I love a good outfit formula. I don’t have to think much, and honestly, that is a blessing during the later months of summer. What I tend to collect is a small stack of formulas I can grab without thinking, and know I still look good. These are five formulas I have in the rotation now, and you should absolutely borrow right now.

Scarf Blouse + Stovepipe Jeans + Sandals

A silky, tied-neck blouse does the most, and I’m obsessed. It turns straight leg jeans and sandals into an outfit ready for a reservation. Cat eye sunglasses, and I’ve got a uniform for every dinner invite from here to eternity. This is the one I reach for when I look like I planned, even when I didn’t.

Baggy Jeans + Birkenstocks

Birkenstocks, baggy jeans, a black tank, and a belt. That’s it. This combo is what I love on days when I’m having to get in and out of the car six times. You know the grocery store, the pharmacy, whatever else, and I refuse to suffer for any of it. The belt is the one piece that does a little bit of styling for this look, rather than feeling like “I just gave up.”

Sleep Dress + Jelly Flats

A sleep dress in daylight only works if you commit. Jelly flats and a loud bag are a reason for this look to exist. The lightweight cardigan is necessary when entering an over-air-conditioned space. This is the combo to wear when you’re ready to make peace with wearing pajamas on purpose.

Button Down + Straight Leg Jeans + Black Flip Flops

A crisp white button-down, straight-leg jeans, and black flip flops. It’s the outfit equivalent of a shrug - low effort and impossible to get wrong. This is what I wear when I want to look put together, no matter where I’m going and what I’m doing.

SLIM MAXI DRESS + SNEAKERS

A slim maxi dress with sneakers solves the problem most people have with maxi dresses - you can’t walk anywhere in them. This combination is a look you can actually live in, from the farmers market to the airport or even a full day on your feet. I go for this one constantly, especially when I’m not sure what else to wear or what the day ahead has in store for me.