The Art of the Last-Minute Outfit: How I Get Ready in 15 Minutes Flat

Let me paint you a picture: I’m supposed to be out the door in 15 minutes, but I’m still in my pajamas, staring blankly at my closet like it’s going to magically present me with the perfect outfit. Sound familiar? Welcome to my world, where last-minute outfit decisions are an art form—one that I’ve mastered (mostly) out of sheer necessity.

Step one: panic. Just kidding—kind of. The real first step is grabbing my go-to basics. For me, that’s a pair of jeans that fit just right (you know, the ones that make you feel like you’ve got your life together, even if you totally don’t) and a plain white tee. It’s simple, it’s classic, and most importantly, it’s easy.

Step two: add a “wow” piece. This is where I pretend I put way more thought into my outfit than I actually did. Maybe it’s a statement jacket that instantly makes me look more put-together, or a bold accessory that distracts from the fact that my hair is still in a messy bun. The key is to find that one thing that says, “Yes, I’m fashionable,” without having to actually try too hard.

Step three: shoes and accessories. I’m a firm believer that the right pair of shoes can save even the most thrown-together outfit. On days when I’m really in a rush, I reach for my trusty ankle boots or sleek sneakers—something comfy but still stylish. Throw on a couple of rings, maybe a necklace, and suddenly, I’m looking like I actually planned this whole thing.

Final step: out the door with a minute to spare. Is my outfit groundbreaking? Probably not. But it’s chic, it’s effortless, and most importantly, it didn’t require a full-blown fashion crisis. And you know what? Sometimes, that’s all you really need.