Your Outfits Aren't Cool Enough (Your Words, Not Mine)
7 low-effort shifts to add instant cool-factor.
Let’s cut straight to the point:
Your outfits aren’t cool enough.
Your words, not mine.
One of the top three things my Indyx clients say they want from their style is to feel cool (the other two — confident and comfortable). So yes, as amorphous as this concept may be, you care about being cool.
The truth? “Cool” isn’t really an aesthetic. It’s not just one thing.
Cool is simply finding a way to be different while still being yourself.
Here are 7 low-effort shifts you can use anytime you want to add instant cool-factor to your outfits, without overhauling your entire wardrobe.
1. Over-Index on One Thing
Cool outfits exaggerate something.
You don’t have to exaggerate everything. Just pick one thing.
a super-high neckline
an oversized element
a bold color story
one eye-catching accessory
This isn’t necessarily about being quirky or surprising (that’s the next shift). Over-indexing is about clarity of intention. You choose a single element and let it take up more visual or conceptual space than usual. Everything else plays a supporting role.
When you over-index on one idea, your creative intention is clear. And intentionality communicates confidence and competence (which are, of course, cool).
2. Be Unexpected
To be cool, you have to be weird.
We are all a little weird, and deep down we know it. So when we see someone who isn’t afraid to show it, we respect that, and it looks cool.
Being unexpected isn’t about trying to shock anyone. It’s about letting your actual taste show. If you always blend in, you’ll never feel cool, because cool requires a point of view.
This shift is about making one choice that breaks your usual pattern.
Some ideas to get you started:
wrong shoe theory à la Allison Bornstein
pairing items that don’t “go” together — like topping off your hiking gear with a brooch (see Alberta Rose) or mixing lace with workwear
adding a funky color, texture, or pattern
asking “what’s missing from my three words today?” and leaning WAY into that one missing element
3. Add Icky Textures
This is one of my favorite styling tricks (credit to Amy Smilovic for articulating it).
We all know that texture is great, right? Good.
But what if our textures still aren’t doing enough?
There’s this texture safe zone: wool, denim, cotton, sometimes leather. Those textures create dimension, but they don’t necessarily create cool-factor.
Textures add dimension to any palette, but icky textures add edge.
Icky textures are the ones that feel slightly off, tactile, weird, or visually sticky. The fabrics you can almost feel just by looking at them:
patent
flocked fabrics
mirrored finishes
mohair
beading or embellishment
These can be small, low-risk, and add instant interest to an otherwise straightforward outfit. A red glossy boot. A beaded bag. An embellished jean.
It’s an instant upgrade and you don’t even have to think about changing up the proportions of your favorite looks. Just swap something 1:1 with a more interesting texture and you’re done.
Read on for style shifts 4–7. Shift No. 4 is your biggest mindset unlock.
If you choose to become a paid subscriber, thank you. Your support and feedback is truly appreciated.
