Does your closet look more like a running store than a women’s clothing store?? I’m asking this rhetorically because honestly I’ve seen some of your closets and shared many of your woes of causal fashion during runs.
In France, I was lucky enough to spend a great deal of time chatting with Diana…who among other things has a natural knack for fashion, posing for photos and being an awesome human.
She’s graciously providing us all with a few tips to transform our wardrobes without going bankrupt or feeling out of place.If the above graphic terrifies you, don’t worry we are going to break it down!
Casual Wardrobe Staples
Here are a few basic items to entice you out of your workout clothes – trust me I know it’s tough, I’m a sweats girl. Easy and comfortable these 10 mix and match staples allow you to create a perfect and easy ensemble!
- Maxi {the arrows on this one are slimming}– or any simple dress
- Skinny jeans – {dark wash is easier to dress up or down} – go for a good fit it’s worth the investment
- Skirt – {pencil skirts show off those legs you’ve worked so hard on!}
- Blouse – a silk one immediately makes an outfit look more polished than your normal running T.
- Camisole – bonus this one is reversible
- Denim jacket – or in white
- Cardigan
- Skinny belt – neutrals including metallics are great!
- Lightweight scarf – not just for your neck, drape across shoulders, tie on your handbag when not in use or around your head.
- Statement necklace – Can dress up any basic top.
Dress UP: Add a cardigan, the statement necklace, skinny belt or heels
Dress DOWN: Flip flops, denim jacket
Additional Tips to Mix it Up
- Go for fun prints and colors – to really personalize your wardrobe.
- Buy the right undergarments – or else you may not really wear half your wardrobe – racerback bra, breast petals, a short slip.
- Have multiple belts – a skinny brown leather, a few bright colors, metallics act as neutrals, and they can make an outfit look polished even over a maxi dress.
- Feel good in it – If it’s not comfortable or you don’t feel confident in it, don’t buy it because you won’t wear it.
- Don’t forget your hair – Turn your ponytail into a braided one, wrap hair around the elastic and secure with a bobby pin, or make it into a bun!
As you build your wardrobe, allow yourself to be creative – browse through a magazine or Pinterest and observe how they pieced their wardrobe together, you may have pieces that are similar that you never thought about pairing together.
You can always give a service like StitchFix a try to get you started with picking out some new pieces that you might have passed up in the store.
Diana Elizabeth is a photographer and daily lifestyle blogger. With a love for fashion, she has worked as a magazine stylist and is currently a FORD model.
You can follow her adventures in gardening, home, fashion and photography work at www.dianaelizabethblog.com.
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