The "Five-Parts" Method
The best outfits — the ones that feel most personal — are always made with at least five parts.
I don't believe in "rules" when getting dressed. But the "Five-Parts" Method is a good guideline to help you add personalization and *oomph* to your outfit.
It Starts with the Base (Part 1)
Whether it’s a tee and pants, a blouse and mini shorts, or a dress, the base is the first layer of clothing touching your body. This is usually how an outfit begins conceptually and always how it starts physically. It's important to be open to swapping these as you continue layering the other parts. Sometimes, the grey tee is better than the white one! Part 1 is, of course, important because it's the guts of your look.
Here are some great base tops that work with any Silhouette:
And some great seasonal base bottoms (+ dresses because I’ve been getting so many requests for those!), divided by Silhouette style:
Finding Your Footing (Part 2)
Like the elements in Part 1, shoes are not optional (unless on the beach or running through an open meadow). Choosing a shoe that will elevate your outfit is a skill! It takes technique! It's about being intentional and not simply wearing the black flats by the door that go with everything. I do that myself, too! But taking a moment to find the shoe that helps make an outfit is essential to developing a look.
A heel with track pants, a sneaker with a skirt, a strappy sandal with trousers (my fave). This concept — which I call the Contradistinction Technique — is further explained below in Part 3. I suggest you work with your outfit's Silhouette from the Silhouette System™ (see Palm, Evergreen, and Cypress), all of which have shoe styles that tend to work best.
The elements you may not consider but should!
Layers That Make the Look (Part 3)
Part 3 is my favorite part of the Five-Parts Method because it really embraces The aforementioned Contradistinction Technique.
The word contradistinction is so fun in itself! I will dive into this technique more on The Corner Booth, but in short, it's going beyond the look on the rack and putting together something that has contrasting elements. Some pairings, for example, would be a floral dress with a menswear blazer, athletic shorts with a ruffled peplum, or a sports jersey with a full skirt. It's when you add the vest over the tee, the blazer over the shirt, or the shirt over the dress. It a) accentuates your Silhouette and b) adds some personality to your outfit. Generally speaking, Part 3 is a layer, so it typically is reduced or removed in summer, and more pressure is put on Parts 4 and 5, as explained further down below.
Palm
Evergreen
Cypress
The Small but Mighty Elements (Part 4)
Part 4 is comprised of larger accessories that I find people often skimp on. But, as you can see in the above photos, they really help the look! Belts, neck scarves, collars — these are accessories that achieve the goals: a) emphasize the Silhouette and b) add personalization to otherwise simple items.
Final Touches (Part 5)
These are the little elements — the outfit's frosting, if you will — like jewelry, hair accessories, lipstick, sunglasses. They are the finishing touches that personalize your outfit even more.
I encourage you to pile on as many accessories as you want! Deck your hands out in rings! Add three necklaces!
As you practice the Five-Parts Method, I bet you will become more mindful about what you include in your outfits, and it will likely become a habit to add these personal touches. Next time you go to the grocery store, why not slip that belt through your pant loops? Or add a neck scarf? Or two necklaces instead of one? Feeling like your outfit is an extension of your creativity even while running errands or having the most mundane day will likely make you feel better and more empowered when it comes to your style.
I hope to see a plethora of super-thoughtful “Five-Parts” looks this week. Feel free to share your creations — I love to see them.
xo
Eliz