How to Be Stylish

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If shopping for new clothes and putting together stylish outfits always feels like a struggle, you’re definitely not alone. Being fashionable can feel so complicated sometimes, but it doesn’t have to be! There are actually some simple, basic steps you can take to transform your wardrobe and personal style so you look effortlessly stylish every day. Check out the tips we’ve put together below to learn how you can get started.

1

Wear clothes that flatter your body type.

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  1. When your clothes fit well , you'll instantly look put-together. [1] The first thing to do to look effortlessly stylish is to make sure that you’re wearing clothes that you feel are good for your body type. Since effortless style is supposed to be subtle, you’ll need well fitting clothes in order to get the elegant, expensive, stylish look from your clothing. You may want garments that make you look thinner and the perfect height, with everything in proportion. [2]
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2

Stick to classic cuts.

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  1. Dressing for current trends just shows that you put way too much thought into that outfit and that you’ve been following fashion news like a broker watching stocks. Choose classic styles in classic cuts for a more effortless look that looks good for years. [3]
    • This means women should beware of floor length casual dresses in favor of knee-length, for example, while men should shy away from skinny-legged suit trousers in favor of something more loose-fitting.
    • Trends should only take up about 20% of your wardrobe. Your primary investment should be buying the best quality you can afford. [4]
3

Choose muted, neutral colors and bold accents.

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  1. [5] What colors are popular and what colors are considered absolutely hideous is very dependent on time and place. Just look at your mom’s clothes from the 1970s, for example. In order to look effortlessly stylish, you’re going to want a more timeless look, which means sticking to more muted and neutral colors. This can, however, be broken up with bold accent colors, especially on accessories. [6]
    • Muted colors include tan, black, white, denim/navy blue, and gray.
    • Good accent colors include most shades of red, many shades of blue, plum/eggplant purple, golden yellow (like rubber ducks or tulips), and emerald green.
    • Be careful of certain colors. Be wary of other greens and yellows, and generally avoid oranges, as these colors are very prone to going in and out of fashion, but, if you think they are stylish, go for it.

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4

Avoid busy prints and textures.

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  1. Trends like fuzzy/fluffy/feathered fabric tend to be in fashion only for a season or a year at most. Next year it will be another pattern, so why bother? Look effortlessly stylish by keeping your clothes in style across decades, not months.
    EXPERT TIP

    Alena Le Blanc

    Personal Stylist
    Alena Le Blanc is the Personal Stylist and the Founder of Le Blanc Label. Based in San Francisco, California, Le Blanc Label is the leading personal stylist brand for sustainable style transformations. Alena and her team specialize in seasonal wardrobe refreshes, closet edits, styling for special events, travel, photoshoots, and general personal needs. Alena has been featured in podcasts including EMPOWERED BY WMN, I Am Fearless, and Mind Power Meets Mystic. Alena received her BFA in Fashion and Apparel Design from the Academy of Art University.
    Alena Le Blanc
    Personal Stylist

    "Quiet Luxury" is a fashion trend that values quality and craftsmanship over flashy designs. The trend emphasizes minimalism and timeless pieces of the highest quality. Examples of quiet luxury include a well-made cashmere sweater, a perfectly tailored blazer, or a simple white cotton shirt.

5

Buy strategically.

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  1. You can make cheap clothes look expensive but investing in some actually expensive items might be a good idea. [7] A few choice pieces of hard-to-fake luxury items, such as a nice sweater or wool coat, can really take your wardrobe up a notch. [8] Having a limited number of nicer items is preferable to having a large number of very cheap-looking items. [9]
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6

Create an interchangeable collection.

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  1. If you really want to put the effortless into effortless style, you’ll want a wardrobe where nearly all of the pieces match with each other. This will let you get dressed based on comfort, style preference, or weather conditions, instead of being limited by color or style combinations.
    • Use a single clothing style (vintage, modern, etc.) and the use a single color palette (this should be helped if you followed our advice to use muted colors with limited bold accents).
7

Take care of your clothes.

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  1. [10] No stains, no holes, no loose threads, no wrinkles. If you want your clothes to look maintained, then the best way to do that is to maintain them! Keep your clothes clean, fold and store them correctly, and do other basic maintenance as the needs arise (e.g. sewing minor holes).
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8

Get items tailored.

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  1. How do you get clothes to fit perfectly? Get them tailored, of course! Find a reliable tailor in your area to alter your clothes so that they are perfect for your body. Even some department stores will do this for you.
    • It’s not as expensive as it sounds. Tailoring a shirt often costs as little as $10-20, pants around $30-40.
    • It may seem like a silly added expense, but having clothes tailored once and keeping them maintained will help you look amazing for the next ten years. It’s a worthy investment.
9

Keep it simple

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  1. Use a limited number of clothing and accessory pieces. This is especially important when it comes to accessories. [11]
    • For example, don’t wear a scarf and bangles and big earrings and a hat. Try to limit yourself to two noticeable/accent accessories.
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10

Choose an outfit appropriate for the occasion.

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  1. Over-dressing is a sure sign that you put way too much thought and effort into how you’re dressed. Don’t wear a fancy dress for grocery shopping, and don’t wear a long gown when a cocktail dress will do, for example.
11

Emphasize the accessories.

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  1. [12] Since your clothes themselves should generally be in muted, neutral colors, you’ll want to make your accessories your accent pieces. These should draw attention and look extra cool. It is easier to have accessories that conform to the latest fashions and trends, so don’t worry about that as much (in this area, it’s usually okay). [13]
    • For example, you could pair a floppy hat and patterned fashion scarf with a brown jacket, blue tee, white skinny jeans, and brown boots.
    • Another example would be to wear a black dress and pair it with red earrings and a bracelet.
    • Just make sure you keep your color palette across the whole outfit. Accent accessories colors should generally be the same or compliment each other.
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12

Don’t neglect the hair.

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  1. Keep it in a simple style or carefully created “tousled” look, but make sure that you are in fact creating the look. Your hair should look nice, even if it doesn’t look like you spent an hour getting it just right.
13

Use minimal makeup.

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  1. Go for natural-looking colors so you don't distract from the fabulous outfit you put together. You want to, of course, emphasize your best features.
    • Lips are an area of exception, as these can be a great way to add a little extra bang to an outfit by introducing bright colors, like a classic red.
    • If loud makeup's more your style, go for it! Being stylish is all about showing off your personality and individuality.
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14

Keep lines and texture to a minimum.

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  1. Throwing the wrong patterns together can make you look more chaotic and less elegant. It’s okay to have one item in your outfit have a pattern or texture, but keep it limited to one.
15

Go for clean silhouettes and minimal bulk.

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  1. These will make you appear chubbier and less streamlined and stylish. Oversized sweaters have a time and place, but tend to go in and out of fashion to a certain extent, so be careful.
    EXPERT TIP

    Alena Le Blanc

    Personal Stylist
    Alena Le Blanc is the Personal Stylist and the Founder of Le Blanc Label. Based in San Francisco, California, Le Blanc Label is the leading personal stylist brand for sustainable style transformations. Alena and her team specialize in seasonal wardrobe refreshes, closet edits, styling for special events, travel, photoshoots, and general personal needs. Alena has been featured in podcasts including EMPOWERED BY WMN, I Am Fearless, and Mind Power Meets Mystic. Alena received her BFA in Fashion and Apparel Design from the Academy of Art University.
    Alena Le Blanc
    Personal Stylist

    Build a minimalist wardrobe that never goes out of style. Minimalism thrives on classic silhouettes, clean lines, and high-quality fabrics. Invest in items like tailored blazers, white button-down shirts, and flowing linen skirts. Timeless and versatile pieces are building blocks for an effortlessly elegant style.

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16

Add your favorite fragrance.

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  1. Smell nice by keeping yourself and your clothes clean, but also consider adding a perfume or cologne to your fashion line-up. Avoid young scents like fruity smells in favor of something more mature for a really classy touch.
17

Have a signature style.

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  1. This is a look that people will associate with you and will make you seem more stylish, even if they don’t necessarily like your clothes. [15]
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18

Fit your look to you.

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  1. [16] For example, a really sweet woman taking on a catty look will seem weird and out of place, the same as a serious businessman dressing in gangsta style. Tailor your clothes to fit your personality and people will be much more inclined to see it as your style.
19

Be confident.

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  1. Do you ever feel like some models could wear a brown paper sack and still walk down a runway looking like the height of fashion? Do you know a guy who wears a tracksuit and still somehow manages to look totally fashionable? What the fashion industry doesn’t want you to know is that a lot of looking stylish really comes down to projecting confidence. You don’t have to actually be confident, of course, but if you walk down the street in clothes that you clearly think you look great in, people will usually be inclined to agree that (at a minimum) those clothes are perfect for you.
    • Act like you don’t care - or, actually don't care. The effortless part of the stylish look should of course be presented by giving off an air that you don’t care, or that you just threw on the first outfit you could find. Be humble or indifferent when people compliment your clothes.
    Angelina Jolie, Actress & Humanitarian

    Having a compelling personal style is about being authentically yourself. "I think we all know boldness when we see it. Nothing makes me smile more than when I see someone being fully themselves, with their own individual style and character, whatever that is."

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20

Walk gracefully.

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  1. This means not falling down if you’re wearing heels. Being graceful should be easier for guys, but is still important so don’t neglect it.

Comments

  • Abby F.

    Jan 12, 2018

    "I appreciate how you guys emphasized being confident and comfortable. My grandmother is always trying to get me to ..." more

  • Monique Adam

    Jan 25, 2018

    "I have always struggled with feeling good about my clothes. This article has really helped me to understand how to ..." more

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    Jun 2, 2017

    "The talk about confidence helped me."
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  • Question
    How can I be a stylish person?
    Sheila A. Anderson
    Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon
    Sheila A. Anderson is a Certified Image Consultant, International Branding Icon, and the Founder of Image Power Play, an impression management and personal branding company. With over three decades of experience, she specializes in empowering corporate professionals to raise their personal image to meet the value of their brand. Sheila is a Certified Image Consultant with The Image Resource Network and a Certified Universal Style Consultant with The Universal Style International. Sheila is a member of the C-Suite Network Advisors and the author of the book, I.C.U., The Comprehensive Guide to Breathing Life Back Into Your Personal Brand.
    Sheila A. Anderson
    Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon
    Expert Answer
    Keep your outfit monochromatic. Wearing the same color head to toe makes an outfit automatically look more dressed up, even if you are in shorts and a T-shirt. This way, you also won't have to worry about whether colors match.
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  • Question
    How can I look stylish and attractive?
    Sheila A. Anderson
    Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon
    Sheila A. Anderson is a Certified Image Consultant, International Branding Icon, and the Founder of Image Power Play, an impression management and personal branding company. With over three decades of experience, she specializes in empowering corporate professionals to raise their personal image to meet the value of their brand. Sheila is a Certified Image Consultant with The Image Resource Network and a Certified Universal Style Consultant with The Universal Style International. Sheila is a member of the C-Suite Network Advisors and the author of the book, I.C.U., The Comprehensive Guide to Breathing Life Back Into Your Personal Brand.
    Sheila A. Anderson
    Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon
    Expert Answer
    Wear darker colors. Darker colors such as navy, black, and charcoal gray represent an image of authority and are often representative of professional dress. That said, remember to wear colors that flatter your skin tone.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    Where should I start when reinventing my wardrobe?
    Alice Wu
    Image Consultant
    Alice Wu is an Image Consultant and Personal Stylist based in San Francisco, California. She is the Owner of Styled by Alice, an image consulting service offering private styling services for men and women. Focused on personalizing the styling experience, Alice provides closet edits, personal shopping, wardrobe planning, and other services such as event styling.
    Alice Wu
    Image Consultant
    Expert Answer
    As a first step, take an inventory of the clothes that you gravitate towards in your closet. Try to get a really good idea of the things you want to wear all the time. You should also find what clothes you don't wear or don't feel good wearing.
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      Tips

      • Never let the clothes wear you. Your personality is what should shine through, not the personality of your clothes!
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      • Read the fashion section of a variety of magazines, such as Cosmopolitan and Glamour for the gals, and GQ for the guys. Collect tips; pay attention to what you like and dislike.
        Thanks
        Helpful 4 Not Helpful 1
      • When you feel you need to update your wardrobe a little, look through your closet and try to find a way to wear something you already have differently instead of immediately going shopping.
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • "It's good to look effortless, but you still want to put some effort into picking out a nice outfit. Make sure you're conscious about what you picked out, not just grabbing randomly!" - Ophelia Q.
      • "Always be yourself and work on cultivating your own style. Try to avoid copying others so your look is truly unique." - Noriko R.
      • "If you have a simple shirt that you want to elevate, try styling it with an eye-catching necklace or a bracelet." - Pat P.
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      Warnings

      • Don't choose clothes just because other people like them. Have your own style, live the way you want to.
        Thanks
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      • Don't go out too exposed, wear some clothes! Going out in a low cut tube top and booty shorts is not stylish.
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      • Don't be trashy, if you would rather die than let your parents see what you're wearing, then don't wear it!
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      References

      1. ↑ Sheila A. Anderson. Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon. Expert Interview. 9 August 2021.
      2. ↑ https://www.scienceofpeople.com/fashion-psychology/
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edUIdpUVdps
      4. ↑ Sheila A. Anderson. Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon. Expert Interview. 9 August 2021.
      5. ↑ Sheila A. Anderson. Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon. Expert Interview. 9 August 2021.
      6. ↑ Alice Wu. Image Consultant. Expert Interview. 12 June 2020
      7. ↑ Sheila A. Anderson. Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon. Expert Interview. 9 August 2021.
      8. ↑ Alice Wu. Image Consultant. Expert Interview. 12 June 2020
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2VNoDu2BDc
      1. ↑ Sheila A. Anderson. Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon. Expert Interview. 9 August 2021.
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klKVm1FALhs&t=22s
      3. ↑ Sheila A. Anderson. Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon. Expert Interview. 9 August 2021.
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wl_ZpTX5QBo
      5. ↑ Sheila A. Anderson. Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon. Expert Interview. 9 August 2021.
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jenfPeWb5Q4
      7. ↑ Alice Wu. Image Consultant. Expert Interview. 12 June 2020

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To be stylish, wear clothes that flatter your shape and fit your body well. Look for pieces in classic cuts with neutral colors and bold accent pieces. Avoid busy prints or trendy cuts that will go out of style quickly, and opt for interchangeable clothes that can be mixed and matched. When you're getting dressed, keep your outfits simple and occasion-appropriate, and use accessories to make your looks unique. For tips on adding the final touches to your outfit, scroll down!

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