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.

Wear Myla underwear.

You will always feel utterly sexy and it will show

I'm a huge fan of French Connection, especially their dresses which have taken me from user posh events to uber casual.

Sadly our local shop is closing down in 3 weeks :(

I spend the most on casualwear as I spend the most time in it.

Gym clothes are a staple as I change into them at work, workout, often pop to supermarket then collect dc and then have to do bedtime etc so am seen often in sportswear and wear for 3+ hours per day, no saggy trackies here as you can guarantee as soon as I walk in the door someone pops in. I buy good quality pieces that work for sport, wick well, retain their shape and are flattering.

Workwear I tend to stock up in the sales so it's a mix of topshop/french connection/wallis/tedbaker/boden/oasis/warehouse so I have a good selection of basics that fit well and work together. I rely on scarves/necklaces to update these season to season.

My everyday rules are to take good care of all my clothes, nothing loiters in the ironing basket here, if it doesn't fit/flatter it gets donated so everything in my wardrode is a viable option and available.

I invest in casual stuff more now than I ever did. I used to spend the most on occasion outfits but only wear them once or twice, now I pick these up as and when I see them (often in sales) but spend more on the stuff I wear everyday even if it's some boyfit jeans and a long merino cardi for days at home etc.

I too always look like I've crawled out of a hedge. Would love to effortlessly layer and accessorise but am rubbish at it.

Will commit this thread to memory later.

Never wear black and navy together

Erm...that's about it!!

will now read the thread!

Onion - black and navy is tres chic I think.

I agree with happily that its worth spending money on the stuff you wear the most.

Have your lashes dyed if they're pale.
This concealer is good

Ignore people who tell you that women over 45 should look like restrained, discreetly tasteful Ladies. Unless you actually want to look like that of course. But frankly, if you have failed to look like a proper grown up this far, it's not madly likely you'll look chic if you try now. You're more likely to look like you live in a time warp.

I find accessories are my signature. A nice scarf and a cocktail ring or statement earrings on their own. I think Gok does a good job but like others on here, I cringe when he layers on the accessories. You don't need to wear them all at once. Armfuls of bangles are generally noisy and annoying.

Black and another colour can work but rarely, it does depend on your colouring. Most 'pale English rose types' look better in grey or brown.

I am ruthless with my wardrobe and clear out and donate to charity regularly. if you don't wear it; get rid of it or sell it.

A good handbag goes a long way.

The state of your eyebrows effects the look of your whole face.

Lots of people do judge you on what you look like. They won't stop being friends with you or ignore you but they will secretly think 'She'd look so much better if...' Even if they are appalling dressers themselves.

Nude underwear is your friend. I'm a 34G and a nude shaped bra is the only type I'll consider (unless I'm not planning on wearing anything else on top .

An even skintone makes one seem more youthful (unless you are uniformally red or grey).

Agree re East - very hit and miss. I'm 5'7s can just about carry off Toast - I love their flares as they hide aforementioned tree trunk ankles. Monsoon is okay - I have two issues with it though. One is that they do an inordinate amount of empire line stuff. The second is that it's the only decent clothes shop in my local town, so you are almost certainly going to see what you buy on someone else. I buy maxi skirts and accessories there, and loads of stuff for the dds when they have sales on. THeir knitwear can be good - I have a wrap longline cardigan that I bought from then 10 yrs ago which is still my favourite - I so regret not buying it in other colours.

Don't get on with Boden at all - very unflattering and dodgy sizing which makes mail-order very hit-and miss. Don't like Next either, when I started buying from them (I think my first one was Directory 5 ) they were seen as high end high st, with real fabric samples in the directory. Now I can't find anything in there that is good quality. Love it for dc's everday stuff though as they wash well.

The White Company are good - love their yoga pants - but rubbish at customer service. I buy White Stuff vests to layer under wrap tops/dresses - must check out their trousers. Wrap do some really nice jersey tops and always have good sales.

The last posh outfit I bought that I really likes was a long linen sage green dress by Glasshouse, with a frayed hemline and ruching around the skirt, which I wore over a pair of gauzey crea concept wide legs, and I layered a white Les Freres top over it. I bought the lot on eBay for less than £100 and it's taken me from christenings to lunches out to erm, sports day.

A regular blow dry is your friend. Says she, on holiday having a bad hair 3 weeks.

I'm amazed East is still open!
Now I see that it is you that keep them afloat

Lol. Although no, the shop that stocked East near me is no more. We have Monsoon, Laura Ashley and Country Casuals. Hence my need for internet shopping.

Heels make me feel more dressed.

If I am meeting someone important, I dress like I mean business. It doesn't mean I put on a suit. I just wear something I feel the bees knees in, so I feel confident.

Silver, never gold. I can make the most expensive gold jewellery look brassy, as it doesn't go with my skintone. Never, ever the two together.

Less is more - don't go overboard on make-up or jewellery.

If you feel like changing your hair/make up, always have a practice run before a big do, in case you don't like it.

I like black. It suits me and I know I look good in it. Camel makes me look dead, so I don 't wear it. Ditto pale colours.

Never wear a smart coat with tatty shoes, especially flats. If you can afford to, have two coats - a smart one for dressed up days, and a casual one for mucking about in.

Have clean hair, neat brows, and smell nice. I also swear by threading. I have it done once every couple of months and keep my brows tidy myself in between visits.

Agree re gold. It's really rather slaggy.

a few 'how to shine' tips (as bit of shine compensates for lack of sleep eh!)

i always wear silver earrings so that something catches the light around your face when people look at you.

if your lower legs are on show eg in crop trousers, bit of nivea moisturiser or baby oil on them so they shine to make you appear more groomed (as long as shaved!) same on forearms

get more shine on your hair in 2 seconds by palming some eg, charles worthington blowdry cream or serum on dry hair last thing before you go out

white tops make you look more awake.

Only buy the very best, that you can afford, of course; classic pieces are classics for reason - they flatter and last for ever, both in durability and style wise; great haircut and colour is a must; short groomed nails always; buy a good handbag; classic watch is a must - Cartier will last a lifetime and will always look elegant.
Etc...

Alouiseg I read that as 'a regular blow job is your friend' and was about to agree wholeheartedly....

my style tip is simple, if you have a choice invest in your character rather than your clothes

So would she!

After several years of trying various bras I have finally settled on a recommendation from Gok this one it doesn't look v sexy underneath but it makes my 34E's look fabulous - so much so that many of the Mum's at the school gate comment on how gorgeous my boobs look - that has never happened before this bra!

Large thighs don't do bootcut - better off in straight leg.
Struggle with the size too big - saggy arsed jeans look as bad as muffin tops created by overly tight jeans. Suggest you just keep trying different pairs on till they fit properly.

GHDs are essential. Forget foundation - liquid concealer and a translucent powder give a more wearable look.

Eyebrows done.
Moisturize.
Hair to be proportional to body, ie as I'm a bit fat I can't have flat/short hair or I look like Beetlejuice when his head gets shrunk! I need big-ish hair!

Really think about what colours suit you - the number of times you see pale, washed out looking women wearing pale washed out clothes - this is always a disaster!If necessary, get your colours done professionally.

I agree about getting your colours done, but I think it's entirely possible to self-diagnose. I know, for example, that I cannot wear pale blue or beige near my face. You can find out on-line how to do your own analysis. If the mirror doesn't tell you already!