Add personal style to any basic wardrobe: 44 outfit ideas.

Versatile Outfit Ideas
Written By Daria Andronescu

Follow this fashion style guide to add more personal style to your basic wardrobe. I’ve included 44 outfit ideas that will show you how to use complementary colors and several fashion matching methods to get a more stylish wardrobe that’s uniquely yours.

When everything is black and white, of course, there is no getting dressed in the morning stress. But how far do we have to limit ourselves when the solution is quite easy? Have a look at this capsule wardrobe example that builds on and transitions from a basic wardrobe to a truly personal one.

Basic Capsule Wardrobe Example

I’ve created a basic wardrobe that includes 5 tops, 1 cardigan, 3 bottoms, 1 dress, 2 basic pairs of shoes, and a simple black bag. When I mix all these items together I get 16 outfits. This basic outfit guide should be common enough to allow you to see what you can do in terms of adding more personal style. Even though these items go well with each other, the outfits here look quite boring. There’s nothing extraordinary here. If we see a woman wearing these outfits, it will be hard to understand what she is all about, where she works, what she likes, what values she has, and so on.

Add Personal Style Elements.

So, what can be done to this basic wardrobe to make it more personal? We need to edit the colour palette, dive into complementary colors and think of what style this capsule could have. Most of the items are basic essentials in a classic style, so we can have a starting point and turn it into a more modern and fashionable capsule wardrobe. As for the colours, I’d like to keep it fresh and elegant, so I will add some brighter shades of blue, mint green and aqua green.

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Statement Capsule Wardrobe Clothing Pieces.

We already have many basics here, so now it’s time to add some statement clothing items. They can have some interesting fashion design, colour, pattern or a combination of these elements. Also, this capsule doesn’t allow much layering. We have a black cardigan, but it’s not that pretty and not warm enough. That’s why I’d also add a blazer or maybe even a couple to have more options.

The More Personal Capsule Wardrobe.

Here’s the wonder wardrobe that I’ve managed to put together. I added 9 new items: 3 tops, 3 bottoms, 2 blazers and 1 dress. I’ve also added one more pair of shoes and a new bag that fit better to the Spring/ Summer seasons. 

When I combine all these items together, I get 44 fully interchangeable outfits in a modern classic style with some casual elements.

Capsule Wardrobe Overview

This capsule includes 7 tops, 2 dresses, 6 bottoms, 1 cardigan, 2 blazers, 3 pairs of shoes, 2 bags that result in 44 beautiful outfit combinations.

Style: Classic style with casual elements. 

Colour type: Summer.

Body shape: Long & Short, Sharp / Soft body lines.

Method: Wonder Wardrobe.

Please note, that this method should be used as a learning springboard, not a ready-to-buy wardrobe. No brands or prices will be disclosed as the purpose of this blogpost is to teach you a life-long skill, not to sell you more clothes.

Both blazers are highly versatile and fit to all the outfits, creating slightly more polished and elegant looks. I like the grey jacket because it has a different, thicker texture and a fashionable pattern. I absolutely love how this light blue jacket looks with green trousers, the white skirt or total black outfits. It just gives so much coolness to an outfit.

I also played a lot with blue here. We have many different shades of it, but they all look quite harmonious and different inside this wardrobe. To refresh super basic outfits like these ones, I added a pair of high heels in a very interesting colour. I think they will also help to visually elongate the legs. 

In the end, I think now this wardrobe looks much more personal, interesting and elegant. It gives you many outfit possibilities, from very simple ones to more statement, dressed-up ones.

From what I’ve noticed by working with clients from all over the world is that impulse shopping leads even a basic wardrobe off the beaten track sometimes. So you will have some statement pieces lost among a sea of black and white. 

What you can do is to ensure you have a healthy mix of basics alongside with more unique statement pieces that help you express your personality and taste. 

If you want to know how to find and express your style, you can join our growing student community, by taking the Wonder Wardrobe Course.

Let me know in the comments if you have tried a basic wardrobe, how did it work for you?

What makes your wardrobe truly yours? Let’s learn from each other!

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Daria Andronescu
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