There are five fundamental elements of women’s fashion that never seem to grow old. Once you learn how to incorporate them, stopping traffic will come second nature to you, even strangers will ask you for fashion advice.
Best of all, you won’t have to spend a million bucks to look like a million bucks. These guidelines can be put into practice regardless of your budget. Give them a try. You’ll go from hit-or-miss to fabulous in no time.
The question is, Can you handle all eyes on you?
And The Oscar Goes To…
It’s simple. Your outerwear is the star of the show, and your undergarments are the supporting cast. You have to get this one point down pat before you can scurry on to anything else on the list. It’s critical.
Nothing’s worse than seeing a stunning woman in a stunning dress with “bra bulges” underneath or unsightly panty lines. No, no and no. It’s so wrong.
Bras are incredibly important, especially when perkiness is no longer one of your perks. There are all kinds of brassieres, ones that plunge, ones that convert, ones that minimize, ones that contour, and ones that push-up. In addition to lending a much appreciated lift, they reduce back fat, giving a smooth finish. Who wouldn’t want that?
The key is to avoid the pitfalls of bra sizing which, if done incorrectly, can lead to back problems and those distracting bra bulges. Hunting down the right brassiere for you isn’t as hard as you may think. You just have to be honest about your preferences. You can even search out reputable bra fitting services at your local department store.
Much is the same for panties. The premise here, though, is to do away with the lines. And if you can’t do away with the lines, it’s far better to do away with the panties. That ushers in my next suggestion; pick up some shapewear.
There’s a possibility you’re a dead ringer for Marilyn Monroe, curvaceous and angular all at once. In which case, I’d still recommend you pick up some shapewear. Why? That’s a good question. I guess the better question is, Why not?
Shapewear takes your attributes and enhances them while simultaneously concealing most of what you wish you didn’t have, sort of like impermanent surgery. Where I’m from, it’s called “being snatched.”
Remember, it’s your prerogative. You can always go commando, especially if you’re one of those ladies that has it like that. If not, opt for the best undergarments your budget can buy, something that’s seamless beneath your clothes, acting out its supporting role, allowing you and your outerwear to get all the shine.
Next stop, the shoes.
Step It Up
The second fashion element is getting hold of the right shoe. But what constitutes the right shoe? In summary, I’d say a marriage of comfort and sexiness. You can’t truly be sexy if you’re not comfortable. You would be pretending, and to me, that’s just not sexy.
By sexy, I mean irresistibly pretty.
You don’t have to wear flats or kitten heels, though they are fantastic options if higher heels aren’t your thing. I don’t care if you decide to stomp around in 6-inch, red bottom Louboutins, just make sure you can do it without killing yourself in the process. Comfort is king.
Picture both your shoes and your clothes as having lead roles. One can either totally underscore or sabotage the other.
Think about it. You could stun in a basic, black dress or a plain, white pant suit with no sparkle or bling if it is accompanied by a rockin’ pair of shoes that sparkle or deliver in some way. But, it’s difficult to slay a Byzantine-inspired jumper, if you’re wearing the wrong shoe with it.
Here’s a rule of thumb: If you’re wearing elaborate shoes, partner them with a solid-colored or toned-down outfit, and vice versa.
You never want your footwear and clothes to compete, but to merge. They should always complement one another.
I know it takes time to piece together a wardrobe, but when all is said and done, you should have accrued at least six pairs of shoes: two in black, at least one pair of white ones, nude ones, something brown or tan, and a transparent pair for fun. These comprise your staples.
Afterward, add a flashy pair or two in your shoe collection. Your ornate footwear together with your staples, now that’s a good and balanced mix.
Clothes Talk
That brings me to two other tips: Prints are delectable, so wear them, and fit will make or break you.
Let’s start with the latter.
Dress for your shape. In other words, aim to highlight your best features. If you have nice legs, why not purchase cute dresses that show how leggy you are? Have a nice backside? How about accentuating it further in leggings or a peplum top? Go for what you know, what you deem as your signature style.
On the other hand, diversify your closet. Play around with outfits that you find attractive but that wouldn’t necessarily be considered your norm. Study your body in a full-length mirror. Watch how it moves or doesn’t move with certain fabrics. Purchase an assortment of clothes cut from fabrics you believe fit your physique in a way that’s both pleasing to the eye and forgiving to your figure.
Choose vibrant colors that show up well against your skin, colors that make you pop. As far as prints and patterns go, the funkier, the better, usually. Vertical stripes elongate, horizontal stripes stretch or wideleg, animal prints entice and charm, as do prints in general. Remember, toy around with fabrics and prints in the mirror; no inhibitions, just go for it.
The Extra Mile
I consider accessories anything worn externally in addition to your main ensemble. Whether glasses, belts, jewelry or cosmetics, accessories are the icing on the cake, the cherry on top. They have a way of radiating such a feminine quality. It’s amazing what a multi-colored scarf can do to call attention to the bone structure in a woman’s face, or what the clinking of her bracelets can do to pull on a man’s heartstrings.
I haven’t run across too many ghastly accessories, so you can’t really go wrong with them, but be sure to take it easy; less is more.
Under certain circumstances, you should skip wearing accessories altogether. If you’re wearing a decorative ball gown, glass slippers, and crystal chandelier earrings, why do you need a necklace, too? Do yourself a favor and dial it back a bit.
Wear It Like You Mean It
The fifth element may shock you, but I have to say it anyway.
It’s a combination of your personality, je ne sais quoi and your atmosphere-shifting smile. I refer to it as confidence.
Yes, confidence is one of the elements, and if you don’t put it on, it won’t matter how effective your shapewear is or how fancy-schmancy your outfit looks. Face it, you’re beautiful, so embrace it.
You haven’t come close to fashion icon status until you’ve owned your look with a quiet confidence. Otherwise, it’ll seem like you don’t have the panache to pull it off, or like you’re trying too hard, or worst of all, like you’re trying to be someone else.
As with everything in life, there are exceptions to the rules. But if you stay within the elemental boundaries of women’s fashion—concurrently coloring outside the lines from time to time—then you’re on your way to the top of “the style pyramid.”
Don’t be afraid to simplify your search with online brands that offer trendy, unique clothes and accessories at a reasonable price. I have a few favorites, but my go-to is https://ginghamandheels.com/. They have super flattering dresses made out of first-rate fabrics, and they’ve become my one-stop shop.
Now, get out there, girl. Smile and work it.
