16 Stylish

Above all, fashion is a form of self-expression —meaning, you should wear what makes you happy and never feel limited in your wardrobe choices. That being said, as InStyle editors we feel compelled to share certain bits of fashion know-how that we’ve picked up over the years — not only from our own experiences but from celebrity stylists, as well. So we’re rounding up our best fashion advice and style tips to help solve any and all of your wardrobe conundrums. Let this be your guide to feeling more confident the next time you get dress

Strategically Display Skin

Knowing what to reveal and what to hide is essential to looking really seductive; otherwise, where would the mystery be? “Select one body part and highlight it,” suggests Angelina Jolie’s stylist Jen Rade. If there’s cleavage, keep your legs hidden. Keep your upper body covered if it’s your legs.

Gather Up White Buttons

Reach for a traditional button-down, borrowing a look from Marilyn Monroe. They give pants a higher quality and prevent ball skirts from becoming too fantastical. But a short shelf life is the price of all that miles. Thus, purchase three, avoid over-bleaching as this may result in yellowing, and routinely refresh

Use Brights as Accessory

If your wardrobe is all neutral colors like gray, black, camel, or navy, inject some vibrancy with vibrantly colored purses and shoes. A ruby red satchel is not only more vibrant than a ho-hum black one, but it’s also surprisingly adaptable. Are you feeling very courageous? Put on a bag and shoes in two different complementary hues to go with a neutral basis.

Adjust the Pant Hem to the Shoe Height

According to stylist Kate Young, “the biggest mistake women make is wearing pants that aren’t the right length for their shoes.” Heel to heels or flats like Dakota Johnson to repair this; there’s no turning back. Hems should normally be between 1/2 and 3/4 inches off the ground and just touch the tops of your shoes.

Let Your Hands Go This Evening

According to stylist Cher Coulter, a fashionable chain-adorned bag not only adds a stylish touch to evening attire, but it also makes holding crudités and a cocktail easier. For optimal effect, wear the chain diagonally across your body.

Recognize Your Limitations

The key ingredient in a soft yet form-fitting T-shirt is 95% cotton and 5% Lycra spandex. Jeans require at least 2% Lycra to maintain their form.

Create a List

Not what you wish to purchase, but your top ten closet pieces. This will remind you that you seldom really wear large flowery prints, or it will help you focus on items that go well with what you already

Arrive at the dressing room ready

Bring your Spanx with you when you go shopping for that super crucial outfit so you can get a true feel for the fit. Don’t forget to pack a hairbrush, lipstick, and heels for the occasion. These will give you a clearer idea of the outcome.

Denim Round Down

Choose the smaller jeans size when in doubt. They always give way, and there’s nothing more unsightly than an inadvertently sagging posterior.

Make Changes to Your Closet

Clothes require space to breathe. Every item ought to be visible to you without requiring any digging. Anything you haven’t worn in a year or more might be worth donating.

Be Open-Minded

Never trust a fitting room to hold that one “it’s cute but so not me” item. Vestments appear differently when hung than when worn.

Be a Little Loyal

As Kate Middleton has demonstrated, a well-fitting dress or pair of slacks from a line one season may equal similar success the next. Fashion designers, particularly those of a higher caliber such as Middleton’s preferred Temperley London, typically size their garments using a normal fit model.

Take It Apart

Stylist Tina Chai adds, “Stripped pieces are a nice, classic way to pull yourself together for the weekend.” For example, a bateau neck in red or navy and white offers presence and adaptability.

Improve Your Buttons

Sometimes the inexpensive hardware on your adorable jacket is the sole hint that it didn’t cost as much as lunch money. Replace the buttons with better ones or have a tailor sew it.

Have Your Own Leopard Item

Turn the print into “a staple in your accessories wardrobe,” advises fashion designer Rob Zangardi. It’s classy, never goes out of style, and always glamorous.

Overcome Your Aversion to Color

Combine a neutral color like flax with a brighter color like yellow to be safe. But, as designer Chris Benz points out, black “can look dated,” so give bold color combinations some thought. Try two hues that are next to one other on the color wheel, like orange and coral, for something bolder. Not sure where to start? “Notice what colors you love and respond to in your decor,” Benz advises.

Examine Your Vintage

Nothing is timeless, and a jumpsuit from today isn’t always the same as one from the 1970s. Take a look at the variations in jumpsuits worn by Tilda Swinton and Raquel Welch. Every resurrection differs slightly from the original due to minute design changes. Does the item in your “archive” actually function now? Get a second opinion from a buddy you can trust.

Combine Tight With Loose

Few mortals are able to pull off a fully saggy look. Thus, adopt Charlize Theron’s style and pair your flowing items with something form-fitting. (Hint: This is the purpose of leggings.)

Dress for Your Shape, Not Your Age

Are your arms trim enough for a sheath without sleeves? What about toned legs suitable for shorts? Julianne Moore once said, “Why not show off what you’ve got?”