Next: Trench, similar here | Mother Tripper jeans | Sandals | Frame eyelet blouse | Lady Dior bag

How to Dress Better in 7 Days: What Comes Next …

If getting dressed sometimes feels harder than it should, you’re definitely not alone. In fact, that’s why I started this series! In Part 1, I shared how you can dress better in just seven days without overhauling your entire closet. The good news is, it really doesn’t take much to start feeling better about what you’re wearing. A few small, thoughtful shifts can make a big difference, and once those pieces are in place, everything else gets easier.

Today’s post is about what comes next. Once you’ve done that initial reset, this is where you can be more intentional. I’m including a simple checklist of shopping essentials, a few outfit formulas to rely on, and cool trend pieces that actually will take your closet to the next level, you’ll be good to go. From here, it’s about taking what’s already working in your closet and adding a few thoughtful pieces. These will help everything feel current as we continue into 2026. Cheers! 🥂

Recent Closet Post, ICYMI

How to Dress Better in 7 Days (Without Overhauling Your Closet)

This Month’s Amazon Picks: The Closet Organization Edit

Fashion People Know This Is the Key to a Great Wardrobe

ICYMI – Part 1: How to Dress Better in 7 Days

Left: Mother jeans | Trench coat | Argyle sweater | Prada pumps | Blue bag | Right: Denim jacket | White denim skirt | Sandals

Click here to read days 1-4

Day 1: The Closet Clean-Out

Day 2: Get Your Colors Done, and Why It Matters

3: Elevate Your Basics

Day 4: Take a Hard Look at Your Denim

Day 5: Make a Checklist of Shopping Essentials

Everyone’s essentials are different, but as a stylist, I know which ones to recommend. Right now, make sure you have these go-to items as the foundation of your wardrobe: a great jacket, coat, or blazer, a beautiful scarf, a current pair of jeans, a stylish shoe, and a nice handbag. They’re basic, but they’re essential — and everyone needs them.

Trench coat | Sezane scarf | Earrings | Brown bag | Mother jeans | White tee | Quince cashmere cardigan | Vince sneakers | Navy blazer | Sandals | Frame top

Read the full post: Here’s Your New Year Wardrobe Checklist: 12 Key Pieces

Trench coat | White tee & Button-up | Blazer | Stripes of any kind

Lightweight cashmere sweater or cardigan | Stylish sneakers | Modern denim | Neutral shoes

Skirts | Accessories | Black pants | Everyday bag

Day 6: Outfit Formulas

The easiest way to get dressed every day is to have a few outfit formulas on hand. Think of it like a cheat code to stylish outfits! Check out some of my favorites below — they’re all tried and true.

Ivory blazer | Tan anorak | Plaid jacket | Navy wool jacket | Jeans | Loewe bag | Leopard clutch | Slingbacks | Sneakers | Sandal | Flats

**Read the full post here**

#1 – Start with a versatile shoe/pant combo. The right bottom is the starting piece of every great outfit. I’ve tested this over and over in the dressing room, and trust me, it works every time. 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 – A stylish “Third Piece” is essential for your wardrobe. One thing I learned very early on is that investing in “third pieces” is worth every penny. A great blazer, jacket or coat will totally complete your outfits. And, based on my own experience, these are the pieces we all still wear (and love) years later.

#3 – Match your top and bottom. If you pair a matching top and bottom, then really any jacket will work — and it’ll elevate the entire outfit. The combos can be black/black, cream/écru, white/white, gray/gray or faded blue/blue. Easy, quick and very stylish!

Two more …

Poncho | Paige jeans | Silk scarf | Earrings | Sandals | Green bag | Earrings | Leopard clutch | Sunglasses | Slingbacks

#4 – Match your jacket and top. 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. Other examples include black/black, brown/brown, camel/camel — all of these will give you endless outfits for years to come because they are classic colors.

#5 – Match your accessories. Here’s one of my favorite tips: match or coordinate your accessories by color or pattern, and you’ll have the perfect finishing touch to every outfit. Try to put together a few sets: a bag/shoe combo, a bag/belt combo, or a scarf/bag/shoe combo in matching or coordinating colors.

Day 7: Add A Trend Piece Or Two

LouLou Saison blazer | Frame leather pants | Gold sandals | Burgandy clutch, similar | Frame sweater | Necklaces: here & here

How do you build a modern wardrobe, then make it even better? By stocking your closet with a combination of well-fitting essentials AND trend pieces that you add each season! I might go with the 80/20 rule — 80% wardrobe staples, and 20% trend items. This is just a thought, but these are the things that take your wardrobe to the next level. And, quite often, these are the items we actually buy first because, after all, they’re way more fun to purchase! Here are some trends for 2026 that I think are worth considering.

• Statement jewelry: Love this necklace so much, same with this cuff, and this necklace. Longer pendant necklaces like this and this are stylish and will add so much to your simple, classic outfits. I can’t think of anything easier to try this season!
• Silk scarves: While this trend didn’t really ever go away, it’s back and all the fashion girls are wearing one! When I was in Paris recently, I saw them everywhere. Just ordered this one at Sezane, which will go with everything. Other options include this, this and this

A few more trend pieces …

• Ponchos & wraps: Several years ago, I thought a wrap added ten years to your look … and now I think they’re so chic! When I was in Mexico recently, I spotted the cutest outfit on a younger, very stylish woman, and she was wearing a classic black wrap, tied just right. You can also try a breezy poncho like this,  a linen scallop wrap like this, or a classic wrap like this. I think we all need one!
• Stand collar jackets: Look at this pretty butter yellow jacket, this denim one under $100, this cool anorak (just purchased) and this best-selling leather jacket. They’ll all give your wardrobe a little refresh for the coming year
• Touches of leather (or faux leather): Leather anything will quickly edge up your outfits, and these pants are personal favorites. Also spotted this new skirt and this new leather shirt jacket
• Belts: Belts are definitely trending, so let’s add them back into our wardrobes! Look for ones with studs or cool hardware, or just a classic style. Some ideas I found include this, this and this.

Bonus: Alterations

After you’ve gone through your closet, take your alterations/repairs pile and get them done! After doing hundreds of closet clean-outs as a Nordstrom stylist, I can confidently say 90% of the time, your have pieces that need an alteration. I hardly let clients walk out of the dressing room without calling the tailor first. It’s a small detail that makes a huge difference. Your clothes will fit much more nicely and you’ll feel more confident wearing them!

Thank you for reading xx

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