The Ultimate Guide to Making Great Outfits
Welcome to So Susie! Here’s a little gift from me to you 🤍
I’m so excited to share The Ultimate Guide to Making Great Outfits, created exclusively for So Susie subscribers. This is a collection of all my best tips and tricks to help you transform your style and create endless great looks.
As a former Nordstrom buyer and personal stylist for over 25 years, I’ve helped thousands of clients and friends get dressed for everyday life. During these dressing room experiences, I learned what works and what doesn’t — so I put my top styling secrets together in this guide for you. You’ll find outfit formulas, do’s and don’ts, style inspiration, and the pieces that will elevate your wardrobe. I hope you enjoy it! xx 🤍
5 Outfit Formulas That Work Every Time
These style tips will help you with easy outfit-making
#1 – Start with a versatile shoe/pant combo. As I always say: the right bottom is the starting piece of every great outfit! This is something I tested over and over in the dressing room, and trust me on this one, it works every time. But, let’s take it a step further! Once you find the right bottom, then make sure you have several shoe options to go with it. This is important for laying the foundation for a stylish outfit.
#2 – The “third piece” is key. Investing in a third piece, like a great blazer, jacket or coat, is always worth it. These are the pieces that will complete all your outfits, and you’ll still wear (and love) them years later.
#3 – Match your top and bottom. If you have a matching top and bottom, then really any jacket will work — and it’ll elevate the outfit. Try black/black or white/white — these combos are easy go-tos when you’re getting dressed up. Easy, quick and elegant!
#4 – Match your top and jacket. Coordinating your jacket with your top makes styling easy! From there, any bottom works—skirts, jeans, or trousers. A soft white jacket with a matching top is always chic, for example.
#5 – Coordinate your accessories. Matching accessories—like bag and shoes, or bag and belt—are the perfect finishing touch. Pair items in coordinating colors, like rich saddle brown, beige, or classic black.
✦ Check out the 5 Outfit Formulas That Work Every Time for more ✦
Top Denim Tips
Every stylish outfit begins with a great pair of jeans. It’s the one part of your outfit that needs to be right, no matter the occasion
#1 – Don’t wash jeans to “shrink” them back to the right size. I often hear this, and the first thing I automatically think is that the size was wrong to begin with.
#2 – Get your jeans altered. Nordstrom alters hundreds of jeans every single day, and there was rarely a customer I helped for whom we didn’t call a tailor. This is the biggest key to making sure your jeans fit properly.
#3 – Do not put your jeans in the dryer. This is a big no-no!! The heat breaks down the fibers (assuming there’s stretch in the fabric), and over time you’ll get puckering. There’s one exception, and that’s with white denim. Wash them inside out, then lay them flat to dry.
#4 – Purchase the correct size. Typically, I see jeans that are too big because they’ve stretched out. Of course, it depends on the stretch in the fabric, but in the dressing room, we always explained that jeans stretch out about a 1/2 size. Purchase them tight, but not too tight! Make sure they’re the correct size for you.
#5 – Don’t wash your jeans too frequently. Only wash your denim when you must. This is according to every premium denim brand out there. I tell my clients to try and NOT wash your jeans — ever!
✦ Check out the This Season’s Hottest Jeans … and How to Wear Them for more ✦
The Biggest Trends for Spring 2025
Adding a trend piece will instantly elevate your wardrobe
Street style inspo | Images via Pinterest
#1- Belts are making a comeback. Belts are everywhere, so let’s add them into our wardrobes! Look for ones with studs or cool hardware
#2 – Skirts are having a major moment. Skirts of all kinds are everywhere this season and there are many to chose from
#3 – Pink is THE color for spring 2025. Pink is one of the biggest trends for spring, and it’s surprisingly versatile
#4 – It’s dress season! Dresses are the easiest way to get dressed for the day
#5 – Leopard is the hottest print right now. This classic print is everywhere, and these are pieces you’ll have for years to come
#6 – Preppy style/coastal chic. AKA “Fisherman Core” if you’re on TikTok 😉 Think Prada, Ralph Lauren and Miu Miu
✦ Check out the The Biggest Trends for Spring 2025 for more ✦
And here is my #1 shoe tip …
… it’s a simple trick that works every time
Shoes are a critical part of every outfit, so I came up with a simple trick that works every time: invest in neutral shoes! This is the key to getting dressed successfully, and if you select neutrals, your outfits will always come together. What exactly are “neutral shoes?” Well, everything from skin-tones to metallic sandals to soft whites to the color that works magic with all your outfits: caramel!
I feel very passionate about this subject because I’ve tested it out on myself, my friends and my clients, and trust me — it always works. My best advice here: don’t make the mistake of only having one pair of neutrals — always have several pairs and styles in your closet.
✦ Check out The Shoe Mistake You Could Be Making … And How to Fix It for more ✦
The Essential Wardrobe Checklist
I’ve created a wardrobe checklist of 12 key pieces everyone should own
Believe me, the right pieces will make creating outfits and getting dressed much easier. For example, everyone needs a great basic white tee — no need for five, just one you love. The same goes for denim: invest in 2-3 modern fits and wear them often. Feel free to adapt this checklist based on your lifestyle, and use it to give you a solid framework for building your best wardrobe yet! 🤍
The 12 Key Pieces to Every Great Wardrobe
Trench coat | White button-up | Blazer | Stripes of any kind
Cashmere sweater | Stylish sneakers | Modern denim | Neutral shoes
Skirts | Accessories | Black pants | Everyday bag
✦ Check out Your Wardrobe Checklist: 12 Key Pieces for more ✦
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