Style Rules: Selin Tufanoglu

My style is best described as comfortable, minimal and effortless. I have a toddler (and a dog), so comfort is key. Everything I wear has to meet the demands of my personal and professional life. I am a minimalism devotee and prefer simple pieces that have a timeless feel. My style mantra is to not try too hard. Ideally, it should always look natural and organically eclectic – that’s the key to looking effortlessly stylish. 
 
Use accessories to elevate your look. Michael Kors once said: “I have always thought of accessories as the exclamation point of a woman's outfit.” I totally agree with him! A statement bag, a beautiful pair of shoes or a bold hat can totally transform an outfit. Sunglasses, belts and scarves are some of my favourite accessories, and I prefer well-crafted designer accessories in general. They can easily make any outfit look expensive – even when you’re wearing more affordable pieces. My cashmere Celine bucket hat and wool Saint Laurent baseball cap are two of my current favourite winter accessories – plus, my Bottega Veneta long puddle boots have come in really useful this season. 
 
When shopping, look for good quality. The one piece of style advice I share with everyone is to be a little more conscious when it comes to purchasing clothes – check the labels for the fabric composition and, if you can, spend a little bit more on the pieces that are well made. I prefer to invest in higher quality pieces that I know I’ll be able to style in different ways for years to come, instead of buying trend-led pieces that are lower quality and I’ll get bored with quickly. There’s something very satisfying having a wardrobe full of pieces that work for you whatever the occasion. 

Every woman should have their own go-to outfit formula. The way I get dressed each day depends on things like the weather and my mood, but when I don’t know what to wear, my fail-safe outfit includes a turtleneck sweater, tailored trousers or a nice pair of jeans, plus an oversized coat, like a wool blazer or puffer jacket. I’ll usually add my boots by The Row – they go with almost everything – then complete the look with a tote bag and a cashmere beanie. It’s what makes me feel good and I know I can fall back on this outfit when I’m feeling uninspired. 
 
Buy into trends, but only if they’ve been around before. That way, you can be sure you won’t get bored of them later. Suits and co-ords are good examples. Co-ords became popular in the 1920s when Coco Chanel created her matching jackets and skirts, and that influence is still felt today in different ways. You can’t go wrong with a perfectly tailored suit or a nice cashmere jumper and trouser set; they’re a great investment as you can also style the pieces separately. I’m really into three-piece suits recently.
 
The five pieces every woman needs in her wardrobe are: a cashmere turtleneck you can dress up or down; a knitted dress for comfortable polish; a pair of chunky boots; an oversized long puffer jacket to stay warm; and a cashmere beanie. For effortless, luxe-looking everyday basics my go-to is definitely The Frankie Shop. For knitwear, Totême and Khaite are at the top of my list. I also think Celine and The Row are two places to go for something more statement. Cos and Arket are the two high-street brands I visit most often.

Mix different textures to keep things interesting. If you wear a lot of neutral colours, different shades, textures or patterns will ensure your look doesn’t feel flat. Then, add some personality with a few statement accessories. I recently bought a cable knit jumper from Ganni with a built-in scarf – it proves something neutral needn’t be boring. 
 
Create a moodboard to get out of a style rut. Whenever I feel like I am running out of inspiration, Pinterest and Instagram stimulate my creativity. I make a habit of saving posts on Instagram when I see an outfit I like, a place I’d love to go, so I can go back and look through for an inspiration when I need it. I also check retail platforms like NET-A-PORTER, MyTheresa and 24S, as their styling choices often gives me ideas I’ve not thought of before. 
 
If you can, invest a little more in bags and shoes. I have a few special pieces I wear on repeat that elevate any outfit I add them to. For example, my zipper boots by The Row have barely left my feet since I bought them a few months ago – I’ve already worn them more than all my other shoes as they go with everything, from jeans to dresses to leggings. As for bags, I have been wearing my black Bottega Veneta Mini Jodie a lot and I recently purchased a Saint Laurent Hobo in black. I already know I’ll use it loads.

My style icons are Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Ellen Claesson, Mirjam Flatau and Pernille Teisbaek. I wish the Olsen twins had Instagram too; they’re the queens of oversized silhouettes. Rosie combines masculine and feminine pieces with such ease and nails it every single time. I love how Pernille blends Scandinavian minimalism with bold accessories. Ellen just looks so damn cool in every single outfit, and Mirjam is a real visual delight with her aesthetically pleasing inspo shots and amazing taste in interiors.
 
The secret to great style is effortlessness. For me, effortlessness comes from having confidence in what you’re wearing – whether that’s high heels or chunky boots, a form-fitting dress or slouchy trousers – if it’s what you feel great in, you’ll wear it with ease.
 

Follow @SelinTufanoglu on Instagram.