In order for me to explain to you how I make my outfits pop, I must first describe my style. I would say my style is mostly classic. Although I like colour and interest, I like the majority of my clothing to be in neutrals, blacks, white and browns. Now with this being said, there are times where I just crave to have some interest to my look. In this article I will be sharing with you some of the things I do to make my outfits POP!
The first thing I do to add interest to my otherwise boring outfits is to add a pop of colour. This is the first strategy I employ simply because it is so easy and it can add a big bang. For instance, imagine I am wearing a classic pair of jeans with a white blouse. Cute, classic, one of my faves, but super boring. To add interest to this outfit, I usually find a way to add a pop of colour. Now colour can be added to this outfit in anyway, literally, pick your vice. For me the colour usually takes the form of a purse or shoes and on occasion earrings (but we’ll get into that later). So for this example, I would add a pair of pointed toe red shoes or an oversized hot pink clutch. OMG… Are you dying!!?? See how those simple items, that you are going to wear anyway, bring a whole new element of interest? I mean, who does that? Depending on what colour you choose you can have people wondering who you are and thinking about you long after they have seen you.
Now if colour is not doing it for me, the next thing I consider is texture. I find that playing with texture is a good way to add some depth and interest to an outfit, even when you are wearing all the same colours. Imagine, a silk mini dress with suede knee high boots. Hot! I like to pair leather with denim and denim with tweed. I mean the possibilities are endless!
My next favourite thing to do to add a pop to my look is to add interest with accessories. Now we already talked about the fact that I like purses and shoes to add pops of colour, but I also love to use these items to add interest due to their extra detail. For example, my husband gifted me an oversized zebra print clutch for my birthday. Yes… Zebra print! Now alone, this clutch would be quite basic and uninteresting but when you add the print… WOW! Whether I dress this up or down, it looks amazing. It makes ME feel like, “who is she?” It has been a great conversation piece and I think it adds just the right touch of WTF to every outfit I pair it with.
Now let’s talk about jewelry. I’m not much of a jewelry wearer but I will say my go to is hoops. Not them little hoops… big hoops! I know, I know, they are so juvenile, but I love them. I can remember growing up in the 90’s watching my big sister in awe as she got ready to go to a house party. She had long extensions in a high pony tail with big ol’ bamboo earrings; a straight around the way girl (shot out to LL). I just loved her style, she was so it. So needless to say, I love and will always love my big hoops. I will admit though, there is a time and a place and since I have been a blonde, bald Scotian baddie, I’ve been loving studs in my ears. I find they just go with my look. Lately, I have been using other items to make my looks pop instead of earrings but every now and then I do pull out my beloved hoops.
Let me take a minute to also mention this cool gold choker I got from Zara’s. Simply put, it is a statement piece. I have to be very careful about what I pair it with, however when it’s paired in the right way… all I can say is, ‘DAMN!’ I just loved it from the moment I saw it. Check out my instagram for pics of me trying on this choker on when I first got it, you’ll see what I mean.
Ok, so the last and final thing I want to say to you is that above all else, I follow my heart when I’m deciding on how to make my outfits pop. I find what speaks to me. This allows me to exude the confidence to really make an outfit pop because I am wearing what I love.
Think about it, imagine wearing a bright colour, and you sure are poppin’ but you feel silly or uncomfortable. Well… you’re popping in all the wrong ways. You don’t stand as tall, you hope people don’t see you, and you don’t really want to talk. You see, adding interest and a pop to your look also takes the form of how you feel in your clothes. It is seen through your posture, your walk, your talk, basically your overall confidence.
So I encourage you, try out some of my suggestions, keep what speaks to you and please… get rid of what doesn’t. Let your own individuality speak. I like classic with a touch of interest… what about you?
Talk Later.
Oh… Don’t forget to check out my YouTube video “How to make your outfits pop” for more information and visuals.