Your Shortcut to Chic
If you want to look perfectly put-together every time, here's some good news: looking stylish doesn't have to mean spending hours planning your outfit or buying an entirely new wardrobe. In fact, the best-dressed people usually look good because they don't overthink it. To nail that effortless-chic vibe, we've got the secrets you're looking for. Here are 10 easy tips for looking like a magazine model (without trying too hard), and 10 don'ts that can instantly ruin an outfit.
1. Simple Palette
Want to look effortlessly stylish? Stop mixing different colors and shades if you're not sure whether they complement each other or clash. Instead, stick to a neutral palette and muted tones, rather than opting for neon pinks and blues and overly vibrant reds and greens.
2. Tailored Fit
Oversized clothes might look stylish, but they can also look sloppy if you don't know how to style them right. The solution? Stay away from baggier fits until you've nailed down the right way to style your body. Instead, choose tailored fits and clothes that hug your figure just right.
3. Minimal Accessories
You might think loading up on accessories—hats, watches, necklaces, and bags—is a great way to show people how "stylish" you are, but when it comes to these pieces, less is always more. Pick out your statement jewelry and stick to it instead of layering too much.
4. High Quality Clothes
We get it—fast fashion can be tempting, especially with its affordable price tags and unique designs. But it's always better to save your hard-earned cash on fabrics that are actually worth the money, and will actually last longer than a few washes.
5. Understand Your Style
Don't blindly follow trends or what your friends are wearing. If you want to look effortlessly stylish, the secret isn't mimicking others, but finding the style and pieces that fit you. Whether you prefer to be loud and bold or minimalistic, once you nail down what image you want to emulate, rock it.
6. Know How to Layer
You might think it's easier to just pair one top over something basic, like your favorite pair of jeans, but when you know how to layer, it can make all the difference. Whether you're making use of tanks, button-ups, cardigans, or leather jackets, understanding which pieces to layer together can instantly transform and elevate your look.
7. Quality Basics
Just as you should be investing in high-quality clothing, you should also make sure you're choosing good basics, especially if you know you'll be reaching for them time and time again. Sure, that $15 dress might be cute (and much cheaper than the $90 one), but you might only get a few wears before the threads start coming apart, so resist the temptation.
8. Understand Your Body Shape
Are you an inverted triangle or an apple? Do you have longer legs or a longer torso? It helps to understand what flatters your body shape and silhouette, or else you might wear high-waisted pants and wonder why they don't look "right" on you (it's probably because your torso is short).
9. Don't Forget Hair & Grooming
Have you heard of the hair theory? Some hairstyles just suit certain faces more than others, so it's important to get a regular trim and experiment with different styles that might work with your features better. Don't forget to groom either—it'll make a huge difference.
10. Be Confident!
Last but not least, the most important tip for looking effortlessly stylish is to be confident! Own what you wear. There's a reason why some people seem to just pull off anything, and it's probably because they exude confidence, which doesn't fail to make everyone stop and stare. That could be you, too!
Now that you know some tips on how to style yourself, let's jump into 10 don'ts you definitely shouldn't follow.
1. Wearing Clashing Colors
As mentioned earlier, you'll want to stick to a neutral palette to avoid accidentally wearing colors that don't pair well with one another. Put together too many clashing tones, and your whole look might be ruined, and you'll be turning heads for a not-so-great reason.
2. Styling Opposite Trends
It's fine to follow current fashion trends or bring back a retro style you loved, but it's another thing to style them together. Just like a color palette, stick to one. When you do too many things at once, they can clash and have the opposite effect.
3. Baggy on Baggy
Baggy on baggy can sometimes look good, but it really depends on how you style it—and whether you know how to. When in doubt, stick to having only one article of clothing that's oversized, whether it's your bottoms, tops, or outer layers.
4. Choosing the Wrong Accessories
Remember what we said about accessories, that less is more? It's important to keep that in mind, but you'll also want to make sure you're not choosing pieces that don't work cohesively with the rest of your outfit. Pay attention to the colors of your accessories; you don't want them to clash with the tones you're already wearing.
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5. Wearing Torn Clothing
Torn clothing can sometimes be stylish when it's deliberate, but if you've got a shirt that has holes everywhere (including your armpits), it's time to retire it. The same goes for dirty or stained clothes, or ones that haven't been washed for weeks.
6. Choosing Unflattering Fits
As we've mentioned, you'll want to pick outfits that flatter your figure. If something doesn't look right to you in the mirror, it might be worth digging in your closet for something else. You can also ask a friend for their opinion and see what they think would be a better choice.
7. Wrong Footwear
There's nothing like wearing a tailored suit or a gorgeous gown and then pairing your outfit with Crocs or sneakers. As comfy as these choices are, there's a time and place for everything, and when you're dressed to the nines the sandals and running shoes aren't going to cut it. Make sure you choose the right footwear for your look.
8. Ignoring Grooming & Basic Hygiene
Even if you don't want to shave or get a trim, if you're starting to look extra shaggy (and not in a good way), it's time to head to the barber's. Hygiene is also equally—if not more—important; you don't want to be rocking an amazing outfit only to smell like you haven't showered in weeks.
9. Choosing Unflattering Patterns
Some patterns can add a unique touch to your outfit, but most of the time, it's better to stick to simple designs. Wear something too eye-catching, and people might be too distracted to admire the rest of your look, or it may even clash with whatever else you're wearing.
10. Not Dressing Your Age
We're all for letting everyone dress how they want, but if you want to look effortlessly stylish, it's probably best you don't pick an outfit your teenage self would've worn. Embrace your age and rock the new styles you've found! Even if you want to revisit older trends (Y2K fashion, anyone?), you still want to choose pieces that suit you currently.
