1.Know your body and who you are, honestly.
There have been red carpet moment blunders that you have to wonder what were they thinking or what were their stylists thinking. It’s always important to know what your best features are and play them up! Also, don’t dress for someone else or just because it’s in style - fashion wears you, you don’t wear it.
I know for me, I love the way earth tones look on me but on occasional I will venture out and get bold colors but they usually end up being accessories. Obviously, I am truly careful about fashion trends when it comes to my height because I will rarely ever be seen in flats unless their sneakers and I don’t care for high-waisted pants or skirts because they cut up my short torso. Sorry high-waisted bell bottoms, not this year!
2.Who inspires you, who’s style do you love!
When it comes to honing your own style, look for inspirations in your life and look to celebrities or even peers to see what it is about their style or their persona that has you hooked. Rachel says to look for inspirations but don’t mimic.
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| Audrey Hepburn, Rachel Zoe and Nicole Richie |
I love Audrey Hepburn, Nicole Richie and Rachel Zoe’s styles. I also adore my friend Shoshana’s fashion sense and her eye for the unusual and crafted pieces. I love Hepburn for her makeup styles and her cute playful clothing. Nicole Richie and Rachel Zoe have great fashion sense when it comes to pushing the envelope for the petites (not everyone is a Amazon model). So I have my casual attire, my maxi dresses and my new collection of fun accessories (floppy hat, tri-color ring, cat-eye sunglasses, etc.) but with my personal spin on them.
3. To be a FASHIONISTA doesn’t mean you have to have a lot of money.
Rachel writes “These days there are so many ways to find quality at accessible prices, from eBay to second-hand shops… You and your sister or a cousin or friend can share jewelry or a party dress.”
My favorite places to shop are ASOS, Topshop, H&M and Forever 21. They are usually on the cutting edge of what is in fashion, the quality is there and you don’t have to pay a fortune for them. H&M and Forever 21 are not the best quality but you don’t have to spend a lot for something that will be out of style next season.
When it comes to great unique finds, I love Etsy. I have found so many unique pieces of jewelry that would normally cost quite a penny but because they are handmade by artisan they cost a lot less. They also have vendors with everything from vintage clothing to stationary.
4. Excessories!
The essentials are:
Own a piece of LEOPARD, be it a belt, a bag or a pair of shoes – just make sure not to wear them all together.
DIAMOND STUDS – diamonds are a girl’s best friend, even if they are fake.
A statement COCKTAIL RING – this is a must; sometimes all you need to accessorize a dress is a giant cocktail ring.
PEARLS are the classic element that every woman needs to finish off a look.
A WOW factor NECKLACE just as the cocktail ring may be all you need and it makes a great conversation piece.
BRACELETS – gold, silver and rose gold or even resin
BELTS – belts can bring a boring billowy dress that can make a petite person look pregnant into a fabulous look that accentuates your assets.
Finish your evenings or office looks with BLACK PUMPS.
KNEE HIGH BOOTS are a great accessory for the winter/fall.
Everyone should own an “it” CLUTCH, a clutch can truly help personalize your look.
5. Make a List
List help plan out anything from an outfit to a vacation trip. They make you think about what’s missing that will help elevate an outfit or complete your essentials for a trip. They also make you think about what’s missing in your wardrobe and what pieces in your closet need repair or tailoring. Another good piece of Zoe advice is to keep the list in your purse so that when you shop you know what to look for and only focus on those items. “Otherwise it’s like going grocery shopping when you’re hungry.”
6. The CAMERA doesn’t lie.
Take a picture of yourself in your outfits to see how it truly looks on you. “Balance and proportion become more obvious when framed in a photograph.” It brings attention to what’s missing in your look, if something is too long, doesn’t fit, washes you out, needs accessories, etc.
I did this recently after reading the book and loved the idea. It helped me realize that I need to stand up straight more, stop wearing so much black and also was a great starter to catalog outfits so that when I get up in the morning for work I don’t really have to take that much time in thinking about putting an outfit together.
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| Express Soft Suede Motorcycle Jacket, Topshop Mustard Floral Print Top, $50, Florence Midi Skirt in Grey, $104, Aldo Spiney $80 |
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| Topshop Boyfriend Cardigan, Victoria Secret's Sweater, Forever 21 Tulip Skirt, Topshop Platform Booties |
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| H&M Paisley Printed Blouse, American Apparel belt, Vera Moda Maxi Skirt |
7. How to WORK with the camera.
There is a reason why most women on the red carpet pose a certain way. If you want to look a little slimmer make sure to be angled from the side or a three-quarter point of view – it gives the appearance of smaller hips. Also you can pageant pose with one hand planted on the hip and the other straight down – it forces you to think about your posture. A chin angled slightly up stretches a double chin or angled downward to let the camera focus on your eyes.
8. Anything can look like a million bucks if it FITS.
The most inexpensive clothes can look expensive if they are tailored to your figure. For a few bucks, take clothing to your local dry cleaner.
9. WORK ATTIRE
Rachel’s suggestion: “Save anything that is too metallic, too sparkly, and too showy for after hours.”
10. YOUR DAY OFF
Rachel makes a good point in saying that just because it’s your day off doesn’t mean that you fashion sense takes a day off. Here are her essentials for casual attire.
A great pair of JEANS
A jersey or cashmere TOP
A wrap or shift dress
A tote or HOBO BAG for all of your stuff
Nude or bare LIP GLOSS
Rose cheek tint for a natural glow
A wrap or CARDIGAN in case it gets cold
SUNGLASSES
A head scarf (though some people just don’t look good in a head scarf, be ware)
Comfortable but stylish FOOTWEAR (flats, wedges, boots)
11. Jet-Setting
Getting excited about going away can really boost your mood, even if it’s months away. So for your sanity, make plans to take a vacation, even if it’s a staycation. The steps to a comfortable and easy flight are as follow:
Make a list of what essentials you need and not so essentials and stick to it. Rachel gives great pointers about packing for warm/cold weather or business/pleasure.
The Suitcase:
Start with your shoes. Try to pack them in sacks so as they don’t get scratched and stuff them with socks, T-shirts, etc (protects the shoes and optimizes space).
Next, layer with jeans, pants, sweaters, etc.
Lastly, leave the delicate items on top and place anything with beading or sequins inside out and in bags.
Airport Attire:
Layering is key. Since the airport can be a bit warm but the plane is usually not. And of course if you are going from cold weather to warm weather it’s always essential to layer up before you layer down. So I would recommend and so does Rachel to wear comfortable leggings, a cotton jersey top, a wrap or a cardigan and some great flats. ** I wouldn’t wear anything with laces since they are a pain and time effective when going through security.
Flight accessories:
Sunglasses to hide bloodshot eyes and keep other passengers from pestering you
A tote bag to hold your essentials: passport/ticket holder, your iPhone (holds important dates, scheduling, and great for entertainment), a digital camera, moisturizer and eye cream (under 3 oz.), toothbrush and toothpaste (or those throw away Wisps), gum, reading material (magazines, books, e-readers, etc.), your favorite scent (I like the solid pots of perfume, easier to carry), antibacterial spray (I love my CleanWell all natural hand sanitizer because it doesn’t dry out your hands.), Neosporin (to dab around your nostrils to keep them from getting dry), a small mirror and a bag of basic cosmetics (cheek tint, lip gloss, mascara and concealer)
You have arrived:
Unpack your bags as soon as you arrive. This gives your clothes and accessories time to air out and re-shape and reminds you of what you have.
12. Beautifying Habits
Edit like you would your clothes – if the lips are bold tame the eyes and vice versa
Groom your eyebrows
Rid yourself of lip hair
Keep nails manicured
Exfoliate skin
Drink water (your skin and body will thank you!)
13. Edit Your Closet
We all like to keep nostalgic pieces but if it doesn’t work don’t keep it. Rachel proposes you to ask yourself some serious questions.
1.When was the last time you wore this?
2. Why are you holding on to this?
3. Will you ever wear it again?
4. Do you love it?
5. Is it worth anything?
6. Can I replace it?
7. Do I want to replace it with an updated version?
Once you have answered these questions it’s time to let go and give old pieces a new home – either the trash if they are un-repairable or to good will. I do this twice a year and it either goes to family members abroad, growing family members or good will and it always makes me feel better to clear it out. Like your love relationships, if you no longer are in love with it, let it go.
I LOVE THESE RACHEL QUOTES:
“The miserable ones who tell you to stop daydreaming lead pretty sorry lives.”
“Buy something because you love it, you need it, and you will use it.”
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