How many times have you opened your closet and sifted through your drawers, only to come up empty-handed, your mind completely void of outfit ideas? It happens to the best of us. You could have a closet full of clothes and yet, seemingly, nothing to wear.
One solution, of course, would be to go shopping, but adding to your wardrobe on a whim will not help your situation. At least, not in the long run. Instead, we challenge you to shop your closet and style some casual outfits with pieces you already own. This way, when worse comes to worst, you have fail-safe outfits stockpiled for these kinds of predicaments.
But let’s say you’ve been there, done that. You’ve dumped your drawers and taken out every piece of clothing from your closet, splayed them out around your bedroom, and the ideas still aren’t coming to you. This is when you need a little outside inspiration. Take the pressure off yourself to get creative, and find 15 casual outfits to try below.
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Something Schoolcore
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Once autumn is in full swing, all things schoolcore and academia are in fashion. An easy way to get the uniform look as a graduate is to pair a gingham skirt with a turtleneck, crew-neck sweater, or a tucked-in button-down. To give the outfit some edge and make it feel less formal, add a bomber, windbreaker, or leather jacket as your outer shell. Mary Janes and loafers (we love this pair from Cole Haan and this pair from Vince Camuto) are always a go-to footwear option for this ‘fit, but sneakers will also drive home your casual vibe.
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A Little Black Mini
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When the LBD feels too formal, opt for an LBM — a little black miniskirt — instead. (This skort from Princess Polly is super practical, while the pleats on this one from Mango are a fun twist). We love the classic pairing of a black skirt and white blouse, but you can use any top you have and like, such as a graphic tee, bodysuit, or chunky knit sweater.
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Statement Outerwear
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Like good PB&J, you can never go wrong with a jeans-and-white-T-shirt pairing. But because the look is so simplistic, it’s begging for add-ons to spruce it up. For an elevated casual outfit, lean into your outerwear. Opt for a jacket that serves as a pop of color or boasts a fun pattern (such as the Sézane Richie Coat, in classic plaid) and keep your footwear on the simple side to ensure the jacket is the focus.
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Dust Off Your Denim Skirt
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Denim skirt outfits are having a moment right now, especially maxi lengths. Again, you can’t go wrong wearing yours with a white button-down or T-shirt, but something a little more collegiate, like a varsity sweater or a cozy half-tucked sweater (we’re living in this pick from Aerie) would be cute, too.
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A Simple Sweater Dress
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Sweater dresses are a chilly weather staple and come in all different lengths and styles. They’re also the coziest one-and-done ensemble you can throw on throughout the fall and winter months. You can pair the piece with knee-high boots for a classic look, or opt for sneakers or flats to make the final product even more low-key. Skip outerwear if it’s not too cold, but if the weather forecast calls for that added layer, we’d recommend a brown leather jacket as an alternative to go-to black.
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A Pair of Cargo Pants
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Cargo pants have also seen an uptick in popularity this year, so dust off your old faithful. A basic tank top pairing is a great base to build off of with accessories and outerwear, but the options are endless. Switch things up with a one-shoulder slouchy sweater to add a softer element, or keep the tank and layer, layer, layer with an oversized cardigan or denim jacket.
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Edit Your Matching Set
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Monochromatic sets are still very much trending — thanks in large to quiet luxury and minimalist dressing — but if you’re craving a pop of color, richly hued layers are key. Pair a neutral top and bottom with a long-sleeved shirt in a statement shade, like Barbie Pink or the color of the season, red.
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Sweats and a Suit Jacket
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Don’t want to change out of your sweatshirt but want to look semi-presentable for running errands? It turns out, you can have the best of both worlds, especially if your goal is to create an elevated casual outfit. The easiest add-on to upgrade your coziest sweatshirt is a blazer overtop. Add a pair of sneakers, a ball cap, and sunglasses, and you’re ready to roll.
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Give Your Leggings Some Love
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If you aren’t utilizing legging outfits to the best of your ability, it’s time to change that. With the ‘90s and early aughts coming back in fashion, we’d like to make a case that their renaissance is about to be bigger than ever. For a casual outfit, there’s nothing simpler (or, in our opinion, cuter) than leggings and a tunic, an oversized sweater, or an oversized button-down. With this formula, you’ll look put together and feel incredibly comfortable.
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A Slip Dress and Boots
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The best casual outfits are the ones that don’t take a lot of time or effort to put together. Slip-dress outfits top our list, because you can wear them as a dress or a layering component for sweater outfits. And celebs at Couture Week were all about pairing their dresses with boots, we’ll have you know.
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Stick with Your Sweatpants
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Trousers are great and all, but if you’re going for maximal comfort around your midline, nothing beats baggy sweatpants. A neutral-colored pair is even better, because you can pair the roomy bottom with a tucked-in or cropped sweater and complete your look with a duster coat. If comfort is key, this formula cracks the code.
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Play With PJs
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Pajamas-as-outerwear didn’t catch on the same way underwear-as-outerwear did, but it still hits — and we’d argue the look is a quintessential casual outfit. Many sets can even be happy-hour appropriate, with the right styling. We’d suggest pairing them with loafers and a camel trench or sneakers and a denim jacket, depending on your vibe.
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Have a Maxi Moment
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If you ask us, maxidresses are just as good an option as sweater dresses for a casual outfit in the cooler months. The key to dressing down a maxi dress is the right footwear and outerwear. If it’s just warm enough for slip-on shoes, go for it! We’d also recommend flats or sneakers (à la Sandra Bullock circa 1999), as well as a cropped jacket or oversized blazer in case of a chill.
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Grab a Graphic Tee
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Few clothing items are more casual than graphic tees. The simplest outfit option would be the shirt and jeans, but you can also go with leggings or sweatpants if you prefer.
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Swap Your Shirt for a Vest
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Models were wearing vests as shirts a couple years back, and the trend caught on like wildfire. The look circled back around this summer, and we have a feeling it’ll stick around through fall and winter, too. Pair the top with trousers, jeans, and skirts for an easy, model-off-duty look.
As an expert in fashion and styling, I have spent years honing my knowledge and expertise in the field. I understand the struggles of standing in front of a closet full of clothes and feeling like you have nothing to wear. But fear not, for I have the solution to your wardrobe predicaments.
When faced with the challenge of feeling uninspired by your closet, the first step is to resist the urge to go shopping and instead, shop your own closet. Take a moment to explore the pieces you already own and challenge yourself to create new outfits with them. By doing this, you can create a stockpile of fail-safe outfits for any occasion.
However, there may come a time when even after sifting through your drawers and closet, you still can't seem to find any outfit ideas. In such situations, it's beneficial to seek outside inspiration. To help you in this endeavor, I will provide information related to the concepts used in the following article:
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Schoolcore: This trend revolves around fashion inspired by school uniforms and academia. To achieve this look, you can pair a gingham skirt with a turtleneck, crew-neck sweater, or a tucked-in button-down. Add an outer shell such as a bomber, windbreaker, or leather jacket to give the outfit an edgy and less formal feel. Footwear options like Mary Janes, loafers, or sneakers can complete the casual vibe.
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Little Black Mini: When the classic little black dress feels too formal, opt for a little black miniskirt instead. Pair it with a white blouse or any other top of your choice, such as a graphic tee, bodysuit, or chunky knit sweater.
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Statement Outerwear: Elevate a simple jeans-and-white-T-shirt pairing by adding a jacket that serves as a pop of color or boasts a fun pattern. Keep the footwear simple to ensure the focus remains on the jacket.
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Denim Skirt: Denim skirt outfits, especially maxi lengths, are currently in trend. Pair your denim skirt with a white button-down or T-shirt for a classic look. Alternatively, try a varsity sweater or a cozy half-tucked sweater for a more collegiate feel.
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Sweater Dress: Sweater dresses are a cozy and versatile option for the fall and winter months. Pair them with knee-high boots for a classic look, or opt for sneakers or flats for a more casual vibe. Consider adding a brown leather jacket as an alternative to the usual black.
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Cargo Pants: Cargo pants have seen a rise in popularity recently. Pair them with a basic tank top and experiment with accessories and outerwear. Try a one-shoulder slouchy sweater or layer with an oversized cardigan or denim jacket.
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Matching Set: Monochromatic sets are still trending, but you can add a pop of color with a long-sleeved shirt in a statement shade.
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Sweats and a Suit Jacket: Upgrade your coziest sweatshirt by layering a blazer over it. Complete the look with a pair of sneakers, a ball cap, and sunglasses for an elevated casual outfit.
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Leggings: Leggings can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. Pair them with a tunic, oversized sweater, or oversized button-down for a comfortable and put-together look.
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Slip Dress and Boots: Slip dresses are effortless and versatile. Wear them as a dress or use them as a layering component for sweater outfits. Pair them with boots for a trendy look.
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Sweatpants: For maximum comfort, opt for baggy sweatpants in neutral colors. Pair them with a tucked-in or cropped sweater and complete your look with a duster coat.
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Pajamas as Outerwear: Pajamas can be a stylish choice for a casual outfit. Pair them with loafers and a camel trench or sneakers and a denim jacket, depending on your preference.
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Maxi Dress: Maxidresses are a great option for a casual outfit in cooler months. Dress them down with the right footwear and outerwear, such as slip-on shoes, flats or sneakers, and a cropped jacket or oversized blazer.
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Graphic Tee: Graphic tees are the epitome of casual wear. Pair them with jeans, leggings, or sweatpants for a simple yet stylish outfit.
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Vest as a Shirt: Experiment with vests worn as shirts, a trend that has resurfaced recently. Pair them with trousers, jeans, or skirts for an easy and effortless look.
By embracing these concepts and using them as a starting point, you can revitalize your wardrobe and create a multitude of casual outfits using the pieces you already own. So the next time you find yourself standing in front of your closet feeling uninspired, remember that with a little creativity and outside inspiration, you can unlock a world of outfit possibilities.
