Try pairing a delicate ruffled blouse with your favorite cardigan in women’s fashion, then throw on your favorite jeans. Add a pair of ankle boots and you’re all set to go. Pairing a white blouse with denim is the ultimate casual-chic combination. Dress these jeans up for a night out or dress them down for brunch with friends.
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6 Investment Pieces Every Woman Should Own
Ahead, you’ll find advice from celebrity stylists who have been solving fashion conundrums for years. And we’ve taken notes from a few of our favorite iconic style stars—Jackie O, Bianca Jagger—and made some inferences ourselves. Here, 15 fashion tips that have withstood the test of time.
#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 Angelina Jolie. “If it’s cleavage, don’t show your legs. If it’s your legs, stay covered on top.”
#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 over-bleach (which can cause yellowing), and refresh regularly.
#3: Accessorize With 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 ruby red 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.
#4: 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 flats or heels like Dakota Johnson—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.
#5: 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.
#6: 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.