I recently did a closet styling session for a friend who’s heading to New York in March for a few days—including two EDM concerts. Her goal? she wanted 4–5 outfits that captured a city girl aesthetic and could easily transition from daytime exploring to nighttime concerts.
Here’s how I approached the styling process—and how you can use the same method when planning outfits for a trip.
Step 1: Start With the Logistics
Before touching any clothing, I always start with the basics:
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How many days the trip will be
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What the weather will be like
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The environment and setting (Will the outfits feel appropriate and cohesive?)
This helps determine the minimum number of pieces needed and prevents overpacking while still allowing versatility.
Step 2: Define the Aesthetic Clearly
For this trip, the aesthetic was city girl—modern, effortless, and polished. To lock in the vision, I did a quick Pinterest search to understand the common themes and silhouettes.
The overall vibe included:
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Neutral and cool‑toned colors (black, gray, blue, tan, soft pink)
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Clean, modern silhouettes
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A Zara‑inspired feel
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Minimal patterns and nothing overly bright or neon
Spending even a few minutes researching the aesthetic makes the entire styling process more intentional.
Step 3: Shop the Closet First
Once the aesthetic was clear, I went through her existing wardrobe to see what already fit the vision. She had several great staples, including:
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Mini skirts
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Fitted tops
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Wide‑leg and baggy pants
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Denim and leather jackets
Using what she already owned, I built 4–5 cohesive outfits that could easily be dressed up for concerts by switching shoes, adding a jacket, or changing accessories.
What Defines the “City Girl” Aesthetic?
If you’re trying to recreate this look, here are some key elements to look for:
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Baggy pants paired with fitted tops
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Mini skirts or short shorts styled with boots
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Chunky or clunky footwear
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Crop tops, tank tops, and fitted long‑sleeve shirts
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Leather jackets, denim jackets, or lightweight bombers
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Low‑rise jeans and high‑waist skirts
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Shoulder bags, belts, simple makeup, and hair worn down
The color palette stays neutral and cohesive, usually sticking to one or two colors per outfit. Textures are clean and wearable—think cotton, leather, corduroy, and occasionally silk. Loud prints, heavy lace, and overly detailed pieces are typically avoided.
Want to Style This Look Yourself?
I created a 👉City Girl Aesthetic Pinterest board with outfit inspiration and styling references to make planning easier—especially for trips.
Want help styling your own closet?
I’m currently offering personalized closet styling sessions tailored to your lifestyle, travel plans, and personal aesthetic.
To book a closet styling session, email me at [email protected] with the subject line “Closet Styling.”
Please include your location (virtual or in‑person), what you’re being styled for, and your timeline.
Thanks for reading this blog and looking forward to hearing from you!
