Effortless Outfit Formulas Every Woman Needs in Her Closet

1. Monochrome Base Layer

This is a style tricks I use a lot, and I like it because it’s so simple, but it always looks sophisticated. A monochrome base layer means wearing a top and bottom in the same or similar color and then adding an outer layer in a different color. This creates a long, lean line, which is flattering on everyone, and then almost anything works on top.

similar coats here and here and here // black v-neck sweater (S) // AG jeans (29) (similar for less) // triple chain necklace // black belt (M) // similar boots // black bag

I often do this with a black monochrome base layer, but of course, you can do it with just about any color or neutral. I just tend to always have black bottoms and tops in my closet.

Here’s another option, with a camel coat. See how the base layers are the same, but it looks like a whole different outfit?

J.Crew coat (6) // black v-neck sweater (S) // AG jeans (29) (similar for less) // black belt (M) // similar boots // triple chain necklace // black belt

And you can also do it with a shorter jacket, like this wool blend houndstooth zip-up jacket. Unfortunately, it sold out, but this gives you another idea.

Rails jacket (S) // Vince sweater (M) // AG jeans (29) (similar for less) // similar loafers // Quince box bag // triple chain necklace // black belt

My best tip for making a monochrome base layer work is to mix up the textures. A monochrome outfit can look a bit bland if all the pieces are made from the same material. Also, adding belt in the same or a contrasting color will highlight the waist and add another point of interest.

2. Light, Medium, and Dark

This one is a game-changer when it comes to balancing your outfit. The idea is simple: mix three shades of one color group (light, medium, and dark) for a color blocking effect. This style hack keeps your outfit visually balanced, and it’s perfect for those days when you’re not sure if everything “goes together.” Stick to neutral colors for this one—it’s the easiest way to make it work.

I just scrolled through my photo archives to find a few looks to illustrate this point, and I think this one works. The vest is dark, the jeans are medium, and the camel sweater is light. The boots and bag are both medium, which I feel ties it all together nicely, and a belt in a similar shade of caramel would complete the look nicely.

camel sweater (S) (option) // black vest (S) // MOTHER jeans (29) (option) // boots // bag // earrings

Here’s another one, with more color. The jeans are dark, the jacket is medium, and the shirt is light. The shoes, again, are more of the medium tone, which again, I think seems to work best with this style hack. I didn’t do it intentionally, but I like the effect.

Pistola utility shacket (S) // grey tee (S) // AG jeans (29) (similar for less) // Vince sneakers (8)

A darker shoe with the dark jeans might weigh down the look and be too heavy on bottom. A light shoe would create a high contrast against the black jeans and draw too much attention. The medium tone shoe and the medium tone jacket serve as bookends to the look.

PRO TIP: A common mistake with this style hack is putting all of the darker tones on the bottom and lighter tones on top—or vice versa. That can make the outfit feel off-balance. Instead, distribute the light, medium, and dark tones throughout your look.

Here, I used the same medium tone jacket with a dark top and light bottoms, and the shoes are light, too. I don’t hate this outfit, but I feel like the one above is more balanced.

Pistola utility shacket (S) // navy hoodie (M) // MOTHER denim (29) (option) // adidas Spezial (8)

3. The Sandwich Rule

Here’s a fun one for you—the “sandwich rule.” This simply means matching your shirt and shoes (the “bread” of your outfit) while keeping your pants (the “filling”) in a contrasting color. This trick draws the eye up and down, giving your outfit a balanced, cohesive feel.

In this simple look, the black sweater and black shoes are the “bread” and the burgundy cords are the “filling”. I’m not one to wear colored pants very often, but pairing these burgundy pants with a dark neutral keeps the contrast in the outfit low, so the color in the pants isn’t as jarring as it would be if I wore something brighter or lighter on top, like pink or ivory.

burgundy cords (29) – use code ALLYOURS for an extra 20% off // old top // Franco Sarto flats (8)

Here’s an outfit with the black top and black shoes, but a lighter “filling”, if you will.

fair isle sweater (S) // MOTHER denim (29) (option) (budget option) // similar boots // bag

And this one is even a higher contrast look. In this case, since the off-white pants are such a stark contrast against the black sweater on top, the black shoes really work to tie it all together and keep it looking seasonally-appropriate.

black sweater (S) c/o (option) // denim shirt (S) c/o (option) // off-white jeans (29) c/o // similar loafers

Also, while the denim shirt is just peeking through, I would say this outfit also illustrates the “light, medium, dark” style hack.

Here’s another way I wore this outfit formula with a lighter color palette. I still kept it all fairly low contrast, which feels authentic to my minimalistic style.

brown sweater (S) // MOTHER denim (29) (option) // adidas Spezial (8) // earrings

And here’s one more that I really like. The camel coat is not really part of this outfit formula, but it tops it off nicely.

4. Rule Of Four

The “Rule Of Four” is one of my favorite ways to make sure an outfit feels complete. I learned it when I took Kelly Snyder’s Adore Your Wardrobe course many moons ago. I think this one works best for those of us who tend to under-do it rather than over-do it. The goal is to have at least four accessories or points of interest to every outfit. 

(The guy’s version was a little different, but I feel like this one works better for women’s fashion.)

My outfits often lack the one final piece to pull it all together, or one accessory to pop against the simple palette, so that’s where the Rule Of Four can really come in handy. Accessories like sunglasses, a hat, or even a belt can count as one of your four points of interest.

You just want to consider whether or not you will be wearing them the whole time, or if you’ll take some off when you get inside. You still want a complete outfit once you remove your bag and sunglasses. Let’s take a look at this simple holiday look.

green cardigan (M) (option) // coated jeans (6) // suede bootie (8) // thread drop earrings // similar necklace // crystal clutch

It starts with a sweater, pants, and ankle boots. Almost every outfit will have these three elements (unless you’re wearing a dress, of course!) For my four points of interest, I added a sparkly clutch, a layer necklace, a right-hand ring, and a pair of bold earrings—although they’re hard to see when I curl my hair.

Here’s how to make it work with a monochromatic look. The sweater, jeans, jacket, and boots are the foundation for this look. Then I have a belt, bold earrings, a layer necklace, and a bracelet. (My bag and sunglasses add two more points of interest, but I would remove them inside. (And it is okay to have more than four; the idea is to get to four.

AllSaints bomber (S) (budget option) // sweater (M) // Frame Le Slim Raw Hem Palazzo (29) (budget option) // boots (8) // crossbody // earrings // necklace // bracelet // YSL sunnies (similar for less)

Here’s how it works with a dress—the dress, boots, and tights provide the base to the outfit. I added a necklace, bracelet, earrings, and sunglasses… and I would also count the bag.

stripe dress (M) // Spanx tights (C) // Dolce Vita boots (8) // box bag // bracelet // necklace // earrings // YSL sunnies (similar for less)

5. Matching Base & Top Layers

Lastly, this style hack is one I learned from Susie Wright, and I love it. I honestly would not have thought of this one on my own; in fact, I usually feel like you need contrast with your base and top layers. But this is actually a very chic way to put an outfit together, and it’s so easy!

Basically, the idea is to match your top layer to your outer layer (like a coat or cardigan). Then, pretty much anything works o the bottom. Here I paired this camel sweater hoodie (now on sale!) and my J.Crew camel topcoat.

camel sweater (XS) (option) // J.Crew coat (6) / MOTHER denim (29) (option) (budget option) // brown boots (8.5)

And here’s a look from earlier in the fall, with a chocolate brown bomber jacket over a chocolate brown cowl neck top. I also did The Sandwich Rule here, by bookending the look with chocolate brown shoes… although admittedly, a boot would balance the look better. The sandals looked better without the jacket, and just the short-sleeve top.

cowl neck top (S) // bomber jacket (S) // MOTHER denim (30) (budget option) // Schutz slides (8) // suede hobo // similar hoops // similar brown belt

I hope you found this post helpful, let me know!

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