Be effortlessly stylish

wardrobe

If shopping for new clothes and putting together stylish outfits always feels like a struggle, you’re definitely not alone. Being fashionable can feel so complicated sometimes, but it doesn’t have to be! There are actually some simple, basic steps you can take to transform your wardrobe and personal style so you look effortlessly stylish every day. It doesn’t matter your budget, lifestyle, or body type. All it takes is some upfront time and a little discipline to look your best, whether you are running around in yoga pants or headed to the office in a suit. A good rule of thumb is, if you want to dress well, then stop trying so hard. Go easy. Check out the tips we’ve put together below to learn how you can get started.

Good grooming: A stylish look always starts with good grooming. Radiant healthy skin, neatly trimmed and polished nails, clean, shiny hair and a healthy haircut. With this, even a basic kurti will look great. Good grooming doesn’t have to mean expensive facials and manicures. Nor does it have to mean contoured makeup, hair extensions and false eyelashes. It just has to be you, fresh, simple and with a healthy glow. Eat well, drink water, take a bath, take your makeup off every night - simple things will like this will make all the difference.

Make sure your clothes fit perfectly: This might sound incredibly simple, but many people leave the house with clothes that are too big or too small. Make sure your clothes fit you correctly, unless it’s intentional, like a big tee or slouchy sweater.

One trick to making any item of clothing look amazing is to hire a good tailor. Tailored clothing not only looks polished, but it also feels more comfortable.

Choose classic looks: Dressing for current trends just shows that you put way too much thought into that outfit and that you’ve been following fashion news like a broker watching stocks. Choose classic styles in classic cuts for a more effortless look that looks good for years.

Play with colours: Trying a new colour combination can innovate a seemingly dull wardrobe and completely transform a look. If you’re nervous about adding colour to your look, start with just one colorful piece, and keep the rest of your look neutral. As you get more comfortable with colours, you’ll learn which color combinations work best for your style. Make sure the colours in your outfit complement each other and you. Colours can affect your entire mood. If you’re feeling happy and excited, you wouldn’t want to squash that energy by wearing all black.

Mix patterns and textures: If you’re wondering how to dress fashionably, then the first thing you should know is when it comes to creating the boldest, most eye-catching outfits mixing - prints is a must. The days of matching your handbag to your shoes are over. Clashing textures and prints make a bold fashion statement. Start small with neutral patterns like stripes and low-key textures. Mastering the art of pairing patterns can sometimes be tricky and super intimidating. It may seem there are no rules, but you have to make sure that the prints harmonise well together. When this is done right, you will be sure to turn heads.

Neutral colours pretty much never go out of style: What colours are popular and what colours are considered absolutely hideous is very dependent on time and place. Just look at your mom’s clothes from the 1970s, for example. In order to look effortlessly stylish, you’re going to want a more timeless look, which means sticking to more muted and neutral colours. This can, however, be broken up with bold accent colors, especially on accessories. Neutral colours serve as a fantastic base: think black, grey, navy, tan and white. They can also be a huge time saver, eliminating that difficult decision of what to wear each morning.

Choose an outfit appropriate for the occasion: You’ll look like you fit right in when you dress for the occasion. Over-dressing is a sure sign that you put way too much thought and effort into how you’re dressed. Don’t wear a fancy dress for grocery shopping, and don’t wear a long gown when a cocktail dress will do, for example.

Accessories can be a game changer: The single easiest and one of the most affordable ways to spruce up a neutral outfit is to match it with accessories. Accessories add personality and visual interest to spice up an outfit. It could be a scarf, hat, glasses, belt or jewellery; accessories can make all the difference. Experiment and see what you can come up with. Keep it minimal, because more often, one well-chosen piece is more impactful than several pieces.

Shades on: Nothing says casual-cool like an awesome pair of sunglasses. Whether worn on your face, on top of your head or hanging off the neckline of a blouse, a good pair of sunnies are an essential style enhancer and can always be utilised as a statement-making addition to any outfit.

If you act confident, you can rock any outfit. Do you ever feel like some models could wear a brown paper sack and still walk down a runway looking like the height of fashion? What the fashion industry doesn’t want you to know is that a lot of looking stylish really comes down to projecting confidence.

Shop versatile: Do you long to dress well, but need to save money? Instead of piling up your wardrobe (and credit card bill) with lots of new purchases; go for timeless pieces that are versatile. Not one time wears. Streamline your wardrobe by focusing on pieces that provide for a mix of activities. Choose a blouse that can be worn to Sunday brunch with friends and then transitioned to suit your Monday morning meeting. Look for clothes that accommodate a different range of accessories and you’ve got yourself a versatile wardrobe.

Dress nicer with an organised closet: The tips above get a lot easier when you have a clean closet. When your closet is organised and filled with clothes you love, getting ready becomes much easier because you know every piece in your closet is stylish. There is nothing that is ripped, stained, ill-fitting, or unflattering.

— Compiled