How to Shop Your Closet for New Outfits This Spring

Formula 1: Midi length skirt + fitted top 

The formula that stood out to me most from Bottega Veneta looks was the midi skirt, a fitted base layer or top, and then sometimes a third layer.

If the third layer was added, it would be visually impactful. It was either long, had a big texture, or had some volume to it. Everything was finished with a sleek minimal shoe.

This look is clean and easy. Many of us have very basic separates like this in our closets. What is important to remember is that you can change the skirt's waistline.

At Bottega, they were hip and low-slung, but the silhouette of the skirts was always clean and sleek. Even if they were asymmetrical and a bit more bold looking, the overall silhouette was just clean lines.

If you don't have a midi skirt, try a dress and layer something more fitted over the top.

Here is how I interpreted this formula.

Formula 2: Fitted top + long flowy bottoms

The formula that I loved the most from the Max Mara show was a fitted crop top with high-waisted, long, languid maxi separates.

The bottoms didn’t have to be a maxi skirt. They also had beautiful, tailored, high-waisted pants paired. I love that you're showing a little midriff but still feel quite covered and modest.

This is a beautiful way to showcase the body, and it’s a really interesting silhouette. So we're seeing the dramatic juxtaposition between that heavy volume on the bottom, super tight on top, and we're still getting some waist definition.

And everything was rounded out with a chunky, hefty shoe. I think you need a hefty shoe in this look because it carries the weight of the volume of what you’re wearing as your bottom.

If you don't want to show your midriff, maybe you just play with the juxtaposition of silhouettes instead.

Here are the looks I created.

Formula 3: Slouchy sweatpants + iconic shoe

The biggest outfit formula that stood out from the Tibby show was slouchy separates in monochrome or analogous colors, always with a shoe that felt slightly unexpected or off.

The whole point was this incredibly relaxed and languid silhouette that almost feels loungewear-ish, but not because the fabrics and the construction of the garments are so beautiful.

There isn't a lot of definition created in this outfit formula, so this is where you have to tweak it and make it your own.

For example, you may want to do a little half tuck or roll the sleeves so that we see a little bit of arm.

Alternatively, instead of a super long Maxi silhouette, you'll opt for something cropped so we see some ankle.

Here is my take on this look.

Formula 4: Skinny leg + short & boxy top 

The outfit formula at Celine was another one with a very skinny leg, either by way of a mini skirt or shorts or a super skinny pair of jeans.

Short and boxy on top, juxtaposed with skinny on the bottom. The shoe was always pretty hefty, so you get boxy taper and then chunky and boxy on the bottom.

I think what you could also do is maybe flip this outfit formula around. If you don't like having the heaviness on top with a boxy top, maybe instead you go with a big wide-leg pant on the bottom, and you juxtapose it with something super fitted and tight on top.

Here is what I created.

And another alternative.

Formula 5: Slinky maxi + statement third piece 

The silhouette at the YSL show was a nice column, super slinky maxi. It's really simple, and a maxi can look good on everyone.

The key is to look for a cut on the bias, which is beautiful. When there was a third piece involved, it was voluminous and dramatic, very 80s retro-inspired, so that created an exciting juxtaposition in the silhouette.

The footwear is barely there.

And here is the look that I created.

How to shop your closet

That is all I have for you. I hope you found this tutorial inspiring and that it has given you some tips on how you can identify outfit formulas from catwalk shows and then shop your closet to mimic your favorite designer looks.

Which formula is your favorite? Comment down below.