28 Days, 28 Raves: A Month's Worth of Chic Outfit Ideas
Falling into a fashion rut? Hit a winning streak with a month’s worth of outfits that are simple to style. For InStyle’s October issue, we created 28 super-chic ensembles that we promise will make choosing your outfits in the morning a cinch. The secret to these foolproof looks lies in 14 versatile yet far from basic pieces, including everything from a cozy cable sweater (perfect for fall) to wear-with-anything ankle boots—all of which will work with what’s already in your closet.
PHOTOS: Shop a Month’s Worth of Chic Outfits
For more, pick up the October issue of InStyle, available on newsstands and for digital download now.
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Day 1
Intimidated by mixing patterns? Take baby steps with a heathered sweater against soft-focus stripes. A jolt of poppy makes for a confident finish.
Kule top, $345;
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Day 2
- Knit on knit is the new double denim (in a good way). Experiment with texture to avoid frumpytown, such as cabled up top and ribbed down below.
- ASOS sweater, $80; asos.com
- Sonia by Sonia Rykiel skirt, $540; net-a-porter.com
- See by Chloe bag, $595; bloomingdales.com
- Aldo shoes, $100; aldoshoes.com
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Day 3
Take summery yellow into fall with a richer shade and heavier fabric a la this cozy midiskirt. It'll brighten the longest of workdays.
Reiss jacket, $465;
- reiss.com
- By Malene Birger blouse, $385; at Edit by LBP, 225-757-5905
- COS skirt, $135;
- cosstores.com
- Wouters amp Hendrix cuffs, $339 each; at Iona, 608-467-9489
- Want les Essentiels de la Vie bag, $595;
barneys.com
HampM heels, $60; hm.com
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Day 4
Bring minimalist gray to life courtesy of an oversize cobalt coat. The slouchiness sets off sharp angles and imparts pared-back cool.
Trademark coat (worn on top), $498;
- www.trade-mark.com
- Vince coat, $675; vince.com
- ASOS sweater, $80; asos.com
- Mango pants with belt, $70; mango.com
- Bones and Feathers Collective rings, $60-$73; bandfcollective.com
- Clare V. bag, $483; shopbop.com
- Elie Tahari cutout lace-ups, $340; at select Elie Tahari boutiques
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Day 5
A stealthy way to flash some skin on date night: Layer a sleeveless turtleneck over a skirt with alluring cutouts-it's a mini in disguise!
River Island tunic, $70;
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Day 6
Some say pleats add bulk, but on slim-fit trousers, they make a high waist look ultra-flattering. Go ahead and tuck in that shirt.
By Malene Birger blouse, $385; at Edit by LBP, 225-757-5905
Mango pants with belt, $70;
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Day 7
A stark palette sets the stage for sharp geometric lines. Temper a daring angular slit with crisscross heels for a modern happy-hour look.
Jonathan Simkhai sweater, $325;
- nordstrom.com
- Rodebjer shirt, $425; rodebjer.com
- Jennifer Chun skirt, $275; at Jade's Closet, 610-225-7290
- Lillot earrings, $63;
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Day 8
Take on the role of sophisticated tomboy in a wide-leg jumpsuit and a slinky rust turtleneck. Play comfy sneaks against a structured bag.
Joseph jumpsuit, $835; at Joseph, 212-535-2503
Gap turtleneck; $60;
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Day 9
Soften bold black-and-white with texture: A nubby sleeveless coat brings out the relaxed Baja vibe of a blanket skirt.
Demylee turtleneck, $84;
- revolveclothing.com
- Apiece Apart skirt, $375; apieceapart.com
- Alex Mika rings, $55--$106; alexmikajewelry.com
- Zac Zac Posen bag, $495; at select Dillard's stores
- Vince pumps, $350;
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Day 10
Team a preppy sweater with an oxford shirt and a barely there mini for a winning boy-meets-girl formula.
Jil Sander Navy sweater, $560; at Jil Sander, 212-925-2345
Everlane shirt, $78;
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Day 11
Tired of the LBD? Test-drive a fuller style that cuts a quietly elegant, hourglass figure. Gold-dipped stilettos do plenty of talking.
Theory coat, $695;
- theory.com
- Raoul dress, $400; at Effie's, 205-345-1814
- Eleanor Kalle rings, $195 each;
- eleanorkalle.com
- BCBG Max Azria pouch, $108; bcbg.com bcbg.com
- Diane von Furstenberg pumps, $375; at Diane von Furstenberg, 646-486-4800
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Day 12
A tailored blazer never fails to sharpen feminine separates. Just slip it off to slide right into a post-work rendezvous.
Rhié blazer, $795;
- rhiestudio.com
- By Malene Birger blouse, $385; at Edit by LBP, 225-757-5905
- Apiece Apart skirt, $375;
- apieceapart.com
- Wouters & Hendrix cuffs, $339 each; at Iona, 608-467-9489
- Tote Faux leather, Shop Prima Donna, $45;
shopprimadonna.com
Nine West ankle boots, $149; ninewest.com
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Day 13
Don't be afraid to clash a little. Slightly off pairings, like marigold and camel, bring a quirky feel to no-frills pieces.
Nanushka coat, $750; at Corridor Store Inc., 201-363-4600
Creatures of Comfort dress, $449;
- shop.creaturesofcomfort.us
- With amp Wessel turtleneck, $130; withandwessel.com
- Wouters amp Hendrix cuffs, $339 each; at Iona, 608-467-9489
- Clare V. bag, $483;
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Day 14
Rocker accessories, such as snakeskin booties and a chunky chain-strap bag, lend some major edge to a pretty pastel blue.
ASOS sweater, $62;
- asos.com
- Topshop skirt, $76; topshop.com
- M Missoni bag, $595; at M Missoni, 212-431-6500
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Day 15
Prevent an oversize cuddly cardi from swallowing you whole by wearing a body-skimming sweaterdress underneath.
Elizabeth and James cardigan, $395; at Jet Black Boutique, 315-475-9601
Steven Alan dress, $495;
- stevenalan.com
- Kenneth Cole New York bag, $178; kennethcole.com
- Falke socks, $36; herroom.com
- Stuart Weitzman brogues, $398; at Stuart Weitzman, 212-750-2555
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Day 16
For a casual Friday that steers clear of sloppy, match a slouchy sweater to a colorful coat-it’s cohesive with minimal effort.
Trademark coat, $498;
- www.trade-mark.com
- Svilu sweater, $285; www.svilu.com
- Lauren Ralph Lauren shirt, $70; bloomingdales.com
- Mango pants, $70; mango.com
- Wouters amp Hendrix cuffs; at Iona, 608-467-9489
- Cuyana tote, $150;
cuyana.com
Nine West wedges, $129; ninewest.com
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Day 17
All white looks just as breezy as (but feels a lot warmer than) it did in August. Counter the ease with sophisticated greige heels.
ASOS sweater, $80;
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Day 18
A few devil-may-care details—a sweater tied around the waist, jaunty slides—take traditional menswear into cute territory.
Ann Taylor coat, $278;
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Day 19
What’s better than PJs? Polished yet comfy head-to-toe knits in a color combo that has sporty, all-American appeal. Brunch, anyone?
ASOS sweater, $80;
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Day 20
Give a classic pencil skirt a badass attitude adjustment by mixing in a wool moto jacket. Tough without being try-hard.
Assembly New York jacket, $784;
- assemblynewyork.com
- Gap Turtleneck, $60; gap.com
- COS skirt, $125; cosstores.com
- Paige Novick pendant necklace, $405; paigenovick.com
- A.P.C. Calfskin belt, $205; at A.P.C., 212-966-0049
- Tory Burch pumps, $350;
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Day 21
An unexpected keyhole plus a built-in waist tie makes this look street-style catnip. Push the envelope with charcoal kicks.
Lacoste top, $150;
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Day 22
Coquettish lace-up kitten heels play against type when paired with a straitlaced, schoolgirl-inspired ensemble.
Rag amp Bone dress, $450;
- neimanmarcus.com
- By Malene Birger blouse, $385; at Edit by LBP, 225-757-5905
- Wouters amp Hendrix cuff ($449) and ring ($299); at Iona, 608-467-9489
- Kate Spade New York clutch, $598;
katespade.com
Nina Originals heels, $168; ninashoes.com
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Day 23
Surprise a dinner date by skipping the girlie trappings in favor of a graphic black-and-white study in clean lines.
Tibi coat, $595;
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Day 24
Lazy Sundays call for comfy sweats. Give them the gamine treatment with French-girl stripes and a flirty little ruffle.
L.L. Bean coat, $249;
- llbean.com
- Clu Too top, $99; shopbop.com
- Allude pants, $435; at Carleen Ligozio, 631-204-0104
- Ampersand as Apostrophe tote, $698;
net-a-porter.com for info
Joie sneakers, $179; joie.com
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Day 25
Featherweight wool meets silk faille for a whole new spin on evening. Even more unpredictable? The lush blue and subtle stripes.
Theonne dress, $225;
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Day 26
Toughen up a simple sheath with utilitarian touches: A sleek backpack and combat-ready booties will do the trick.
Trademark coat, $498;
- www.trade-mark.com
- J.Crew dress, $228; jcrew.com
- Coach watch, $198; coach.com
- Six Eleven for Aritzia backpack, $475; aritzia.com
- L.L. Bean socks, $12; llbean.com
- Robert Clergerie boots, $695; at Robert Clergie New York, 212-207-8600
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Day 27
Trendy metallic sneakers and an of-the-moment bucket bag elevate jeans and a sweatshirt for an errand-packed day.
AYR coat, $395;
- ayr.com
- MiH sweater, $345; mih-jeans.com
- American Eagle Outfitters shirt, $40; ae.com
- J Brand Jeans, $235; at select Neiman Marcus stores
- Coach watch, $198;
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Day 28
Channel a present-day Mary Tyler Moore in a slim-fit turtleneck under a belted dress. Swingy confidence at its best.
Raoul dress, $400; at Effie’s 205-345-1814
Uniqlo turtleneck, $80;