How Online Fashion Lessons Helped Me Simplify Getting Dressed

I’ve been taking a few online fashion courses lately and it’s been unexpectedly fun. I don’t usually spend much time deciding what to wear each morning, but I wanted to be more intentional. The courses have given me simple tools and inspiration to make styling easier and more enjoyable.

A big part of the learning has come from watching other women post their “outfit of the day” photos in a private Facebook group tied to the course. Seeing so many different looks over time made me realize how similar fashion and home decor can be: both build from a few core pieces, both rely on proportion and balance, and both benefit from borrowing ideas that appeal to you. In decorating I’m a bit of a copycat—I collect inspiration photos and adapt ideas—and I’ve found the same approach works well for clothes.

One practical exercise I adopted was to take pictures of my own outfits. At first it felt strange to photograph myself, but very quickly it became a helpful habit. I plan to compile those photos onto a single reference sheet and hang it inside my closet door. That way, on mornings when I’m unsure what to wear, I can glance at the sheet and pick a tried-and-true combination without wasting time deciding.

Here is an inspiration photo that was used in the course:

That image inspired several looks I tried, all built from the same basic pieces. Keeping a reliable foundation makes it easier to create consistent outfits that feel like you.

My go-to base items for these outfits were:

• Jeans — Gap
• Striped t-shirt — Ralph Lauren Sport
• Black tank underlayer
• Brown riding boots — LifeStride
• Tassel necklace — Le Chateau

Below are some of the outfits I created starting from those basics. I experimented by layering different sweaters and adding a scarf to change the mood of the outfit, while keeping comfort and practicality in mind.

Gray sweater — Target. A neutral, soft sweater layers well over the striped tee and keeps the outfit relaxed yet put together.

Black sweater — St. John’s Bay. A darker sweater adds contrast and can make the look feel a bit dressier while still comfortable.

Striped shirt with scarf — scarf from RW & Co. Adding a scarf introduces pattern and texture, and it’s an easy way to refresh the same basic outfit.

I’d love to hear from you: do you sometimes struggle with what to wear each day? Would you be interested in regular style posts here at Harbour Breeze, showing simple outfit ideas and closet organization tips? If you have specific fashion questions—about proportions, layering, colors, or pieces that work for your body shape—ask away. If I don’t know the answer, I can reach out to friends in the course for input. My comment section can be a bit unpredictable, so if it doesn’t work for you, feel free to e-mail me at [email protected].

Wishing you a pretty day—and fewer wardrobe decisions in the morning!

P.S. While I added links to the post, I noticed the first course I took is still available and on sale. It was my personal favorite and I recommend it if you want a structured way to build outfits and get a shopping list and ready-made looks. If you’re interested, you can sign up through the course link provided in the original post.

{Disclosure: Affiliate link included.}

Linking Up: Get Your Pretty On, The Pleated Poppy