According to Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle brand, Goop, “discovering a few foolproof outfit combos can eliminate the stress of choosing what to wear.” They present four chic outfit solutions to address common wardrobe challenges, even involving lip balm and T-shirts priced higher than a luxury vacation. If you want to check it out, you can read the original article here.
Now, I recognize that Gwyneth and I don’t frequent the same social circles. Perhaps you’re pondering which circle you belong to—hers or mine. If you can rationalize dropping $525 on a poncho made from a few dollars’ worth of yarn, you’re likely aligned with her audience. Conversely, if you struggle to justify a $525 expense for car repairs, then you’re more in my realm.
For those of you who are fashion-conscious and value Goop’s offerings, that’s great! My perspective is different; if you feel the need to ‘master’ a simple look, it might mean you’re overcomplicating things. Moreover, each of these so-called wardrobe “formulas” probably costs more than my monthly mortgage.
In my case, “mastering” simply means “ended up with,” so I took a peek into my closet to see which looks I’ve “perfected” over time. Here’s what I found:
1. Traveling in Style
Goop suggests that a $150 cashmere scarf, comfy knits, and a large tote can make flying more enjoyable. However, I believe that avoiding pocket knives makes travel a lot smoother. Honestly, the guy in seat 14B probably doesn’t care about your scarf unless it can extinguish a fire in the cabin—now that’s a valid reason to splurge!
- Flannel shirt with a few missing buttons and a pumpkin puree stain
Kohl’s, $12.99 (after using Kohl’s Cash)
Pureed pumpkin, $1 from Walmart - A functional messenger bag
Secondhand shop, $53 (perfect for diapers, toys, and everything else no one wants to carry)
Cheap sunglasses, Walmart, $8.99 (since I keep breaking mine in my frantic rush) - Basic V-neck T-shirt
Target, $6.99 (comes in various colors) - Old jeans
Maurices, $15 (I managed to snag them with a gift card and a discount) - Flip-flops
Old Navy, $1.50 - Burt’s Bees lip balm
Found in the messenger bag, Free
2. Workout Wear
My workout attire has never been about fashion—it’s simply functional. If I do manage to squeeze in a workout, I usually don’t care what I wear. My cardio gear often includes bright neons, especially when Target has a sale on them.
- iPhone headphones
Apple, $200 (but they came with my phone!) - Oversized T-shirt of my husband’s
Walmart, $2.99 - Deodorant
For social reasons, Target, $3.29 (buy one, get one free) - Fitbit
Cabela’s, Free (thanks to my Visa points!) - Neon sports bra
Target, $9.99 (when they had a buy one, get one half-off sale) - Stretched-out yoga pants
Ross, $12.99 (from six years and three pregnancies ago) - Old Nike sneakers
$59.99 (purchased ten years ago—yes, they’re that worn out)
3. Cocktail Attire
In a world where cocktail separates can transition from day to night, who cares about colors when you have wine, chocolates, and fluff?
- Cozy pajamas
Target, a Mother’s Day gift - Fuzzy socks
Cabela’s, a thoughtful free gift from my sister-in-law - Mud mask for family scare tactics
Free sample from my mailbox - A good book
Amazon, $12.50 (it goes with any outfit) - Leftover chocolates from Grandma
Russell Stover, Free - My favorite wine
Local liquor store, $8 a bottle - The softest robe ever
Online, $39.99 (after using a 65% off coupon code)
4. Work Meetings
I own no polished outfits—nothing in my home has been polished since my second child was born. Plus, it’s been over seven years since I attended a formal meeting, so I’m not even sure what a satchel is anymore.
- Crayola marker (my emergency eyeliner)
Target, $3.29 for a pack of assorted colors - Chewed lipstick (not even a good color)
Walgreens, $4.95 - Old maternity top
Kohl’s, $14.99 (five years ago) - A mismatched purse
Walmart, $7.99 (also never used) - One sapphire earring
JCPenny, $14.99 for the pair (lost the other) - Very old dress slacks
Probably Target, price lost to time - Black shoes that aren’t Chucks
Guessing around $40 from Kohl’s (they had matches once upon a time)
So there you have it! I’ve “perfected” my simple styles for a fraction of what anyone might spend shopping through Goop. If you happen to have $525 sitting around without responsibilities, go ahead and indulge in that knitted poncho. Alternatively, you might find a friend who knows a local knitter who could whip up something similar for $50. Then you could grab three cashmere scarves for your flights—just in case. Or, you could help me upgrade my wardrobe and get a new alternator.
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Summary
This article discusses four simple styles that can be perfected without breaking the bank, contrasting them with high-priced Goop recommendations. From casual airport attire to workout gear, cocktail outfits, and meeting looks, the focus is on practicality and affordability. By sharing humorous anecdotes and thrift-store finds, the writer emphasizes that mastering fashion doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag.