Styling Through Tying

How you drape or tie an extra layer over your shoulders, around your waist, across your body, instantly changes an outfit. It adds shape, color, or texture, and chances are you already own the pieces to do it.

I love to rethink what our clothes were originally meant for. A jacket can be a belt. A sweater can act like a scarf. A coat can become a skirt depending on how you tie it. When you stop treating each piece so literally, your closet opens up.

And don’t stress about doing it “right.” There’s no right way. Let it be a little off and organic - just go with the flow ya know?

How to Style It:

• Play with Pattern: If you’re someone who avoids pattern because it feels like too much, tying it around your waist or over your shoulder is a less overwhelming way to incorporate. Loop a striped knit or button-down through your belt loops. No need to tie, just let it hang.

mango tank, best white cotton pants out there, green beads, you need this striped long sleeve. // Perfect white tee, here are some options for wide leg khaki trousers, Proenza red toe ring sandals on sale // Blue pants are not avail but love this yellow colorway they come in, square neck white tank, try this cardigan, green sperrys // My suede blazer is vintage but try this Suede jacket 30% off, try these grey shorts or these look good, striped cardigan. // Bally polo, khaki trousers here is another option, brown belt to have 4L. // White cotton top - I love this one more, COA gingham bag and reversible jacket, boat shoes try these

• Over the shoulders is the obvious move - but there are cooler ways to do it. Try it with a shirt instead of a sweater. The cuffs and placket add interest, especially from the back. I love tucking one sleeve into a waistband or looping a cuff through a belt loop (I did it first but Hermes did it better below). It’s the little details that level things up.

the blue Oxford im wearing, silk pants are sold out but here’s an alt, organza sheer shirt - love this alt, I tied to bandanas around my waist to make the skirt - these have a great range of color ways to do the same, agolde ecru jeans, try this striped button down for something more fitted or this one is more oversized, this is a good classic blue stripe

• Without pants: I live in Miami and don’t even own a coverup. I just tie an oversized button-down around my waist, off to the side, so it acts like a skirt.

Bally Polo, Yaitte striped shirt so happy they recut this one. I’ve been wearing it for years as a light jacket, among other things., Prada sandals. // old DVF one piece - try this one or here, old Nili check button-down - try this one or here, old Celine sandals - try these, very important striped long sleeve tee we all need.

• Over a long blazer: tie a sweater at the waist to add shape, or over the shoulders for a hit of color. Let it hang down the front or knot it at the neck for extra security.

navy linen blazer - you want it to be long enough so the proportions look balanced when you’re tying shit around it, Margiela graphic tee, grey sweats (yes you can wear heels with sweatpants - hello all my pregnant friends), red Proenza sandals from earlier, acne brown cardigan borrowed from Jordan but this one looks almost identical and is a fourth of the price

• Over a slip dress: tie a coat or sweater around your waist to add shape to a simple silhouette, it makes the dress feel totally new. The length of a coat creates an exaggerated skirt effect that I’m v into. Also helpful if your dress is sheer and you want to cover your bunny-buns.

this brand has a classic slip dress at a great price point in an array of colors, a few more here and here, my coat is Leset from last year but they made it in a classic khaki here

• With a belt: I’m loving the double-belt effect and this pulls it off without actually wearing two belts. Tie a sweater at your waist below a belt for extra shape and intention. It adds just the right amount of “wait… what’s going on here?”

belt use KELLYK20 for 20% off, sweater tied around my waist is from a shop in Italy but this one looks like a nice lightweight option, so does this one

• Monochrome moment: Tying a jacket, sweater, or shirt in the same color family around your waist adds texture, shape, and makes your waist look smaller. A white shirt over a white shirtdress gives the skirt more volume and acts like a belt, etc:

  

  white shirt dress - perfect shape to tie this shirt around the waist of. // Polo jacket, LOVE this one, button-down shirt in sand, love these shorts in khaki too. // I got my Margiela tee from a museum but this logo tee slaps, love these green surf/cargo shorts, this olive windbreaker would look great tied around them or worn normally. // Uniqlo shorts I have been eyeing for months and the matching windbreaker - both olive and orange look fun in the sun. // Jeans are the Kerrie from Khaite, try these for less, Chanel slingbacks

• Across the body. This feels right when your base layer is oversized or boxy. It works well with boxier button-downs or shirts. A sweatshirt or knit tied diagonally from shoulder to hip breaks up volume and creates shape.

  

  same green button-down from before, striped cotton $38 sweater

• More ways to play with layering coats and long jackets… try a sweater over a jacket, under a coat, or tie the coat at your waist as a skirt overlay.

  

  blue work jacket, agolde jeans, Tods loafers. / Leset coat worn on my body, cardigan is vintage, white cotton pants I make all my clients buy, and black flippers. / I have no idea where my face went in the 3rd look… here I tied the Leset coat around my waist and the outfit would not be as cute without it, pants and shirt are vintage, same black flips. / Navy turtleneck tee, navy trousers sold out but i’m surprised how good these look and tabi Maryjanes with a rouge navy shirt jacket around my waist

• With a yellow sweater:

yellow sweater option 1, option 2, option 3,

• I had fun this day. If you’ve got a structured jacket with something interesting in the back, turn that shit around. Just make sure the fabric has some weight to it, or it’ll flare up too much when you walk. Tie it at the back of your waist instead of the front. There are no rules Charlie.

I found this green corduroy number at a vintage fair and i’m having trouble finding good comps. but with fun jackets in my search, I came across this one which has a plain back but I like it just the same, has a Bode affect

That’s all for now. Have a gorgeous day. And if you’re craving more personalized wardrobe help, you can book a styling appointment with me here. I offer both in-person and virtual sessions, depending on what works best for you :).