Mixing your clothes doesn’t mean wearing the same color, brand, or pattern from head to toe, but learning to take separate pieces to create all kinds of different outfits, to get more out of what you have, and avoid spending too much on things you don’t really need.
Creating a good outfit and dressing well is important for several reasons. First of all, it is your letter of introduction to the world, but it can also increase your self-confidence, and security, make you feel powerful, and even make you look more attractive. In addition, it is essential for you to be able to dress well without having to spend the entire fortnight on new clothes, and it can even help you pack light when traveling.
And you don’t really need to be a mega expert or know too much about fashion to combine your clothes with style, you just have to understand that there are different textures, colors, patterns, and materials; and that there are clothes that look great when combined together. In addition to the fact that there are neutral pieces that you can wear in many different ways and that are the basis of a complete closet.
Actually, there are just a few simple rules, more like recommendations, that are worth keeping on your radar when choosing what to wear every day.
How to Combine your Clothes?
1. Neutrals and Basics
The first rule to learn to combine your clothes is to identify the neutrals and basics. These are not exactly trending clothes, but the classic and simple ones that, although they are not flashy, are the main element of an outfit.
As for clothes, think of jeans, dress pants, button-down shirts, T-shirts, polo shirts, sweatshirts and all those pieces that, in one way or another, you have worn all your life and always have among your things.
Neutrals refer to basic colors, such as navy blue, military green, black and white (and now also patterns such as animal prints or stripes). These colors and pieces look good when combined together and you can wear them all year long by playing with accessories, such as a more colorful jacket or trendy tennis shoes.
2. Don’t Forget the Layers
Using different layers is the best thing you can do so that your outfit does not look too simple or boring.
You must take into account that the first layer (such as a shirt or t-shirt) must be tight enough so that you can wear something on top comfortably, in addition, it is important that the layers that you add go according to the type of outfit you want to achieve, and that you take into account the weather.
For example, in the summer you can wear a t-shirt under a vest, while in the winter you may need to think about sweaters, jackets and coats, and maybe also thermal layers and interiors to keep you protected.
3. Patterns, Textures and Colors
It’s okay to wear different patterns in one outfit, or you can always wear the same one from head to toe (like Chalamet in his mushroom suit), but there are a few things to consider.
First, different textures give an outfit depth (so you don’t look like a block of the same color), there are colors that work well together (like blue and white, black and camel, green and blue, etc.), and finally , the prints must have coherence, this can be achieved through the use of color (repeating the main colors of one pattern in another) or by choosing to wear a coordinated outfit with the same drawing everywhere (if that is the case, think that the small prints are more elegant, while staying within the range of neutrals is more sophisticated).
4. Elegant or Casual? Mix and Match
A good tip to look good and to make your clothes look expensive even if they are not is to combine elegant pieces with more casual ones, and expensive clothes with others that are not.
For example, wearing a suit with a basic t-shirt, or changing the dress shoes for a pair of white, leather, and minimalist design tennis shoes. The important thing is that you choose clothes that have a similar style (in terms of their level of formality). If you are going to wear a T-shirt with a suit, you should make sure that it has a good quality material, that it is not wrinkled, torn or dirty, and that it complements the whole look well.
It’s about striking a balance, highlighting the most important pieces and choosing accessible pieces that look and feel better, that’s what will help you look more dressed up.
Within this is also the Fit, which refers to the way in which the clothes fit you. You should avoid clothes that look small or big, too long or short, or that want a very tight belt so they don’t fall down.
5. Versatile Shoes
Continuing with the dress clothes, a gray suit cannot be missing from your wardrobe. You can use it for any occasion, be it a job interview, a wedding, or a night out.
It is a piece that you should invest in because if you stay in the same shape or size, it will last you for a few years. A good tailor will be your best friend in this case, because if you buy one in the store it probably won’t fit perfectly, this professional will be able to adjust it to your needs.
Finally, the key to being able to create more combinations is in the shoes. You don’t need thousands, but having a basic pair of tennis shoes (does not include those for exercise), black and brown dress shoes, basic boots, and sandals for the summer is essential, since shoes that are not so flashy, colorful or extravagant they can be worn with jeans, suits, shorts and much more. You just have to take color into account (black goes with black, white goes with everything and brown looks best with blue and light colors).
