5 Ways to Add Visual Interest to Your Outfits

There are few feelings better than visualizing an outfit, putting it on, looking in the mirror, and realizing you are pulling it off! But how do you piece a stylish ensemble together without looking like you’re trying way too hard? There’s a fine line between going overboard and having your aesthetic stand out. The key to winning style is having a rotation of staple pieces that fit well and are flattering to your body type. When something fits well, you feel better wearing it.

Secondary considerations to a flattering fit are colors, patterns, and textures. Most people are familiar with how to use colors and patterns to make your looks pop, but texture can be a great way to layer in visual elements as well. A general rule of thumb to follow is to pick one bold clothing piece and build your outfit around that. Your bold item can be anything — a vibrantly colored pair of pants, a uniquely patterned top, or you could use a textured fabric to enhance your aesthetic.

Styling your outfit can sometimes mean adding the finishing touches. Think layered jewelry, a trendy belt, or even a bold makeup look (ie: red lipstick or a colorful smokey eye). Accessories are a closet’s best friend! And sometimes styling means going back to basics with your everyday apparel.

Staying on top of fashion trends is easy when you follow the top five ways to add visual interest to your outfit.

1. Flattering Basics

We all have those fundamental, go-to pieces that we reach for again and again. Classics like a white button-down, well-tailored navy blazer, and little black dress. We love our essentials because they’re reliable and versatile, but more importantly because it’s what we’re comfortable in. Finding flattering basic tops and bottoms that can be worn in many different ways is essential for bringing a closet to life!

2. Get Creative with Colors

A tried and true strategy for rocking a bold color is to wear one vibrant article of clothing at a time. Pairing a cherry red with neutral, muted tones is super eye-catching, whereas pairing cherry red with neon yellow is an eyesore. Accessories, like handbags, can be a great way to add an accent color to a monochromatic look.

3. Patterns & Prints

Styling patterned or printed clothing can be a crawl, walk, run process until you get comfortable with it. Once you do, it’s a great way to get expressive with your looks and incorporate an element of fun! Start by getting familiar with classic prints as well as basic stripes, dots, and florals. Try wearing patterned shirts or hoodies under a blazer or jacket to show off just a hint of print. When you’re ready to embrace prints, try a printed jumpsuit or dress to unleash your inner fashionista!

4. Get in Touch with Texture

Texture in an outfit is all about combining different fabrics to provide contrast and separation, especially for monochromatic outfits. Striking a balance between materials is a great way to add visual depth. Distressed jeans are a closet staple for pretty much everyone, trying pairing your favorites with a more structured top to find balance in blending the details.

5. Finishing Touches

Fashion accessories are carefully selected to complement the rest of an outfit; accessorizing is the best way to complete a look. Whether you’re adding a pop of color with a purse, breaking up color with a trendy belt, or wearing shoes with ornate details to enhance your look — accessories work to improve the visual. Like with any other article of clothing, staples exist in the accessories department! Put your personal touch on any look with classics like a watch or pair of sunglasses.

Get Inspired

The most important thing to remember about fashion is it’s supposed to be fun! Your sense of style is uniquely you, so get inspired and have some fun with it!