The simple styling technique I use with every client to create flawless outfits.

It’s called linking.

Linking is the technique that allows each piece in your outfit to work together to create an effortlessly put-together picture.

It makes the outfit appear cohesive, thoughtful, and styled.

Like all styling techniques, it takes a little practice though. Once you get into the swing of it, you can continuously use this in your closet on all different kinds of outfits.

So today, I’m showing you four basic ways to use this tool in dressy casual outfits.

First: Choose your denim.

For all of my outfits below, I’ve chosen to start with a basic neutral: denim. I’ve chosen this as the base to build the look around, because it’s an easy starting point for you to begin practicing. Denim goes with everything. When you build from there, it’s easy to stay on course.

Next: Choose a characteristic that will link all the part of the outfit: light, dark, warm neutral, or cool neutral.

Look One: Link light to light.

While this look is made up of many different colors, each of them link to each other easily, because they are all light and bright. The turquoise necklace links to the aqua and gold earrings. The aqua and gold earrings link to the lemon and pearl headband. The lemon and pearl headband link to the top, then to the white pumps.

Each piece is distinct, but they still take your on on a journey from one to the next, creating a complete outfit.

Look Two: Link dark to dark.

I switched over to an off-black denim for this look to further enhance the dark elements of it. If you started with blue denim, you can keep it.

While it may seem like everything in this outfit is black, the jacket is actually navy with a black lapel.

When you link all dark elements in your outfit, feel free to use different dark colors: charcoal, navy, black, aubergine. The slight difference in each will speak to your creativity, while the linked characteristic of darkness will make them flow.

Look Three: Link warm neutral to warm neutral.

Warm neutrals often refer to tans and brown. Colors like camel, cognac, caramel, tan, and sand fall into this category. Blush pink, gold, rose gold, and peach also can be considered warm neutrals.

When pairing neutrals, it’s important not to be too matchy-matchy. To link, one color does not have to be an exact match to another. It just has to be in the same family. To make the look both simple and fashion-forward, each neutral elements should stand out on its own and fit together with others.

Look Four: Link cool neutral to cool neutral.

Cool neutrals include white, off-white, eggshell, charcoal, slate blue, heather grey, slate grey, black, and taupe.

This look is more streamlined than my warm neutral outfit, because the cool neutrals you’ll find in my closet are either white, close to white, or black.

If you have a cool complexion though and have lots of cool neutrals in the closet, feel free to dive into bolder neutral combos. The cool neutrals will naturally link and compliment your unique features and personality.