Try These 5 Outfit Upgrades to Make Your Outfits 10 Times Better!

Wearing Versus Styling

Do you remember a few months ago when “wearing versus styling” was a big TikTok trend? It essentially means that instead of pulling items out of your closet and just wearing them, you actually take the time and effort to style them and create a well-thought-out outfit. It was a trend on TikTok, but it’s really what we’ve been talking about for YEARS…we just called them style tweaks! It’s all about those small style tweaks that really make the big differences in your outfits. Below, we’re sharing five tips for wearing versus styling that will instantly elevate any pieces you already have in your closet…

If you’re looking for more of our style tweaks, this post has over 30!!

#1) Add Waist Definition

The first trick to wearing versus styling is to add some waist definition. Our favorite way to accomplish that is by doing a small front tuck. If you want to take it a step further, add a waist belt too! Adding a waist belt also adds more style to the look. You can see in the before and after photo above that Erin’s legs look SO much longer after doing a front tuck and adding a belt. (We’ll give more details on the other pieces Erin’s wearing below.)
If you have a tummy and don’t like to add that waist definition, you can find a top or sweater with a rounded hem that you can leave untucked but still elongates the legs.

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About The Outfit

In each of the outfits you’ll see in this post, Erin’s wearing the same base layer. She has on a super soft alpaca blend sweater by Vince with a pair of cropped, bootcut Good American jeans that are SO flattering, the perfect length (she’s 5”4’), and a great dark wash denim for any season. In the outfit above, she added the waist definition with a basic brown belt and threw on a classic black leather jacket by AllSaints and a pair of Veronica Beard black suede stiletto booties. She completed the look with a pair of sporty aviator sunnies, impactful jewelry, and a Prada handbag. You could wear this look on date night, GNO, or out to dinner!

#2) Add a 3^rd Layer

The next stop is to add a stylish third layer to your outfit. This can be difficult during the summer. But during the fall and winter especially, you should add a third layer to look more pulled together and chic! It can be a moto jacket, cargo jacket, cardigan, trench, blazer, etc. The third layer helps slim the hips, butt, and thighs and ties your look together.

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About The Outfit

In this outfit, Erin opted for a gorgeous faux leather croc-embossed Veronica Beard blazer in the prettiest brown color. She knows this blazer will be a heavy hitter for her this fall because it SO versatile. Next, she swapped the black booties for a pair of white slingbacks with a very small kitten heel. These slingbacks are incredibly comfortable and come in a few colors. Then, she threw on a pair of glam Gucci sunglasses, the same jewelry from the previous look, and a black belt, and her go-to Chanel bag. You could wear this look to lunch or dinner or even on a casual Friday at the office!

#3) Add Elevated Shoes

Instead of just throwing on whatever shoes you have sitting by the door that you chucked off your feet when you came home, prioritize wearing more elevated shoes with your outfits. Instead of your go-to runners, consider swapping for slingbacks or chic booties instead! We know that many of you don’t love to wear heels every day…that’s when a sleek kitten heel like the ones Erin’s wearing can be a great addition to your wardrobe and outfit! If you don’t mind a heel, consider trying a bootie with a unique block heel like Erin’s white booties or even a manageable stiletto like the black booties she’s wearing.

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#4) Accessorize Properly

This is where you can really start to have fun with styling your outfit! Accessories are the easiest way to add personal style touches and bring more interest to your outfits. We always recommend adding a pair of interesting sunglasses, a chic handbag, and 1-2 pieces of jewelry that have impact but don’t overpower a look. Some other options include scarves, hats, interesting belts, or hair accessories.

About The Outfit

In this look, instead of going with a third layer, Erin went with a pretty camel-colored scarf. Adding this accessory gives you the same chicness as a third layer, without the body-skimming effect. But it’s still very flattering! She threw on a pair of ivory booties by Marc Fisher that are super comfortable, have an interesting and manageable block heel, and a cool, on-trend square toe. She completed the look with a pair of edgy sunnies, a brown shoulder bag, and the same jewelry. You could wear this look running errands, to lunch, on a coffee run, or working from home!

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#5) Pay Attention to Styling Details

This last tip is something that you’ll get the hang of as you continue to build thoughtful outfits every day. Erin’s been doing this for 10+ years so she knows what styling details work for her and the pieces she owns, but you can find your own styling tweaks too. For example, in the first set of photos, you can see Erin’s wearing her leather jacket with the sleeves slightly unzipped. That gives the contrast between the sweater sleeves and jacket sleeves some added interest and is one of those small styling details that makes a big difference.

In the second set of photos, she’s wearing a scarf that she tied very intentionally. Instead of just throwing the scarf around her neck and letting it hang, she took the time to tie it in a way that was flattering, interesting, and stylish.

Do you use any of these style tweaks when you’re getting dressed each day? Any others we missed? Let us know in the comments below!

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