Easy Button Outfit Formulas
For when you've got closet brain freeze...
Well well well… here we find ourselves- end of the year and thinking about what we want to do differently next year. I hear from many of you & even struggle myself with the mental load (and looking for ways to reduce it). Ya know what we are 100% not going to let weight us down anymore? Getting dressed and ready for the day. Umkay?
I love a good pjs day, but reality is, I am way more productive and my mood is instantly lifted when I actually throw on a cute outfit. My friend Kristin and I have joked since high school saying “I’m nicer when I like my outfit” ha… Well, she text me over break and her college age daughter was home in New Orleans and made the same remark to her mom. She immediately text me. See, it’s a real thing… it doesn’t matter what age you are- high school, college, or 40+ mom of 3.
Each of these is easy to re-create from a “closet full of clothes,” but feels like a formula that takes the decision-fatigue out of getting dressed. Think this is the kinda math you can do? I only taught kindergarten, so 2+2 is about as high as I go, although, when it comes to fashion formulas, I just about have a PhD (ha!)
Here are 5 simple, “easy button” outfit equations you can grab and throw on at a moments notice with no thought or stress:
Base: White tee or tank
Layer: Neutral cardigan, denim jacket, or blazer
Bottom: Jeans or Colette pants
Add: Shoes or a bag in a fun color (pink, blue, green OR your signature palette!)
Why it works: A fresh canvas that feels polished but not overthought, and you can swap the “pop” piece daily.
The Monochrome Moment
Top + Bottom in the same color family (all black, all denim, all cream)
Contrast with accessories: statement earrings, colorful bracelet stack, or patterned shoes
Why it works: Instantly chic, but still feels like “effortless cool.”
Dress + Sneakers Combo
Easy throw-on dress (solid or subtle print)
Casual sneakers (Dolce Vita, Golden Goose, or a classic white pair)
Optional layer: denim jacket or oversized cardigan
Why it works: Fast, feminine, and practical for busy days.
Matching set (Spanx Air Essentials, Frank & Eileen, etc.)
Add a structured piece: trench coat, blazer, or polished bag
Finish with chic sneakers or casual slides
Why it works: Comfort meets put-together…mom-life friendly but stylish.
Skirt + Cozy Top Swap
Tucked-in sweater, cropped cardigan, or relaxed tee with a front tuck
Why it works: Feminine without being fussy, and perfect for “I need something different than jeans.”
Alright y’all…I’m telling you, once you have a few solid outfit formulas in mind, getting dressed feels completely different. You can walk into your closet with confidence instead of second-guessing everything, and suddenly your clothes are actually working for you. When you focus on building out those staple pieces first, the rest really does fall into place without much effort.
Lemme know…are these tips helpful? I’m really loving this series and would love to keep it going with more “getting dressed” tips y’all actually need. Where do you feel like you get stuck?
Xo, Catherine