Looking good means answering the big questions correctly. You’ll need to understand how your clothes fit and what colors go best with each other. You’ll need to be familiar with fashion basics and general rules. All of this will get you far—but looking good is not the same thing as looking great.
So do yourself a favor. The next time you’re dressing to impress, get the big stuff out of the way and then drill down into the details. Take a closer look at things like earrings and cufflinks. Re-comb your hair or touch up your makeup. And, while you’re at it, keep these tips in mind.
Dialing in Your Style
A great top might be worn once a week. A stylish jacket is something that you’ll bring out seasonally. You might wear your favorite pair of pants a couple of times in one week. But very few things that you own will be with you virtually every day. A piece of jewelry (such as a wedding band), a watch, or a pair of eyeglasses might make this grade, but few other items will. And it is in this highly exclusive category that we find something that you might not even consider to be a fashion statement at all: your smartphone.
Whether you realize it or not, your phone says a lot about you. And it’s with you every day: You rest it on the table at lunch, use it to look things up while you’re shopping, and pull it out when you’re trying to track down the friends that you were supposed to meet up with. Your friends, acquaintances, strangers, and dates are all seeing your phone, so make sure that it looks great!
That starts with taking care of your phone. Nothing looks sloppier than a cracked screen, so avail yourself of iPhone repair services and get that thing back in pristine shape. You don’t have to go to the Genius Bar to get the job done, either—there are plenty of affordable independent repair shops to check out instead. With your phone freshly fixed, protect it with a great case. Splurge a bit: Remember, this is the accessory that you have with you every single day, no matter what you’re wearing. Get a stylish case with natural materials or a sleek modern look. Don’t be afraid to get more than one case. Some might go better with certain outfits than others.
That One Special Piece
Jewelry is a must for refined style (and no, we’re not just talking about women’s style)! Having a nice collection is helpful for when you’re trying to match a great outfit, but you should remember that some jewelry is designed to stand out. Consider saving up for one meaningful piece from a reputable jeweler, recommend the experts at Ethan Lord Jewelers. An impressive piece of jewelry could become your trademark. Maybe you wear Grandpa’s watch every single day, no matter what, or maybe you have a stunning necklace that you almost never take off. Don’t worry too much about whether it goes with everything: It’s stylish to mix metals and to avoid overly matchy-matchy combinations. Whatever suits you, choose it—and then make it your ultimate and consistent accessory statement.
Touch Up
Before you leave the house, take a look at what you’re wearing. This is a good moment for a gut check, but that’s not all. What can really help you nail the details is a closer look at the materials you’re wearing—and anything that you don’t mean to have on you! Is there cat hair on your sweater? Do your shoes need to be shined? No matter how great your outfit is, your look is going to fall apart if you forget to make proper use of your lint roller. Touch up everything before you leave the house, and strut out knowing that your stylish day won’t be derailed by dog fur, dandruff, or whatever else might otherwise have plagued your clothes.