10 Style Secrets Every Woman Should Know (2.0)

I hate to brag, but these are really good. I mean, if you took every one of these style secrets and put them into practice in your wardrobe, you might make a best-dressed list somewhere. And no one would need me anymore. 🙂 From accessories to shopping to personal style, there’s a secret here that will transform every aspect of your style.

And so, by popular demand, 10 more style secrets every woman should know.

I’m just getting started…

I think this speaks for itself. It always blows my mind that a woman will spend a lot of money on a cocktail dress she will wear once and not on a pair of boots she can wear daily. The cost per use on a well-chosen accessory ends up being pennies, because you can wear them so often, so don’t be afraid to spend up to 3x what you currently spend on shoes, bags, jewelry, and completer pieces.

I have an awful signature. It’s a good thing I’m not a celebrity signing autographs all day long, because it’s truly embarrassing. Fortunately, I’ve nailed my style signature of long curly hair and red lips. A style signature is an element that makes your style uniquely your own, whether it’s dramatic earrings or colorful shoes or something more subtle, like head-to-toe neutrals or the locket you’ve had since you were a child. It’s a regular, if not daily, part of your look that makes it memorable and personal.

Nothing is more aging than looking like we tried too hard. Being comfortable in our own skin should be a benefit of getting older, but trying too hard to look younger has the opposite effect. Extremes in beauty, fashion, and overall style, if not authentic to you and a true representation of your personal style, will look aging and not at all attractive. So go for moderation in your approach to style and self-maintenance and make sure it’s an expression of your personal style and not just a way to look younger.

Life is complicated enough. If you already have a favorite brand that speaks to your personal style, fits your body well, and is fresh and updated, you can pretty much just shop that brand. Is it fun to look around a little? Of course. But having that go-to simplifies life, especially for those of us who are hard to fit or just starting our style journey.

The way you style an outfit says a lot more about you than you might think. Take something basic, for example, like the little black dress. Given the same exact dress, 5 different women will style it differently. When you can learn to assign words to the way you style things, you’ll learn so much about your personal style. Whether it’s romantic-vintage-cool or laidback-casual-effortless, your style comes out the most when you style the simple pieces in your wardrobe, so pay attention to how you style those basics. 🙂

Inspiration is everywhere, even in our own closets. When you’re stuck on what to wear, start with a single item that intrigues you, whether that’s a jacket or a pair of shoes, and build a look around that. Still stumped? Google that item for oodles of ideas. Start wearing the things in your closet in new inspired ways and you’ll never be bored.

You know that thing you’ve always wanted? You should go get it. I know from personal experience that buying a knockoff or settling for the budget version often leaves you back where you started, struggling to fill the need that the one perfect item would have filled. So don’t be afraid to treat yourself to that dream item that has the potential to elevate your entire wardrobe.

If you were a pair of shoes, what would you look like? Would you be high or flat? A pump or a sneaker? Birkenstocks or snakeskin slingbacks? Whether it’s lurking in your closet or online, find a pair of shoes (or a bag, or a necklace) that perfectly illustrates your style, and then find a few words to describe it. You’ve just described your personal style.

You know how excited you feel when you bring home a new purchase that you adore? Everything you buy should be like that (with the exception of basics). If you can’t wait to wear it, leave it at the store.

Nothing makes or breaks an outfit like fit. It can make an inexpensive item look high end, or take a designer outfit and make it look like a bargain find. Fit is everything. The most flattering fit skims the body and isn’t clingy or oversized. Lengths are also important, and the Fashion Fit Formula can help with that. Spending a bit extra on alterations will make your wardrobe so much more flattering.

Did you have any aha moments? Which of these style secrets is most impactful for you? Let me know in the comments!