Dressing well is an art form that anyone can master. Here are the 7 style secrets every woman should know…
Style Secret #1: Understand how length affects perception
If you want to look put together and stylish, it’s important to understand how clothes look on your body. Some people are born with this ability while others need to spend a little more time identifying which clothing items flatter their body type the most. Not everything sold in stores is flattering on every figure so understanding length and cut is very important.
If you’re looking for the most flattering fit, learn to understand how length affects perception.
I’m a big advocate for tucking in your shirt because it makes the whole outfit more put together and polished. Wearing a shirt loose and untucked can make people look shorter than they really are because the extra fabric tends to weigh people down. Take notice of where your top meets your pants. Anything that cuts you off at the waist adds pounds. You’ll look thinner if your top and bottom meet just below the waist.
If you want to appear taller, buy shoes that are nude in colour and/or have a pointed toe. This combination elongates your body and gives the illusion of longer legs.
High-waisted jeans and pencil skirts also give this effect. That’s because high waistlines create the illusion that the middle part of your body is much longer than it really is.
If you’re short, wear shorter hemlines and avoid maxi dresses that go all the way down to the floor. If you do wear a maxi dress, make sure it has a split so that your legs can peek through as you walk.
When you’re shopping for a jacket, it’s important to note that jackets that are hip-length with tailored lines will look sleek and ones that are too baggy or that pull are going to make you look bulkier than you really are.
Style Secret #2: Get your clothes tailored
Due to the mass-produced nature of clothes manufacturing today, it’s very difficult to find clothing that fits perfectly without alternations. Therefore, it’s important to invest in a good tailor so that your clothes sit in the most flattering way on your body.
A tailor can work their magic to turn an ill-fitting clothing item into something that looks expensive and polished on your frame.
If you want to look more sophisticated, stay away from floaty fabrics and loose clothing. Instead, tailor your clothing and wear two-pieces that nip and tuck at the waist, showing your figure to full effect.
Style Secret #3: Wear the right undergarments
Every fashionista knows that importance of choosing the right undergarments. Make sure that you invest in quality underwear and wear the right bra size.
Bras that are don’t fit correctly are annoying and sometimes even painful. Not to mention, bras that are too small or too large tend to look unflattering under clothes.
If you’ve never had a professional bra fitting, be sure to schedule one at your nearest Victoria Secret store so that you never have to guess your bra size again. It’s amazing what a difference the right bra can make to your overall wellbeing and confidence!
Style Secret #4: Learn to have a good eye for shopping
Shopping for clothing can be difficult if you don’t know what to look for. To build a wardrobe that you really, really love, it’s important that you can learn how to distinguish cheap from inexpensive. Because trust me, there is a huge difference between the two!
Cheap items look cheap. Inexpensive items look good and are affordable.
It’s also important to note that price does not determine how good an item is. In fact, expensive items from high-end boutiques and designer brands can look cheap, and inexpensive items from High Street stores can look expensive.
It all comes down to fit and material quality.
It’s also important to understand which items are worth your money and which ones aren’t. A cheap item that you wear once or twice and then donate is actually more expensive in the long run if you calculate the cost per wear. A more expensive item that you wear a few times a week for several years is the real bargain.
Also, have you heard the expression: If you haven’t worn something for more than six months, chances are that you probably will never wear it again?
I like to purge my closet every six months or so. I use this opportunity to identify clothing that I love and wear regularly, and anything that doesn’t make the cut goes into the donation bin.
If you start doing closet purges twice a year, you still start to see a pattern of the things that you always end up donating or throwing away. This information is so valuable because it will help you make better buying decisions in the future.
Style Secret #5: Buy quality clothing pieces that stand out
You can still wear clothing items that stand out even if you don’t wear prints or bright colours. I like to invest in quality outwear pieces like leather jackets, cardigans, structured blazers to turn basic outfits into something more. Before purchasing, I look for interesting details, like zippers and buttons that can add an extra flair to my outfit.
Style Secret #6: Accessories can make an outfit look expensive
Accessories add the final touch and can turn an otherwise basic outfit into a completed and polished look.
Sunglasses, handbags, watches, necklaces, bracelets, rings, scarves and headbands may not have much of an impact on their own. However, when they are combined with clothing, they help create a solid outfit.
Invest money in high-quality accessories that will last you a few years to a lifetime. Spending a little more in this area is worth it because it completes the whole look.
Mix and match different pieces to make your outfit uniquely your own. And don’t be scared to wear silver and gold jewellery together!
Style Secret #7: Dress up wherever you go
Making an effort when it comes to your appearance pays off because, whether we like it or not, how we dress speaks a lot about us. We live in a visual world so dressing well is an important habit to maintain.
I like to look cute wherever I go because it sets my mood for the rest of the day and helps me feel confident. Dressing for success is important to me because I understand that its human nature to perceive people differently based on how they look.
If I want to come across as a professional and well-groomed woman, then I need to make an effort to look like one.
I didn’t always have this habit. When I was younger, I wore sweatpants when I went out because I honestly didn’t care. That all changed after I visited Europe for the first time when I was seventeen years old.
In Italy, dressing well is important because Italians believe that it shows respect for the people they encounter in their daily life. Seeing so many well-dressed people living their best lives was inspiring to me, and I’ve adopted this habit ever since.
Besides, you never know who you will meet when you are out and about. You can meet your soulmate in a Starbucks line or at the squat rack at the gym. Make an effort and dress well so that everyone you meet will have a positive and lasting impression of you.
If you want to look put together and stylish, it’s important to understand how clothes look on your body. Some people are born with this ability while others need to spend a little more time identifying which clothing items flatter their body type the most. Not everything sold in stores is flattering on every figure so understanding length and cut is very important.
If you’re looking for the most flattering fit, learn to understand how length affects perception.
I’m a big advocate for tucking in your shirt because it makes the whole outfit more put together and polished. Wearing a shirt loose and untucked can make people look shorter than they really are because the extra fabric tends to weigh people down. Take notice of where your top meets your pants. Anything that cuts you off at the waist adds pounds. You’ll look thinner if your top and bottom meet just below the waist.
If you want to appear taller, buy shoes that are nude in colour and/or have a pointed toe. This combination elongates your body and gives the illusion of longer legs.
High-waisted jeans and pencil skirts also give this effect. That’s because high waistlines create the illusion that the middle part of your body is much longer than it really is.
If you’re short, wear shorter hemlines and avoid maxi dresses that go all the way down to the floor. If you do wear a maxi dress, make sure it has a split so that your legs can peek through as you walk.
When you’re shopping for a jacket, it’s important to note that jackets that are hip-length with tailored lines will look sleek and ones that are too baggy or that pull are going to make you look bulkier than you really are.
