When Gail asked me to show examples of how to take a matchy matchy outfit and “Jodiefy” it, I couldn’t resist the challenge. Most of us were taught back in the day that if your shoes matched your purse, your necklace matched your earrings (because they came as a set), and your dress matched your lipstick, you were doing it right.
Quote of the day: “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” Alice Walker
But here’s the catch: that was 50 years ago. Style evolves. And while there’s nothing wrong with loving a coordinated look, going too matchy matchy can sometimes make you look dated, frumpy, or even invisible. And none of us wants that, right?
The truth is, you don’t need to abandon color coordination altogether. There are ways to be matchy matchy with a modern twist.
I’ve even heard from some of you saying that you ask yourself, “What would Jodie wear?” or “How would Jodie style it?”
Let me just say that is the best thing EVER.
So let’s do as Gail suggested and “Jodiefy” your matchy matchy outfits.
You could call it the art of taking something you might have worn exactly 50 years ago and giving it the freshness and fun it deserves today.
1. Jodie – Same Color, Different Textures
Monochromatic is often touted as classic and sophisticated. Yet wearing one color head-to-toe can fall flat if it’s all the same material.
Instead, I mixed things up with different textures in the same color family. Granted, I went all out and tried to use a boatload of different textures.
Insider tip: If you’re just starting, you’ll feel more comfortable with 2 textures, but as you increase confidence, you can have fun with more and more.
Texture gives depth, movement, and interest. The colors can stay consistent, but the feel of the outfit changes when the fabrics talk to each other in different ways.
One reason is that light reflects differently off different textures. So it may not look as monochromatic in sunlight vs inside light.
Related post: We’ve worn different materials together, but not in a monochromatic look. But you can see it done with a monochromatic outfit in white.
Details:
-As usual, there’s a lot going on, so let me list the textures (satin, felted knit, lycra, suede, leather, hand knit, metals)
-My sweater is styled upside-down. Even though it’s not long to start with, by wearing it this way, I created an off-the-shoulder, cropped look.
-I was originally going to wear the knitted scarf as a belt (so you wouldn’t see my midriff), but it was rainy, so my hair went up and the scarf worked around my head instead.
2. Charlotte – Adding Sass with Accessories
My mom, Charlotte, went above and beyond with her “un” matchy matchy outfit. She chose this red dress and white cowboy booties (just adding those gives her a heads up in the Jodiefying category because they are modern).
But even with those 2 fabulous elements, it could have gone awry and become old-fashioned matchy matchy. If she had worn accessories in the red and white color scheme, it would have blended too much.
Instead, she brought in some green/blue accessories, and they all play wonderfully with the base outfit.
Insider tip: Accessories are where you can experiment without fear. If the base of your outfit feels solid, try adding one color that seems like it doesn’t belong at first. If you add in 2 or 3 accessories of that different color, they will look intentional yet modern.
Related post: I’ve talked about some key points when accessorizing. It’s not just for fun, but can pull a look together and create cohesion.
Details:
-Look closely at the sides of my mom’s boots. She added a shoe clip to each strap. BTW, young girls are putting ribbons in this exact place, so my mom is channeling her inner tween. BRAVA!!
-My mom made this gorgeous scarf, and since it’s long, she tied it in a bow around her neck. Sure, it’s green with the red dress, but because the green is such a muted sage, it doesn’t give off Christmas vibes.
3. Valerie – Mixing Vibes
Valerie’s outfit is such a fabulous example of how to Jodiefy something. Instead of using colors, she used different categories or aesthetics.
She started with a super feminine, flowy dress. It’s the kind of piece that most of us would pair with dainty shoes, pearls, and a pretty little cardigan. That would have been lovely but also predictable.
Instead, she flipped the script. She added a cargo vest, studded belt, and edgy footwear. Suddenly, the whole vibe shifted from girly to modern, with a little toughness mixed in.
This is one of my favorite tricks: combining opposite vibes. I call it many things: yin/yang, dichotomy, or just pure fun!
When you throw opposites together, magic happens.
Insider tip: Look at your favorite dress and ask yourself, what’s the most unexpected layer you could add? Make sure it’s the opposite of what you’d normally grab.
You don’t have to go extreme, but even one swap can change the narrative of your outfit.
Related post: We used this trick with a white button up in the past.
Details:
-It’s not easy to see, but that silver pin on Valerie’s vest (near her purse strap) has an incredible story. It’s actually a backstage pass for Pink Floyd’s Division Bell Tour in the UK circa 1994.
-She also used her trick of 2 earrings in each ear. Rob described it as a “Cirque de Soleil” look
-Not only did she style an edgy vibe with the belt and purse, she added a fringy scarf that lends a boho vibe to the “girly” dress.
4. Lesley – Unexpected Shoes
For Lesley’s take on Jodiefying a matchy matchy outfit, she chose the option to mix in a different shoe personality.
She wore a pink skirt, a pink blouse as a jacket, and a colorful top with splashes of pink in the pattern. Old-school thinking would have included pink shoes to “finish it off.”
Instead, she wore her camo sneakers, and just like that, the whole outfit went from predictable to playful. The shoes became the statement piece, and instead of everything blending into a pink bubble, the footwear gave the outfit an unexpected twist.
Insider tip: Shoes are one of the easiest ways to modernize an outfit. If you’re someone who always buys them in black, nude, or the color of your pants, try choosing a completely different color next time. Your whole outfit will suddenly feel more intentional. And NO…there does not have to be anything else in the outfit that is the color of your shoes. They can stand alone.
Related post: Lesley has perfected this trick with her shoes, necklace and purse in the past.
Details:
-Lesley carried this rattan bag with a yellow outfit in the past. Notice there is no pink in it, but because it has the same brightness, it also works fabulously.
-The pink skirt is really a maxi skirt. Lesley pulled up the waistband around her girls to make it shorter. With the print top over it, you would never know.
-Lesley commented that “Matchie” could be her middle name. So give her a standing ovation for stepping outside her comfort zone.
Why Matchy Matchy Can Feel Old-Fashioned
The truth is, being too matchy matchy is like playing by rules that don’t even exist anymore. Yes, it’s what we were taught growing up. But style, like everything else, has evolved. If you’re dressing the same way you did decades ago, you risk being considered stagnant.
And here’s the kicker: when your style is stagnant, you can start to feel invisible. I hear it from so many women who tend to dress in a classic vibe.
The fact that they don’t feel seen anymore is because it’s been done over and over. And that’s what all the younger girls’ grandmas wear. Not that it’s bad to be a grandma, but style is to show your personality, not your role in life.
Insider tip: You don’t need to look younger, just shake up the way you get dressed, and you’ll feel younger.
Because when your outfit feels alive and modern, people notice. BUT…
I understand that it’s not important what others think. So trust me when I say, when you have more fun with your looks, you will feel the difference.
How to Start Jodiefying Your Own Outfits
Here’s another article about how to coordinate outfits in order to pass by the frump.
If you’re nervous about stepping away from the old rules, don’t overthink it. Take inspiration from things around you:
- Mother Nature – Look at a sunset, a flower bed, or even the ocean. The colors don’t “match,” but they always look breathtaking together.
- Artwork – Think about how your favorite painting layers unexpected shades. If an artist can put purple next to orange, so can you.
- Home Decor – Interior designers mix textures, patterns, and colors all the time. Your outfit deserves the same treatment.
Being matchy matchy isn’t a crime, but it’s not the only way to dress, either.
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