are you tired of looking raggedy and broke

Let’s face it! Keeping your style updated can be tough on your wallet. If your career dictates stellar style, your wallet is in even deeper trouble. And, even if you don’t desire to look like a Supermodel, it doesn’t hurt to try.

Nonetheless, your looks play an important role on how you’re viewed in society. I know, I know, you got where you are today because of your brains, not your beauty. Good for you! Now- aim higher, and dress like the CEO. Why not see how far you can get if you aren’t paying attention to your college clothing being a bit too tight, or that camisole you through on with a pearl necklace and call it work attire. How about updating your style to meet you where you are now?

Your style says a lot about how comfortable you are in your skin. Your body language, confidence, and attitude are all factors of what people see when they meet you, and if you are standing in front of your peers tugging on your college mini-skirt and not giving them eye contact, you can come off as unengaged.

You only get one time to make a first impression, so why not be at your complete best?

The one thing that can change your style today is knowing the rules! Knowing the rules of looking stylish will allow you to spend more time on the things that are important to your lifestyle, and, it will allow you to perform at optimum levels in social and professional settings.

Assess Your Closet

Don’t think I’m telling you to throw the whole closet away. In fact, I’m telling you to assess what’s good and what’s bad. Get rid of all ill-fitting clothing, too tight dresses, too tight pants, too tight everything. It all has to go!

It’s not a representation of the style you’re going for unless you’re newly enrolling in stripping 101. And here’s a newsflash for you. Even strippers don’t dress like strippers outside of work. Most of them dress like first ladies or debutants. Its all about choices, therefore, the too tight crew that’s occupying space in your closet needs an eviction notice.

Take time to try on favorite pieces in your closet (the items that make you feel and look your best). Continue critiquing the items in your closet according to fit and comfort  avoiding what you paid for an item as a leveraging tool to keep it. If its not making you feel beautiful, powerful, or crazy, sexy, cool, get rid of it. Please understand that crazy, sexy, cool does not mean you are looking like George Clinton (love you George). Crazy, sexy, cool simply means these are the items worn on a girls-night-out, date night, or any social event away from the workplace.

Check the wardrobe checklist to evaluate your wardrobe essentials. This is a good place to start and an even better way to learn how to get the most out of your wardrobe by using what you have. Remember fit, comfort and authenticity are the style guidelines you should always follow when building a wardrobe.

Trends

What’s trending should never be your focus when creating a stylish wardrobe. Instead, incorporating these items into your wardrobe to add interest and fun will allow you to get more wear from your basic pieces.

When new and interesting looks are trending and you want to try them, take inspiration photos with you to shop. Pinterest and Google are great go-to’s when looking for inspo items to rework a work blazer for a girls night out.

Keep in mind that trends don’t stay around long; therefore, don’t break the bank to look cool, and make sure to stay true to your style.

Invest In Statement Pieces

We weren’t all blessed to developed the sure style of Iris Apfel but when you know what looks good on you, you can begin to experiment and have some fun.

Statement pieces are what set you apart from everyone else. The key to choosing them is knowing your style and how to break the rules without having a closet full of statement pieces, which leads to a closet full of nothing to wear.

Choosing a cashmere or wool coat, a purse, shoes or jewelry ( which are items you have for years) in a color other than black or brown, is an example of a statement piece. These pieces incorporate personality into your wardrobe and will always be your go-to pieces when you’re looking to identify yourself through clothing.

Effortless Fashion

This is where you snatch and go! You need to be ready in fifteen minutes flat, dressed and out the door.

Every closet should have a white shirt, but if your style is more Traci Ellis Ross then Ellen Degeneres, let it show. Basic means having the pieces in your closet to create a working wardrobe for your lifestyle. Not purchasing a button-down when you  love ruffles. Be true to you and honest with yourself when you’re shopping. This will keep you from purchasing the clothes that you won’t ever wear.

I get it, it looked good on the model when she wore her basic tee, but part of building your style includes purchasing a basic white tee so wear that instead. See the point?

Create a Uniform

What is the one outfit YOU feel looks amazing on you. Duplicate it and allow it to be your go-to.

Now is not the time to skimp on the details though. You may look great in a pencil skirt. Feel free to purchase this style of clothing allowing the fit to be your staple, yet you choose the same style in a different finish. For example. You can purchase the same pencil skirt in leather, plaid, crepe, or cotton. 

So although there may be rules to this. You know better than any magazine, stylist or influencer what feels good on your body. Once you’ve identified what works on you, enjoy fashion and have fun with it.