll be like. Hot? Cold? Wet? Dry? Indoor or outdoor activities? Lots of walking?
Oh wait, who am I kidding? I do that even when I'm at home!
Joking aside, knowing the weather is crucial to how comfortable you are, but knowing what you're dressing for is, or at least it should be, a major factor in how you get dressed. What's on the agenda today and what's the weather like? Answer those two questions and you're sorted! You've likely seen my What To Wear To A... list - it's a list of occasions in your life that you should have a go-to outfit for, before you need one. It helps craft a plan for everything you might need to attend and what to wear to it. Because scrambling at the last minute to find something to wear to a reunion, interview, or funeral is fun, right? Yah, no.
So you've identified which occasions you need an outfit for. Now, what exactly are some of the things you need to think about to ensure you have not only the most appropriate outfit for it but the most comfortable and most authentic one? Because you need to show up looking fabulous AND most like yourself. So before you pick your outfit, think about:
How serious an occasion is it? Are you trying to make an impression, e.g. on your sweetie's workmates, a potential client, donor, or boss? Are you meeting someone for the first time or are you old friends? How well do they know you - do you need your clothes to do the talking for you or are they a playing a supporting role?
Are there physical requirement while you're there, like a wedding on a beautiful lawn that stiletto heels would sink into? How long will you be on your feet? Are you moving from different climates during the event? Are you unsure what the temps are going to be so do you need removable layers? Are there any customs that you'll participate in?
If it's outside, how long will you be out there - just for a few moments from the car to the venue or for several hours while people make long speeches? Is it windy? (No Marilyn Monroe moments!) What kind of location is it? Does the time of day make a difference?
Even for casual occasions, like a BBQ at a friend's house or a play date, will you need to be mindful of spills or stains? Crawling around on the floor? Homes where they remove their shoes? (Fun story - I went to a rather formal Christmas party once where they made everyone take off their shoes. So there we were - all the ladies in their nice gowns and nylons, gents in suits and threadbare socks. It completely ruined the vibe! I'd have taken slippers if I'd known.)
Just a little bit of planning can save you so much time when you're in a crunch so take a moment now while you're thinking about it and plan your outfits for the next few occasions you've got coming up. You can always change your mind, but when the time rolls around to get dressed, you can focus on just having fun, not having a meltdown in front of your closet.
ANATOMY OF AN OUTFIT
This is a peek into my favorite outfit of the week where I break it down for you: why I've put it together and why it works, what elements could be swapped out, things to consider, etc.
I was chatting with a client and she said she has a sweatshirt with her company logo on it but feels too casual, so how could she dress it up? I suggested something similar to a recent weekend casual look. By adding a crisp button front blouse that peeks out at the collar, cuffs, and hem, you can polish up any simple sweater. I then paired this soft pink one with olive corduroy pants for a more interesting look than the usual blue jeans. Because the upper half is more fitted, I've balanced the silhouette with a wide leg on the lower half. To pull the look together, I added a white floral brooch and white pearl-covered tennies. The little bits of white pop against a fairly subdued palette but because they're scattered from top to toe, it all works as a cohesive whole.
Blouse: Calvin Klein
Sweater: Muji
Pants: Sitwell
Tennies: INC
Brooch: Stella & Dot
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