1.17.2012

New Year, New You: Style Overhaul

Quick Update--my Great-Granny is doing so much better! After suffering severe respiratory failure, Sugar's slowly starting to heal. I was really worried we were gonna lose her, but all of the prayers and thoughts are working. Thank you. xo-Elle


If you're new to this series, I started off with Closet Organization Essentials. Last week was all about the Closet Overhaul (did you clean out your closet yet?). Today I'm focusing on style. Remember how I mentioned not to donate your old clothes yet? I hope you didn't because today we might get rid of more of them--read on:

The Books:
The first way to find or change up your style is by reading what the experts have to say. Here are a few that I own:
{a few faves}

{me & an ampersand tee}

The Rules:
In this Ask Elle post, I mentioned when I first noticed fashion, but I didn't discuss my own rules for style. Here are the basic rules I use, and many are culled from the books above:
  • Look for Inspiration:
    • Magazines, style blogs, and street style are great starting points into developing style, or just an outfit. The colors I hear in music from having synaesthesia influence my outfits often.
  • Stick to Basics:
    • You'll get far more use out of basics (check out the 50 classics link above) and you'll always be in style. 
  • Remember the Rule of 3:
    • If you can't wear it 3 different ways, don't buy it (of course I'm excluding certain items, like a wedding dress). Take a dress, for example. Can you wear it dressy and casual? Add a belt? Can you add a shirt or cardigan over it? This really curbs my shopping and makes me think before purchasing.
  • Know When to Spend:
    • I spend money on classics, but I go the cheaper route if there's a fad piece I must have.
  • Know Your Body & How to Flatter/Hide:
    • It's time to be realistic on what looks good on you--The Pocket Stylist is a great resource for this. Learn how to hide problem areas and enhance your assets. Everyone has assets!!
  • Tailor It
    • You will look your best if your clothes fit well. Find a tailor (ask a department store for a recommendation) and get clothes altered when needed. I always assumed tailors were for men's suits and for formal dresses--I was so wrong! Just a simple alteration can make you look like a million bucks without spending nearly that much.
  • Look Good, Feel Good
    • When it comes down to it, wear what makes you happy. Having confidence will always get people to notice you before the outfit!

Spill your style secrets below! PS: Organizing beauty is next week!

34 comments:

  1. I love what you guys are up too. This kind of clever work and exposure! Keep up the terrific works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll.

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  2. I like the print on the tee. Interesting write up. Thanks gor posting and feel free to drop by me too, soon.

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  3. I'm going to check out those books and the Matchbook checklist. It sure does help to know your style and what looks good or not on your body when you shop. Save time and money in the long run. Pencil skirts are a yes for me but not a button down shirt for example.

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  4. sooo glad your great grandmother is feeling better! i am trying to revamp my closet too! thanks for all the tips!! xoxo jillian:: cornflake dreams

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  5. I'm so glad your grandmother is doing better! And I live by the rule of 3...pretty much my whole wardrobe is based on that.

    Courtney ~ http://sartorialsidelines.com

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  6. Yay I'm so glad Sugar is healing!

    Those Nina Garcia books sound cool, I will have to check them out.

    I dress a little monochromatically; LOTS of black, grey, and purple so everything kind of matches and I can usually just throw on any combination with little thought and then go crazy with jewelry, scarves, and gloves! Black clothes feel like a blank canvas to me. I can wear a turban or strings of pearls or a leopard coat, gold or silver, whatever I fancy that day! And it will almost always work.

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  7. Those books sound awesome! I might have to get The One Hundred.. Sounds pretty perfect!

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  8. your gran's name is sugar??!!

    o. my. goodness.

    i'm not quite sure it could get any sweeter!

    thanks for the tips, i love reading, and i love fashion. many of those books shall now be purchased.

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  9. I must have missed the post where you mentioned it, but I'm glad so she's doing better.

    Loving the Rule of 3! Definitely avoids the problem of closet orphans.

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  10. I'm so glad that your grandmother is doing better. We'll all keep sending the good vibes.

    On a brighter note, that tee shirt is adorable! And you're so right about the confidence. If you're not comfortable with what you're wearing, you'll never look great. :)

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  11. i am always trying to remember the rule of 3. it just makes sense! and now i'm going to have to check out the maternity article in lucky! thanks!

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  12. I'm so glad to hear that your grandmother is going better! These are fab tips, and I Love Your Style is on my list of must-reads for the year.

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  13. It looks like you have a great roundup of fashion books!

    xoxo navy & orange

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  14. Great tips to keep in mind! I realized that I need a bit of fashion updating. :)

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  15. This is a fantastic guide Elle. great tips!

    I'm glad to hear about your Sugar! Hope she keeps getting better!

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  16. Great tips and book suggestions! I also like Letitia Baldridge's "Taste" and Ines de la Fresange's "Parisian Chic". xo style, she wrote

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  17. Awesome tips! I'm so glad she's doing better. Sometimes dry cleaners also serve as tailors...especially the older ones.

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  18. Hi dear, so sorry to hear your gran was unwell, I pray she gets well and recovers soon. Some fantastic tips once again. You have a superb style book collection. I was nodding to all your points, esp about buying basics and classics. great post!

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  19. Glad to hear your grandma is doing better. I didnt know Lucky wrote a book! I need it!

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  20. I try to remember the saying....buy for Wednesday not Saturday....but I usually fail.

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  21. So glad to hear she is doing better! I love your rule of 3! I need to remember that!

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  22. These are great tips. And I am so glad to hear that your grandmother is recovering! That is wonderful news.

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  23. Loving your new blog look!! and cute & tshirt!

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  24. Such a fantastic post!! Need to snatch some of those style books!

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  25. so glad to hear great-granny is doing okay!

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  26. Glad to hear the good news about your grandma:) And I have that Amanda Brooks book, and totally love it.

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  27. glad to hear your great grandma is doing better. and hooray for style books. i need to update my style/get better at styling soon.

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  28. Great list! It totally helps to see all your resolutions in writing...look good, feel good! I hear ya sista!

    Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving such awesome comments, hope to see you back soon!

    xo-Julie
    Peace. Love. LOL!

    Haute Khuuture.com

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  29. well I think you have summed it up perfectly :) well done elle - best to your gran le xox

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  30. Oh I love the Nina Garcia books.
    Have a great day.

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  31. Oy, I'll never be fashionable. Can we get a post on accessorizing? I suck at it.

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  32. Good news about Granny (the update part)! Yay!

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  33. Excellent tips! I'm doing all of them. HAHAHA And I love Nina Garcia's book. It's a classic. :)
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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  34. I have that same Lucky book, and I love it! I love your "rule of 3"--what a great way to help decide whether or not to buy an item.

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