What To Wear When You’re Running Late

If you watch my Get Dressed With Me series on Insta Stories, then you know how I go about building an outfit. My girl Nicole (Writes Like a Girl) calls it “intuition-based dressing.” Which is a term that I love. I like to choose one piece and then build the rest of the outfit around that piece, while channeling an overall theme. If you’re interested in learning more about Nicole’s method, check out her workbook here: “Her workbook introduces the idea of intuition-based dressing using a body positive and lifestyle-oriented approach to building your closet and creating outfits you love.”

I mean, if that’s not literally the exact way I approach clothing, I don’t know what is!

Sometimes I have a good chunk of time to plan an outfit, and the process is fun and the outcome is creative. But often, I find myself running through the apartment half dressed, with my husband tapping his foot and shaking his head by the front door as I change for the 4th time. That’s why it’s really nice to have a foolproof outfit formula. A toolkit of pieces that I can swap out and update, while knowing that the formula works as a whole.

I know this outfit might look rather complex, but it’s actually a pretty simple formula that can be repeated over and over again with variations on the staple pieces. And if you see me IRL on the regular, you’ll start to notice the pattern. Here are the core elements of this outfit:

1. Denim jumpsuit (or some kind of one piece): a jumpsuit, romper, or overalls will do the trick. In this case I’m wearing a cropped denim jumpsuit. But this could be swapped out for a romper or overalls. Nothing is easier to wear (it’s basically a whole outfit in one piece of clothing), or looks cooler than a jumpsuit.
2. Printed top: Layer something fun and fabulous underneath for added sophistication. Bonus points for pattern! I can see this exact same outfit worn with a ribbed black turtleneck once the temperature drops.
3. Killer boots: Top your look off (errr, bottom it off rather) with eye catching footwear. They don’t have to be fancy—this outfit would be totally cool worn with socks and clogs—they just have to make a statement.

Here’s an example from last winter of the exact same formula, but a totally different outcome! The possibilities are endless with this toolkit, I promise.

What’s your go-to outfit formula?

Jumper: Urban Outfitters | Gingham Top: similar | Boots: vintage, similar | Earrings: Anthropologie, similar | Collar: Grit Goods | Bag: vintage camera case | Bandana: similar | Coat: vintage Woolrich, similar