Starting Style from Scratch: Outfit Inspiration and Style Hacks

In the 2025 Starting Style from Scratch series, I shared a collection of items that I believe can create a strong foundation for the closet of a woman in midlife. Today I want to share some outfit inspiration; looks that could be created from this capsule wardrobe to wear for everyday situations.

I love making capsule wardrobes; it's fun to put the looks together and show how far a small collection of clothing and accessories can go to create great looks for many life scenarios. This collection was no different. It can feel boring to wear the same things over again… or it can be a fun challenge or game. It's up to you how you look at it.

In 2025, it makes sense to buy less. The environment, the economy, the political climate… save your pennies, work with what you have, and find joy in the creativity of reworking pieces instead of the quick dopamine hit of a new purchase. Treat it like a sartorial version of Top Chef: how will you make a delicious dessert with fish sauce and tarragon?

Sample Outfits from the Starting from Scratch Core Wardrobe

To get your mind thinking like a sartorial Top Chef, I have made some outfits from the core closet pieces from the Starting Style from Scratch series. Looks for all four seasons of the year, events from weddings to funerals, work to weekend.

To see the looks larger, click on any of the thumbnails below. You can swipe or tap to scroll through the looks. Once complete, tap outside the slideshow to return to this screen.

More looks can be created with the core collection, and as you see, I added a few additional items (a denim jacket, a belt bag, a statement earring, a lipcolor, tights, and a strand of pearls) to extend the capsule. You likely own similar in your current closet. If not, this is the link to the pink flower earrings, this is the link to the sheer lipcolor I recommend, this is the link to the belt bag, the rest are just random pictures I found to fit the bill).

As a reminder, here are the core pieces for a grown woman's closet. You can find all the details about this core closet collection at this link, and here you can shop for these exact or similar pieces.

My Favorite Style Hacks

To extend looks, I did some styling of the garments. Below I share my favorite ways to style garments to give them more interest and extend versatility. Some are in the looks above, some are just ones I keep in my back pocket to switch up my personal closet:

• Tie your shirt. Unbutton the bottom two buttons of a shirt and tie in a square knot. Instead of tucking the shirttail up into the shirt, tuck it into your trousers/bottom. This ensures you don't have it ride up when you bend over, and it keeps it from hiking too high in front.
• Try a scarf as a belt. Look for styles that are called oversized (I often find them at Ann Taylor and Echo) or a 42″ or larger square so those in larger bodies have more length and everyone can have longer “tails.” Fold on the oblong and fit through belt loops. Tie in a square knot and then move to the side so the knot is up against the closest belt loop.
• Go preppy. Tying a sweater around your neck is a classic preppy look, but it's also a way to add color and interest near your face, add depth to your outfit, and have a layering piece at the ready if it gets chilly. Try a square knot, but play with possibly using a brooch to pin the sweater in place, maybe have the knot off-center so the sweater hangs over one shoulder. I like to take an unbuttoned cardigan and tie over my shoulders when wearing a tank as it creates a bit of a cape effect and covers shoulders and upper arms.
• Cuff it. Cuffing sleeves of denim and twill jackets and button-front shirts give a relaxed vibe. Instead of just classic fold and fold and fold to shorten, consider doing a wide single cuff up to or above your elbow, and then fold that in half. This will make the roll not as bulky and the shirt or jacket cuff will stick out a bit, adding interest.
• Pop it. Popping the collar of a jacket, blazer, or collared shirt also can add interest and polish. Pop the back and fold the front so it doesn't sit up on your chin, but you still get the angled effect.
• Unbutton 2.5 buttons. One button unbuttoned looks off, two can be good for work, and three shows a bra, but sometimes it's nice to have a lower neckline. I go with 2 1/2 by leaving three unbuttoned, then holding the placket into a V, and behind connecting the two with a horizontal safety pin. With all the layers of a shirt placket, you can easily pin the front and back pieces together without metal showing.
• Twist and tuck. For a switch from the typical tuck or the “Millennial Half Tuck,” take the front of your knit top, twist it, and then tuck in that twisted part. Usually, your waistband is snug enough to hold it in place. Fold under the back part of the top instead of actually tucking.
• Use a Beltaway. I mention the Beltaway often because it's so perfect. It's a great choice for those who deal with jeans gaping in the back as it will cinch without bulk or discomfort. It doesn't need to be removed for metal detectors. And, you can do a fake tuck like I do in this video.
• Get a super plain black bra. This can be a bralette, a t-shirt bra, even a cropped tank with a shelf bra and adjustable straps. But you want something lower cut than a tank top with slimmer straps, but still something that provides full modesty without embellishments. This is what you can wear under mesh and sheer blouses and sweaters, peeking out of the neckline of cocktail pantsuits, wide-neck sweaters, and hidden under sleeveless and wide-strap dresses. I love this molded cup t-shirt bra from Fantasie because it is so plain, the molded cups give a lot of coverage, and the straps are straight and simple.
• Seam to seam, and seam to seam. Writing that, I hear my mom's voice. Taking the side seams of jeans and pants and matching them up, it helps create a clean crease down the front, whether you are folding or hanging. You will have to fold in part of the waistband to hang it correctly on a clip hanger, but that won't ruin the hang of the pants.
• Fake the flight suit. Especially with casual jumpsuits and coveralls, I always find the leg openings off. It may be my short height and curvy frame, but I find tapering the leg opening balances the look. My favorite way to do this is by tucking the hem of the pants into a pair of boots. Doc Martens, combat boots, and granny boots do the best because they make the “fake flight suit” effect look more purposeful.

I hope these sample looks and style hacks get your sartorial juices flowing! How is the Starting Style from Scratch series going for you? Have you implemented any of it? What has been helpful and what are you looking forward to in the series?