Does the thought of planning a new outfit every day make you feel overwhelmed? Don’t stress! Some of the most stylish women in the world would tell you that an outfit doesn’t have to be complicated to be chic. All you really need are four pieces to complete a look: a top, bottoms, shoes, and a fourth item that’s up to you. Want a little inspiration about what this fourth piece could be? You’re in the right place! Taking inspiration from the rule of 3, let’s go back to the basics and walk through whole outfit suggestions you can create with just four pieces.
1. Add a Blazer
everlane
Oversized Blazer in Buttersmooth
Simple really can be best when it comes to new outfits! In fact, many fashionable women have mastered the art of using just a few pieces to make an outfit, and often, a blazer is the perfect finishing touch. It will elevate your more casual looks (like a white t-shirt, jeans, and flats) and complement your more sophisticated elements (like trousers, heels, and a button-down shirt). This layer can tie your whole look together, and is a favorite of French women for its style power.
2. Use a Neck Scarf
Speaking of French women… a neck scarf is another one of their favorite ways to complete an outfit. Not only can a neck scarf add both a pop of color and pattern to a simple, neutral look, but it’s also the perfect way to infuse a bit of Parisian style into your wardrobe.
If you want to plan outfits like a French woman, swap out your go-to necklace for a neck scarf. Your neutral outfit is a blank canvas, and a neck scarf is the first stroke of paint! Plus, it doesn’t have to be expensive. You can shop for a vintage piece or stick to a cotton version instead of silk. A neck scarf can change up the whole vibe of your look, without costing much or taking up too much space in your closet.
3. Drape a Sweater Over Your Shoulders
old navy
SoSoft Crew-Neck Tunic Sweater
Add a chic touch to any simple outfit by tying a sweater over your shoulders. This outfit maker is as practical as it is stylish. If you’re dressing for transitional weather, this is one of the best ways to make new outfit ideas! Depending on the fabric, color, and pattern of your sweater, it can be a statement piece or complement whatever top you’re wearing. There are an endless number of different combinations you can create with this trick.
4. Layer with a Trench Coat
cardigan | trousers | heels | trench coat
If you want to make any outfit look more put-together, just add a trench coat. A trench coat is a classic piece of outerwear that will make even the simplest outfit appear sophisticated and timeless – not to mention French!
Also, a trench coat doesn’t just make a simple outfit look better – it also flatters your figure. The long length creates an uninterrupted visual line on your body, while the tie at the waist can help to complement your natural curves and highlight your waist.
Beyond its looks, it’s also the ideal piece to keep out the cold and rain. Whatever your reason to wear a trench coat, there’s no doubt that it’s the perfect French-inspired piece to act as your fourth item in an outfit!
5. Reach for Chic Sunglasses
madewell
Logaan Aviator Sunglasses
Accessories have just as much power as outerwear to complete a simple outfit. Sunglasses, for instance, are another chic, yet practical item that can add personality, style, and color to any look. Visually, sunglasses can also help to add pattern and shape to a basic outfit! They can transform the entire aesthetic of your outfit.
If you like a more classic, feminine feel, add a pair of oval sunglasses or a cat-eye style to your look. If you prefer a slightly more sporty, edgy look, try a pair of aviators or square frames. And if you want to try finishing your look with a statement item, get out of your comfort zone and go for a pair of colorful frames instead.
6. Add a Hat
linen pants | sweater | boat shoes | straw hat
This next piece should be at the top of your packing lists for vacations! Whether you’re home or away, a hat is the perfect way to create new looks – especially if you’re working with a limited capsule wardrobe out of a suitcase. You can complete your outfit with a sporty touch using a baseball cap, or pair a wide-brim sunhat with a one-piece swimsuit for an old-world glam feel.
Heading to the farmer’s market or working in the garden? Finish your outfit with a straw lantern hat. A hat is the perfect way to complete an outfit in the summertime, when you probably don’t want to add any extra layers of clothing to your look. Plus, it’s practical in preventing sunburn and protecting your eyes!
7. Try a Leather Jacket
quince
100% Leather Oversized Vintage Bomber Jacket
If you’re in a style rut, it always helps to go back to basics. You can never go wrong with a quality white t-shirt and jeans combination! Once you have your shoes, t-shirt and jeans covered, you can start to think about a fourth item to complete your look. To figure out what that missing piece is, try thinking about where you’re headed, or what impression you want to give.
Going out for dinner with friends, or heading to a concert? You might want to spice up your look with a more edgy piece! If that’s the case, get the perfect look with the help of a leather jacket. This is the ideal style to make your current wardrobe feel a little bit more edgy, and French women love it for this reason. They’re all about balanced looks, and often like to pair a traditionally masculine leather jacket with more feminine pieces for a style that’s all their own.
8. Add a Button-Down Shirt
button-down | shoes | t-shirt | skirt
If you want to make an outfit like a stylist would, try adding a button-down shirt! This second top layer can be used to create all sorts of new combinations in your capsule wardrobe, without having to go out and buy anything new. That’s because there are so many ways you wear it – whether you tuck it in but leave it partially unbuttoned over a t-shirt, leave it undone over a tank top and linen pants for a breezy beach look, or use it to add color and texture by pairing a denim shirt with a white skirt and shirt.
No matter how you wear it, a button-down can dress up or down your outfit, depending on how you choose to style it. It’s versatile, classic, and won’t add that much extra weight to your outfit if you live in a warm climate!
Virtual Try-On Time
Now that you have eight options to help you make an outfit with four pieces, it’s time to start trying on your favorites! Document the combinations you like, and make sure to save them in a photo album in your phone or in a wardrobe app. That way, when you’re in a style rut, you can come back to reference these photos and put together a simple, chic outfit stress-free.
Ready for more about how to style an outfit like a pro? Up Next: How to Put Together an Outfit in 8 Easy Steps
Love your classic timeless style. Right up my alley! Would you consider putting together a petite ladies wardrobe collection?
Oh no! I should have searched first as I see you already have a petite edition! Thanks for thinking of us under 5’2” girls!
Oh no! I should have searched first as I see you already have a petite edition! Thanks for thinking of us under 5’2” girls!