A wardrobe full of favorite pieces, all of which can be combined in a variety of ways and immediately make wonderful outfits possible for every occasion. Whether for the office, the playground or if you spontaneously meet up with friends for the theater or in the restaurant.
That sounds really great! But you think that is impossible !? It is possible - if you follow a few tips, are ready to rethink and regularly take a few minutes for your wardrobe.
" How can I combine THIS?".
Exactly that is the number 1 question of my clients in style advice. For fear of combining something wrong, you always wear the same looks and get bored over time. Most of the time, only 20-30% of the clothing is worn because there is simply no combination and the necessary knowledge.
I would like to share my most important tips with you today. After that, a little practice is required - but you will immediately notice how inspiration develops.
Incidentally, there are NOT universal must-haves! It varies from person to person and depending on the style type. A classic blazer or shift dress does not go well with everyone. Look for suitable alternatives. For example, this could be a casual jersey blazer and a swinging A-line dress. It's always about YOUR personal must-haves in the closet!
Which garments form a great base for you? What clothes do you always feel comfortable in? What occasions do you have? The answers provide you with important information about your basics.
In the following I created outfits based on a white blouse. With other accessories, jackets and shoes, 3 looks are created for very different occasions.
The following is a sample color concept from a customer: It consists of the basic colors "navy blue, gray, white and taupe". The two color families "Pink / Rose" and "Petrol / Mint" in its gradations form the color accents.
Let's start by combining colors:
Play it safe with the combination of 1-2 basic colors + an accent color . Repeat the basic and accent colors within the outfit, accessories and shoes.
Another option is to combine colors from a color family (monochrome / single color). For example, different shades of blue in different brightnesses - which results in wonderful effects.
The wildest combinations are possible in the "supreme discipline". If you want to be on the safe side, note the following rule of thumb: Combinations of up to 3 colors in an outfit look competent and serious. However, if you want to combine more colors, the colors should be repeated in patterns and / or accessories.
The silhouette is therefore individual and depends on the figure type. However, there is a RULE you can observe: Far to narrow - narrow to wide. Means: Wear loose pants, then the top should be cut narrow and vice versa. This creates a nice balance and gives the outfit a good shape.
How to combine multiple patterns? The simplest variant is to combine the different patterns in the same color world. In the picture below, I deliberately chose a daring look. Since all patterns are from the same color world (violet, blue) and we find checks and lines in all patterns, it still looks harmonious - albeit bold.
Patterned scarves spice up monochrome clothing. Chains, arm jewelry and earrings can make your outfit look elegant, sometimes sporty, depending on the material and shape.
Attention: accessories are IMPORTANT! But please do not hang yourself like a Christmas tree. More than 3 striking jewelry pieces are too many in the formal business. And regardless of the job, you should keep in mind that a strikingly decorated belt and glasses are also considered an accessory.
Do not underestimate the possibilities of makeup and hairstyle . A bright red lipstick, an eyeliner and the way you comb your hair may look to change . A beautiful nail polish can also set accents. Give it a try - you will be surprised!
So leave your comfort zone - it's worth it! Promised!
That sounds really great! But you think that is impossible !? It is possible - if you follow a few tips, are ready to rethink and regularly take a few minutes for your wardrobe.
" How can I combine THIS?".
Exactly that is the number 1 question of my clients in style advice. For fear of combining something wrong, you always wear the same looks and get bored over time. Most of the time, only 20-30% of the clothing is worn because there is simply no combination and the necessary knowledge.
You too can become a combination professional
As a fashion expert, combining is in my blood. I enjoy experimenting with new combinations. The criteria by which I combine cannot always be explained, as it is often a gut feeling. The style breaks - the unexpected - make a look something special. And of course there are a few “insider tips” and rules on how to combine RIGHT.I would like to share my most important tips with you today. After that, a little practice is required - but you will immediately notice how inspiration develops.
My 10 most important tips for combining
1. Know your closet
You have to know your own wardrobe inside out. For this it is necessary to carry out a cloakroom check twice a year . Because only if you know what you have, you know what is missing and you can shop with brains. TEST: Take a sheet of paper and try to list all the clothes you own. I can do this with a few exceptions. At the cloakroom check you can also try out new looks and capture them photographically. Take a selfi in front of the mirror or put the outfit and accessories on the floor. Develop your own LOOK-BOOK - nothing will be forgotten!2. Create a good basic wardrobe
The majority of your wardrobe should consist of simple, single-colored clothing in basic colors. For example, dark blue trousers, a white blouse , perfectly fitting blue jeans, a simple dress in dark blue or black. Due to their simplicity, these garments do not specify a rigid style! And this is important to combine them in a variety of ways. With cleverly selected accessories and other items of clothing, outfits can be created for different occasions.Incidentally, there are NOT universal must-haves! It varies from person to person and depending on the style type. A classic blazer or shift dress does not go well with everyone. Look for suitable alternatives. For example, this could be a casual jersey blazer and a swinging A-line dress. It's always about YOUR personal must-haves in the closet!
Which garments form a great base for you? What clothes do you always feel comfortable in? What occasions do you have? The answers provide you with important information about your basics.
In the following I created outfits based on a white blouse. With other accessories, jackets and shoes, 3 looks are created for very different occasions.
3. Your color concept for combining
Your wardrobe should consist of 4 - 6 basic colors and selected accent colors (pops of color). Your accent colors are ideally - your WOW colors. So colors that suit you perfectly. And basic colors form the BASIS for your wardrobe. There are achromatic colors like white, black and gray, as well as neutral colors like dark blue and beige. These colors can be flexibly combined with each other and with all your accent colors.The following is a sample color concept from a customer: It consists of the basic colors "navy blue, gray, white and taupe". The two color families "Pink / Rose" and "Petrol / Mint" in its gradations form the color accents.
Let's start by combining colors:
Play it safe with the combination of 1-2 basic colors + an accent color . Repeat the basic and accent colors within the outfit, accessories and shoes.
Another option is to combine colors from a color family (monochrome / single color). For example, different shades of blue in different brightnesses - which results in wonderful effects.
The wildest combinations are possible in the "supreme discipline". If you want to be on the safe side, note the following rule of thumb: Combinations of up to 3 colors in an outfit look competent and serious. However, if you want to combine more colors, the colors should be repeated in patterns and / or accessories.
4. Know your figure type and the optimal cuts
In order to build a wardrobe that can be combined in a variety of ways, the cut or shape of your clothing should suit you perfectly. Your individual figure plays the main role here. The clothing cut should emphasize your strengths. Do you have a nice slim waist? Then wear tailored dresses and blazers and, for example, skirts at waist level. Garments that are short and boxy and hide your waist may be fashionable - you will never feel really comfortable in them. So it becomes a wardrobe keeper rather than a combination talent in your closet.The silhouette is therefore individual and depends on the figure type. However, there is a RULE you can observe: Far to narrow - narrow to wide. Means: Wear loose pants, then the top should be cut narrow and vice versa. This creates a nice balance and gives the outfit a good shape.
5. Patterns add variety
The number of patterned items of clothing in your wardrobe should not be too large. Because you can combine patterned items of clothing with one another less flexibly than plain-colored clothing. Nevertheless, patterns bring variety and can create a color bridge (color connection) to the rest of the outfit. It is important that the colors in the pattern match your color concept of the wardrobe (see point 3).How to combine multiple patterns? The simplest variant is to combine the different patterns in the same color world. In the picture below, I deliberately chose a daring look. Since all patterns are from the same color world (violet, blue) and we find checks and lines in all patterns, it still looks harmonious - albeit bold.
6. Materials create tension
Here, the surface structure and strength is crucial. For example, silk has a smooth surface structure and a flowing fall. Jeans fabric has a rough surface structure with a stiff fall. If you combine several materials, you can observe the following rule: The garment with the coarsest surface structure belongs in the outermost or top layer. The same applies to the stiffness and thickness of the material - the innermost layer is the finest and the outside is always coarser and firmer.7. Accessories and Co.
It is not the crowd that makes it, but that you choose the RIGHT one. For shoes and bags , the principle of base and accent colors true. The basis is formed by classics in, for example, black, gray and brown. Then a color accent can also move in. 2 - 4 handbags and 4 - 6 pairs of shoes per season are sufficient. Your wardrobe could include the following pockets: 1 light pocket for light / summer looks, 1 dark pocket for autumn / winter looks and 1 smaller pocket for the evening - that's the basic equipment!Patterned scarves spice up monochrome clothing. Chains, arm jewelry and earrings can make your outfit look elegant, sometimes sporty, depending on the material and shape.
Attention: accessories are IMPORTANT! But please do not hang yourself like a Christmas tree. More than 3 striking jewelry pieces are too many in the formal business. And regardless of the job, you should keep in mind that a strikingly decorated belt and glasses are also considered an accessory.
8. Create style breaks
Opposites attract. So deliberately add tension to your outfits. Is your summer dress too good for you? Then a cardigan and ballerinas with a bow would reinforce this impression. Instead, bring opposites into play. This can be a denim jacket or leather jacket, sneakers or pointy ballerinas in bright colors. So you consciously choose items of clothing and accessories that do not convey the attributes of "girlish / playful".Do not underestimate the possibilities of makeup and hairstyle . A bright red lipstick, an eyeliner and the way you comb your hair may look to change . A beautiful nail polish can also set accents. Give it a try - you will be surprised!
9. Let yourself be inspired
A Guido Maria Kretschmer or a Karl Lagerfeld won't wake up every morning with a head full of new ideas. Be inspired and use creativity techniques: Get ideas through good fashion catalogs, online shops, Instagram and Pinterest. You can use Pinterest in particular to collect ideas.Create pin boards there for events and use the search function. In this way, you can search specifically for outfits. Similar to a search engine, you can enter terms: skirt - bordeaux - combine. And swoosh you get countless pictures that give you ideas how you could combine a burgundy skirt. Important: Make the looks you look YOUR YOUR LOOK and change the outfits so that they suit you!10. Get out of the comfort zone
You are now thinking, "This is work!" ... Yes, first of all. In the long term, it will make your everyday life easier. If you are annoyed about your overcrowded wardrobe and lack of possible combinations, then you have to change something.So leave your comfort zone - it's worth it! Promised!
