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How to Create an Elevated Outfit in 5 Minutes or Less

Style Savvy
HOW TO CREATE AN ELEVATED OUTFIT IN 5 MINUTES OR LESS

By: Christine Tusher | October 3, 2024

It’s 7:30 am and you’re standing in front of your closet. Your toddler is tugging on your bathrobe trying to get your attention, while your kindergartener sits at the kitchen table doing everything except eating the bowl of Cheerios you’ve placed in front of them. You need to get everyone dressed and out the door within the next 30 minutes – including you.

Overwhelmed, you grab two pieces of clothing at random out of a pile of clean laundry and dash off to get your kids to school. An hour later, you look down and wonder, “What the heck am I wearing?”

As a personal stylist, I’ve worked with countless moms who have struggled with their style after having kids. They almost always say the same thing: “I used to dress so cute, but now I don’t know what to wear!” But great style isn’t something you’re born with, it’s something that’s learned. That’s where I come in.

The Color Sandwich

My number one favorite hack for looking put together fast is something I call “The Color Sandwich.”

You’re going to start with two clothing items that are the same color and use them as your “bread.” Then you’re going to sandwich an item of a different color in between. The alternating colors keep the eye traveling over your silhouette while making it visually cohesive.

I love this technique because it empowers you to create a feel-good outfit fast, while tailoring your outfit to your lifestyle and expressing your unique sense of style.

How to Try It

The easiest way to use The Color Sandwich is to match your top or top layer to your shoes and then use a different color for the bottom portion of your outfit.

If you’re also choosing a handbag, select one that’s the same color as the sandwich “bread.” This creates a visually pleasing grouping of three and elongates the body by creating an unbroken silhouette.

The Color Sandwich at the Park

One of my favorite things about this hack is its ability to elevate even the most casual outfits. Try to think beyond black and white when making an athleisure Color Sandwich. Even though this color combination is certainly classic, most people don’t have enough contrast within their facial features and hair color to create visual harmony. As a result, we end up looking at the outfit, not the person’s face.

I toned down the contrast in this athleisure look by combining on-trend sage green with classic black. The green is not only softer, it’s also great at hiding the stains that plague us busy moms.

The Color Sandwich On the Go

Use the Color Sandwich hack to add a third color to your outfit by coordinating the color in your top layer to your shoes. This keeps the look cohesive while adding dimension and interest.

It’s also important to note that the items your color coordinating often look even better when their textures are varied, as with the satiny nylon jacket, rich suede sneakers, and yummy pebbled leather bag.

The Color Sandwich at Work

Many of my clients struggle to incorporate color into their professional wardrobe, as their look often feels “off” when they pair a color with their neutral workwear. Often this is because they’ve tried to incorporate a pop of color by marooning the colorful item all by itself.

Instead, use the Color Sandwich to incorporate power colors – such as this on-trend burgundy – into your wardrobe. This will help you increase your visual presence and impact at the office and help you embody your goals instead of chasing them.

The Color Sandwich for Date Night

Many of my clients – especially new moms – want to feel pretty on date nights without wearing tight or revealing clothing. The Color Sandwich provides an easy way to boost your confidence and allure while wearing casual, comfortable pieces.

Most people associate red with passion, making it a great color for date night. This is another great place to play with texture. The feminine satin top feels subtly sexy while the patent leather pump adds an “oooh la la” factor that will get your date’s attention…even if you’ve known each
other for years.

The next time you’re rushing to get dressed, take a breath and remember: looking put-together is as easy as making a color sandwich.

Christine Tusher is a personal stylist and the founder of Christine Elise Style. She empowers women to rediscover their personal style and infuse their wardrobe with excitement and ease. Christine offers color analysis, closet audits, and personal shopping both remotely and in person to Bay Area clients. You can learn more about her at christineelisestyle.com