BEST STYLE TIPS
Dress for Your Figure
Look in the mirror and make an honest assessment of your body. Embrace your shape and who you are. Know your assets - whether it's well-sculpted arms, a swanlike neck, or wasp waist - and dress to enhance those features.
If You Are Full-Figured
Choose close-to-the-body cuts. Look for tailored pieces like fitted button-ups, straight skirts and trousers, and wrap dresses that skim the body and give the waist definition. Keep it streamlined. Big prints aren't best, so go monochromatic to create the slimmest line. Rich red is always striking; ditto lush jewel tones.
If You Are Boyish
Enhance your figure. To transform your physique into a more curvy shape, accentuate your middle and create the illusion of a fuller bust and hips. That means always define the waist, whether it's a dress that cinches, a top with a drop waist, or a gown with a distinct Empire line. V-necks emphasize cleavage.
If You Are Curvy
Wear form-fitting dresses that nip in at the waist, hug the hips, fall loosely over the thighs and calves. Reveal decolletage. Select a top that frames your neckline. It will draw attention to your upper body, keeping the rest understated.
If You Are Petite
Black opaque tights and equally dark shoes tone down the glitz factor of the season's metallic fabrics and give the legs a longer look.
Day to Night
Always have a pair of sexy heels on hand. Whether strappy or glitzy they can instantly give any look a dressier feel. The same goes for a clutch. Stash it in your day bag and pull it out at night.
Wrap It Up
A wrap dress looks great on all shapes and sizes. Soft jersey fabrics can work for all body types. Twist, wrap and maneuver the material any way you like to mask your least favorite parts and highlight the areas you like.
Evening Wear
Forget simple shifts. Stand out from the pack of black with something sweet and playful. Or try a tux, but swap the trousers for superslim pants or jeans. Have fun.
How to Wear a Minidress
If you've got the gams, an above-the-knee number is sweet and sexy. Don't go tight and short, however. A fuller cut will keep it refined.
Must-Have Accessories
A thick bracelet in gold, silver, or enamel is a timeless accent and works day or night. Give your evening style a glam punch with a big-stoned cocktail ring. Try bold, colorful stones for added effect.
The Best Bags
Recognize when it's time to buy a new bag, even if you are attached. Holes, tears, frayed stitching, and worn leather means your bag needs to be retired.
Freshen Up Basics
Been wearing a basic button-up under your suit every day? Swap it for a bright blouse, something with loads of ruffles cascading down the front, or a piece with a bold print and it'll instantly add life to that old suit.
Try Something New
Be open to experimenting with new silhouettes. Pieces you've always shunned could end up being the most flattering.
Top 10 Wardrobe Essentials
1. Trousers; 2. blazers; 3. pencil skirts; 4. white button-ups; 5. silk blouses; 6. simple cardigans; 7. dresses (shirt, shift, or sheath); 8. pumps; 9. structured bag; 10. belts.
Define the Waist
The waist doesn't have to be smack in the middle. A drop waist elongates your torso, while an Empire gives you a leggier look.
Big Belts
Cinching your waist over your suit jacket not only instantly gives your suit a new look, it introduces a sleek and flattering line. Go for a belt that matches for a conservative approach or add spirit with one in a contrasting hue.
How to Wear a Day Dress
If choosing a dress with volume, make sure it's balanced. A bubble-skirted frock, for example, should have a slim top, while a pouf-sleeved piece should be narrower on the bottom.
Time-Saving Shopping Tips
Keep your credit card on file at trusted stores, and avoid the wait at the register. Build a relationship with an insider who will pull pieces, hold hot items, or put your name on the waitlist and call you. Take care of those who take care of you. Thank-you notes, holiday gifts, and appreciation go a long way.
Freshen Up Basics
At least one piece in your outfit should have lots of personality. The key is to mix it up. Be unpredictable and pair up unlikely mates. Don't forget to have a ball with accessories and add quirky accents.
The Black Suit
A black suit is always flattering. First of all, it's black, the ever-appealing, hide-everything hue. Second, it's sturdy. A well-cut, properly fitted jacket retains its shape, doesn't stretch or squeeze, and covers common problem areas like arms, stomach, hips, and bottom.
Office Elegance
A certain level of refinement should be maintained: 1. Never show your midriff. 2. Avoid showing too much cleavage (and keep straps under wraps). 3. Keep hemlines in check -- and don't go too tight. 4. Save flip-flops for the beach. 5. And don't get too wacky. Express your personal style, but you don't want to seem too eccentric.
The Little Black Dress
Think of your LBD as a blank canvas that you can decorate based on your age, frame of mind, or event. Give it a personal touch - a funky brooch, a colorful scarf, a big necklace - to make it uniquely you.
Timeless & Tailored
The traditional two-piece suit is the standard. In a well-cut jacket with matching pants or a skirt, you know you'll always look smart.
How to Wear Straight Jeans
Pick a pair in a crisp, dark wash and this cut can look grown-up and polished will take you almost anywhere.
The Tuxedo
The right two-piece ensemble can be just as sexy as any frock. Wearing a lacy bra that peeks out from under the jacket is coy and sultry; a high-neck, ruffle-front blouse gives the look a retro spin; and swapping the conventional tuxedo pants for a superskinny leather or denim pair lends a fashion-forward flair.
How to Wear Heels
The higher the hemline, the lower the heel. Wear minidresses with flats when going for a more casual look.
How to Wear High-Waisted Jeans
Jeans that actually go up to your natural waist are a sophisticated option. They look best with a slim top and a higher heel.
Night Brights
When everyone else at the party is donned in dark shades, be the one who stands out. When going for a bold hue, however, it doesn't have to be blindingly bright. Rich jewel tones like emerald, garnet, and sapphire are sophisticated and elegant. Remember, solids look best when going for big color in the evening.
Tees: Long & Loose
When wearing something cropped like a little vest or jacket, pair it with a draping tee that hits below the hip.