What does stylish dressing mean to you? Does your mind jump to the runways of New York or the streets of Paris? Does a role model or a fashion model's style pop into your head? Do you think of Princess Kate or Barbie Margo?
Style is – like many facets of life – subjective. You've heard 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder', well style is often dictated by a few influential people pulling together creative looks and then masses following along blindly. Same concept. However, there are some time-tested sartorial tips that many stylish women have employed throughout the decades and today I wanted to break them down for you in case the late summer heat has given you a little less creativity in your wardrobe than normal.
No? Just me? Let's begin . . .
Thank you to Matches Fashion for sponsoring this post. All opinions, thoughts and reviews are my own.
How to Dress Simply
- Don't Follow Trends – trends have their time and place. There is room for trends in your wardrobe especially if you find them perfect for your body type and style aesthetic. The advice here is to be selective about the trends of the season and know which ones will work for you and which ones will end up in the donation pile after a wear or two. A perfect example of a trend that I'm loving and works so well for me (i.e. I will continue to wear it after it's come and gone as a "hot trend") is crochet pieces for the summer. This dress is the perfect example. It's a pricey but since I know I'll be wearing it season over season I'm fine with spending a bit more money up front for quality.
- Know Your Proportions – As much as we all may wish it, a very small percentage of us have proportions similar to the runway or catalog models. I'm petite, only 5'1", so I know that denim maxi skirts (a huge fall trend this year BTW) will not work on my body type. I also know large patterns won't work. Likewise, if you're super tall there will be some shorter hemlines that if you want to dress simply and elegant you should avoid. Think through types of items that make you feel confident and beautiful and also know that bodies shift and change throughout the years and what worked for you 3 years ago might not work for you now.
- Don't Shy Away From Tailoring – Tailoring doesn't just apply to petite women needing lifted hemlines. If you have an item you love and it doesn't fit just right in the shoulders, sleeves, length, waist, etc. a tailor might be your best friend. It can transform a piece, especially if you've invested in that piece. I would suggest avoiding tailoring on cheaper pieces but it might give you some confidence to pull the trigger on an investment piece.
- Know Your Color Palette – Thanks to TikTok we've all been familiarized with the different seasons and palettes of a person's complexion. I've never had one of the formal tests to determine my season or palette, but I do know pastels wash me out, I can't wear pink or red easily, ivory looks better on me than white, and black works better than grey. Knowing those facts about yourself will save you money and heartbreak during future purchases.
- Know Where to Shop – While I love discovering new brands and new sites to shop, I will go back to my tried and true favorites that offer a range of brands that work for me. Matches Fashion is one of those sites that, when I'm looking for an occasion piece or an investment item, I will turn to. Not only do they carry beautiful brands like Zimmermann and Khaite, they also have a great selection of smaller brands, accessories brands, even homeware brands and men's fashion that I can discover all on one site.
Simple & Elegant Items at Matches Fashion
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Examples of Simple Yet Elegant Dressing
Simple and elegant fashion doesn't mean you're limited to neutrals colors or silk blouses (although those can be staples for sure) but it does mean you have taken the time to hone your own style, think through the items that will work for you and make decisions based on quality, wearability, and what pieces spark joy.
photos pulled from Pinterest
