How Can I Make Putting On Clothes Easy and Dilemma-Free?

Nothing to Wear by Flex Mami

When I was a teen with far less disposable income and a wardrobe that wasn’t sparking me joy, I always dreamt of how adulthood would improve my style. “Ugh, I have nothing to wear!! When I’m grown up, I’m going to have so many cool clothes. All the colours and all the prints!!”.

Then I (kinda) grew up and fulfilled the fantasy that my child self wished for. But nobody told me having a wardrobe full of bright, clashing garments would also make dressing harder. I don’t know about your wardrobe woes, but in my experience, the bolder the outfit, the more thought-out you have to be.

How many different primary colours can you wear before someone mistakes you for Ronald McDonald? How many prints can you wear before you resemble a primary school art teacher? Can you really wear a top-to-toe vibrant outfit without drawing heaps of (sometimes unwanted) attention to yourself? How come it’s so obvious I’m outfit repeating just because I’m wearing colour? Why does it take so long for me to get ready?

Suddenly my thoughts about dressing up were more strategy as opposed to just wearing what I want. How can I make putting on clothes easy and dilemma-free again? This somehow brought me back to the concept of wearing and appreciating basics. Not because I don’t love doing the most, but because I can appreciate that fact that a good outfit needs a strong foundation that you can build on. If I could find a few failsafe silhouettes for tops and bottoms, then I can add personality with pops of colour with layers and accessories. Problem solved. Fun and efficient.

Shop the look

Here’s a simple formula I use to get the perfect outfit every time.

Shop the look

My life improved by at least 13% when I bought my first plain white ribbed singlet. You may be thinking, what’s so special about it? It’s like salt. Made to be appreciated on it’s own, but it’s once you pair it with different items (jackets, bottoms, accessories) it amplifies the flavours even more.

Shop the look

You’ve heard it a thousand times. A good pair of jeans will stop dressing up from being a chore or a trigger. I didn’t see the light until I found a cut that worked for me. Wide leg or boyfriend is my preference, but what you wear is up to you. Also, remember that historically jeans have been worn in literally every scenario – from casual to corporate work, weddings to funerals, playtime and even for fitness (I’m not lying, google it).

Shop the look

This is the aspect of your outfit that transforms and elevates it from boring to WOW. Usually for me, it’s a sick jacket or amazing shoes. It’s meant to draw attention and tie your outfit together. It’s the item that should get you the most compliments. And in most instances, it's what you’re most excited to wear.

But Flex, how can I dress this up for [insert important occasion here]?

Festival: Add a cute hair accessory, like a wide brim hat, bucket hat, bandana etc. Go HAM with your makeup.

Wedding: Add a structured bright blazer and heels.

Job Interview: Layer a white button up shirt, tuck it in and wear a patent point-toe mini pump.

The Perfect Outfit Does Exist