I’m not your typical fashion blogger. I don’t post an #OOTD {outfit of the day} on Instagram. I don’t share videos of any shopping hauls {mainly because I can’t afford to spend that much money on things I don’t necessarily need}. But what I do like is fashion and good fashion tips. Or in this case, fifty of the best fashion tips of all time, that have “withstood the test of time”, from one of my favorite fashion magazines.
I read my InStyle magazine from cover to cover, several times actually. Once to just look over it; a second time to literally read every single page and every single caption; and a third time to rip out pages that I want to reference or look at later. I even like to visit their website to see what else I can discover, because I like to keep up with fashion and beauty trends, as well as celebrity news. So last month I was checking out their website and read about the best fashion tips of all time.
All of these tips are great and timeless, and I‘ve BOLDED the tips that I really like.
- Show skin strategically. My husband has always told me that you should show off one body part. So if you decide to wear a low-cut top, then cover your legs. If you want to show off your legs, then keep you lovely lady lumps under cover.
- Round up white button downs.
- Accessorize with brights.
- Hem your pants for a shoe height.
- Go hands-free for evening.
- Know your stretch.
- Throw on a scarf. I love scarves. I own several pashmina scarfs – same style, different colors. I wear them year-round… yes, even in the summer. I always have at least one with me, in case I go somewhere cool and need a light cover for my bare shoulders or legs. A simple scarf can elevate an outfit. Or tie a small square scarf around the handle of your handbag or purse so you’ll have it on hand in case you want to tie your hair back.
- Consider the wear and care. Whether I’m shopping at an upscale boutique or at my local thrift shop, I always look to see how to wash the garment. Is this piece worth taking to the dry cleaners or hand-washing? If not, then walk away.
- Embrace your shape.
- Make a list.
- Hit the dressing room prepared.
- Round down in denim.
- Edit your closet.
- Always check out the rear view. When trying on clothes, always check out how you look from behind. Head to the dressing room hallway mirrors, where there are three mirrors where you can check out all angles.
- Layer your necklaces.
- Check the inside.
- Open your mind.
- Show some loyalty. Some people find that a certain brand fits their body proportions better than other brands. I have recently discovered that Lucky Brand jeans are amazingly comfortable and fit my body perfectly. A great-fitting dress or pair of pants from one season may very well fit you the next season.
- When in doubt, wear nude pumps.
- Wearing white? seek out light.
- Stripe it up.
- Upgrade your buttons. I love the idea of swapping out the buttons on a store-bought jacket for unique buttons. My grandma Howard had six or seven containers of buttons in all shapes, sizes, and colors. If you can’t do the swap yourself, then have a tailor do it for you.
- Never buy a boring coat.
- Own something leopard.
- Mix your prints.
- Conquer your fear of color.
- Go for the knockout accent.
- Vet your vintage.
- Only buy a bargain if you love it.
- Try a thicker waistband.
- Go beyond the blazer.
- Master menswear.
- Make friends with a good tailor.
- Look for twists on classics. I love a good classic, like a white button-down shirt, a wrap dress, or a good pair of jeans.
- Don’t skimp on a t-shirt bra. Every woman needs a comfortable t-shirt bra, one that not only with support the girls but will give you a shape under any tissue-thin t-shirts.
- Add an element of surprise.
- Recast your jewelry.
- Spend your budget on accessories. “Cool shoes, interesting jewelry—those can really elevate your look,” says stylist Isabel Dupré. The right accessories, no matter their cost, will let you be more relaxed about your outfit.
- Have a stylist emergency kit. An emergency kit should contain the following: double-stick tape for loose hems or a gaping bodice; Tide To Go eraser pen for getting wine off whites, fast; safety pins for allover damage control; bra clip to control peekaboo straps; lint brush or roller to run over your coat or woolens; and a makeup sponge for removing deodorant stains. You can add anything else you may need to make your emergency kit complete.
- Pair loose with tight. Few people could pull off head-to-toe baggy or skintight outfits. Instead, opt to pair a billowy top with something body conscious {i.e., pencil skirt, leggings, skinny jeans}.
- Jazz up your LBD.
- Dress for first class.
- Get studs. Whether they are big or small, real or fake, studs will go with any outfit and not compete with your other jewelry. I have several pair of hoop and dangling earring, but I wanted a quality pair of studs to wear every day, which is why I purchased a pair of Tiffany 1837 Circle earrings from Tiffany & Co a few years ago.
- Check the rise.
- Do a cashmere quality set.
- Create your own lookbook.
- Think in multiples. “If you find an especially flattering fit right off the rack, go ahead and buy doubles. When it works, why question it?” I actually own about 30 tank tops {same style, different colors} from Forever 21, and a couple of Lucky Brand jeans that look the same, but the back pockets are different {but same great fit}. I also have about ten scarfs, all the same style scarf in different colors.
- Can you say d’orsay?
- Dress for your body, not age. Show off what you’ve got, while you’ve still got it. Svelte arms or toned legs… show them off!
- But watch out for the matronly tipping point.
What are some of the fashion tips that you live by?
Yours Truly,
Vanessa
{Images borrowed from 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 }
