We’ve all been there: staring at a closet full of clothes yet feeling like we have nothing to wear. This often happens when we lack color knowledge and have trouble putting together outfits that are pleasing to the eye. So, how do you get past this? How do you pick out best color combination clothes that not only suit your style but also look good together? Well, that’s what this article is here to help you with. If you want to feel confident, stylish, and effortlessly well-dressed in outfits that enhance your appearance while aligning with your taste and lifestyle, keep reading to learn how to dress better.

WhatColors' AI personal color analysis app is valuable for achieving your objectives. By providing personalized color recommendations based on your unique characteristics, the app can help you assemble outfits that complement your appearance and make you feel great.

Table of Contents

• Why It’s Important to Find Your Personal Style

• How To Dress Better as a Man

• How To Be Stylish And Dress Better for Women

• Try AI Personal Color Analysis For Free Today

  
  

Why It’s Important to Find Your Personal Style

Understanding your style creates the foundation for dressing with confidence. It’s the roadmap to follow. So, getting dressed without a handle on your style is like getting to a destination without a map or directions. Every 1:1 client I work with must spend time with me defining their personal style. 

It’s the foundational work needed before getting to the shopping part. Why? Because we can’t make a conscious decision about a plan of action if we don’t have a guide in place. Knowing your style becomes that guide. Yes, some people know their style, which aligns perfectly with who they are and the message they want to project to the world. 

Spoiler alert - those are generally the people we feel are stylish when we look at them. Why? When you know your style and it is in sync with who you are, you feel confident. And it is that confidence that shines and draws people to you. That’s the goal, right? The end game is confidence. And it is achievable. This kind of mid-sized thing can be achieved, but you need to put in the groundwork and lay the foundation in the beginning so you’re set up for success.

Understanding Fashion vs. Style

I just saw this video with Iris Apfel about the difference between Fashion and Style - the grand dame of style. You might not know her name, but when I show you her photo, you’ll be like, oh, I know her. Anyway, there is this video of her circulating where she talks about the difference between being fashionable and stylish - and truth be told, there is a big difference. Confusing fashion with style is why people often get frustrated, which takes the fun out of getting dressed. So, let’s decode these terms! 

Fashion, or being fashionable, is about things that can be purchased. 

It is focused on the collective, not the individual. Fashion is about new trends and popular ways of dressing. It’s like chasing an ever-elusive perfect something that can’t get nailed down because it’s constantly changing. But at its core - fashion is supposed to change because it focuses on the prevailing style of that time. 

Style, or Being Stylish, is About the Individual

It is how people express themselves (even before they open their mouths to talk). Style is unique to each person because it takes individuality, originality, and even some risk to develop your style. At the end of the day, once you’ve found your style - the fashion part becomes fun again - because you know what feels correct, comfortable, and authentic. 

You know those times when you’ve gotten dressed and feel like you can conquer the world? Where your confidence comes shining through because your clothing is so aligned with who you are and what you want to be projecting, you feel bad ass? It’s because that particular outfit was consistent with your style. When you find your style, getting dressed is no longer a game of Russian roulette. Instead, it becomes a methodical, mindful process where your clothes match the true you (AKA, your style). 

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How To Dress Better as a Man

1. Dress for the Right Reasons

It’s worth figuring out what and who you’re dressing for. “For me it’s always been about getting dressed for yourself, not for Instagram and not for other people you think you’re going to run into,” says Mr. Lawrence Schlossman, co-host of the menswear podcast Throwing Fits. “It’s all about putting together an outfit to start your day that gives you confidence, that makes you feel good about yourself and that gets the day started on the right foot. As the great [American football coach] Deion Sanders said, ‘look good, feel good, play good.’”

2. Trust Your Instincts

MR PORTER’s Style Director, Mr. Olie Arnold, recommends limiting the options you’re considering for your outfit. “Having a couple of options is fine, but no more than three,” he says. “Then spend no more than 10 minutes making the final decision. Nine times out of 10, it will be the first one you put on. Trust your instincts.”

3. Be Comfortable

“The adage ‘wear the clothes, don’t let them wear you’ is the simplest but most important piece of advice,” Arnold says. “When you’re not comfortable, your body language will say so and your outfit will bomb.” That comes down to choosing pieces that feel relevant to you, rather than shoehorning yourself into a brand or trend that doesn’t click with your own style.

4. Soften Up Your Wardrobe

The coolest piece of menswear isn’t going to help you if it doesn’t sit right on your body. “Know thyself in a very literal sense, how you’re built and how you’re shaped,” Schlossman says. Having this information means you can work out what looks good and why. For Schlossman, it’s all about getting to grips with his “really long legs and super short torso,” which determines the cuts and proportions he chooses (and if you’re not sure how MR PORTER has an extensive archive of articles on the subject).

5. Cool Your Jets

Rome wasn’t built in a day. Neither should your wardrobe. “A good wardrobe should be slowly built over five or 10 years,” says the menswear expert and proprietor of Die, Workwear!, Mr Derek Guy. That might not be much help when you have an event next week. However, focus on steadily adding one or two good pieces rather than going on TikTok influencer-style hauls. “You shouldn’t expect to acquire everything at once,” Guy says. “And if you buy fewer things, you can justify spending a little more on each item.”

06. Change the Way You Shop

Ms. Lili Göksenin, Senior Editor at MR PORTER, advocates a Ms. Marie Kondo-esque approach to shopping. “When you’re shopping, take a beat to ask whether it’s something that really speaks to you, and if you can see yourself wearing it for years to come,” she says. “Sleep on it, if you need to. If it still makes you feel good, then get it.”

07. Build Up Your A-Team

Learn about who makes the best versions of the things you like to wear – even if you can’t afford them immediately. “Sticking to a beautiful, best-in-class piece and conscientiously working towards it is a great feeling,” says menswear writer Mr Finlay Renwick. “It helps you to appreciate it more.” It might take longer, but it’ll mean you’re building up an arsenal of top-tier menswear pieces that will last. “I can’t afford a pair of J.M. Weston shoes at the moment,” Renwick says. “But by November… I still probably won’t. But at least I will have tried.”

08. Read the Label

Stylist Ms Felicity Kay is an advocate of buying better clothing, with a focus on the quality of the pieces. “When I say better, I don’t necessarily mean more expensive,” she says. “Look at where things are made and the fabrics they are made from.” Clothes in countries with a craftsmanship heritage (such as the UK, US, Italy, or India) will likely sit better on your frame.

09. Store Your Clothes Properly

Clothes crammed into overstuffed wardrobes will likely stretch, meaning they’ll sit poorly on your body. Make the time to keep things properly organized. “Don’t hang knitwear or T-shirts,” Kay says. “Hang your jeans or trousers instead to make room in your drawers for any clothes that should be stored flat.” And if you can’t get everything in neatly, it’s time to sell or donate a few pieces.

10. Go Up a Size

No one wants their clothes to be skin-tight or clinging in all the wrong places, and going up a size is an easy way to get a better fit. “Consider switching to looser cuts, which tend to be more flattering and usually have a slimming effect,” says MR PORTER’s Content Director, Mr Rob Nowill. “And remember, no one will know what’s written on the size tag except you.”

11. Invest in Good Footwear

Shoes are essential, so get them right. As Mr Chris Amfo says, “shoe contact is often made before eye contact, so be sure to make a good impression.” Build up a rotation of four to five pairs of good-quality footwear. That would be an excellent place to start: 

• Elevated sneaker

• Leather hard-soled lace-up

• Chelsea boot

• Classic loafer

• A pair of more technical sneakers.

  
  

12. And Good Sunglasses

Accessories are essential, and sunglasses are a prominent place to start. “I think that all of my problems might be solved with a pair of Jacques Marie Mage sunglasses with little tinted lenses,” Renwick says. The right pair will bring definition to your face and instantly make your outfit look more considered. Make sure to choose the right pair for your face shape.

13. Start from the Ground Up

“A lot of people who are starting to get into style start with fun, loud sneakers or loafers,” Schlossman says. “It’s a gateway for people to step into the wider world of personal style. If that is your entry point, then work out what pants have the best pant-shoe interaction with those shoes, and then work your way up, putting it together from there.”

14. Learn the Breaks

We shouldn’t have to say this in 2024, but your trousers shouldn’t be puddling around your shoes. “It’s probably the mistake I see more often than any other,” Göksenin says. “And it’s the fastest way to make you look like an amateur.” Read up, and get them taken up.

15. Let Things Wear In

It’s nice to have new things, but aim to balance novelty and old familiars. “It’s hard to look authentically well-dressed if everything you’re wearing is fresh-out-the-box new,” Nowill says. “It’s why the Kardashians never really look stylish. Allow your clothes to develop some signs of wear – they’ll hang on your body in much more flattering ways and allow you to inhabit them truly.”

16. Learn to Layer

Learning to layer unlocks a whole new realm of dressing. You can wear even more clothes at any time, and pieces take on different characteristics depending on what they’re worn with. “Layering is a skill that can be learned,” Renwick says. “It doesn’t require you to spend a fortune, it will make you look considered and tasteful, and it prevents you from being freezing cold for six months of the year.” Not sure where to begin? Here are the six pieces you should start with.

17. Get Prepared

“Stick to the two Ps: planning and preparation,” Arnold says. He recommends thinking about your outfit a good four hours before you need to get dressed. Better yet, lay something out the night before and enjoy another 15 minutes in bed instead of a panicked gaze into your wardrobe.

18. Go Indie

Some big brands are big because they’re often the best at their work. But don’t overlook smaller labels that can bring an element of the unexpected. “Look for off-the-beaten-path independent brands,” Nowill says. “They can bring some curveball elements to your wardrobe and get people asking, ‘Where in the world did you get that from?’”

19. Make a Wish List

Adding things to your Wish List is a quick and easy way to make your mood board. “Patterns and personal trends will start to form of the things you love,” Arnold says. “Plus, it makes it easier to decide when you need to add to your collection.”

20. Get into Japanese Brands

The secret weapon to almost every stylish man we know? A smattering of pieces from Japanese menswear brands. “Many guys worry that those labels might be too avant-garde for them,” Nowill says. “But their collections are chock-full of quirky, characterful pieces that will bring personality and individuality to the stuff you already own.” If you’re unsure where to start, check out MR PORTER’s edit.

21. Copy Your Grandad

Inspiration comes from all places, including the older generation. Regarding a recent trip to Paris, Renwick recalls the effortless style of men over 60. “You could tell these guys had really lived in their clothes and use them for function,” he says. “The style is secondary, but even more effective for that reason.”

22. Develop a Signature

Everyone needs a “thing,” which also applies to clothing. “A couple of consistent elements in your day-to-day outfits will give you a recognizable identifier and help you to develop a stronger sense of your taste,” Nowill says. “Maybe it’s a couple of pieces of jewelry you never take off. Maybe it’s a color. Maybe you’re the ‘jazzy sock guy.’ Find it and stick to it.”

23. Choose a Main Event

If you’re wearing a statement piece – maybe it’s your shoes or a great shirt – allow that to take center stage. “If I’m wearing a great pair of cowboy boots, I’m not going to wear some crazy loud pants and a crazy loud knit and a huge statement coat,” Schlossman says. “I’m going to try and highlight one thing.”

24. Wear Some Jewelry

A few carefully chosen pieces will make you look like a more confident dresser. Maybe that’s a single statement ring or a necklace with sentimental value. “Don’t underestimate its appeal,” Nowill says. “Remember the hysteria around Connell’s chain?”

25. But Don’t Overdo It

It’s too easy to over-accessorise, weighing you down with unnecessary gewgaws. “Accessorising is tricky and should be done with care,” says How Long Gone co-host and GQ columnist Mr Chris Black. “When in doubt, take one thing off.”

26. Get to Know Your Tailor

Some of your clothes will need tweaking to fit just right. It’s worth researching your tailor and finding one you can trust. This is going to be a meaningful relationship. “A few inches here and there make all the difference to the cut and comfort,” Amfo says. “So, get on first names with someone who can bring out the best in your silhouettes.” If you don’t know where to start, check out our guide.

27. Get Things Repaired

Don’t be tempted to toss your clothes at the first sign of holes. “Getting things fixed isn’t just better for the planet,” Goksenin says. “It adds character and charm to your clothes.” And it means that a perfectly worn-in pair of jeans gets a longer shelf-life. If you’re UK-based, consider MR PORTER’s FIT & FIX service.

28. Ditch the Logos

Black’s advice for logos is short and simple: “Save them for the gym. The era of being a billboard is over.” Instead, look for subtle brand signatures like Bottega Veneta’s discreet triangle tabs or LOEWE’s cursive motifs. These will gesture to your awareness of the designers you love without screaming about them.

29. Wear Blazers More Often

You may only wear a blazer on one of the rare occasions you wear a suit nowadays, but they are much more versatile than they first appear. “Keep a few handy,” Black says. “They work for any situation.” As a starting point, look for a sports jacket in a softer color that you can throw over jeans alongside a sharper cut in black or navy to wear in the evening. And, for the love of God, make sure you’ve cut the vents.

30. Overdress, Don’t Underdress

No one wants to get the dress code wrong, but it’s always better to have made too much of an effort. If such a thing even exists. “I’ve never regretted being the smartest person in the room,” Nowill says. “But I did regret the time I turned up to a black-tie dinner in a slogan T-shirt.”

31. Go Natural

As well as being more sustainable, focusing on natural fibers also benefits your clothes’ appearance. “When it comes to knitwear, coats or tailoring, I always check the materials before buying,” Kay says. “Knitwear, for example, with more natural materials over synthetic blends, will always look better for longer.”

32. Take Care of Your Clothes

For Kay, some tips guarantee a longer life for your favorite clothes. “Never tumble dry, buy a good debobbler for knitwear, and get shoes resoled before you wear them through, not after.”

33. Enjoy It

Getting dressed should be something you take pleasure in. So, lighten up and wear what makes you happy. After all, it’s just clothes.  Getting dressed should be something you take pleasure in. So, lighten up and wear what makes you happy. After all, it’s just clothes.  

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How To Be Stylish And Dress Better for Women

Keep It Simple

Simplicity is vital to dressing better. Avoid complex outfits with too many pieces or layers. Instead, start with a solid base of classic, well-fitting items. You can add details or accessories from there, but the overall look will be more polished and put together. 

Fit Is Everything

The best way to elevate your style is to focus on fit. Do you know that woman who always looks pulled together? You’ll notice her clothes always fit her properly. By contrast, clothes that don’t fit—a wonky hemline, a too-tight polo neck—can impact on a first impression. Taking the time to pay attention to fit is a surefire way to add polish. 

Make sure: 

• The shirt’s seam hits your shoulder

• A skirt zips up neatly

• A shoe meets the back of your heel. 

They’re subtle, but these tiny things make a difference. A good tailor is also your friend here—I often buy items and have them altered at Rosario Tailoring in Savile Row. 

Find A Graphic T-Shirt That Expresses How You Feel

Graphic T-shirts are perhaps the epitome of a sartorial statement, whether you’re communicating your music taste (a Beychella T-shirt) or recent boxsets (a ‘La’ T-shirt by Philip Normal). If possible, go for organic cotton to keep things sustainable and longer-lasting. 

If you’re a novice at this kind of dressing, don’t think graphic T-shirts must be combined with a plaid shirt and sneakers. Kendall Jenner and Emily Ratajkowski elevate theirs with high-waisted trousers and ankle boots. 

Accessories Can Be A Game Changer

A pair of statement earrings, a skinny new belt for your not-so-skinny jeans, or a necklace worn with an LBD are lazy girl hacks for changing up much-loved items. This is another tip where ‘keep it simple’ works—pile on the accessories, and you’ll look too busy. Zoe Kravitz is a good reference here—her use of a ‘wow’ earring is a masterstroke in a style that is otherwise lowkey. 

Take The Time To Try Jeans

I once interviewed Jeff Rudes, the co-founder of J Brand, who said, ' Every pair of jeans should count—they all have to be "the one.’ Ideally, you want a well-edited ‘wardrobe’ of jeans that works for different moods and occasions—a high-waisted pair for a night out, boyfriends for a lazy Sunday, etc. 

Japanese denim is still the connoisseur’s choice and can be found at brands ranging from APC to Uniqlo. Too much stretch should be avoided if you want your jeans to last. Think differently about your purchase, too—vintage is a great option, and Ganni x Levis’ new capsule allows you to rent your denim. 

Study Your Favourite Women

You might show a hairdresser a picture someone with your ideal cut. Apply the same logic to your outfit. Whoever your style icon is, follow fan accounts and keep a folder of favorites for easy inspiration. This works even better if you organize things in categories—what to wear for work, weekends, and evenings out. I love looking at accounts dedicated to Carolyn Bessette Kennedy or Tamu McPherson’s All The Pretty Birds for a work look. Bo Carney is my weekend inspiration, and Rihanna—who else?—provides my out-out goals. 

Be Organised

I do a clear-out every season and think less about whether I like an item and more about whether it fits my wardrobe and lifestyle. If the answer is ‘no,’ I sell it or give it away. My clothes are hung on a rail and organized into categories (skirts, shirts, etc.). Others prefer to organize based on categories (‘work,’ ‘evening,’ etc). 

Find a system that works for you, whatever allows you to think quickly about what to wear. It’s hard at first, but this will ensure that getting dressed is simplified and much more fun. The Netflix show The Home Edit is a good organizing resource - its founders, Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin, are full of ideas. 

Dismiss Trends At Your Peril

Staying open to style trends is how you stay modern. Try a trend to see if it works for you—with shops open again. This could be as straightforward as taking a bunch of styles into the changing room. If you feel like yourself when you put something on, it’s one to invest in. Don’t forget to shop your wardrobe—trends are not cyclical. 

Those high-waisted jeans you wore with heels five years ago look brand new when you switch to trainers, for example. It’s also worth watching a trend and seeing if it has ‘legs’ - as in goes beyond a season. Recent examples include the midi-dress or tracksuit bottoms. Buying into these is a savvy way of looking current while sidestepping fashion victim territory. 

Wear What Feels Right

Imposter syndrome is no fun in your wardrobe. If you wear a pair of cycling shorts and constantly pull them down or don’t want to stand out too much in highlighter pink, don’t do it. Wear what you feel good about. That way, you’ll look good too. 

There is no harm in experimenting. I sometimes try new looks when seeing close friends—I recently did this with mismatched earrings. If they pass the test in this environment, your confidence will grow, and they will become part of your wardrobe rotation. 

Don’t Be Afraid Of Multiples

Alexa Chung has talked about how she: ‘collects things in multiples,’ including white shirts. This is the sign of a style pro because it signifies that they have discovered the building blocks of their style. If you like something, having different versions makes getting dressed a breeze. Every woman will be different here, but investing in multiples of the classics - jeans, T-shirts, shirts - is a no-brainer. Think of it as variations on your always-effortless uniform, an edited wardrobe of the pieces on hand, whatever the occasion - the cocktail jeans, the 9 am meeting shirt, etc. 

Contrast Is Your Friend

The high-low way of dressing - popularised by Jenna Lyons when she was at J Crew - remains a pleasing and refreshing hack. Lyons described herself as: 'an equal-opportunities clothes wearer,' and you should be too. Pairing a slip dress with sneakers - for example - is a modern classic, as is a print clash, à la Susie Bubble, or playing with proportion (think Bella Hadid’s combining oversized hoodies with tiny crop tops). On the catwalk, Gucci, Prada, and Balenciaga are labels to look at. 

Don’t Think Too Hard

Overthinking it can ruin a good outfit. Look at Jane Birkin or Chloë Sevigny, who make even the most accessible items, like a white T-shirt, translate to chic. Again, this is about simplicity. Study these women, and you’ll realize they never jam too much. Just a tweak of quirk - a straw basket, a pair of gym shorts - is enough to make it pop. You can add pieces to your wardrobe that give you the basics to be creative. An excellent white T-shirt (COS or Sunspel are go-to brands), a pair of mid-length hoop earrings, and - if in doubt - a red lipstick. 

Choose Comfort

It’s so tedious to say, but you will have a better day if you do. From footwear to silhouettes, ‘suffering for fashion’ is finally outdated. That doesn’t mean heels are out, of course - it’s whatever works for you. Planning helps. I think ‘activity-first’ when planning my outfit. It sounds obvious, but check the weather. If I am likely to be outside all day, I will wear trainers over loafers (for example) to ensure my feet are comfortable and warm. If I leave the house at 8 am but won’t be home until after dark, I often bring a non-bulky sweater, one I’m happy to put on after dark. There is nothing chic about being chilly. 

IRL Appeal Should Win

After a year at home, clothes that play well on Zoom are starting to feel tired. To embrace reemergence, fall in love with subtle fashion, pieces that make a face-to-face impact. This can often come from discovering your favorite items all over again. The fluffy jumper might not work online, but it’s a way to draw interest to your outfit in a three-dimensional world, or a blazer you haven’t worn for a year is a way to elevate - and bring new life - to a favored pair of sweatpants.

The Originals Are Often Still The Best

Think Levis for jeans, Agnes B for white shirts, St James for Bretons, and APC for bags. Not only are these the experts doing what they’re good at, but they also bring a specific OG elevation to your wardrobe. While they might have higher price points than the same styles on the high street, it’s worth spending a bit more. These are, after all, the pieces you will wear the most. Buying pieces that will last makes sense when you think about it like that. 

Make Friends With Colour

Even if you aren’t the type to wear a rainbow, you can use color to enhance your outfit. ‘Pops’ of brights is a good start - a neon bag instead of black, a pair of lilac socks with your sliders, even a red lip. I love the way Tracee Ellis Ross uses color - combining lilac and pink or an exceptionally bright shade of lipstick with a black and white T-shirt - and how Roksanda Ilincic combines color on the catwalk. Her bright blue and orange use inspired me to combine a pumpkin-colored jumper with indigo jeans. 

Shop Vintage For Extra Fashion Points

It’s sustainable but also a way to find a point of difference that lifts your outfit. Think of that great 1980s sweatshirt or a Gucci-worthy seventies blouse. Depop, eBay, and good old-fashioned charity shops are the top picks. When shopping IRL, avoid anything with a visible stain - sadly, it’s probably been discarded because of that - but assess tears and damage. 

Sometimes, items can be saved by taking them to the tailors, or I often change the buttons on shirts or cardigans for a refresh. Online, set up alerts for a headscarf on wish list pieces. And it’s best to stick to sellers with many pictures and measurements. Look through them carefully. The more information you have, the more likely you are to have success. 

Go On Instinct

Ultimately, I can’t tell you what to wear. It’s much better to listen to that inner voice inside. When buying clothes, think less about trends and more about how they will work with the rest of your wardrobe if they sit well with your style. 

Also, remember to assess how you feel when you put something on. 

• Does it make you feel like the best version of yourself? 

• Does it make you happy? 

If yes, that is when you should buy it. 

The 3 Colour Rule

To ensure you create a cohesive outfit, use only three colors. This can help with those final pieces like shoes or jackets. If I’m feeling stuck, I remember the three color rule, and it always helps me to grab the right piece and not to add color that might overwhelm the outfit. The three colors can also be tones or shades of a color. For example, you could have two shades of blue in an outfit plus two additional colors, which would still be considered the three color rule. 

Co-ordinate your colours

Ensuring the colors in your outfit match is a huge factor in learning to dress better. The easiest way to do this is to use Pinterest as a visual aid. I usually use Pinterest to search for an outfit that matches the colors I intend to wear. If the search results do not return an excellent range of outfits with those colors, that’s a red flag. 

Finding the Perfect Color Combinations

Another thing you can do is research the specific items in your wardrobe and get to know what colors work well with that item. For instance, if you have a yellow cardigan that you love wearing, search on Pinterest for “yellow cardigan outfit” or “yellow cardigan street style” (I love searching street style pictures to find creative outfits and outfits that push the boundaries).

Your Skin Tone and Its Impact on Color Choice

As a side note, knowing what colors suit your skin tone is also a great way to dress better. Specific colors can sparkle your eyes, and others can make you look unwell. Working out what colors make your skin and eyes pop is a significant investment into personal style. Ask someone you trust to review colors/pieces in your wardrobe and hold them up against your skin. Work out what colors don’t do you justice, and avoid them from now on. 

Let Go of Dated Clothes 

Similarly, if you want to look stylish, please stop trying to get a lifetime’s worth of wear out of your clothes. Clothes. Wear. Out. Of all the advice I give, this is the one I get the most pushback over. I promise you that all that is holy is that they are dating you if you wear clothes that are 20 years old. You are not supposed to keep clothes for decades. There are, of course, exceptions, but they are the exception. Even the most basic garments, including classic black dresses or pairs of jeans, will become dated. This is simply because lines, cuts, and silhouettes change and slowly start to date your look. 

These elements will go out of style: 

• Patterns

• Prints

• Color combinations

How long should your clothes last? That’s a difficult question to answer because it depends on what it is and the frequency of use. While there is no specific expiration date, it’s safe to say goodbye if you are hitting the 20-year mark. Staying aware of trends and the expected shifts in fashion will help train your eye to notice when a piece isn’t updated. Also, don’t forget that you can always ask your best friend, sister, or daughter; they’ll tell you the truth. 

Borrow From The Boys

“Fashion doesn’t mean having to be super girlie,” says fashion influencer and TV personality Olivia Pierson. “I’m a tomboy at heart, so I encourage women like me to experiment with menswear or more casual pieces.” Borrowing from the boys? 

Instead of a standard-fit black blazer, reach for an oversized, double-breasted wool boyfriend blazer—and pair it with a tailored pant or more casual denim. Another archetypal men’s style that Pierson goes for is a relaxed-fit trench coat with sneakers. 

Mix High-End Pieces with Low-Priced Items

“It’s perfectly OK to mix expensive items with cheaper pieces,” says Pierson. Not only does it mean you’ll come up with unique outfit combinations, but it’s a great way to learn what items and brands you like and which aren’t worth investing in. Plus, your style is bound to gain more personality compared with wearing head-to-toe fast fashion or only one brand. 

Splurge on capsule wardrobe pieces you’ll often wear, whether a:

• Blazer

• Jacket

• Cotton button-down shirt

• A pair of heels or flats

Save on costume jewelry and certain fashion accessories, and even consider thrifting. 

Spend Wisely on Investment pieces

Halcro says many people think they can’t afford high-end style, but that’s not often the case. Instead of buying new inexpensive things (which add up), the key is to focus on purchasing fewer investment pieces that you’ll wear for years—quality over quantity. Quality pieces might include a wool coat or a leather jacket. Halcro’s style tips include a bag, but investment shoes, boots, and belts also provide long-term wear. 

Dress to Suit Your Lifestyle

According to our experts, Your style should suit your lifestyle, mood, and resources. Do a routine audit of your current lifestyle: Are you on the go? Working from home? An expert traveler? Tailor your wardrobe to how you live your life, or choose your signature style based on your zodiac. Most often, simple and quiet basics, or a recurring style uniform, are the most versatile foundations of a closet. 

Save and Reference Outfit Inspiration

If you’re worried you’re wearing styles that date you, look to others for outfit inspiration and style tips. Whether you scroll through images of influencers, celebrities, stylists, or stylish friends, use them to help you develop potential outfits. “One way to fast-track that is to identify style icons that speak to you,” suggests Carlton Jones, a designer and celebrity stylist. 

Note what aspects of their style you precisely relate to—do they always look put together? Do they master cluttercore, clashing colors and accessories to brilliant effect? “Pinterest boards can be a great help,” says Jones. Pin images and look at your board before you create your next outfit. 

Choose the Right Underwear

“Choosing the right underwear for your garments can breathe life and death into an outfit,” says celebrity stylist Mickey Freeman. “The type of underwear one chooses can completely alter the way an undergarment fits, depending on how they move in tandem with the outfit and most importantly, affect one’s overall comfortability. Many women and men make this mistake every day.” It is worth taking some time to sort through your underwear drawer and do some updating. 

You should purchase the best underwear for your body type and lifestyle and ensure you take care of your undergarments and wash underwear correctly. “It’s not a crime to invest in high-design or luxury designer underwear,” says Freeman. “Though no one will see them, it will serve as an invisible confidence booster that works its magic from the inside out.” 

Don’t Compare Social Media Expectations to Reality

It can be easy to believe everyone looks glamorous when they go to get their groceries because of social media. But beware, says Halcro. “Social media doesn’t always show the whole picture.” She often feels at my most stylish and confident when I’m comfortable. For Halcro, that translates into something as simple and easy as sweatpants and a sweatshirt. A dressed-down jeans-and-T-shirt combination can also do the trick. 

Embrace and Figure Out Your Body’s Shape

Your body is fashion's ultimate accessory, and you are your canvas. When we struggle to understand how to dress our shapes, it can hinder creativity and/or highlight our insecurities, making us feel frustrated and with limited options. 

Understanding your body shape is not: 

• About making it wrong. 

• Finding fault in it. 

• Dressing it to hide it. 

• You are working yourself into a pretzel to look like someone else's ideal body. 

Understanding your body shape is: 

• Learning my proportions correctly

• Understanding how my figure translates to clothing design. 

• Understanding how to shop and dress it smartly. 

Check out this blog post breaking it down! This is an integral step in making more thoughtful purchases and ending frustrating shopping experiences. Your body is how it is and will continue to change as you age. Learning to work with and love what you’ve got is one of your most significant resources. Women who know what works for their bodies understand how to dress it. 

Know the Difference Between Wearing and Styling

Pulling together an outfit is all in the details—it’s the difference between wearing your favorite sweater and styling it. “I wish people knew how important accessories are in style,” says Jones. 

For example, jeans and a T-shirt are just that until you add your personal touch—your favorite leather belt, sneakers or heels, a chunky necklace, or statement earrings. I could loop a striped sweater around my neck or cover my shoulders with an oversized jacket or blazer. All these details create a well-put-together look. 

Girl, Do Your Hair More

When grooming becomes an afterthought, it diminishes the self-image we seek. Think of when a well-dressed man doesn't groom his facial hair or brush his teeth before a date, or imagine a celebrity with post-workout hair on the red carpet. They are still their fabulous self but an off-centered, false representation of that version. This isn't to say you need to be coiffed perfectly every day, but a ponytail can either be “I just woke up a mess” or “sleek and chic”. The only difference is the extra effort we make in creating one or the other.

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