MY ULTIMATE STYLE TIPS FOR WOMEN

Hi everyone,

As women we have so much on our plates, between the demands of motherhood and the time constraints of our careers, that dressing in a way that makes us feel both confident and stylish may seem like an unattainable goal. But I am here to tell you that it’s not! Have you ever noticed that there are some women who have a consistent quality about them that feels both effortless and perfectly polished? You get the impression that the way they dress just comes naturally, and what feels impossible to you looks like an innate skill they possess. The truth is, for these women, fashion has much less to do with a hidden talent and is more so based on knowing what works for them and following a few guiding principles. They build a strategy for their personal style so that majority of the guesswork is eliminated right off the bat and getting dressed in the morning is a breeze.

If you want to learn how to look more stylish and put-together, the main ingredient is to determine how you want to show up in the world. Think of this as your personal branding – an external package hat shows the world exactly who you are on the inside and highlights your strongest qualities. Begin by asking yourself how you’d like to be perceived by the people you interact with. Adjectives like powerful, compassionate, sophisticated and intelligent, provide a measurement to assess your image against, so it’s important to get as clear and concise as possible. This is actually the initial start with when I begin the style personality session with a new client. Before knowing what your clothing will look like, you have to be clear on your message.

Keep in mind that you’re always driving your personal narrative, whether you’re conscious of it or not. What do you want your style to say? So for today’s post, I am sharing my ultimate top 10 style tips for women that work regardless of your size, budget or aesthetic, that will help you automate your wardrobe and take the confusion out of what to wear.

1. WEAR CLOTHES THAT FIT

Fit is the number one most important thing when it comes to great style. Why? Because wearing clothing that fits us properly, highlights our assets (colors), flatters our body type, and most importantly makes us feel good. Beautiful clothing has no place in our closets if it doesn’t hang, drape or mold to the shape of our bodies properly. Don’t go a size down just because the number makes you feel better, or a size up because you think it hides problem areas. Clothing that fits you properly will always look the best.

2. BE AUTHENTIC

The clothing you wear is an extension of who you are. It should strengthen your image and be an expression of your true self, so don’t force it. This means not wedging your feet into 5-inch stilettos that require an hour foot massage at the end of the workday if you’re more comfortable in flats, or wearing the latest trends just because all of your friends are. Wear clothing that feels like YOU. If you’re unsure how you feel in something, take the authenticity test by asking yourself 3 simple questions: Does the outfit feel comfortable or will I be constantly adjusting it? Do I recognize myself in the mirror or am I trying to be someone I’m not? Does this clothing bring me joy and am I excited to wear it? If you answer yes to all 3, you’re good to go! If not, look for another option.

3. DON’T FOCUS ON TRENDS

Trends are the items that gain overnight attention but have little staying power. A key style rule is knowing not to waste too much time focusing on these pieces, spending money on something that won’t be relevant for long. While I always suggest buying something if you truly can’t stop thinking about it, make sure you keep these purchases to a minimum and focus on the classics. Establishing your sense of style means not getting overly distracted by trends so that you don’t have to continuously update your closet. If you’ve built your capsule wardrobe successfully, you should have everything you need to perfect your everyday look.

4. ALWAYS WEAR PROPER UNDERGARMENTS

Investing in good bras and shapewear cannot be overstated. If you’re having trouble finding your correct fit, you can book this service with me (available for A la Carte services) so we can quickly get this under control. Undergarments that smooth in all the right places, without creating lines, will help bring your outfits to life and guarantee that you feel more confident in your clothing.

5. SWAP YOUR HARDWARE

Oftentimes an inexpensive garment can be made to look more high-end by upgrading the buttons or zippers for something more unique or ornate. This is an overlooked style tip for women because it requires a little extra work. But the elevated results are well worth the time investment. You can find everything you need to do so on Amazon. If you’re not great at sewing, take the hardware to your tailor and have them make the swap.

6. LEARN THE ART OF HIGH-LOW DRESSING

Mixing high-end designer with fast-fashion affordable items is the secret style weapon of every fashion lover. It means you get to try out trends without breaking the bank and don’t have to feel guilty when they go out of style next season. High-low dressing means pairing that cute plaid blazer from H&M that’s been having a moment, with your classic ZARA cigarette pants, go-to PRADA bag, and slouchy ALDO booties. A great sense of style isn’t all about designer labels, it’s about balancing what feels right for you and being smart about your spending.

7. INVEST WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD IN HANDBAGS

We often receive a lot of questions on handbags, specifically in regards to buying designers. The answer is, if you can afford it then yes, go for the Chanel or the Louis Vuitton you’ve been eyeing. Bags like these are an investment piece and when taken care of properly, you’ll wear them for years to come. If brands like these aren’t in your budget, that’s no problem. Find the best quality you can for your budgeted price point. There is a of great of “Affordable Luxury” brands that can provide you with the same result. My personal favorite is the Marcy satchet from Lauren by Ralph Lauren. Spending money on a bag is never a bad idea – it’s something that gets used on a very regular basis and needs to hold up to a lot of wear and tear.

8. GIVE PRIORITY TO FOOTWEAR & ACCESSORIES

The average American woman owns 20 pairs of shoes but only puts 5 into heavy rotation. This means that a small handful of your shoes are doing the majority of the work, so it’s important to choose them wisely. Three criteria to keep in mind when shopping for new styles are quality, comfort, and versatility. If your goal is to build a capsule wardrobe, you’ll want to invest in shoes that work with the majority of the clothes you own, and can easily be dressed up or down. Same goes for a belt or jewelry as they can instantly elevate any plain or boring look

9. CREATE A CAPSULE WARDROBE

A capsule wardrobe is the intersection between fashion and functionality, where everything in your closet can be mixed and matched with ease and has a cohesive theme running through it. Think of it as your own personal uniform in the sense that everything works together by setting the foundation for your personal style. When you have a capsule wardrobe, getting dressed in the morning becomes that much easier. Everything already pairs together so the guesswork is removed from making great outfits.The importance of the capsule wardrobe methodology isn’t to achieve a certain number of items in your closet, but rather a framework for dressing that makes everyday life much more simple.

10. HAVE YOUR OWN STYLIST EMERGENCY KIT

Every Personal Stylist carries an emergency kit with them, whether they’re on set of a commercial or working one-on-one with a client. You should absolutely own one yourself so you can take care of any problems that will inevitably arise with your wardrobe. Items to include are:

• Needle and thread for minor damage that you can repair on your own.
• Double stick tape for keeping a loose hem from falling down.
• Shout Wipes for removing makeup stains
• Lint roller to touch up your darks and woolens before leaving the house.
• Safety pins for a variety of emergencies.

Wearing clothing that makes you feel good, ignites your self-confidence and drives you to perform at a higher level. When you feel your best, not only do you command more authority from others, but you have a greater trust within yourself. You take more risks, assert more attention, ask for what you want, and push yourself to be better. Style is so much more than nice clothing and designer trends. It’s one of many tools at our disposal, we can use to help us show up in the world as the best version of ourselves. So, have fun with the fashion process, make it your own, and see what’s possible for you. Remember, it’s a work in progress and you’re always evolving. 

Outfit details
Dress C/O @Ever-Pretty Shoes @MaisondelaChaussure | Handbag @Luminescence
Would you like to know more about my jewelry- If so, please contact me.
Linking Up with those wonderful ladies here
Camera @MJPhotography

What’s the ultimate style tip that you apply daily? Comment below and let me know. Don’t forget that all my services are available virtually so don’t hesitate to contact me should you feel that you need a little help to help you create your message statement, build your wardrobe and feel your best every day.

Thanks for stopping by.

XoXo,