Style rules you live by

[anyabanya]

Hi, I am just curious abut what style tips people have that improves their general appearance.

I am a bit of a mess really. I do not have a great sartorial eye, and always look a little as if i have just come in from mucking out horses. I am really trying to change my style.... i have become addicted blogs where people are trying to live chicly (is that a word?), like Anne Baronne's 'chic and slim' blog etc.

Despite my total messy nature, I do have a couple of rules I live by.... always wear dark toe polish; never wear competing patterns on clothes (so, horizontal stripes on a skirt and a top with a flower pattern for example).In winter I try and wear black and two other colours (black and emerald green is a fave) but other than that i seem to spend alot of time trying to look halfway decent... and failing.

I would love to hear what other people do.... what ideas they have in always looking good.

Keep eyebrows under rigid control at all times.

For going out: legs OR decolletage on display, not both.

For daytime, try not to wear anything too stained.

Jeans sag after a few washes, so if you buy them slightly loose they will look hideous in no time. And cheap jeans sag faster.

Jeans, top & heels have had it as eveningwear. For ages.

All new fashion things look disgusting at first. Skinny jeans, statement necklaces, gladiator sandals and shoeboots looked weird at first. Take care if you're not a natural "early adopted" and see how new things are being worn. Example: you probably shouldn't wear your new shoeboots with your old bootcut jeans. They will look odd.

£15 is not an unreasonable price to pay for concealer.

Adopter, not adopted.

have a "thing" thats just you with me its felt floral corsages i`m known for them .Stray hairs? i wish! Stray beard mustache and neck beard ...nice

I have a tattoo and it's very elegant, actually.

Yay for Cake If someone with actual style thinks they're acceptable then I must be right

NO tattoosa re nice

Wear more cashmere.

my tattoo is more than nice, it is beautiful. And meaningful.

I'd go for great lingerie - always makes me feel good.

Not For Your Daughter brand jeans - pricey but so worth it; stretchy but help flatten your tummy and they are proper waisted jeans - hipsters only worth if you're a stunning 20something with the figure of Kate Moss.

Good quality clothes are a must too - for us middle-aged mums, great classics are a must.

I never wear accessories, and pretty much always wear heels so maybe am not the best to give advice

Disagree about not mixing black and colours. I often wear black trousers with a brighter top. The black is flattering on my slightly pair-shaped bottom half but I need the colour round my face. What a bizarre 'rule'.

Agree with others re:

Make-up - strong eyes or lips, not both (unless you like the drag queen look)

Dresses - cleavage/arms or legs - not both. (unless you like the Jodie Marsh look)

And next time you see someone who looks effortlessly classy or chic or elegant, take a few moments to analyse why and even if you can't put your finger on it exactly, try to remember what she is wearing, and more importantly want she is not wearing. Chances are she will be following some (or all) of these rules. The biggest mistake women make in trying to look glamorous is overkill. Simple and pared down is always better.

And NEVER EVER EVER wear stuff that's too sparkly, too short, too bosomy, too nightclubby in the daytime.

Good quality fabrics.

Good haircut.

Brightly coloured tights with... well, virtually everything in my case

Wear clothes that FIT. A size too small will make you look 3 sizes bigger than you are.

Dont over accessorize. One interesting thing is enough.

Mini skirts are fine for over 35s.

Short skirt OR low neckline. Do you want to look like you work in the Rover's Return?

Be clean.

Dress appropriately. By this I dont mean be boring. But if its freezing and you are wearing a vest top and shorts you will look cold, not sexy. If you wear uggs in a heatwave you will look like your feet smell.

Wear what you want to. Dont listen to the rules about age. Try something different every once and a while.

Dont be scared of clothes, they are one of life's pleasures.

Oooh for biker boots check Frye Such classic quality, they will last forever with the right care. I got mine from my boss's wife and wore them every day all winter when heavily pregnant and now I can't wait to get them out again. As long as my new short cropped hair doesn't make them look too... butch.

The bigger the breasts, the more expensive the scaffolding should be. Make sure you're wearing the correct size bra - 'double boobs' where a too-tight bra divides each boob in half looks scary.

Corsets (Vollers) or Spanx undies are more fun than dieting to get into a particular frock.

Maternity jeans (the under-bump ones) are very comfy even when not pregnant & remove all hint of muffin-tops. Am also a massive fan of Blooming Marvellous' over-the-bump jersey trousers - so comfortable & no nasty elastic / waistband mark under tunic tops.

Would love to find a manufacturer who makes woolly tights in as fun patterns & colours as my DD's get to wear - SO jealous.

Waterproof mascara. Not actually sure why they still make the type that gives you panda eyes.

• good underwear- sucking in pants if neccessary with the outfit

• buy what fits not what is your size

mascara and lipglossalways*

*good accessories, leather handbag, coordinating or discreet jewellery, hat

• Iron everything

botox every 6 months

Always buy the most expensive bra and shoes that you can afford. It doesn't matter what you wear if you look lumpy and you hobble everywhere !
I always buy everything else from the charity shop as I like a rather eccentric look, not too scruffy just electic. I never uncover more than a quarter of my surface area at once, I never wear horrid bootcut jeans as I think they make your thighs look huge. Always wear a size larger.
Oh and leave the hair straightners alone. Unless you are 16, straight hair makes you look long faced and sour.
Never wear man made materials, they never fail to look cheap, besides I'm always worried I might suffocate and can't stand the idea of all those petro chemicals.
Ah chemicals, only if you have to. I wear make up only when I really have too, it's probably better to eat a healthy diet and look after your skin than cover it in goo.
All this said, looking like a busy interesting person who has no time to dither in the mirror all morning makes people more attractive, don't you think.

Add a smile, everyone responds well to a smile no matter how bad you look.

Toothpaste, toothbrush done.

Wear your tattoos with pride if you love them - but be aware that the vaaaaaast majority of people out there will make judgements about you. And not nice ones. No matter how meaningful your hebrew script is!

Can't agree more about a good eyebrow shape every couple of months. It will transform your face.

Don't wear heels you can't walk in - they make you look daft in the head.

Make sure your trousers are long enough!

V-necks are a godsend for big boobs.

If you dress baggy you look baggy.

Clean, polished shoes / boots, and remember to get them re-heeled.

Iron everything, even vests and T-shirts.

Don't skimp on dry cleaning

Only carry 1 bag, so make it big enough or don't take so much crap! If you absolutely can't avoid it never, ever use a plastic bag. I save nice paper ones from posh shops for such emergencies

Rucksacks are the work of satan.

Show off one asset at a time, unless they come in pairs.

Moondog - can you please tell me more about bras?

I hate the feel of lacey bras (except when I know dp is going to remove it v soon!) but not sure what you mean re: sheer. Is this only for the small of nork or do they make such things for the vastness that is my 32Es do you think?

I usually get M&S plain minimisers but they are not great.

just plain bras
whats to know?