{photos by Paul Milaire & Roderick Fung}
I’m always curious as to how style-conscious people throw together an outfit for the day: for me, I typically look to a piece in my closet and gradually add (and sometimes subtract) elements until it is to my liking. A recent addition to my purse collection – thanks, Mom! – called for a simple and classic look punctuated with a few modern accessories. What’s your process for getting dressed?



I can’t wait to carry this bag with more bright colours into spring! D calls it an old lady bag, but I’ve always been drawn to structured, simple shapes and this one fits the bill rather perfectly.
———
Wearing: YesStyle coat (last seen here), J.Crew sweater, Zara jeans and shoes, DKNY bag

49 comments on “Process

  1. That coat is TOO cute! I love this outfit, especially the leopard heels :)

    XX Kathryn

    http://lacoquettedelamode.wordpress.com/

  2. I usually start with one key item that I know I want to wear and build the outfit around that. Love those leopard pumps, Jen!

    xo, alison*elle

  3. I always start with my mood when I get dressed. Do I feel blah and want to be comfortable? Do I feel like looking really professional? Do I want bold colors, or am I feeling kinda gray? Do I feel like a skirt or pants? (I work in a very relaxed, small office where I can wear whatever I want, by the way.) After I make that decision, I’ll pick out a piece of clothing I haven’t worn in a long time. Then I’ll go from there, quickly working in some creativity and throwing together an outfit combo I’ve never done.

  4. You’re always so polished and refined! I can only aspire to be the same, what I usually do is go into my closet the night before and pick one piece that I want to wear and as I’m laying in bed I plan what I want to wear for the next day. Sometimes I remember when I wake up, most of the time I forget and just throw on whatever I first see!

    Mornings as a student are too rushed and I’m always more focused on making sure I pack enough food for a long day (such a foodie).

  5. Well, I always make sure to plan my outfit in advance… the sooner the better! I start with one piece (something that suits my mood on that particular day) and then just add all other things, like shoes, accessories…

    You look beautiful in this coat!!! :o)

    x

  6. Hi Jen,

    I love this outfit and i couldnt agree more!! cant wait for spring to come! went to school in Canada so I know the weather some times doesnt allow looking good to be the first consideration, some times staying warm has to be! its the same in norway where i live! You always look so great though no matter the weather and i love it!!! great job!!

    love K

  7. I love the coat and your shoes are so cute. I dont know if I could ever wear that…maybe one day.

    http://happychinadoll.blogspot.com/

  8. Loving this coat – looks fabulous on you! I start by picking out one piece I really want to wear that day and go from there – it’s fun not knowing how it will turn out in the beginning, but I guess every outfit starts like that :)

    Annie
    The Other Side of Gray

  9. Love your outfit — the bag is really gorgeous in its simplicity! Plus, the animal print shoes really pop.
    When I get dressed I usually start with something I haven’t worn in awhile and add/subtract to it until I’m happy! ;)

  10. Love the blue pants! Great pop of colour! I usually just start with one thing I am set on wearing and work around that!

    Have a great day missy!
    <3 Kastles

  11. My process involves my mood and pinterest, haha! I really love your new bag, it’s so lovely :) x

  12. I wish I could be that sensible about getting dressed in the morning. I usually need a hit of inspiration, something I see on someone else, on a blog, in a movie, a painting, flowers with beautiful colours, a concept, an idea, and that’s what I base an outfit around. Sometimes, there’s a mountain of clothes that end up on the bed because I’m not able to achieve the vision! Drives my husband nuts! ;)

    xoxo
    http://www.natashafatah.blogspot.com

  13. I’ve been looking for a work-appropriate structured bag as well, and this one is quite beautiful! Love that it’s not your typical square shape.

    http://xjole.blogspot.com

  14. Love this look Jen, the orange touches against the royal blue is beautiful and I love how you managed to include your signature leopard! So pretty. I generally take one piece that I want to feature in one way or another and I just build a look around it. Hope you’re having a good week so far love!

    Alex xoxo

  15. I build outfits just like you, starting with one piece and building from there. A lot of my outfit building is done as I drift off to bed. I count clothes instead of sheep ;)

    Marisa
    http://style-rhapsody.blogspot.com

  16. um, Jen….your Mom has some pretty sensational taste! it’s no wonder you are so extremely stylish and on point with consistently stunning fashion outfits – literally cut from the same cloth. it’d be great to see a mom and daughter piece one day?! have you ever done that before? just a thought that came to mind is all.

    i adore the blue slacks and gosh is the location you chose ever a sight to see!!! humpfff i think David and Sean should go take their opinions on certain style choices outside for some air ; ) awe, kidding D, give Jen some lovin’, you know this bag could potentially be a well-suited wallet carrier if the back pocket gets too heavy!

    my process flip-flops. sometimes i get a burst of an idea in the shower and come out to select those exact pieces, other times i do like what you mentioned and start with one thing building on a solid finish. but when the head shakes and cold sweats of not having a clue start i usually resort to a folder of mine on the computer. it’s filled with insp outfits and best believe your image shows up there frequently, you’re so inspiring to me!!! ♥

  17. I like your tip. I get so overwhelmed trying to create outfits too. Perhaps I need to just pick one piece and see what happens with it.

    You look beautiful.

    http://www.thegirlieblog.com

  18. Ah, the process… On an average day, I don’t have the luxury of very much time to get ready, so I most often reach for one statement piece and several neutrals/basics to go with it. When it comes to my weekend and evening outfits, I actually like to write out what I’m going to wear. I even have a little planner for it! I find I’m less likely to get frantic about having nothing to wear if I go through my closet mentally rather than physically :)

    What a beautiful new purse! I looks lovely with this winter loko, but I think it will be even better with bright summer pieces.

    xox,
    Cee

  19. the tan bag and the bright blue bottoms pair wonderfully together!

    vancouver blogger,
    lauren

    http://acupofhautestyle.blogspot.com

  20. I think that’s a good way to put together an outfit; it’s still something I have a bit of trouble with (although I’ve learned that I cannot plan my outfits the night before because it’ll usually completely change by morning haha.) That’s a lovely purse addition and I’m looking forward to seeing what you wear it with once spring comes along! Hope that you’ve been having a lovely week! xx

  21. Love your chic and classic outfits Jen, that bag is gorgeous and the coat is perfect…you look wonderful!
    xo Cara
    http://www.afashionloveaffair.com

  22. I’m the same way. Choose 1 item & add to it to make an outfit! Very cute bag. It’d be very cute with a colorful scarf tied to it for spring!

  23. i think about what i’m going to wear before i get up in the morning. weird, i know but i envision it before i even brush my teeth. out west its pretttttty casual though!

    xo the egg out west.

  24. Love love love the bag! Great shape and total neutral for any season:)
    I tend to decide on ONE thing I really want to wear, and base the entire outfit around it…mixing and matching…and I am TOTALLY one of those girls who plans her outfits the night before, lol.
    Happy week to you.
    C

  25. What a gorgeous bag! And loving the cobalt pants against the neutral coat. Getting dressed in the morning usually consists of me standing in my closet for about 10 minutes until something excites me! Takes me forever to get ready lol xoxo

  26. Most of the time I pick out an outfit based on my mood. Usually I have one item in mind and then build the whole outfit around that, like you. Though it has happen to me that in the middle of getting ready another outfit idea popped up. And those are usually the best ones!

    Anyway… I think your new bag is fabulous! You have such a sweet (and, clearly, stylish) mom. The blue of the jeans is beautiful combined with the neutrals and leopard.

    Have a good Friday! xo

    http://www.thesignaturebow.com

  27. Your Outfit is so beautifu! i love your blog, i follow you, like follow each other? do you like my outfits??

    <3 Anja

    http://anjasfashionblog.blogspot.com/

  28. I actually think of an idea in my head, then try it out; if it doesn’t work, I replace some of the pieces with different ones until I’m happy with it. But it’s all depending on what I feel like wearing – a certain colour or shape. Most of the days though, I don’t give myself enough time before I have to run out the door, so I’m a bit stuck with different versions of the same basic look.

    On a different note, I must say,that your coat is so beautiful! In fact, from what I’ve seen these past few months on your blog, you have quite the enviable collection of winter coats…it’s something that I really need to work on in my wardrobe: adding more variety in the coat department.

    Happy week-end!

  29. I’m the EXACT same, in that I pick one piece and build from there. Otherwise, I think it’s too easy to get overwhelmed. That, or my outfit turns into a hot mess of everything lol. You always look so effortlessly polished friend, I love the addition of the bright denim for some colour. And you know how I feel about that bag!!!!

  30. i tend to start with what shoes i am wearing (heels or flats or boots?!), & then figure out whether i’ll be wearing a skirt or trousers, & on from there.. :)

    love the doorway of the building you’re standing against, is it a school?

    Katie x

  31. Gorgeous outfit! <3 As for my process in getting dressed, I’m usually just rummaging wildly in my closet like a mad woman. It is not a good process, I know!!

  32. haha I totally style the same way! I always start with one item I am dying to wear..and then make something work with it lol. You have very class taste; I love it! The camel coat was a perfect touch to the outfit.

    I’m a vancouver blogger too, just finally starting to get to know the fashion community here…so nice to meet you! :)

    ~Britta

  33. I am the same! I usually have a piece in mind that I want to wear and I try build up an outfit around it. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t and I have to start again with another piece!

    Your coat is gorgeous, the bag compliments it really well.

    x Marcella
    http://www.fashiondistraction.com

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