Fashion nightmares never call me for help. While I have seen varying degrees of need, a woman who enlists my help is only a few tweaks away from looking amazing. And often it is the smallest of details that need fixing, like wearing clothing that fits them better, finding the right colors, or, the most common, to not look like another Acceptably Dressed Nobody. This is the term I created years ago to best describe the concept where a client’s look was so commonplace and lacking in personality or defining characteristics. While their style is innocuous, fine, acceptable, and non-offensive, it is also usually bland, safe, uninspired, and predictable. Acceptably Dressed Nobodies have learned how to just get by and dress safely. No, nobody is taking a picture of her poorly dressed on the street or snickering, but nobody is remembering her either.
Be it due to lack of time, lack of skills or fear of getting it wrong, it’s all too easy to slip into an expected style that lacks anything definitive. Simplicity can be lovely not not when it gets repetitive, boring or doesn’t best represent the woman wearing it. But it’s easy. It’s easy to grab what you know will work even if it is boring you to tears or doesn’t inspire you. But the truth is, making changes that have more of an impact when you wear it doesn’t have to be arduous or time consuming.
When I started putting these looks together my initial goal was to just show how I could take one universally worn outfit and with one tweak make it more interesting. But then a cool thing happened, not only was I able to create a fresh look in one step, I was able to repeat the items I used to do that in all the looks which only proved that not only does it not take a lot of effort to change things up, you don’t need a lot either. Another reason why women stick with the norm is that the idea of variety means having to own a lot of things. It should also be noted that in all cases, there is nothing wrong with the original outfits. The goal here is to give these staple looks alternatives. Check out the looks below and how with only a few tweaks I was able to make them go from professional blah to professional stylish.
PROFESSIONAL BLAH TO PROFESSIONAL STYLISH IN ONE STEP

Here we have a basic navy dress from BOSS Hugo Boss. It could be a black dress, it doesn’t really matter as both can be treated the same. On the left, we have a look that the average woman has probably worn at least once in her life, accessorized with pearls and navy pumps. It’s classic and timeless and, while it’s fine, it’s not particularly memorable either. It takes zero creativity to come up with a look like this and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.
In the look on the right, I simply swapped out the necklace with a Goldplated and Multicolor Acetate Link Necklace from Gas Bijoux and yellow pumps from Coach. In both looks the effort is equal yet the outfit on the right has features that are more signature and different.
Outfit #2

I styled this suit from Theory (link to blazer and link to pants) with a subtle tattersall pattern on the left predictably with the same navy pumps, pearls, and an ivory sleeveless top. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it. It’s simple, classic, and easy to put together for even the most fashion-challenged. It’s a perfectly fine outfit… that isn’t exactly memorable either.
On the right, I added the same yellow pumps and link necklace and picked up another color from the necklace, and added the same top as the one worn on the left but in a rust shade.
Outfit #3

In these looks, I used a black pencil skirt so I had to swap out the navy shoes for a black pair but the other pieces from the previous looks are used. I styled this grassy green Veronica Beard blazer with the same ivory top and pearls. In the look on the right, I made the outfit more interesting by using the rust top, yellow Coach pumps and Gas Bijoux necklace.
Outfit #4

I styled these looks with taupe pleated pants from COS and a jardigan in a deep teal from M.M. Lafleur. In the outfit on the left, I used the same ivory top, pearls, and black pumps from Coach. On the right, I repeated the more interesting elements, the link necklace, yellow Coach pumps, and rust top.
Outfit #5

In the last look, I used the pants to the suit in look two from Theory and styled them with this silk blouse from Vince. In the look on the left, I simply styled it with the pearls and navy pumps, and on the right, I swapped these classic pieces with the same link necklace and yellow pumps from Coach.
Creating interesting outfits often seems like a daunting task that takes a lot of clothes and even more effort. Yet, it doesn’t have to be. Even creative pieces can offer tremendous versatility that go a long way.
Love this. And if you wanted an “in-between” look, you could keep the neutral shoes and swap the necklace (or keep the pearls, and swap the shoes). I like when the “changes” are in the top half of the body; it makes it feel/look like you aren’t wearing the same outfit.
Yup. When you really start digging with your own wardrobe, you can begin to see endless combinations.
Excellent examples! I never would have thought to put that rust colour with the green blazer 🙂
Thanks, Alicen! Glad I could surprise you!
Bridgette, it’s amazing how wonderful that set of 2-3 items looks with each of the outfits. I’m surprised by the versatility of the rust blouse. The ability to use this same set of items across a bunch of different outfits reminds me a bit of Brenda Kinsel’s beauty bundle concept. Only where she talked about groups of accessories, your bundle also includes the blouse, which is very interesting! And it’s not difficult to see how you could create multiple of these Bridgette bundles that could work with these same outfits. Right off the bat, I’m thinking a blush blouse, burgundy shoes, and a pink/silver necklace would be interesting to try as a bundle. Of course, as Ezzy points out, these bundles wouldn’t have to be used all-or-nothing, but I can imagine that having a few of these bundles on hand, that you know to be stylish, interesting, and versatile, would make getting dressed a lot easier.
Aw, Brenda Kinsel, RIP. I never heard of this concept by her but it sounds quite similar. Honestly, it just worked out this way as a happy surprise. Agree with her on the idea that it never has to be all or nothing. Sometimes in an effort to streamline, many women wind up creating more work.
This story shows how simple change can be – which does not equal easy. You are a genius and I have learned so much from your blog!
Thank you so much Eliza! It’s always great to hear what is resonating with readers!!