Art illustration by Symara Wilson for use by 360 MAGAZINE

Four Tips for Putting Together an Outfit

Anyone can throw on some clothing; but putting together an outfit is an entirely different story. A few items may look great separately and then look horrible once you wear them at the same time. Similarly, some items may look boring and plain yet come together to create an amazing outfit.

Some people have a natural eye for fashion and can throw together a runway-ready outfit within minutes, but others may need some tips. If you want to branch out and try new styles, or simply want to learn what goes into a great outfit, then this post is for you.

Determine the occasion

An outfit can only live up to its full potential if it’s in the right environment. For example, an elegant suit may look stunning, but it won’t look stunning at a child’s birthday party – it will simply look out of place.

Similarly, a casual outfit of jeans and a t-shirt can be an outfit on its own, but not for a formal event. Determining the event will give you a starting point for your outfit. For example, if you are going to homecoming, you will need to look at homecoming dresses to find the base of your outfit.

Choose your colors

There are a few things to consider when it comes to the colors of your outfit. The first is your skin tone. Some colors may look better than others because of your skin’s undertone. Click here to learn more about your undertones.

Secondly, which colors do you want to use together? Are you going for a monochromatic look? Maybe a pastel look? Or perhaps a neutral color scheme? There are so many options. If you don’t know where to begin, think about the occasion again. Muted and understated colors are better for professional events than bright and bold colors.

Choose your patterns

Patterns can make or break an outfit. Some people prefer to use only solid colors, which is fine, but we would recommend still adding some pattern to your outfit by incorporating a scarf or something similar. Recently, mixing patterns has become quite the trend. Sometimes, it results in beautiful, unique outfits. Other times, it could be a bit of a disaster. So, if you’re new to fashion, you may want to stick with a few solid-colored items of clothing, and then one patterned item. However, if you are brave, you can try mixing patterns and prints.

Accessorize

Many people think that clothing is what makes an outfit. And yes, it’s true – clothing does play a huge role in an outfit. But what truly brings it together will be your accessories.

Accessories usually take the form of belts, bags, and jewelry, but makeup and hairstyles can also serve as accessories. If you have a plain outfit, pair it with bold accessories to spice it up. And, of course, if you are wearing a very intense and busy outfit, use classic and basic accessories so that it’s not overwhelming. A black pearl necklace might just be the final touch that your outfit needs.

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