If you've been reading these Thursday emails, you've done a lot of work on your closet.

You know what every piece has to be for you. You know your YES colors. You've let go of the pieces that weren't working, and last week, you figured out your body shape.

I know that's a lot.

And if it hasn’t all clicked yet, that’s completely normal. It took me years to figure this out for myself, so please give yourself time.

Knowing your colors and your shape is one thing. Using them when you see an outfit you love is a whole different thing.

So let’s practice!

Let's say I'm scrolling on Instagram and this outfit stops me 👇

My first thought: cute idea. A midi skirt with a sweater and sneakers? Love this for me!

Old me would've wanted the exact same sweater, skirt and sneakers.

Then I look again 👀

She's clearly tall. She has a long silhouette and a different body shape than mine.

That oversized sweater and that long straight skirt work on her because she has the height to carry all that fabric.

I'm 5'4" and an hourglass. On me, that boxy sweater would hide my waist completely.

So I ask myself: how can I make this outfit my own?

We've all caught ourselves thinking: Why does it look so good on her and so wrong on me?

It's not you. That outfit was made for her body, her colors and her style. She's dressing for HER, not for you.

The good news? You don't need her clothes. You need her formula.

Here's how to make an outfit your own, in 4 steps.

🎯 First, find the formula

An outfit formula is the recipe behind an outfit. It isn't about specific pieces. It's about categories.

Think of your closet as a pantry. If you already have flour, you don't buy more flour to bake a cake. You use what's there.

So name each piece in her outfit by its category, not its details:

Grey oversized sweater + black leather midi skirt + chunky white sneakers

🪄 turns into 🪄

Sweater + Midi Skirt + Sneakers

That's the basic outfit formula.

I'm leaving out her bag and sunglasses on purpose. Accessories come last.

🎨 Then, bring your colors

I always start with what I have.

So I don't go looking for a grey sweater and a black leather skirt. I open my closet and grab the pieces that fit the formula.

Still figuring out your colors? This email will help you find them.

🪞 Next, bring your shape

Her outfit follows a simple balance rule: if your top is oversized, keep the bottom more fitted. Her sweater is big, so her skirt is straight and simple.

But maybe her shape isn't yours, and it's definitely not mine. So once you've picked your colors, look at each piece and ask: does this work for my shape?

Here's an example of what each shape could change in this formula:

• Pear: draw attention to your top half. Choose a sweater with a wider neckline (like a boat neck) in a lighter or brighter color, and an A line midi skirt in a darker color that doesn't cling to your hips.
• Apple: keep the fabric loose around your middle, not tight and not boxy. Wear a V neck sweater untucked, in the same color as your skirt. Look for a skirt with a soft, flat waistband.
• Hourglass: show your waist. Choose a fitted sweater and tuck it in, then add a skirt that follows your curves.
• Rectangle: add shape at your waist. Try a wrap sweater or add a belt, and look for a skirt with a tie or smocked waist. Mixing textures (like a chunky knit with a silky skirt) helps too.
• Inverted triangle: keep your top plain and let the skirt bring the interest. Choose a solid V neck or scoop neck sweater, and a pleated or A line skirt in a print or a color you love.

Not sure which is your body shape? Last week's email has a quick mirror test.

✨ Last, bring your style

Her style is edgy: leather, chunky sneakers, all grey and black.

Mine is more classic and modest. (Most of my outfits fall into that category, honestly 😅)

So I swapped her chunky sneakers for simple white ones.

Your style shows up in the details: the fabric, the shape of each piece, your shoes and your accessories.

Here's the same formula in 4 more styles. These aren't all the styles out there, just a few examples to get you thinking:

Feminine: cashmere sweater + lace silk skirt + Veja sneakers + gold hoops + bag​

Preppy: cable knit sweater + corduroy midi skirt + white sneakers + pearl earrings + bag​

Boho: crochet sweater + smocked skirt + suede sneakers + coin necklaces + fringe bag​

Sporty: half zip sweater + denim midi skirt + Samba sneakers + quilted crossbody​

Your turn: pull out every sweater, midi skirt and pair of sneakers you own, and keep the ones in your YES colors.

Start putting outfits together. Experimenting is a HUGE part of finding your personal style.

👗 My version. Same formula, my way:

🎯 striped cashmere sweater (tucked in) + washable silk midi skirt + white leather sneakers​

The striped sweater is sold out. But it's available in 13 other colors. 4 of them are limited editions, and they are 🤩

My colors, my shape, my style. And every piece came from my closet.

​The skirt is washable silk (mine is the Wine Tasting color, size S). I've washed it at sketchy wash and folds, and it has survived over 2 years!

Now tell me...

Had you heard of outfit formulas before? And when you see an outfit you love, do you usually copy it or make it your own?

Hit reply and tell me. Your replies truly help me shape future emails.

On Sunday, I'm doing the same thing with my 2-week Italy packing list. This way you can take it and make it work for YOUR style!

Thanks for being here ♥️

XO,

Aimara

>>> PS: I created a page with my favorite pieces and most recent packing lists. You can check it out here! (make sure to bookmark it)

In case you're new here or missed any of the 'clean your closet and find your style' emails:

• ​Set a 5 minute timer and try THIS with your closet: a quick exercise with 6 pieces from your closet to figure out your non-negotiables.
• ​Same 8 pieces. 3X the outfits.: how to get more outfits out of fewer pieces, starting with your tops.
• ​Your colors, explained (the simple version): a simple way to find your YES colors on your own.
• ​Why letting go of clothes is SO hard!: what keeps you holding on to clothes you don't wear, and how to edit your closet one category at a time.
• ​20 outfits for YOUR body shape!: how to find your shape and what to look for when you shop, with 20 outfit ideas.