3 Ways to Elevate a Look (Without Changing Your Clothes)

Take an outfit from drab to fab, without changing what you're wearing.

Dressing well has more to do than with just the clothes you wear; they’re merely a starting point to making a full outfit complete.

Any outfit can go from drab to fab in minutes if you know what to look for to adjust. Many times, it’s not the outfit itself we don’t like when we find ourselves rummaging about our closet trying to make it “look better.”

Spending a little extra time getting ready when you’re looking for either a new outfit or exploring how to elevate an old style can go a long way. It can not only help you rule out the pieces that maybe you don’t need to keep around, and also identify the staple items you can’t live without.

3 Ways to Elevate a Look (Without Changing Your Clothes)

1. Hair/Makeup

   1. Hear me out. You can have the simplest of outfits on, but if your hair and/or makeup are done, you can instantly elevate the look. For instance, we often associate sweatpants with lounging and contribute minimal effort to the rest of our appearance. Joggers can be utilized to create a very cozy casual look when paired with the right top, and should you wish to do so- complete the look with some loose curls and a little mascara and you’re ready for a girl’s night and won’t be mortified to look back on your low-effort outfit when a picture is snapped to remember the night.

2. Accessories

   1. Often forgotten about, accessories are the easiest way to elevate any look. Girls get most worked up when they have an outfit idea in their head just to try it on and for it to not compare to the vision they had. Many times, they stop right there to put on something they’ve worn before and find comfort in. Rather than skip to conclusions, spend more time ideating the outfit in front of the mirror: what don’t you like about the outfit? What needs to change for you to fall in love with it? What do you like about it?

      1. The answers to these questions can help you identify and adjust exactly what’s needed; maybe you need more of a waistline (add a belt/tuck something in) or maybe it lacks color (find your most eye-grabbing purse). Whatever it is, use it as inspiration to find a desirable, achievable look utilizing what you have via layers, proportions, textures, and accessories.

3. Get comfortable being uncomfortable.

   1. How many times have you put on an outfit for your friends to hype you up, but you are left feeling “blah” about it? If you’re looking to elevate your overall style, it’s critical to get comfortable working outside of your limiting beliefs and dress the part. Even if you’re not sure if it’s the perfect look or exactly what you’re looking for, start dressing out of your comfort zone. Have you ever heard the quote, “Nothing changes if nothing changes”? This applies to you and your wardrobe; you’re never going to look or dress differently if you don’t try to be different. So, at times, even if the outfit doesn’t seem to be it, wear it anyways & see how you feel at the end of the night; sometimes it takes just a little warming up.

      1. I’m here to tell you, not every outfit is going to be a stunner. But you do have to go through a series of trial & error to find those show-stopping pieces and outfits in order to dress as your best self 100% of the time. Just remember it takes time.