What: Tips for dressing your best from my dear friend and wardrobe stylist, Rebecca Thompson.
Why: For those of you that attended my Fit Camp last weekend, you got the opportunity to hear Rebecca speak. Unfortunately she was only able to scratch the surface of her infinite knowledge on proportion,colors, and personal style.
Here are some of the tips that she covered and a few more that I learned in my time with her as a client. These are universal tips for making any age, shape, or weight look infinitely stylish.
1. Purge and Organize
First take a good hard look at what's in your closet. Tons of clothes and nothing to wear. Evaluate each item. If it has not been worn in over a year, has stains or holes, or doesn't make you feel your best, toss it.
Then, organize what is left. The most helpful tip I got from Rebecca was to buy all new (and matching) hangers. Now there's a novel idea! Makes my closet look just like a boutique and with the right hanger, all of my clothes look fresh and wrinkle free when pulled from the closet.
Try Huggable Hangers available at Target, TJ Max, Stein Mart, and others. They are relatively inexpensive, keep your clothes looking their best, and streamline your closet. (I will admit, it's taking me a couple of years to replace all the hangers in my house. I just keep asking for these for my birthday and for Christmas. My closet is finally done and now I'm working on converting all of my husband's clothes.)
2. Foundation Pieces
Even the most expensive or well made clothes will not lay correctly without the right foundation garments. Two items to NEVER get dressed without:
Soma Intimates Vanishing Back Bra
An Off-White or Nude Layering Tank
(Pick one without the shelf bra and with a little spandex in it to hold everything in. I wear one under EVERYTHING!)
3. Build the Perfect Wardrobe
Now that you've gotten rid of the things that you don't love or that don't make you look your best, here are the key pieces that every woman needs to build a perfect wardrobe. These pieces are universally flattering and appropriate for any age.
Start with Scoop or V-Neck tops. They should fit your form and not have any detail on them; no flowers, buttons, pockets, ruffles, etc. When building a wardrobe, basics in neutral colors will always take you farther. Once you've stocked up on a couple of good quality white ones (I get mine from TJ Max), then fill in the gaps with off white, gray, navy, and any others you can find in versatile neutral colors.
Next opt for a mid-rise, solid wash, boot cut jean. My favorite is Bobbi Brooks jeans found at Dollar General for $12-$14.
As a second option (and a MUST for summer time) pick the same style in white. My favorite is Gap Sexy Boot jeans.
Next, find a full skirt. When worn at the appropriate length and pulled up to the true waist, a full skirt creates and instant hour glass. I found one in a denim chambray that I wear nearly year round. The material is light weight and goes with ANYTHING.
Your next find should be a great dress (or two.) Mine is in a charcoal gray that, again, can be worn to nearly any occasion and just about year round. I have found that gray is a little less harsh than the traditional LBD and is a little easier to wear in warmer months.
My next investment is going to be a sheath just like this one from Jones New York in camel. Look closely at the diagonal seams on this. That silhouette would make any one's shape look like a million bucks! Gorgeous.
Finally, look for a couple of great jackets and cardigans to carry these pieces into multiple seasons. They can go with your jeans, skirts, and over your dresses. Also wear them unbuttoned, belted, or draped across your shoulders for maximum versatility.
Find neutral cardigans in cashmere, cotton, and other natural fibers and make sure your jackets hit at the hips and pull in at your natural waist. Here are a few I love:
3. Neutrals, neutrals, neutrals.
When building a wardrobe, Rebecca taught me that your money and pieces go so much farther when you invest in neutrals. All of your clothes match, and, not to mention, neutrals generally tend to look so much more chic than bright colors and prints.
Here's a few ideas:
I absolutely LOVE this look. Am going to try to duplicate this as soon as I possibly can.
Even when going casual, neutrals still look so "dressed up" and elegant.
If you invest your money in neutral colors and classic shapes, your clothes will literally never go out of style. This picture of Olivia Palermo (below) is timeless. This outfit would have been in style in the 70's or last week.
In the event that you are going to do a bright color or print, ALWAYS do it against a white pant or bottom. Bright tunics and tops still look timeless and classic paired with your white jeans. Stay away from the traditional "uniform" of black pants and bright twin sets and tops. Black is too harsh of a foil against color and the look comes across dated.
Here's how to do it:
See. . .classic, chic, and effortless.
4. Shoes
When it comes to shoes, one of the most valuable lessons that Rebecca taught me is that less is more. Chose shoes with a classic shape that flatter the foot, elongate the leg, and shoe a little "toe cleavage" when possible.
The number 1 must; a nude pump. (Remember to try them on and look for a pair that shoes just a hint of toe cleavage). Clean, classic shape. One with no embellishments or straps will give you the most timeless look.
For more casual dressing, opt for a nude wedge. Again, look for one without any straps or embellishment. Just a clean, classic shape. If this is still a little too dressy for you, look for one with a cork bottom.
And for an even more casual look, opt for a ballet flat. My personal favorite is one I found by Yosi Samra. They are so comfortable and this gorgeous snake print still acts as a neutral.
And finally, for days at the pool, a flip flop. Even with this casual of a shoe, less is more. Pick something sleek and pretty like this metallic one from Old Navy.
5. Accessorize!
Another valuable lesson that I learned from Rebecca is that you don't have to do all of this at one time. Accumulate pieces slowly and, over time, you'll have the wardrobe of your dreams. This is especially true of your accessories which can often be even more pricey than the clothes themselves.
Here are the pieces to look for:
Diamond Studs
Gold Hoops
Statement Necklace
(Or this one next time you're going to the Academy Awards)
A Gold Cuff or Menswear Watch (I threw the watch in as my own point of personal style)
I love EVERYTHING about this look; the cognac clutch, the menswear watch, the layered bangles. LOVE.
Layering Bangles and Light, Airy Earrings for Summer
Statement Ring (again, great for summer!)
Pashmina or Scarf
A Brown or Camel Colored Handbag
(Invest in a brown one to start your bag collection in a sleek, classic shape. You can add other styles and colors down the road, but one like this Kate Spade bag will look great with any outfit, any time of year.)
6. Finally. . . What Not to Wear!
Oversized anything. Big clothes make you look big. End of story.
Crops, capris, clamdiggers. . .. .whatever you want to call them. No one looks good with their legs chopped off at the shin. There is nothing timeless, classic, elegant, or sophisticated about them. Appropriate length shorts or pants, no in between!
Skinny Jeans. I don't know who thought this was a good idea, but they make most of us look like an upside down triangle. No matter how on trend they are. . .throw them out!
Black pants with brights. Black is too harsh to wear against anything other than neutrals. There is also a lack of sophistication when pairing black with bright colors. And save your blacks for the winter time. Generally softer colors look better for Spring, Summer, and even Fall.
Baked potato shoes. I don't even think this require further explanation.
Clunky shoes or t-straps. Both these shoes draw a line straight across the top of your foot, chopping your legs of short, and creating cankles. Your shoes should elongate your legs, not chop them off into stubs. Also, the one on Kim K's foot is soooo heavy. When you have on a beautiful dress like that, who wants all the attention at their feet!
T-Straps = Cankles
All images courtesy of Google Images.
