10 Unique Outfit Ideas When You "Have Nothing to Wear"

We all know the feeling: You're standing in front of your closet full of clothes and saying to yourself that you "have nothing to wear." The solution to such a sartorial conundrum is not necessarily buying more clothes but navigating your wardrobe in such a way that allows for more styling creativity and effectively making use of what you already own.

To prove this, we've rounded up 10 unique outfit ideas for all those times you feel like you're stuck in a fashion rut. Looking to our favorite It girls for inspiration, we've curated a pinnable lineup of everyday ensembles that are anything but ordinary.

From pairing shockingly bright blazers with striped paper-bag pants to combining oversize menswear pieces with flowing floral dresses, these fashion-forward looks are full of eye-catching juxtaposition and fresh new ways to make a statement whatever the occasion calls for. Keep reading for our favorite unique outfit formulas to try out this season.

unique-outfits-239149-1508447608567-image

Vest + Sleeveless Turtleneck + Wide-Leg Cropped Pants + Ankle Boots
(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

Play with proportions and fabrications while wearing a vest over a sleeveless top and wide-leg pants. For the bottom, choose a cropped iteration to show off ankle boots.

unique-outfits-239149-1508447604969-image

Bright Blazer + Bralette + Paper-Bag Pants
(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

Blazers serve as an easy, elevated stand-in for so many stylings. Choose one in a bright colorway to be the statement piece of your outfit, then finish off with high-waisted pants and a crop top. The bralette and paper-bag pant combo here works nicely to play off the menswear-inspired cut of the blazer.

unique-outfits-239149-1508447606600-image

Oversize Blazer + Floral Dress + Ankle Boots
(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

Another failsafe blazer look is wearing an oversize cut over a mid-length floral dress. Pair with ankle boots for daytime or heels for night.

unique-outfits-239149-1508447607827-image

Long Button-Down + Jeans + Brogues
(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

It's so easy to fall back on jeans and a T-shirt, but while that classic combo will never go out of style, you can instantly switch things up with a long untucked button-down worn over jeans. Finish off with Oxfords, brogues, or loafers.

unique-outfits-239149-1508447608977-image

Maxi Dress + Jean Jacket + White Sneakers
(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

The beautiful thing about a maxi dress is you can essentially throw on one item and be done. But to take your ensemble up a notch, top with a jean jacket (styled as so—off the shoulder with only one button done—for bonus points), and a pair of clean white sneakers.

unique-outfits-239149-1508447607481-image

Button-Down + Silk Slacks + Wool Coat + White Sneakers
(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

We'll never grow tired of menswear-inspired looks, especially for fall and winter months. Combine your go-to button-down with silk slacks, then make the look more casual with white sneakers. On colder days, a long, oversize wool coat makes the look even cooler.

unique-outfits-239149-1508447607049-image

Slip Dress + T-Shirt + Long Coat + Mules
(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

The slip dress can be a difficult to transition into fall and winter, but with the right layering it can be a striking statement. Wear over a T-shirt then top off with a long coat and finish with mules for a look that can easily tackle both day and night.

unique-outfits-239149-1508447608275-image

Jumpsuit + Lace Blouse + Matching Heels
(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

Jumpsuits are tricky but always make a statement. To accommodate cooler weather, layer a sleeveless iteration over a lace or sheer blouse. Finish off with matching heels for a refined take on the utilitarian style.

unique-outfits-239149-1508447609453-image

Cowboy Boots + Graphic T-Shirt + Midi Skirt + Long Coat
(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

Cowboy boots have made a comeback, but it can be a challenge to style them without looking like an extra in West World (not that that's necessarily a bad thing). Go in a completely different direction by combining your pair with an oversize coat in a blazer style, a graphic T-shirt, and a midi skirt with a hemline that hits just above where the boot ends. The look will read anything but spaghetti Western.

unique-outfits-239149-1508447609850-image

(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

Pajama shirts always make a statement—especially a silk iteration with contrast stitching. Wear one like a robe with a pair of cropped jeans and finish off with a mule for a fresh ensemble that looks effortlessly put-together.

This story was originally published on October 22, 2017, and has since been updated.

Dacy Knight
Weekend Editor
Who's your style icon?

My mom circa 1975

Who are your 5 favorite people to follow on Twitter/Instagram?

@fingermonkey @katefoley @idea.ltd @designmilk @overheardla

What's the fashion essential you can’t live without?

My black-on-black Birkenstocks. If that even counts.

What's your desert island album?

Radiohead's OK Computer. Or maybe Pablo Honey for something a bit more uplifting if I'm going to be stuck by myself.

What's your favorite WhoWhatWear.com story?  California Dreaming with Poppy Delevingne