The Friction Formula: Interesting outfits for an entire week (or more)

How to create capsules that inspire you, and how to pack for success

We have a name! And folks, when you name something, it suddenly becomes this thing you can actually explain. And if I can explain this better, then you can actually try it, and we can make it better together. So, without further ado, let me introduce you to one brilliant(If I might say so myself) way to create interesting capsules that arm you with everything you need for amazing daily outfits: The Friction Formula.

So, what exactly is the Friction Formula? It's all about intentionally pairing elements in an outfit that, on paper, might not traditionally "belong" together. Think of it as creating a delightful tension between different styles or vibes (that's the "friction") which then makes your outfit not just cohesive, but genuinely interesting. So using my fav example, Spice Girls, here’s what it a Friction Formula could look like:

Here’s the deal: imagine you're(proverbial you, but mostly me) trying to put together a capsule wardrobe for a trip, or just for a week's worth of outfits at home. What happens a lot is you don't pull enough varied pieces to make genuinely interesting outfits when you actually need them. If you’re traveling, that can mean "meh" outfits or, even worse, impulse shopping. And if you're at home, it might just make you throw your hands up and declare capsules aren't for you. BUT, what if there was a simple way to make sure you have all the elements you need to never feel that way again?

That, my friends, is where the Friction Formula comes in.

Here’s how it works:

1. Pull 2-3 "outfits" that each have a completely different vibe. So, for example, for a week of business travel, I'd usually pull a formal/professional outfit, a casual outfit, and a comfy plane outfit. Or, something I half-joked about in my note, and my friend

   stillthinkingaboutit
   actually used to pull together a fabulous weekly capsule: follow the Spice Girls! Think a Baby Spice outfit, a Sporty Spice outfit, and a Posh Spice outfit. See? Totally different vibes.

2. Mix and match elements throughout the week based on your activity and mood for the day. Friction Formula applied, interesting outfit achieved. Done!

You see, you won't actually be wearing any of these original "outfits" in their complete form. I mean, you could, but by definition, they're pretty one-note. Instead, this method ensures you've pulled in pieces with distinct moods and vibes that are ready for you to mix and match throughout your trip or week. This simple approach ensures your capsule isn't just a collection of clothes, but a truly versatile toolkit for any occasion.

Ready for a real-world example? Let me show you exactly how I packed for a recent NYC trip.

First, I started with 3 ‘outfits’, a fun spring colorful one, a casual one, and a professional one with trousers and a blazer.

If I switch to the items this pulls in, it’s a great range.

Had my travel been a week or longer, I would have thrown in one more outfit in there like ‘sporty’ or ‘edgy’ or ‘throw in your favorite adjective’. Bit since it wasn’t, I simply added a few more pieces that add a different vibe.

For example, a going out vibe with this silk cami, a ‘commanding’ vibe with this top with padded shoulders, a trench since it was gonna rain, and a sweater in a bright color to balance the color vibes, and we are good to go. Also, swapped out the black button down for a white one simply because the black one needed to be washed. It wouldn’t matter since they have a similar vibe anyway.

I did not know which outfits I would be able to create with these items, but the fact that I had multiple vibes mixed in meant I would be ready for any eventuality. For shoes I went ultra practical with this one (since NYC = lots of walking) and threw in sneakers with different vibes.

Here are the outfits I actually wore:

This one was my travel outfit from LAX to JFK. I wore the button up shirt, the jeans, and threw on the sweater.

Shirt, Sweater, Jeans, Shoes

My first day there, I went formal. But I had already worn the shirt. So instead I brought in the shoulder pad top under my blazer, and threw the trench on top.

Pants, Top, Blazer, Trench, Shoes

We went out for dinner that night. I quickly threw on the same sweater I wore on the plane to calm down the vibe a bit.

Pants, Sweater, Shoes, Belt

The next day, I wore one of the outfits as planned (ALMOST). I threw the cardigan on my shoulders to brighten up the look. Sneakers added friction.

Shirt is sold out in red but here’s it in black, skirt, cardigan is available in smaller sizes in orange(on sale! grab one please), but here are other colors, sneakers

We had dinner plans again that night, this time to a fancy mediterranean place. I threw on the silk cami, the denim from my flight, and my blazer for an interesting end result.

Jeans, Cami, Blazer, Shoes

I was craving a relaxed vibe the next day, so I created a jogger silhouette from my trouser pants, and layered my t-shirt on top of the button up shirt from earlier to make the entire look more sporty.

Pants, Shirt, tshirt was Cowboy Carter merch, Sneakers

Now time to head back home, I pulled out the same tee, but this time over the black full sleeved top from earlier and with jeans.

Tshirt was Cowboy Carter merch, Jeans, Sneakers

Threw my trench on top and I was ready for the flight back to LAX.

You see? Btw, my packing for Austin post describes the exact same method if you’d like to see another example.

Some Outfits Were Harmed in the Making of This Packing List

So, that's my not-so-secret sauce for outfits that feel anything but 'meh,' no matter where I'm going. The Friction Formula truly simplifies packing and daily dressing, turning potential pitfalls into possibilities. Go forth and create some beautiful, interesting friction in your own wardrobe! And of course, I'll be back soon with more tips and tricks to keep getting dressed exciting. Until then, happy styling!

---

All the links of items still available are gathered here and links to my monthly outfits here. These are affiliate links, which means I might earn a tiny commission if you buy something, no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

---

My hope is this gives you a completely new lens to look at your wardrobe. What kind of 'friction' do you think you'll try adding to your outfits? Share your thoughts below, or if you try it, tag me! I'm always here to chat about making getting dressed more fun.

---