Who doesn’t want to look good all the time? Who doesn’t want to be chic all the time?
Below are 12 doable tips on how to look chic all the time:
1.Tailoring
My number one tip, tailoring is so important, most people don’t think about it or consider it when buying clothes. You could have on a $500 dress, but it will quickly look cheap if it is ill-fitting. My number one and the golden rule is tailoring. Tailoring is so important; it will make your clothes look like they were made just for you. Just because a dress costs $500, it doesn’t mean that it will look good on you right off the rack, it just means it’s a quality dress.
For whoever needs to hear this: there is nothing wrong with your body! What is happening is, when you go to the store and pick a piece to purchase, clothing is made for the masses, not for you, in particular, and they have to make that dress for a range of people, usually within 5-10 pounds. When I buy clothing, I always budget for tailoring.
If you don’t take away anything else from this post, this is the most important tip, get your clothes tailored.
2.Wear the same outfit
I am a repeat offender on some of my outfits because I love them and flatter my figure. Clothes are meant to be worn, not sit in the closet, or be worn once. I have some skirts in 3 or 4 different colors simply because they fit me so well. I switch out tops and blouses, giving me several different outfits, and most people don’t realize or know, especially when you add accessories.
In other words have uniform.
Tip: Have a uniform: for days when I am running late or just in an ehh kind of mood. Fall and winter: pencil skirt, blouse or turtleneck, heels, stud earrings, and a top handle purse. Spring and summer: maxi dress or sundress, earrings, sandals, and a top handle handbag. Dresses because it is literally an outfit when you put it on, you are dressed.
3.Accessorize
Have a couple of standout pieces and then have your essential everyday simple jewelry to wear. Stacked jewelry is very popular right now, very on-trend, when it’s not, you can then wear your necklaces separate. I have a few statement necklaces and many earrings. When I wear them, it instantly ups my look. Also, this includes handbags and shoes. If you love crazy shoes, pair them with a casual look, and the outfit will pop, same concept if you like different purses.
4.Know your body type to look chic
There are 6 different body types: triangle, inverted triangle, rectangle, hourglass, diamond, and rounded shape. Knowing how to dress your body type will ensure that you always look great.
Since I am rectangular shape or have an athletic build with broad shoulders, I don’t want t make myself look like an inverted triangle by and wearing a voluminous top a slim bottom like a pencil skirt. To avoid that, Try that same voluminous top with some volume on the bottom and then add a belt to cinch your waist.
Sheath dresses also look good on rectangle shapes because they hug the body and cinch the waist giving the illusion of a shapelier body.
5. Spend on classic, save on trendy
My dark green trench coat is a classic, the color is neutral, and it will always be in style because it is a trench coat. The jacket was $350 from Club Monaco. My cheetah print blazer/coat is more of a trendy piece; it was $99 from Zara.
Another example is my Christian Louboutin So Kates, while not for the faint of heart is a classic stiletto. The fringe shoes that I picked up from an online boutique a few years ago cost $70; those will quickly went out of style. This is also known as the 80/20 rule. Spend 80 percent of your clothing budget on quality pieces and classics. Spend 20% on fast fashion and trendy pieces.
Club Manonco Trench Coat $350
Zara Coat $99
6. Plan outfits the night before
When I am on assignments, I pick out my outfits the night before, including shoes, accessories, bag, and coat if needed. It saves time in the morning, and you are not scrambling to try and decide what to wear, I can focus on my hair. It takes longer for me to do my hair than to get dressed.
If you pick your outfits out at night, you can make changes and tweak the outfit for it to be perfect.
Next tip to look chic…
7.Perfect dress for any occasion
Gone are the days that the LBD is the prefect dress for any occasion.
The little black dress is a classic; however; it’s not a necessity anymore. If you have a red dress that makes you feel confident and sexy, then that would be your Beyoncé freakum dress, trust me every girl has one.
For example, this little number that I picked up from And Other Stories can be worn just about anywhere: work, brunch, afternoon wedding,etc. This dress serves many purposes for different occasions.
8.Step outside of your comfort zone
Within the last year, I have started following this tip, my purchase of a completely sheer dress is the best example. Right now, the sheer trend is all over the place. What is also accompanied by this look is usually boy shorts and a bralette, not my thing. So, putting the Mya–Karren spin on it, I put a bodycon dress under it, and it turned out fabulous, I was getting compliments all night. Take the chance and then put your spin on it. This ensemble came out beautiful, and to date, it is one of my favorite looks.
9. Always over dress
It is safe to say that wherever I go, I am more than likely overdressed. I’d rather be over the top then underwhelming and boring. I love dressing up, I could be running errands, and I will get dressed up and run them. Fashion is the way I express myself. Overdress don’t over-accessorize.
10. Monochrome to look chic
When I say this, I am not talking about all black; all black can sometimes go Morticia. I am referring to a neutral: grey, blue, tan, beige, or blush and wearing it head to toe. When doing the monochrome look, the hues don’t have to match. If you do choose to wear different shades of the same color, it will give more depth to the look.
Camel is one of the best colors to experimenter with when styling monochrome; its always readily available, and it looks good on everyone. In my opinion, grey( my favorite color) is also an excellent color to style a monochrome look.
11. Don’t let numbers get in the way of buying clothes
AGAIN, let me say this: THERE is NOTHING WRONG with YOUR BODY!
Don’t let the size of the garment you are looking at deter you from buying it. I’ve heard women say they will not shop at certain stores because they wear a bigger size in that store. I have never struggled with size envy or weight issues, but we are in a new day. Don’t not shop somewhere because you may have to go up a size; the outfit is probably amazing.
Let me also tell you this, you may notice that when you shop at H and M, you may have to go up a size or two, their clothing is based on European sizes and fit, meaning they actually make the clothes smaller, so you are not crazy. I promise.
No one will know you went up a size but you, because the sales associate doesn’t know your size and frankly doesn’t care. Your friends will not ravage through your closet and expose you for wearing a 6 in one store and an 8 in another; if anything, it might be missing when the night is over lol.
12. Maintain your appearance
I am not referring to anything fake (that doesn’t look chic): but implants, injections, Botox, breast enhancements, etc. I am referring to regular everyday maintenance: Combing your hair, using lotion, keeping your nails trimmed, exfoliating.
Taking your clothes to the cleaners. If you aren’t going to hand wash it, don’t buy it. For example, I HATE ironing; if it needs to be ironed, chances are, I won’t buy it. (side story: when I was younger, my father made me pick out my clothes the night before church and show him. I would always show him my clothes wrinkled, and when he would tell me it needs to be ironed, I would reply, “it doeeeeees?” with a confused look on my face. He would shake his head and say, “give it here.” Problem solved lol; he knew I was not going to iron it.)
If your clothes are stained, treat them, if the stain doesn’t come out, throw away the garment, no holes or tears. Make sure your shoes are in good condition. If your taps on the bottom of your heel tap needs to be replaced, take them to a cobbler. Also, treat your leather goods, with the proper care, leather can last awhile, especially quality pieces.
Fashion is meant to be explored, keep up with these rules and you will never be caught off guard and you will always look chic.
TOODLES for now!
With class and grace,
Mya- Karren
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