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The Easiest Winter Outfit Formula
Whether you want to dress like a Parisian or a Nancy Meyers movie, this formula will save you time getting dressed.
This time of year, the thing I most crave from my wardrobe is ease. Last week, I wrote about the time-saving benefits of a capsule wardrobe. So today, I want to focus on another wardrobe tool that makes getting dressed easier: the outfit formula.
Think of an outfit formula like a recipe. The formula provides the overall structure and direction, but you can incorporate flavor and flair to match your personal taste. I find outfit formulas useful not because they lead to groundbreaking looks, but because they ease the burden of decision-making. After all, if you’ve already decided you’re going to wear a blazer, a button-down, and jeans, you have far fewer choices to make than if you had your entire wardrobe at your disposal.
The outfit formula I’ve focused on today is a tried-and-true M.M. look, and one that’s particularly suited to the colder months. The formula:
Jardigan + Knit Top + Stretchy Pants
It’s effortlessly chic, easy to adapt to different occasions, and stretchy from head to toe. Below, find three outfits that demonstrate the formula.
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Outfit 1
If you’re loyal to the Nancy Meyers movie aesthetic…
Opt for light neutrals and breezy silhouettes, like the Merritt wrap jardigan in latte and the Milo wide-leg jeans in bright ivory. For your underpinning, the crisp white Choe top has the laid-back feel of a T-shirt, but its sleek fit and substantial knit make it far more elevated. Simple but impactful gold hoops, a cozy winter scarf, and classic brown penny loafers complete an outfit that any Diane Keaton character would surely embrace.
Outfit 2
If you want to embrace your inner cat lady…
Take cues from a pair of leopard-print mules and opt for a sophisticated black-and-brown palette. Here, I’ve paired the Crimmins top and Jennimai jardigan in black with the Kick Flare Foster pants in saddle for a color-blocked look that helps contrast the more organic print on the shoes. The vintage-inspired Marcy earrings finish the outfit with a touch of old-school glamor.
Outfit 3
If you wish you were in Paris…
Create an outfit of classically stylish pieces that, together, have a certain je ne sais quoi. The Woolf jardigan in boucle has the look of tweed, but the stretch and ease of a cardigan, while the cascade knit Brodie top offers a contrasting texture for added visual interest. The straight-leg, ‘90s-inspired Daria jeans, burgundy block-heel boots, and elegant silver earrings pull this effortless French-girl outfit together.
