Styling with Intention: Katie’s Executive Look and the 60-30-10 Rule in Motion

🍂Introduction

As we transition into fall, our wardrobes naturally shift toward deeper hues and richer neutrals. The 60-30-10 rule—often used in interior design—offers a helpful framework for styling: 60% dominant color, 30% secondary, and 10% accent. But in legacy curation and intuitive dressing, this rule is best held gently. It’s a guide, not a grid. And when the pieces come together through thoughtful collection rather than fast shopping, the final look sings with harmony and soul.

Katie’s outfit, styled for an Executive Office setting, is a masterclass in intentional wardrobe curation. None of the pieces were purchased together, yet they speak fluently in the same visual language—one of quiet sophistication, subtle pattern play, and emotionally resonant accents.

🖤 The Foundation: 60% Black-Navy Hue

Katie’s dress is the anchor of the look—a pull-over poly knit that requires no zippers, buttons, or pressing. It’s effortless yet refined, shaped by dart tucks on the left side seam that release fullness past the bust apex. These tucks send the skirt on the bias, transforming the lattice print from evenly spaced squares above the waist to elegant diamond shapes below. The fabric’s black-with-a-whisper-of-navy tone forms the dominant color, grounding the ensemble in a deep, seasonally appropriate neutral.

🤎 The Complement: 30% Tan Lattice

The tan lattice print is the secondary shade, adding warmth and visual interest. It’s not just a pattern—it’s a focal point. The geometric shift created by the bias cut adds movement and intrigue, making the dress feel both tailored and artistic. This tan tone is echoed in Katie’s quilted pocketbook and sandals—two pieces acquired at different times, yet perfectly matched in shade and spirit. The bag’s adjustable gold-tone chain and hardware elevate the look without overwhelming it.

✨ The Accent: 10% Gold and Amber

Accessories are minimal but meaningful. Katie wears two bracelets: a 14K gold bangle from my late mother, and a slim Russian amber bangle gifted by a cherished coworker. These pieces aren’t just adornments—they’re legacy touches, carrying emotional weight and subtle sparkle. They provide the perfect 10% contrast, adding warmth and depth to the darker palette.

🧥 The Layer: A Jacket with Quiet Authority

Over the dress, Katie wears a sculpted black jacket with a hint of navy. Though made from a different fabric than the dress, the dye lot differences are softened by the beige lattice print and the coordinating accessories. The jacket’s ¾ sleeves are gently gathered and puffed at the cap, offering structure without stiffness. It’s tailored yet comfortable—ideal for a professional setting where movement and presence matter.

The jacket achieves its flattering fit through thoughtful construction:

Princess seams run from the middle of the front armhole to the hemline, which stops at abdomen level.
A vertical dart in the side princess panel adds subtle shaping.
At the back, a center seam and vertical darts on either side contour the silhouette.
The wide lapel collar gives the illusion of shoulder pads, though the jacket is unlined, lightweight, and pad-free—proof that structure can be achieved without bulk.

🎀 The Finishing Touch

Katie completes her look with a simple black hairband—an understated detail that ties the ensemble together. And there she has it: an outfit created by shopping her closet, curated with care, and ready to take her from a day at the office to a casual dinner out.

🌿 Final Thoughts: Flexibility with Finesse

Katie’s look is a testament to the power of wardrobe curation. The 60-30-10 rule provided a starting point, but the final composition was guided by intuition, emotional resonance, and a deep understanding of color relationships. The result? A polished, professional outfit that feels cohesive, expressive, and entirely her own.

Whether you’re dressing for work, curating legacy offerings, or simply seeking harmony in your closet, let the rule guide you—but let your spirit lead.

Disclosure and Credits: This posting was researched and drafted by me. It was rewritten and condensed by Copilot for easier readability. All photos taken by me using the camera in my LG Android phone. Photos edited in the phone and in MS Paint.–EmilyAnn Frances May

Style Sense: The Art of Dressing Up (or Down) with Intention

Katie, my ever-gracious mannequin muse, returns this week in a look that celebrates the quiet power of thoughtful styling. Her outfit begins with a foundation of simplicity: a cream-colored pencil skirt and beige kitten-heeled sandals. But it’s the blouse that sings—a body-skimming silhouette with a scooped neckline and fluttering sleeves that reveal the shoulders in a soft, sculptural cutout. The hem curves gently in front and back, echoing the blouse’s floral print: bold orange-red peonies, golden accents, and hints of purple hibiscus. It’s a garden in motion.This ensemble is a lesson in how accessories can shift the mood of a look without compromising its essence. Each piece was chosen not for trend, but for resonance—with color, with memory, with personal style.

🌸 For a touch of legacy
My mother’s vintage cuff bracelet from the 1980s adds a layer of sentiment and symmetry. Soft white with gerbera daisies in hues that echo the blouse, it’s a perfect match made across decades. This piece reminds me that style can be inherited, cherished, and reimagined.

🌞 For everyday ease

A simple gold bangle is all that’s needed. On hot days, it gleams quietly against the skin, letting the blouse take center stage. It’s real gold, and its understated elegance reminds me that authenticity—like comfort—is always in style.

✨ For a polished finish

Pair the gold bangle with a necklace of cream-colored teardrop beads, graduated in size and set in faux gold. It adds dimension and draws the eye upward, balancing the blouse’s neckline and floral drama. The necklace is costume jewelry, but its impact is real. None of these pieces were purchased together. Each came into my life at a different time, from different places. Yet they harmonize beautifully—proof that when you stay true to your style and color preferences, your closet becomes a palette of possibility.

Fit matters, too. Katie’s outfit hugs and flows in all the right places, allowing movement and grace. Good fit is the quiet partner of good style—it supports, never distracts.

So yes, you can shop your closet. You can honor your past while dressing for your present. And you can create beauty from what you already own, simply by choosing with care.

Style Sense: Your Chic Superpower

Meet Katie—my ever-patient mannequin and today’s muse. I’ve styled in a look for her that’s quietly elegant, budget-friendly, and built entirely from my own closet. No splurges, no fast fashion—just timeless pieces collected over time, chosen with care and worn with confidence.

Katie wears:

A cream pencil skirt in a classic cut—versatile, flattering, and ready to star in future posts.
A linen-blend blouse with cream, gold, and tan stripes that echo her neutral palette.
Beige sandals and a gold fabric hairband for understated polish.
Four beaded bracelets in soft cantaloupe, white, beige, tan, and gold—just enough sparkle to say “I’m here.”

The magic? These pieces weren’t bought as a set. They came from different seasons, different shops, and different moods. But they work—because I stayed true to my style sense: flattering lines, neutral shades, and colors that make me feel like me.

This is your reminder:
–You don’t need a new wardrobe. You need your style sense.
–Shop your closet. Trust your eye. Build slowly. Choose what flatters and feels good. Chic isn’t about cost—it’s about coherence, confidence, and care.

You’re already stylish. Let’s keep building on that.

Combining Minimalism and Vintage to Style a LBD

Introduction

For this styling exercise I wanted to apply the principles of Minumalism. Here are a few key elements of Minamulism in design and styling:

* Clothing is well fitting.
* Neutral shades predominate.
* Classic styling with minimal details.
* High quality fabrics and notions.
* Form follows function. There must be a purpose to every part of the garment. This results in fewer frills and non-essential details.
* Accessories must be carefully chosen and contribute to a refined look.

I started with my favorite Little Black Dress (LBD).

LBD Details

I bought this LBD at a small boutique on Fifth Avenue in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. A sewista with mid-level skills will be able to analyze the style lines and understand how the fit is achieved. This LBD skims the body but is not form fitting. Fit is achieved through vertical princess seaming from shoulder to hem on each side of center front and center back. The princess seams intersect with the bust dart and vertical dart on the front of the basic sheath dress pattern. They also go through where the shoulder dart and vertical dart on the back basic pattern are.

There are two layers to the butterfly sleeves. Each layer is lined with a lightweight black satin. The dress is also lined with the same material. This helps the dress fit smoothly over the body. My challenge was to find one accessory that adds visual interest and works as a definitive focal point for the outfit. Determing the focal point is a skill developed through practice. My ability in this area is still developing.

The Focal Point for the LBD

I decided there could be two different focal points. Which one I would apply depended on the occassion.
Styling #1

The fluttery butterfly sleeves reminded me of similar sleeves on dresses and blouses of the 1930s. I wanted to add a combination of retro Art Deco and Modern Minimalism in the choice of the accessory to define the focal point.

I selected a wide elastic band belt with a triangular mock Marcasite belt. The sparkling belt buckle creates a striking contrast against the black dress. The width of the belt works well to create a more fitted look. The width of the belt is just right since it keeps the eye focused on the waist area. This is where I wanted the focal point to be.

Styling #2

For a different look, I removed the belt and considered accessories that create a different impact and vocal point. These accessories provide some interest but keep the eye focused on the fit and flow of the LBD. I chose costume jewelry in the form of a mock cubic zirconia ring set. The purse has a mock marcasite closure that also carries a little feeling of Art Deco. It may be used as a clutch. It also comes with silver chains with clasps that connect with loops that swivel up from the inside of the purse. For a little added sophistication, a silvery rhinestone perfume atomizer or lipstick case can add further interest to the purse as a focal point.

Conclusion

It is possible to combine the principles of timelessness and simplicity of Minimalism with one or two elements of vintage fashion. Practice and experimentation will help develop the sensibilities needed.