Style is more than throwing few items of clothes together; it takes thought, practice and a little creativity. When styled well, your outfit can elevate your mood and take your look to a whole other level! We know that when you look good, you’ll feel great, so here are our SFD-tips on perfectly executed style! Work it, ladies!
1. Get Back to Basics
Never underestimate the simplicity of a plain white tee and good-fitting jeans. Basic wardrobe staples are incredibly versatile, a wise investment and are perfect for the days when you have nothing to wear. Toning down the busyness of an outfit also allows your natural beauty to be the star of the show!
The Best-of Basics:
- Little Black Dress
- Tailored jeans
- Woven white shirt
- Black pencil skirt (play with textures such as a ribbed jersey or leather)
- Good quality black and white tees
- Neutral-toned cardigan (grey, beige and/or black)
2. Go Underneath it all
Bin your baggy undies and toss out that snaggled underwire bra. There’s no point spending time and money on your clothes if your unmentionables are uncooperative. As bland as they seem, flesh-toned bras and undies are super versatile and will never let you down when worn under sheer or white clothing. Get yourself fitted for a good t-shirt bra that doesn’t show lines or seams and some ‘invisible’ VPL-proof undies that fit your body right (rather than picking your wedgie, chuck out ill-fitting drawers!). There’s no shame in buying the same item in multiple colours or even in fifty shades of beige; if it fits right and looks good under clothes, you’ll get so much more wear out of it than that sexy little ruffled number that never leaves the back of your drawer.
3. Accessorise!
Once you have a perfect canvas (see the basics above), zhuzh it up by adding touches here and there. Try a scarf, some jewellery, a hair accessory or a belt to customise your look. Adding one or two of these items makes it appear like you’ve considered your outfit a lot more than you actually have.
4. Don’t Over-Do It
The right accessories will elevate your look. However, too many accessories will only detract from your gorgeous new figure, instead of highlighting the best bits. Keep Coco Chanel in mind and don’t go overboard on the accessories, trinkets and additions. She’s famous for advising, before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.
5. Consider Your Signature Style
Think about women in the public eye with an identifiable style that you appreciate. For example, Adele’s cat eye liner, Anna Wintour’s bob haircut, Dita von Teese’s structured dresses, Gwen Stefani’s bold lipstick or Ariana Grande’s high ponytail. Sometimes an aesthetic can become a signature; something that you’re known for. If there is a unique detail that you love and feels very you, adopt it as your signature and your style will become more cohesive and polished.
6. Change Up Your Hair
If you’ve been wearing the same hairstyle for years (or even decades) give it a little refresher. You don’t have to go all out with a big chop or change, but something as simple as adding a fringe, getting a few highlights around your face, opting for a slightly different shade, or trying waves instead of sleek strands can put a spring in your step and make you feel all-brand new. Always wear your hair out? Try a high ponytail. Known for your low bun? Wear your hair loose for a change. For super-quick waves, wash the night before and tie your hair into a high topknot, then the next morning, shake it out. Voila!
7. Highlight Your Best Natural Assets
You don’t have to be a contouring ninja to make cosmetics work for you. In fact, it’s pretty simple. Always buy your foundation (or tinted moisturiser) after checking it in natural light, stand near a window or in good lighting when you apply makeup (especially foundations and blushes), invest in a good quality brow pencil or brow mascara, always choose colours that suit you – the wrong ones will leave you looking pale or detract from your natural colouring and beauty – and finally? Just accentuate the positive! Love your eyes? Opt for a winged liner or fluttery lash look. Keen to show off that newly sculpted visage? Brush a bronzer along your natural cheekbones! For the best results: start small, learn slowly, and master each new product as you invest in it.
8. Learn How to Stand
Good posture is everything! In fact, standing tall can not only make you look slimmer and leaner, but it will also give you more confidence, and make you feel better about yourself. Take Shelly’s sage advice: imagine an invisible cord pulling your body upwards from the centre of your head, square your shoulders, put one foot slightly in front of the other, suck in your tummy, put your hands on your hips, pop your collarbones, and let the compliments roll on in.
9. Dress For Your Shape
Now that you’re flaunting a bangin’ new bod – show it off with cuts and fabrics that flatter. There’s no need to hide under baggy sweaters and giant, unflattering coats anymore – so take some time to figure out what your new shape is and accentuate the positive! You can read up on body shapes and the best styles to flatter them in our other blog this week, Defeating the Wardrobe Witch. But as a general rule – choose cuts that highlight your best assets and show off those beautiful feminine curves. It will feel unnatural and a bit strange to begin with, but opting for cinched in waists, fabrics that flare from the hip and anything that will draw the eye up to your face or elongate the body is good! Work it!
10. Smile!
As little Annie said: you’re never fully dressed without a smile. And a great smile really is your best accessory. So, top off your best-ever style with a good old fashioned grin. If you’re feeling self-conscious about a less-than-perfect smile, then do something about it. Take the time to invest in you by brushing and flossing daily and maybe even consider a whitening process from your local dentist or supermarket. The biggest thing to remember? No one will be thinking about your teeth if you’re flashing them a genuine, heartfelt smile. Bonus: it’ll actually make you feel happier too. Talk about a Super Style tip!
And those are our ten top tips SuperFasters! Which ones are you going to be trying this week? Let us know by commenting below, or hop on over to the Members’ Facebook Page and share some of your own Super Style tips.