The most memorable outfits are the ones that feel like they’re from another world, like straight out of the early 2000s or from an episode of Gilmore Girls.
When it comes to achieving such an outfit, you’ve got to look past just how things look in the mirror. If your outfit feels like it might be missing something, it might be time to use all five senses. So, here’s my five-sense formula guide to creating more interesting outfits this semester.
- Touch
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Combining different textures when curating your outfit is a great way to add some depth and flair. Mixing textures adds dimension, so your clothing doesn’t blend and seem flat.
Try pairing leather jackets with lace tights in the fall or eyelet fabrics with knit cardigans in the spring. There are lots of clothing materials to combine and experiment with to elevate your look, and the right combinations can make your outfits feel more intentional and cohesive.
My favorite texture to include in my outfits is lace. Lace tights, lace bralettes, lace ribbons — the list goes on. It’s perfect for soft, dainty looks, and it goes with pretty much anything!
- Smell
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A carefully chosen scent is the best way to seal the look your outfit is going for. Whether you’re matching your perfume to the season you’re dressing for, or to the aesthetic of your liking, matching your scent to your look is easily one of the best ways to elevate your outfits.
Personally, my favorite perfume for this fall season is Ambre Essence from Ambre Blends. This scent is perfectly fall, with smoky undertones, and it’s my go-to with any autumn outfits. Especially because it’s an oil, the scent lasts all day for me — perfect for the Fall semester!
- Hearing
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You can incorporate the sense of hearing into your outfits in two ways: make your headphones part of the outfit and craft the perfect soundtrack to go along with it.
Making your headphones part of your outfit is a great way to accessorize, while also giving your outfit a defining feature. For example, we all know how iconic wired headphones are for Y2K looks, or how chunky headphones add to a streetwear aesthetic. Using your headphones as a key feature for the aesthetic you’re going for is ideal for setting the look.
Now, you’ve got the look of hearing down, but what are we actually listening to? This is the golden opportunity to show off your music curating skills and create a playlist perfect for whatever aesthetic you’re going for. Whether that’s an indie rock or pop playlist for your downtown girl aesthetic, or something with folk and acoustics for the fall, having a playlist to be the soundtrack for your outfit is arguably one of the best accessories.
- Sight
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This one might seem like an obvious one, but when did we become so afraid of color? Personally, I am tired of sad beige aesthetics. Don’t get me wrong, on the right days I love a minimalist look, but they can get boring.
It’s time to be experimental when it comes to sight. Don’t be afraid to try different color combinations and maybe pair items you normally wouldn’t. Brown and teal are an iconic combination when going for the Tuscan aesthetic, and nothing screams fall like dark, moody colors paired with the season’s browns and greens.
My personal favorite way to add color to my more basic outfits is with a fun pair of shoes. As a shoe lover, fun colored Converse or different colored socks with white sneakers are an easy way to add an interesting pop to an otherwise plain outfit.
- Taste
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Lastly, and arguably the most fun part, incorporate taste by getting a fun drink to pose with for your fit checks. For me, my fit checks aren’t complete until I have an iced coffee in hand.
There’s something about a hot coffee paired with a sweater, denim skirt, and boots that really complete an autumn aesthetic. Or, for my non-coffee girls, a brightly colored refresher in the springtime with florals and lace. Whatever your drink of choice is, pairing it with the right outfit to finalize the aesthetic you’re going for is a great way to include taste in your outfits.
So, next time you’re in an outfit slump and find yourself resorting to the good old reliable outfits, take a second to remind yourself how you can incorporate touch, smell, hearing, sight, and taste into your look. These small tips can help bring your outfits to life and spice up your aesthetic for the season.
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