Have you heard of outfit formulas? If you haven’t heard of this concept that really appears to be picking up traction on social media, it’s the idea that a certain combination of items, when worn together, will always create a stylish outfit. It is supposed to eliminate decision fatigue and be easier to create styles from clothes already in your closet. 

When it comes to plus size fashion, the challenge often lies not in finding beautiful clothes, but in crafting outfits that are fashion forward, comfortable, and versatile. Outfit formulas can be a game-changer, especially for us plus size bodies, offering a reliable, stylish framework that takes the guesswork out of getting dressed.

Whether it’s a go-to pairing of a tailored blazer with wide-leg trousers or a casual combo of a midi dress and sneakers, these formulas shared by a few plus size influencers, help to simplify decision-making while ensuring you feel confident and put-together. In this article, we’ll explore how outfit formulas are a must, how they provide structure to our wardrobes, and practical ways you can create your own formulas that work for your lifestyle!

A Few Tips About Outfit Formulas to Know!

To give you a better idea about how this works, we will discuss some popular outfit formulas for late fall and early winter and give you a short list of influencers that you may be interested in following. These influencers discuss outfit formulas, offer styling tips, and how clothing works on plus size bodies.

@layerednliberte has an entire series on her TikTok page called #YouCantDress. In this series, she shows some of her favorite outfit formulas so you can easily replicate them. One of our favorites for the colder weather is an oversized shirt and leggings. A long sleeve oversized tee or a button-down with any sort of leggings- it works every time for any body type! 

We asked @lifewithashleysymone what her biggest piece of styling advice would be. She said, “to wear things that are comfortable able make you feel beautiful and empowered. In a world where they tell you that your body is not good enough to wear what you want, I say flaunt it.”

Ashley says her outfit formula jam is a graphic tee and a pair of mom or boyfriend jeans. You can tuck it a little bit in the front to give some shape to the shirt. Add some accessories like a simple necklace and bam! Instant style! 

@its.just.jewel had compiled an entire list of outfit formulas, available through her Linktree. If you are looking for even more ideas than what we have included in this article, it’s probably the best place for you to go in order to find a bunch of ideas all in one place.

We love an organized baddie! Just Jewel says, “My favorite outfit formula is comfy pants + basic top + fun shoe! It’s versatile for any season and any setting and the fun shoe adds the element of style that takes the outfit up a notch. It’s a go-to for business casual workwear for me because being comfortable and stylish is important to me.”

We asked @kateiswinnen her best styling advice. She said, “the best way to find what formulas work for you is to notice what key wardrobe pieces you find yourself frequently putting together. Even something simple like a t-shirt and jeans can be a great and reliable formula. If you feel stuck, check out places for visual inspo like Pinterest, Instagram, or TikTok, and break down the looks you’re most drawn to. Almost any outfit can be turned into a formula!”

Kate goes on to say, “Outfit formulas are a combination of wardrobe pieces that can be interchangeable, and they’re fantastic because they provide a structured and duplicatable approach to getting dressed. By following a formula, you can easily create styled and well-put-together outfits without the mental energy of constant decision-making. Plus, they can work for just about any style and occasion. It can feel so overwhelming to look at our entire wardrobe and decide what to wear, but if we can narrow it down to one formula, then we only have to decide which pieces to add in to create that combination. Having a few key outfit formulas are so helpful in getting dressed, and make feeling styled really achievable.”

One of Kate’s favorite formulas is a blazer, graphic t-shirt, and jeans for something cool yet structured. She showcases this formula pretty often on her TikTok and she has made us blazer believers!

We hope this outfit formula concept inspires you to create some new looks with your current wardrobe and even some inso when shopping. It can be overwhelming to think of how to make a new look combining what you already have at home with something you eye at the store, but that’s totally something outfit formulas can help with!

What are some of your favorite formulas? Tell us in the comments!