How to Look Put-Together 5 Minutes - According to a San Francisco Personal Stylist
It’s 5:45 am and you’re standing in front of your closet. You’ve got a call at 6am San Francisco time with your East Coast office, then have to get your kids out the door and get to your office for another long day at work. Somehow, you need to get dressed, apply a coat of concealer and mascara, and slam a cup of coffee within the next 15 minutes. You feel completely overwhelmed.
You have so many great clothing options, but the idea of putting together an outfit feels exhausting and impossible – especially when your time is so limited. So you do what you always do: grab an all black ensemble and move through your day feeling boring and basic.
You deserve better.
As a San Francisco personal stylist, I’ve worked with countless professional who have great clothes, but struggle to create outfits that make them feel put-together. 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 Work
The Color Sandwich works with every color - even neutrals like black and gray. Sandwiching the gray pants between the luxe leather + knit top layers and the classic suede pump creates a grouping of three black items that is pleasing to the eye and keeps it moving over the outfit.
Texture is also key when creating all-neutral outfits. The combination of sleek leather, cozy knit, and sumptuous suede prevents the outfit from looking flat and boring.
get the look
The Color Sandwich on Casual Friday
Don’t worry about matching colors exactly when coordinating your top half with your shoe. It’s more about creating harmony between colors by matching their tone and intensity than it is about matching them exactly, as you can see in this outfit.
It’s ok if the bag doesn’t match the shoe – that’s an outdated rule. It’s more important to look at undertones. For example, the bag, shoe, and blazer all have a little yellow in them, which is why they work so well together.
GET THE LOOK
The Color Sandwich at the Gym
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 stains that might occur as you sip your post-workout coffee or smoothie.
SHOP THE LOOK
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.
SHOP THE LOOK
The Color Sandwich on 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 eachother for years.