Easy Ways to Elevate Your Style
Hey y’all!
I don’t know about you, but with the change of the season into the warm weather and sunshine of spring and summer, I find myself wanting to change things up a bit with my style. Personally, I’ve been working on upping my style game through how I style my pieces; finding ways to make my outfits a lil’ more fun and look a lil’ more elevated. So, in this post, I’m sharing some of the tips that I’m applying to level up my style (check out more on my IG). If you try any of the tips below, be sure to let me know in the comments!
Peace and Blessings,
Claire
Add Texture
First, let’s talk about fabrics. Incorporating different textures of fabrics is an easy way to add interest to your outfit and step up your style game; it’s also an easy way to add variety to the look of an item you usually wear. For example, if you wear cardigans regularly, try branching out into a cardigan in a different knit pattern, like a jumbo cable knit, or in a fuzzy fabric. Satin is a favourite fabric of mine because I feel like it instantly makes items like blouses, trousers, and skirts look more luxe. Leather is another material that can elevate a piece, as we saw with the rise of the leather blazer in the 2020 fall/winter season. The nice thing about branching out into different fabrics is that you can stick with the types of items you like to wear, but also try something new.
Style it up a notch
One very easy way to elevate your outfits is through how you style your pieces. For example, rolling up your sleeves is an easy way to achieve a cool, effortless look (as seen below). I find that this works best for blouses and button-up shirts (or shackets), as well as some jackets and blazers. I will almost always roll up the sleeves of a blouse or a jacket. With dressier items, it’s a good way to make them more casual and relaxed for everyday wear. Also, rolling the sleeves up helps highlight any bracelets, watches, or rings you may be wearing. If you don’t want to to fully roll up your sleeves (or if the item is too bulky to be rolled), you can simply just push up the sleeves to just-below your elbows, which will achieve the same effortlessly-styled look.
Tucking in shirts is also an easy way to style your outfit for an elevated look. I like to tuck in almost every top I wear - even t-shirts. I find that it not only makes the outfit look more polished, but also creates a break between the shirt and pant, helping each stand out more in the outfit. With over-sized tops, tucking also gives a “snatched waist” effect by bringing shape to the outfit and cinching the waist area- especially if you’re wearing looser-fit pants or skirt. In following with current trends, you can wear sweaters and cardigans tucked in, too.
Go a lil’ Oversize
One styling “method” that I’ve adopted is over-sized dressing. I like this for items that I want to have an effortless, flowy look, such as blouses and t-shirts. One reason I’ve come to understand and appreciate over-sized items is that they tend to fall nicely, and the drape-y, loose fit gives a more effortlessly-chic vibe. Over-sizing is also a good way to make a traditionally formal or dressy piece like trousers, a blazer, or a button-up shirt more wearable for casual outfits.
Going one size up from your usual size in an item is an easy way to achieve an over-sized look. However, many manufacturers now produce items that are a “relaxed” or “oversized” fit, meaning that they are designed to fit more loosely. As a petite woman (I’m 5 ft 2), I prefer items that are tailored to be over-sized versus actually sizing up because when you size up, you sometimes sacrifice good dimensions in the item- like the shirt arms being too long or the shoulders not sitting well. So, my tip to fellow petites is to try to look for items that are already cut for an over-sized fit, so you can get the looser look without losing good proportions in the garment.
Add a Pop of Colour!
Neutrals have dominated the fashion scene for a long time now, and even though neutral tones are a reliable way to put together a chic outfit, I think that adding a pop of colour just takes an outfit to the next level. A pop of colour adds interest and makes an otherwise neutral or “safe” outfit stand out. Plus, this is pretty easy to adapt. The main way I like to apply this in my outfits is by picking one item in the outfit that will be the “pop” piece; the item that will be in a stand-out colour or fun print. For example, I’ll start with a basic combo of black jeans, black shoes, and a grey coat, but then opt for a blouse in fun shade or blue or yellow. You can also add pops of colour through a purse or shoes. Like, how fun is an all-black outfit, with a brightly-coloured shoe!? I love it!
Those are just some tips I’ve found helpful (and easy to apply) and hopefully you find them useful, too!
Happy Styling!