Style Dos & Don’ts From A Fashion Insider
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DO Mix Your Neutrals
I’m a neutrals girl through and through, but beige doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, there’s a wide variety of tonal hues that I consider neutrals – such as khaki, camel, grey, ecru, navy and denim blue. Neutrals aren’t just the foundation of a capsule wardrobe, they can also make an outfit look more expensive and timeless.
DO Level Up Your Accessories
Your jewellery and accessories are where you have fun with your style. I prefer to go more luxury with my sunglasses, shoes and bags as I feel like they have the power to take my outfit to the next level. A pair of LIÉ STUDIO earrings or an Hermès Kelly belt add an element of understated luxury to any look, while Oliver Goldsmith aviators or Vehla cat-eyes can add instant edge.
DO Invest In The Basics
Day to day, when I’m working from home or running around after my son, basics are my bread and butter. I want to look put together but comfortable, so I invest in great silhouettes and high-quality fabrics to transform my look. Commando, Novo, COS and ARKET are my go-tos for boxy tees, drop-arm vests and high-neck tanks.
DO Look For Style Inspiration Online
Perfecting your personal style can be overwhelming, which is why I use Pinterest and Instagram a lot. I’ve created lots of Pinterest boards for every season using vintage fashion editorials, 90s celebrities and 70s silhouettes, as well as current runway looks to give me lots of ideas to re-style what’s already in my wardrobe. Sometimes you just need a fresh perspective to understand what you already have.
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DO Create Contrasts
One of my favourite ways to put a new spin on an outfit is by combining my informal and formal pieces. This could be a sweatshirt with shorts and heels or some oversized earrings with everyday jeans. It’s a fun way of giving your outfit an unexpected twist, and means you don’t have to keep your favourite items for best.
DO Find A Good Seamstress
It’s very rare to find clothes that fit perfectly everywhere, but if they don’t, I find that they sit in my wardrobe gathering dust. That’s why I’ve started getting trousers taken up when they drag on the floor, or a dress cinched in at the waist, so it doesn’t hang like a sack. This has made the world of difference – the pieces look more expensive when they fit correctly.
DON’T Stick To The Same Brands
While it’s great to have brand loyalty, adding a sprinkling of new labels can refresh your wardrobe every season. Relying on French, Australian or Scandinavian brands such as Third Form, Toteme, Tove, By Malene Birger and Róhe is what’s worked for me. Whether it’s cool minimalism or laid-back boho, you can mix and match these pieces with what’s already in your wardrobe to get a completely different look.
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DON’T Be Afraid To Break The Rules
This is something I’ve embraced more as I have got older. I feel as though there are no style ‘rules’ anymore – black and navy worn together is one of my favourite combos and I’m loving layering a cami dress over jeans or trousers. Double denim is no longer tainted, and miniskirts aren’t just for teenagers. I think as long as it aligns with your personal style, go for it.
DON’T Be Tempted By Fads
I’m not one to buy into the ‘it’ bag of the season or start wearing chunky loafers when they’re not my vibe, just because everyone else is. I prefer to stick to timeless pieces that will transcend the seasons. That being said, if it’s a trend I genuinely love, and it falls within my own style, I’m happy to buy into it as I know I’ll wear it year after year.
DON’T Ignore Practicality
Living in the UK where we can have all four seasons in a day means practicality plays a huge part in how I dress. Whether I’m going to meetings and events or at the playground with my toddler, I need my outfits to be practical as well as chic. Recently, this has meant levelling up my flat footwear with Chanel ballerinas and Alo trainers.
DON’T Disregard Pre-Loved
Vinted, Vestiaire Collective and Sellier are some of my favourite websites to browse when I’m looking for a particular luxury piece. You can find some absolute gems on vintage and pre-loved sites. In my opinion, vintage designer is much better than current season and the resale value is a lot higher, too.
DON’T Forget Size Is Just A Number
So many of us get caught up over what size we are, but it varies massively between brands. I choose sizing based on the item – I will size up two sizes in a crewneck jumper or linen shirt for an oversized fit, but I’ll buy true to size when it comes to a cropped tee or high-waisted trousers.
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