Katalina’s Journal: How to Look Put Together Without Trying Too Hard

The Secret to Looking Put Together? Stop Making It So Complicated.

You know those women who somehow look put together even when they're wearing something incredibly simple?

Jeans.

Tank.

Sweater.

Great bag.

Meanwhile, you've tried on seven tops and your bedroom looks like your closet exploded. 😂

Here's the good news:

Looking put together usually has a lot less to do with having MORE clothes and a lot more to do with knowing how to combine the right pieces.

Welcome back to Katalina's Journal.

Here are some of our favorite ways to create an effortless outfit without spending 45 minutes getting dressed.

1. Start With One Really Good Basic

Before adding anything interesting, start simple.

A fitted tank.

A clean tee.

A great pair of jeans.

A simple pair of pants.

We love Nikibiki basics for exactly this reason.

They're easy to layer, easy to dress up and easy to build an outfit around.

A good basic isn't supposed to be the most exciting thing you're wearing.

It's supposed to make everything ELSE easier.

SHOP: Nikibiki

2. Use the Fitted + Relaxed Formula

This is one of the easiest styling tricks we use.

If one part of your outfit has volume, balance it with something more fitted.

Wide-leg pants?

Try a fitted tank.

Oversized cardigan?

Pair it with a more fitted bottom or base layer.

Flowy skirt?

Try a closer-fitting top.

You absolutely CAN wear oversized with oversized, but if you're struggling to make an outfit feel polished, balancing proportions is an easy place to start.

3. Add One Interesting Piece

Your entire outfit doesn't need to make a statement.

Pick one thing.

Maybe it's a gorgeous Made in Italy sweater.

A textured cardigan.

An embroidered top.

Printed pants.

A beautiful dress.

Or an incredible handbag.

Then let everything else calm down.

One interesting piece + simple basics = outfit.

SHOP: Made in Italy Clothing

4. Try a Tonal Outfit

This trick makes almost anything look more intentional.

Wear different shades from the same color family.

Cream + ivory + camel.

Chocolate + tan + denim.

Black + charcoal + grey.

Blush + cream + beige.

The colors don't need to match perfectly.

Actually, we prefer when they don't.

The slightly different tones give the outfit dimension while still making everything feel cohesive.

5. Stop Saving Your Good Accessories

We are ALL guilty of this.

You buy the beautiful handbag.

The jewelry.

The cute shoes.

Then somehow decide they're too nice for Tuesday.

Wear them.

Your accessories can completely change an otherwise basic outfit.

Tank + denim might feel ordinary.

Tank + denim + jewelry + beautiful leather handbag?

Completely different.

This is one reason we love Hammitt handbags.

You don't need to save a gorgeous leather bag for some imaginary special occasion.

Carry it.

Let it get loved.

That's what it's for.

SHOP: Hammitt Handbags

6. Do the Third-Piece Trick

If your outfit feels like it's missing something, add a third piece.

Tank + jeans = two pieces.

Add a cardigan.

Now you've created a layer and more visual interest.

Dress + shoes?

Add a sweater over your shoulders.

Tank + wide-leg pants?

Add an open button-down or lightweight cardigan.

You don't ALWAYS need the third piece.

But when an outfit feels unfinished, this is one of the first things we'd try.

SHOP: Women's Sweaters & Cardigans

7. Matching Sets Are Basically a Cheat Code

Want to look like you put thought into your outfit?

Wear a matching set.

Nobody needs to know the top and bottom literally came together. 😂

That's one reason we love them.

The colors already coordinate.

The silhouettes were designed to work together.

And you've got an instant outfit.

Then later, separate the pieces and wear them with other things in your closet.

SHOP: Matching Sets

8. Pay Attention to the Little Things

Sometimes the clothes aren't the problem.

Try:

Tucking your top.

Rolling a sleeve.

Adding jewelry.

Changing your shoes.

Putting the sweater over your shoulders instead of wearing it.

Switching from your everyday tote to a crossbody.

Those tiny adjustments can completely change the way an outfit feels.

Before deciding you hate what you're wearing, try styling it differently.

9. Have a Few Outfit Formulas You Know Work

This may be the biggest secret.

Women who look effortlessly put together usually aren't inventing an entirely new outfit every morning.

They know what works.

Find YOUR formulas.

Ours might look like:

Nikibiki tank + denim + cardigan + Hammitt

Wide-leg pants + fitted top + jewelry

Dress + sweater + crossbody

Matching set + simple accessories

Made in Italy top + denim + great bag

Save the combinations you love.

Repeat them.

Change the colors.

Change the accessories.

Nobody is keeping score.

The Three-Color Trick

If you're someone who gets overwhelmed trying to coordinate outfits, try keeping your look around three main colors.

For example:

Cream sweater.

Denim.

Camel bag.

Simple.

Cohesive.

Done.

This isn't a fashion law. Please don't come after us if you're wearing six colors and look fabulous. 😂

It's simply an easy trick when you don't know where to start.

Looking Put Together in Capitola

In Capitola, California, effortless usually wins.

We love outfits that feel polished without looking overly dressed.

Denim.

Lightweight sweaters.

Easy dresses.

Wide-leg pants.

Great layers.

A beautiful bag.

Especially near the coast, you want clothes you can actually LIVE in.

Looking Put Together in Scottsdale

For Scottsdale, Arizona, the formula changes a little because fall doesn't necessarily mean sweater weather yet.

Start lighter.

A great tank.

Flowy pants.

A dress.

A matching set.

Then bring in fall through color, accessories and lightweight layers.

You can absolutely look like September without dressing like it's 52 degrees outside when it very much is not. 😂

Buy Clothes That Make Getting Dressed Easier

This is really the point.

Your closet should not be creating a daily crisis.

When we're choosing pieces for Katalina's Boutique, we're constantly thinking about versatility.

What can you wear this with?

Can you dress it up?

Can you dress it down?

Will it work with something you already own?

Can you wear it more than one way?

Because the best clothing isn't necessarily the thing that gets the biggest reaction on the hanger.

Sometimes it's the thing you buy and realize three months later:

I wear this ALL THE TIME.

That's the win.

Shop New Arrivals, women's sweaters, Made in Italy clothing, Nikibiki basics, matching sets, dresses, denim and Hammitt handbags at Katalina's Boutique online.

Visit us in Capitola, California, or shop our curated collection at Katalina's Closet in Scottsdale, Arizona.

We'll help make getting dressed a little easier.

Until next time,

Katalina's Journal