The 50 Best Fashion Tips of All Time

1. 1. SHOW SKIN STRATEGICALLY
Looking truly sexy involves knowing
what to bare-and what to keep under
wraps. Otherwise, where's the mystery?
"Choose one-only one-body part and
show it off," advises Jen Rade, stylist to
Jenna Fischer and Angelina Jolie. "If it's
cleavage, don't show your legs. If it's
your legs, stay covered on top."
EVERETT COLLECTION
2. 2. ROUND UP WHITE BUTTON-DOWNS
Take a classic cue from Marilyn Monroe !
They elevate jeans and keep ball skirts
from drifting into fantasy-land. But all
that mileage comes at a cost: a short
shelf life. So buy three, don't overbleach
(which can cause yellowing), and
refresh regularly.
DYAD PHOTOGRAPHY
3. 3. ACCESSORIZE IN BRIGHTS
If you've got a closet full of neutrals-be
they navy, black, camel, or gray-add
energy with boldly hued shoes and bags.
Not only is a hunter green satchel more
lively than ho-hum black, but it's also
surprisingly versatile. Feeling really
brave? Wear a neutral base with shoes
and a bag in two different
complementary colors.
GAMMA
4. 4. THINK IN MULTIPLES
Take a cue from Jackie O , who had a
closet full of sheath dresses. If you find
an especially flattering fit right off the
rack, go ahead and buy doubles. When
it works, why question it?
GRANT CORNETT
5. 5. KNOW YOUR STRETCH
The secret formula for a soft but
formfitting T? 95% cotton, 5% Lycra
spandex. For jeans to hold their shape,
they need at least 2% Lycra.
SIPA PRESS
6. 6. HEM YOUR PANTS FOR A SHOE
HEIGHT
"The biggest mistake women make is
wearing pants that aren't the right
length for their shoes," says stylist Kate
Young. To fix this, hem to either heels or
flats like Emmanuelle Chriqui -no going
back. Generally, hems should just graze
the tops of your shoes and be from 1/2
inch to 3/4 inch off the floor.
KEITH KLEINER
7. 7. THROW ON A SCARF
It's the ultimate accessory according to
a host of the best-dressed women we
interviewed. Stash one in your purse or
carry-on to transform simple Ts in the
time it takes to make a knot.
KEITH KLEINER
8. 8. GO HANDS-FREE FOR EVENING
A dressy bag with a chain helps you
hold crudités and a cocktail-plus, it
lends a cool edge to evening wear, says
stylist Cher Coulter. Wear the chain
diagonally across your body for the best
effect.
ISTOCKPHOTO
9. 9. CONSIDER THE WEAR AND CARE
Before you buy, try to gauge how a piece
might hold up after a few washings.
And don't shell out for clothes you can't,
or won't, take care of. If you know
you'll never hand-wash that embellished
sweater or fancy bra, walk away.
DIMITRIOS KAMBOURIS/WIREIMAGE
10. 10. EMBRACE YOUR SHAPE
"Once you know which silhouettes
flatter you, filter trends ruthlessly," says
designer Shoshanna Gruss . For instance,
if you're petite and shapely, it's best to
avoid tall columns and billowy maxis
even if you love them. Go for a dress
with a defined waist and just-above-the-
knee hem.
ISTOCKPHOTO
11. 11. MAKE A LIST BEFORE YOU SHOP
Not of what you want to buy, but of the
10 fave items in your closet. This will
help you zero in on pieces that mesh
with what you own (or remind you that
you never actually wear big floral
prints).
DYAD PHOTOGRAPHY
12. 12. HIT THE DRESSING ROOM
PREPARED
If you're shopping for that ultra-
important dress, get a true feel for the
fit by bringing your hip or thigh
slimmer with you. And while you're at
it, bring heels, lipstick, and a hairbrush.
These will help you get a better sense of
the final result.
GETTY IMAGES
13. 13. ALWAYS CHECK OUT THE REAR
VIEW
And don't leave the house until you like
what you see. Every angle matters. Trust
us.
GRANT CORNETT
14. 14. ROUND DOWN IN DENIM
When in doubt, go with the smaller size
in jeans. They always stretch, and
nothing's more unflattering than the
unintentionally baggy derrière.
ALAMAY
15. 15. EDIT YOUR CLOSET
Clothes need breathing room! You
should be able to see every item without
rummaging. Consider donating
anything you haven't worn in the past
year.
CECIL BEATON/CAMERA PRESS/RETNA
16. 16. LAYER YOUR NECKLACES
Coco Chanel 's more-is-more approach
still makes a statement today. You can
do multiples of the same material, or
better yet, go for contrast: Try a femme
piece with edgy chains, feathers with
beads, or pearls with diamantés.
COURTESY NET-A-PORTER.COM
17. 17. TOUCH THE INSIDE
A garment's lining is often a designer's
calling card, and a good way to judge
quality. A well-crafted lining is a sign
that the whole piece has been sewn with
care.
SIRI STAFFORD/GETTY IMAGES
18. 18. OPEN YOUR MIND
Always take one "it's cute but so not me"
thing into the fitting room. You never
know!
SPLASHNEWSONLINE; FAME PICTURES
19. 19. SHOW SOME LOYALTY
A great-fitting dress or pair of pants
from a line one season may mean
similar success the next, as shown by
Pippa Middleton . Designers, especially
higher-end ones, tend to size their
clothes based on a regular fit model.
STUART TYSON
20. 20. WHEN IN DOUBT, WEAR NUDE
PUMPS
Matched to your skin tone, they're a
pretty safe bet. (And they make legs
look longer.)
NEILSON BARNARD/GETTY IMAGES
21. 21. WEARING WHITE? SEEK OUT
LIGHT
Keep in mind: White clothes always look
more see-through in daylight. Check
yourself out in a bright setting to be
safe, like Jennifer Hudson must have
done.
KEITH KLEINER
22. 22. STRIPE IT UP
"Striped pieces are a nice, classic way to
pull yourself together for the weekend,"
says stylist Tina Chai. A red- or navy-
and-white bateau neck, for instance,
has presence and versatility.
JOHN DAVID BECKER
23. 23. UPGRADE YOUR BUTTONS
Sometimes, the only giveaway that your
cute jacket cost less than lunch money is
its cheap hardware. Swap in nicer
buttons, or have a tailor do it.
KEYSTONE/GETTY IMAGES
24. 24. NEVER BUY A BORING COAT
"Outerwear should never be an
afterthought," says Holmes amp Yang co-
designer Jeanne Yang. "So many people
only see you in your coat—if you're not
wearing something great underneath
your trench, they'll never even know!"
Look for a stylish coat, like Twiggy's
here.
KEITH KLEINER
25. 25. OWN SOMETHING LEOPARD
PRINT
Make the print "a staple in your
accessories wardrobe," says stylist Rob
Zangardi. It's timeless, racy enough, and
always glamorous.
FRANCOIS DURAND/GETTY IMAGES
26. 26. MIX YOUR PRINTS
Combining colors, scale, and patterns in
a way that looks dynamic takes practice,
but there are some basic tricks to getting
it right. You can wear two prints that
repeat the same colors or mix a large-
scale pattern with a smaller one. What's
even easier is to use the second motif as
an accent (like Zoe Saldana in Vionnet,
left).
GETTY IMAGES
27. 27. CONQUER YOUR FEAR OF COLOR
To play it safe, combine a neutral, like
flax, with something bolder, like yellow.
But think twice about pairing intense
hues with black, which "can look dated,"
says designer Chris Benz. For something
punchier, try two colors that are beside
each other on the color wheel, such as
coral and orange. Not sure where to
begin? "Notice what colors you love and
respond to in your decor," says Benz.
SCIENCE MUSEUM PHOTO STUDIO
28. 28. GO FOR THE KNOCKOUT ACCENT
If your evening dress is a stark stunner
(or has a lot of embellishment), one
single showstopping accessory, like
Grace Kelly 's earrings, is all you need.
PETER C. BORSARI; PHOTOMASI/
STARTRAKSPHOTO
29. 29. VET YOUR VINTAGE
Nothing comes back the same way, and
the jumpsuit of 2011 is not necessarily
the same as a version from the '70s.
Check out the difference in Raquel
Welch's and Katie Holmes's jumpsuits.
There are subtle design tweaks that
make any revival slightly different from
the original. Does that piece from your
"archive" really work now? Ask a
trusted friend for a second opinion.
BIG PANTS PRODUCTIONS/ALAMY
30. 30. ONLY BUY A BARGAIN IF YOU
LOVE IT
Be dubious of that voice that tells you
you've got to buy because it's "only" $39
or that if you don't scoop it up now,
you'll never find it again.
DIMITRIOS KAMBOURIS/WIREIMAGE
31. 31. TRY A THICKER WAISTBAND
It will pull you in a bit (so long,
spillover!) and also help even out your
proportions. Take a note from Kim
Kardashian, left.
KEITH KLEINER
32. 32. GO BEYOND THE BLAZER
You should already have your go-to
tailored jacket. But a wardrobe of less
formal toppers will help you look pulled
together even on casual days. Opt for a
leather jacket with wool trousers, a jean
version over a silk shirt, or-stylists'
favorite!-an army jacket over just about
anything.
SYNDICATION INTERNATIONAL/GETTY IMAGES
33. 33. MASTER MENSWEAR
Don a pantsuit a la Bianca Jagger and
you'll immediately stand up straighter.
Anna Johnson, author of Savvy Chic,
says "a waistcoat, a crisp pin-striped
shirt, or a really big watch or cravat
telegraphs power." Don't forget to
balance it out with lipstick and taller
shoes.
STOCKBYTE
34. 34. MAKE FRIENDS WITH A GOOD
TAILOR
Nothing raises the quality of moderately
priced clothes more than having them
altered to suit your shape. Build a
relationship with a tailor or dressmaker
who knows your body and your taste
and you'll never look back.
COURTESY OF LL BEAN
35. 35. LOOK FOR TWISTS ON CLASSICS
The right tweak can turn a staple into a
statement. Try tuxedo pants in a
graphic print, a trench in silk, or the
classic L.L. Bean tote in camouflage.
Polyester tote, L.L. Bean, $19;
llbean.com .
DYAD PHOTOGRAPHY
36. 36. DON'T SKIMP ON A T-SHIRT BRA
The right one will give you confidence
and shape under those unforgiving
tissue Ts.
FRAZER HARRISON/GETTY IMAGES
37. 37. ADD AN ELEMENT OF SURPRISE
Whether it's grosgrain with sequins, a
motorcycle jacket over a formal gown,
an oversize choker with an easy white
T, or a vivid belt like Gisele Bundchen's, a
touch of contrast makes good outfits
great.
GRANT CORNETT
38. 38. RECAST YOUR JEWELRY
•Loop a chain through the clasp of a
brooch (as we did, left). Suddenly, it's a
necklace!
•Wrap your chains or lariat around your
wrist for a tough luxe bracelet.
•Snap clip-on earrings onto flats for an
instant evening shoe.
Quartz and gold vermeil chain,
Robindira Unsworth, $413;
robindira.com .
Ruby and gold-toned brooch, Kenneth
Jay Lane, $238; 877-953-5264.
COURTESY ZARA
39. 39. SPEND YOUR BUDGET ON
ACCESSORIES
"Cool shoes, interesting jewelry-those
can really elevate your look," says stylist
Isabel Dupré, who notes that a wardrobe
of the right little extras lets you be more
relaxed about the rest of your outfits.