Welcome to this week’s edition of Why It Works!
Whether you’re new here or a returning member of The Mindful Dresser community, I’m so glad you’re joining me.
This series is all about helping you gain clarity and confidence in your personal style by analyzing outfits and breaking down the principles that make them work—or not work.
Together, we’ll explore how to build looks that are well put-together, classy, sophisticated and that make you feel like a million bucks $$.
This week, I’m analyzing three of my own outfits: two that I’d definitely wear again and one that I probably wouldn’t repeat in the same way and why.
The goal isn’t for you to replicate these looks (unless you see something you love and/or want to take inspiration from) but to highlight practical principles and concepts that you can apply to your own wardrobe and outfits.
My goal is for you to walk away with some inspiration or at least ideas for new ways to wear your clothes and step out of your style comfort zone by wearing more of your clothes, getting creative with your wardrobe and bringing the fun back into style.
To achieve this, I encourage you to read this through the lens of:
“What ideas resonate with me?”
“How can I apply this to my own style and in my own wardrobe?”
Let’s do this.
Outfit 1: Simplicity Without Being Boring
Key Insight: A cohesive outfit can look polished yet simple when coordinating colour, shape, and refinement.
Occasion: Passport photo day!
This was something I wore on a day I was getting passport photos taken. My main thought process was to keep it simple, opting for a white top with a crew neck to avoid complications with the pictures. The top I chose is a white t-shirt with puff sleeves, which I love because they add a feminine touch that aligns with my personal style.
Why It Works:
Colour Scheme: Neutral palette (white, navy, beige) creates a cohesive, understated look.
Silhouette: The puff sleeve adds volume to the shoulders, the pleated high-waisted shorts emphasize the waist but widen at the hip which really defines my figure.
Fabric Weight: Viscose top and linen shorts balance each other with complementary textures and weights.
Refinement: The beige sandals elevate the outfit above casual flip-flops, aligning with the top’s design details.
Takeaway: Simplicity doesn’t mean sacrificing elegance—neutral colours, balanced textures, and subtle details can create a polished, functional look.
Outfit 2: Bring an Old Favourite Back to Life
Listen to this episode with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to The Mindful Dresser to listen to this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.
