Last month, I talked about the what, how, and why of outfit formulas. Today I’m back with another of my favorite outfit formulas:

Tube Skirt + Blouse + Trench

Tube skirts are pencil skirts made out of stretchier material so they look like fabric tubes. They were very popular four to six years ago, and I stocked up! I pick a blouse that goes with the skirt I want to wear, or I pick a skirt that goes with the blouse I want to wear.

Then I pick a trench that goes well with whatever else I’m wearing! Because I love this formula, I have collected trenches in quite a few colors over the years. Three of them have been in my closet for over a decade.

This formula can be more dressy or more casual, or for different temperatures. It all depends on the footwear and the kind of top. The goal is for the outfit to work with and without the trench so it can be removed without ruining the look.

Making it more general enables even more versatility. Some examples of slight changes to the above formula are:

Skirt + Top + Jacket / Bottom + Top + Layer

Tees make the outfit more casual, and sweaters make the outfit more warm. Pleated skirts add volume to the silhouette, and dress it up a little. Pants or jeans can be more appropriate for cold or inclement weather.

I had fun switching this combination up with some sweaters! That’s the fun thing about outfit formulas: they’re not set in stone and you can deviate where ever your inspiration takes you.