We've all done it. You're scrolling Instagram at 11 PM (or in my case, 8 PM), see someone wearing the perfect outfit, immediately save it to your "outfits I'll definitely recreate" folder, and then... never look at it again. That folder now has approximately 847 saved posts, and you're still wearing the same jeans-and-tee combo you defaulted to this morning because if the post you saved is not literally in front of you, you immediately forgot about it.
Enter our "IG As Seen On" series. Think of it as your permission slip to actually recreate those saved looks instead of just hoarding them like fashion dragons guarding digital treasure. These aren't magazine editorial shoots or unattainable runway moments. These are real looks worn by real women on Instagram we love and work with, styled for actual life, not just the algorithm.
We're spotlighting three distinct styling vibes that prove the same pieces work completely differently depending on who's wearing them: event-ready glam with Sarah Najafi, elevated everyday essentials with Julia Vaughn, and one pair of jeans styled multiple ways with Jill Wallace. This is your outfit inspiration guide so you can shop influencer looks for pieces that translate from the feed to real closets.
Sarah Najafi has that effortless California glamour that makes you both inspired and slightly envious (in the best way). Her style strikes just the right balance of, “she might be going to a gallery opening or just be getting coffee, but either way she looks incredible.”
Case in point: her brown sequin Staud Cece Dress. “This dress that refuses to be retired just because the holidays are over,” according to Sarah (we concur). This is the Staud sequin dress that challenges the arbitrary rule that sequins are only for December. Why should sparkle have a season? Sarah proves that a sophisticated neutral sequin works beautifully for February dinner parties, upcoming spring weddings, or literally any occasion where you want to make an entrance and let the dress speak for itself.
This cocktail party dress hits that sweet spot of special-occasion appropriate while still feeling wearable. The mixed brown and black tones keep it grounded and versatile, especially when paired with black heels and minimal jewelry for a classic, minimalist vibe, or style with cognac boots and a leather jacket for an unexpected edge.
Sarah's styling proves that the best investment pieces aren't the ones you wear once and archive; they're the ones you find excuses to wear again and again because they make you feel that good.
Julia Vaughn is a jewelry designer, entrepreneur, mom, and wife who's mastered the art of looking pulled-together without looking like she spent an hour deliberating in front of her mirror. She nails it every time with a formula of elevated basics styled with intention and always — always — finished with bold jewelry (her signature, and honestly, the key to making everything look more expensive).
Here, she wears the SPRWMN Hoodie, proving that a hoodie can, in fact, attend meetings. This isn't your college boyfriend's leftover sweatshirt (though no judgment if that's still in rotation). The SPRWMN hoodie in latte elevates the entire sweatshirt category through quality fabrication, perfect proportions, and a color that reads sophisticated rather than athletic.
Her Isabel Marant Étoile Jeans are pure french-girl denim that somehow looks cooler than everyone else's jeans. Their relaxed fit creates a laid-back vibe while showing a definite understanding of proportions.
She tops things off with a statement coat from Staud that transforms the entire outfit from something just thrown together to an intentional style choice. This is where investment outerwear earns its keep; the wool coat makes everything underneath look more intentional.
Completing the look, Julia's statement earrings do the heavy lifting, adding personality and polish that takes everything from good to getting stopped on the street. These are the kinds of finishing touches that prove that sometimes the smallest pieces make the biggest impact.
To recreate her formula for elevated everyday dressing, start with quality basics, add an investment piece and bold jewelry, and suddenly you look like you have your life significantly more together than you might actually feel.
Jill Wallace is the queen of elevated, everyday looks with very “that girl” vibes. Her star player here: the Isabel Marant Étoile black Oriane jeans (which also come in ecru for when you want the same magic in a lighter wash).
Here’s how to style black jeans the Jill Wallace way for completely different vibes:
For a more casual look, Jill pairs the black jeans with a polo sweater from SPRWMN and a black belt to add definition to the oversized proportions. The jeans' perfect cut elevates what could read sloppy into intentionally relaxed. You could run into your ex at Whole Foods and still feel confident.
To dress things up, she swaps the sweater for a silky draped top, strappy heels, a metallic shoulder bag, and a statement cuff. The dark wash reads dressy enough for nice restaurants while the familiar comfort of denim keeps you feeling like yourself.
This is capsule wardrobe philosophy in action, with pieces that earn their closet space over and over again. These versatile wardrobe staples prove that "boring" basics are actually the most exciting pieces you own when you understand how to style them.
Consider this your official permission to finally do something with all those saved Instagram posts and recreate these looks exactly, or use them as inspiration to style pieces you already own in a different way by understanding the principles behind why these work so you can apply them to your own wardrobe.
The best Instagram outfits are ones that help you understand what works for your life and how to style them with intention. Follow along on Instagram @capsuleshoponline for future IG As Seen On features, ongoing styling inspiration as seen on our favorite real women with style, and more shop the look content that you can actually wear. Now go forth and actually wear those saved outfits instead of just hoarding them in your camera roll. Because fashion should inspire you, not intimidate you.
