HOW TO MAKE YOUR OUTFITS BETTER
Part 1
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Speaking of transformations...
I have two friends navigating the dating scene: Sandra and Karla. Sandra has a detailed list of criteria for her future husband—looks, interests, socioeconomic background—you name it, it's there.
Karla, meanwhile, is a romantic. She insists she doesn’t have a list. For her, it’s all about a feeling.
Then Sandra had an idea: "Make a list of what you don't want."
Karla did, and produced a scroll longer than the Magna Carta.
Not so romantic after all.
I think deep down, they both know someone who checks every single box probably doesn’t exist, and even if they did, something about them might still be off. But creating that kind of clarity gives them a sense of direction in the often chaotic search for love.
I sat there nodding, being supportive. But on the drive home, I couldn’t stop thinking about Sandra’s idea: sometimes, identifying what you don’t want can give you more direction than chasing what you think you do.
You don’t have to throw away the relationship—or the outfit—you just need to step back, look carefully, and figure out what actually matters.
Stick with me here: in fashion, we often do the same thing backwards.
You look in the mirror, realize something about your outfit feels off, and immediately change, without a second thought.
Most of us do that every day.
What we don’t do is stop, study what feels wrong, and ask why.
I realized that if I could actually analyze those moments (taking a selfie) instead of rushing past them, I could start figuring out exactly which shapes, proportions, and little details aren’t really me anymore, and make faster, smarter decisions about what I actually like (and what just looks good on Pinterest).
So I staged a little experiment: I put on an old outfit I used to swear by... and treated it like a case study.
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What I don’t like about this photo has less to do with the individual pieces and more to do with how they're styled. Fashion is cyclical—trends always return—but the way we put pieces together makes a huge difference.
I used to pair leggings with long shirts, mostly to hide any midsection imperfections (and avoid potential camel toe situations). But looking at this photo now, I see how that choice alters my proportions.
The sneakers are actually still pretty cool, but if I were to wear leggings today, I'd swap them out for a strong pair of boots to elevate the look (less college). The short socks feel very early 2010s, I’d skip them entirely or replace them with a vintage-inspired pair.
The jean jacket remains a classic, but the fedora screams 2015. There's definitely still a place for hats in my wardrobe, just not this one.
I swapped the leggings for wider-leg jeans (I got this jeans on Tiktok shop, I will link the video where you can get them, only on the phone version HERE) and chose pointed boots to create a longer, leaner line—which feels much sexier to me right now.
I also switched to a shorter top, which fits my proportions better, and layered a sharp blazer on top to keep the structure going. Since I’m using a lot of the same color, I’m playing more thoughtfully with textures to add depth.
The sunglasses are smaller and more tailored. I’ve mentioned before that this oval shape is a nod to Caroline Kennedy’s iconic sunnies. Madewell has a great version, and there’s also a more affordable one on Amazon.
I also realized I don't enjoy super-defined curls as much anymore, so now I brush them out for a softer, more effortless look.
Interestingly, once I treated it like an exercise—on purpose—I started noticing even more patterns. It wasn’t just about spotting what I didn’t like. My brain automatically started offering better solutions too.
It became obvious that when an outfit feels off, the real problem usually isn’t the individual pieces—it’s the balance, the proportions, the way everything works (or doesn’t) together.
You might not love every choice I made (and that’s perfectly fine), but the point isn’t perfection. The real win is learning to slow down, study what feels wrong, and adjust with a little more intention.
The next time something feels "off" when you’re getting dressed, instead of rushing to change, take a second. Look closer. Figure out why it feels wrong.
You might be surprised at how much faster your style sharpens when you actually pay attention to the mistakes, not just the wins.
It’s weirdly satisfying, and honestly, a lot of fun!
Now I’m curious: what pieces are still hanging in your closet that no longer serve you?
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I prefer the "NEW ME" because it looks more "adult." You also look taller and thinner compared to "OLD ME."
On "OLD ME," leggings are casual while any type of pant implies a little more intentionality. Personally, I'm considering transitioning to pants versus jeans for daily wear because EVERYONE wears jeans. There is no thought put into it. Even wearing sweatpants (no elastic on the ankles, please) with a stripe down the side would give casual vibes but look dressier than leggings. Plus, it eliminates the probability of camel toe, jiggling, or transparency (sometimes those leggings are not as opaque as the wearer thinks).
While the t-shirt is worn to hide a "multitude of sins," because it doesn't flow over the body, it actually does more harm than good. It also doesn't take many launderings for a black t-shirt to lose its luster. I wonder if a more flowy or silky shirt here would have been more flattering.
Also, never underestimate the power of well-fitting and/or pretty undergarments!