Looking for quirky fashion inspiration? As a self-professed fearlessly fabulous lady, I have closets full of funky clothes, but owning an extensive wardrobe is only good if you know how to style yourself to express your eclectic taste. Read on for 12 funky outfits for women and tips on how to style for your body, comfort, and self-expression.
1. Pair Polka Dots
If I ever have a job interview at an art museum, this is the outfit I’d wear. The long skirt, high neckline, and blazer are flattering yet conservative. The large polka dots on the skirt contrast with the smaller, irregular dots on the shirt, while the overall look maintains a simple blue-and-black color scheme (it’s hard to tell in the photo, but the shoes are blue as well).
I have a blazer that perfectly matches the blue of the skirt, but I chose this dark teal one instead to introduce subtle variation within the monochromatic palette. Funky multicolored earrings add a whimsical element, disrupting the uniformity of the outfit while staying true to its quirky spirit.
2. Choose Bold Colors
The last time I wore this outfit, a stranger literally came up to me and said, “You must be a fashion designer!”
My inspiration for this color palette comes from the box of “bold” Crayola markers I used as a child in the ’90s. The dark green, blue, and fuchsia are tonally cohesive, while the black lines on the white blouse resemble brushstrokes, giving the outfit an artistic flair.
You can create a similar look by pairing tonally complementary bold colors with a black-and-white patterned shirt, blazer, or skirt. That said, I think this outfit works especially well with the blouse, since the colored blazer and belt help frame and highlight the abstract pattern.
3. Mix Materials and Textures
Channeling disco-dancing queens, this 1970s-inspired velour jumpsuit is a favorite of mine for its soft feel and relaxed, flattering fit. While the rich rust tone stands beautifully on its own, I layered it with a white linen blazer and accessorized with orange corduroy slip-ons and a silk orange-and-white polka-dot scarf. It’s hard to see, but my earrings are green wood, echoing the green detail in my metal necklace. The look comes together through lush, tactile textures within a minimal color palette of orange and white, punctuated by contrasting green accessories.
4. Wear a Shirt Dress as a Shirt
I love this ombré shirt-dress thrift-store find so much that when I spotted it in blue, I bought that color too—thank you to the fashionable lady who cleaned out that closet! The teal-to–mint green shirt pairs beautifully with my flowy purple pants. Teal circle earrings with a multicolored dot pattern and snakeskin slip-ons add extra visual texture to this playful outfit.
5. Celebrate Self Love
I love a good black, white, and red outfit! I have a few black-and-white skirts in my dresser, but I chose this one because the small checkered pattern contrasts beautifully with the solid white shirt, and the black band adds visual weight at the waist, helping define my shape (you could achieve a similar effect with a black belt).
I accessorized the look with a jean jacket and tennis shoes to keep it casual, but swapping in a black blazer and heeled boots would easily push this outfit into funky business-casual territory. I kind of wish I had red Chucks to pair with it, so I’ll be keeping an eye out on my next thrifting trip.
6. Choose a Primary Color Palette
If you’re unsure which colors go together, sticking to a primary palette—red, yellow, and blue—is always a safe bet. Just try not to use all three at once, or you might end up looking like a kindergarten bulletin board. Pairing blue and yellow or yellow and red will always complement each other, though blue and red runs the risk of looking patriotic—which may or may not be your intention.
This stylish outfit pairs sky-blue jeans with a bright canary-yellow faux fur coat over a black-and-white striped shirt. It’s important that the blue and yellow are bold and saturated—not pastel. If you have the coloring for it, pale colors could work with a plain white shirt, but they wouldn’t pack the same punch.
7. Maintain Tonal Consistency
Here’s another example of a tonally consistent outfit. The green blazer, navy dress, and purple tights all sit on the darker end of the color spectrum. The dress’s bright pink leopard pattern adds some visual interest, but for the most part, the outfit remains muted while still colorful. It’s a little hard to see in the photo, but the boots are also purple, which helps the ensemble read as a single, cohesive tone.
8. Punch Up Your Neutral Outfit
The inspiration behind this outfit comes from the color scheme in the Netflix holiday movie Jingle Bell Heist. If you haven’t seen it, it features a wonderful neutral 1970s aesthetic, punctuated by vibrant accents.
The funky dress has a retro-inspired floral pattern and is paired with a vintage camel-hair blazer and slouchy brown boots. Peeking out below the hemline are bright pink tights. Dark neutrals like caramel, brown, and navy complement nearly any color, so why not add a pop of brightness to take your outfit from basic to outstanding?
9. Dress In Layers
One of my favorite spring and summer outfit solutions is layering a graphic tee and an open button-up over a basic sundress. Thrift stores are full of great men’s dress shirts that are easy to layer and often last longer than those you’ll find at fast-fashion stores.
The dress is a thrifted H&M piece, and the bodice is already starting to show some wear, but since I’m covering it with a T-shirt, I’m not too worried about it. I like to supplement my thrifted wardrobe with irreverent graphic tees, and this one—I swear—was made just for me! If you know the pain of a phonetically ambiguous name—or simply want to show off your clever sense of humor—check out the Union-made apparel at RayGun.
10. Put Pattern on Pattern
One way to turn quirky clothes into a fashionable, funky outfit is by pairing unexpected pieces together. This chic look proves that mixing patterns can create a captivating result. While not all patterns complement each other, this combination works because the patterns offer strong contrast while still sharing complementary elements.
The blouse features a slightly abstract white polka-dot pattern, while the skirt has a checkered stripe design. The dots and stripes contrast with each other, yet both have an artistic, somewhat irregular feel. The colors—blue and orange—are complementary, meaning they sit opposite each other on the color wheel, which further enhances the visual contrast between the patterns.
I punctuate the outfit with a chunky blue belt, which adds visual breathing room at the center of the look; without it—or if it didn’t match the shirt—the outfit wouldn’t work nearly as well. I could see wearing this with navy tights, but since I don’t have any, I think black works nicely. What do you think?
11. Make a Roar With Leopard Print
Is it obvious yet that this blazer is one of my favorite thrift finds of the past year? I love how versatile the forest green is—it complements both bright colors and neutrals—and the gathered three-quarter sleeves make it perfect for casual or dressy outfits alike.
Leopard print is a dynamic, on-trend neutral pattern, making it a great addition to your wardrobe if you want to enliven your outfits without venturing too far into ostentatious territory. To add unexpected interest, try pairing a leopard-print dress, blouse, or skirt with a bold color.
I’ve accessorized this simple outfit with sparkly tights from Torrid and a thrifted DKNY purse, adding texture and pattern while remaining neutral.
12. Be Pretty in Pink
This outfit got so many compliments when I wore it to the State Fair this summer. The simple pink dress is an Old Navy thrift-store find, as is the sheer Lane Bryant blouse.
The breathable fabric is perfect for walking around on a hot summer day, while the long sleeves protect my lily-white skin from sunburn. I like pairing this all-pink outfit with my pink Toms, but I also have some gold sandals that would highlight the gold polka dots in the blouse—I’m just a little hesitant to show off my unpainted winter toes.
Eimile Thrifts 
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