Wardrobe Styling With A Friend | Pear Shape | Tall - Nada Manley

Sometimes, we just feel stuck in our style. We buy and buy and still feel like we have nothing to show for it and so we end up wearing the same pieces in the same ways, while other pieces, which once held so much promise, languish in our wardrobe, unloved.

It’s really kind of sad when you think about it.

All that money, and worse of all, all of that HOPE, down the drain. At the start of this video, I share a very simple 3-step strategy that will help you wear those unloved pieces in your closet.

How to Wear Your Unloved Items | Wear More Of Your Wardrobe

If you have pieces that you like and would actually enjoy wearing, but simply never reach for, try this simple strategy.

Choose a few of these items at the beginning of the week.
Put these pieces in outfits. Go ahead and give yourself some time to style them into outfits.
Wear these outfits, with the little worn pieces, right away. At the end of the day, decide whether you loved the item and enjoyed wearing it, or, even after styling it in the cutest way possible, you’re still not sold. Keep or consign the item accordingly.

In today’s video, I work with my good friend Jean on styling some of the pieces in her wardrobe. For reference, Jean is 5’8″ and a Style Dial Orange (pear).

Outfit 1: The Hard to Style Top

Jean bought this Free People thermal top on sale, and loved it. She even wore it once and liked the combination, but didn’t take a picture (!$#@*&$) and forgot how she had styled it, so it stayed mostly unworn in her closet. Here, we play with outfit balance by styling this top two ways: Fitted + Fitted and Fitted + Flowy. We also tuck it in to highlight the waist over the hips.

The first look is Fitted + Fitted, which works, especially with the top tucked in, but the second look, which is Fitted + Flowy, is even better. The top untucked is not nearly as flattering as the tucked in look.

Outfit 2: Blousey Top + Flowy Pants

Jean’s style has a healthy dose of Boho, and with her height, she can wear flowier outfits, but flattery is also important. We found a way to have both in this look.

Jean likes the look of the first outfit, which pairs Flowy with Flowy, but this look so much more flattering when the top is tucked, creating a Flowy + Flowy with waist definition, adding flattery. Flowy + Fitted, for the last look, is easy to wear and also flattering.

Outfit #3: Breaking Up A Set

This outfit combined a pair of drapey pants in a dusty rose color with a white waist-length top. These pants have been in her closet for years, and are from a brand like Doncaster. They came as part of a set and she didn’t love them together. (Think of them as a more high-end Chico’s Traveler). However, the flowy wide-leg pants with the white waist-length top is a chic combination.

Lesson? Your clothes aren’t married. Don’t be afraid to separate sets and get more use out of them.

Pairing drapey pants with a waist-length top

Outfit #4: Tunic + Printed Leggings

This tunic and printed leggings/stretch pants combo is something many of us have in our wardrobes, but it doesn’t look that fresh or contemporary. Here are a few easy ways to update it:

Pair the printed pants or leggings with a neutral button down (white or chambray would be great) rather than a tunic that “matches” the pattern on the pants.
Add a jacket on top for added interest.
Wear the tunic tucked in with jeans, or replace the printed leggings with faux leather.

Outfit 5: Fitted Tunic + Leggings

This outfit involves a fitted knit tunic and leggings. Because she’s wearing it with leggings, the tunic can’t be tucked in, but a jacket worn over the outfit adds some interest and coverage. Jean typically wears a long black jacket with this look, but we are showing it with one of mine just as an illustration.