3 Simple Ways to Elevate Your Style: Tips My Mother Never Taught Me

I’ve always believed that beauty is not just about what you see but also about how it makes you feel. My passion for beauty finds its roots in my mother’s talent for sewing. I always had beautiful, homemade clothing, and she taught me to sew. I fondly remember the hours we spent in fabric stores flipping through pattern counter books for the latest styles and then searching for the perfect fabric. The fabrics my mother chose and the colors she blended taught me that beauty lies in the details and the elegant way it makes you feel. Details still matter but the styles, rules, and fashion sensibilities I grew up with as a young adult in the seventies have relaxed quite a bit in the new millennium. Remember no white shoes after Labor Day, or your shoes and bag always had to match?

If you are looking for simple ways to elevate your style and add a touch of sophistication to your look, we’ll explore three styling tips that will inspire you and help you step out of your comfort zone to reveal a more interesting, stylish you.

1. The Rule of Thirds: The Golden Ratio

Do you ever wonder why some outfits make you feel frumpy or look two sizes larger than you are? Are you ready to break free from the long tunic and leggings rut? Embracing the golden ratio of one-third torso to two-thirds leg can be a game-changer for your fashion and style. 

The 1/3 torso to 2/3 leg rule works by outfit tricks such as tucking a shirt into a high-waisted skirt, cinching a loose top at the waist, or wearing a cropped jacket. It’s all about balance! A one-to-one ratio is boring and expected. Unbalanced proportions are interesting and pleasing to look at. Wherever a color change or hemline exists in your outfit, that defines your proportion. Also, you don’t want color change or hemline ending at an unflattering part of your body, like ending at your hip line, if you are a pear shape. Many of us already know the tried and true, three-quarter length sleeve trick to add white space to our arms to make our legs look longer and our hips look smaller! Who can turn that down?

So many of my clients ask me if the “front tuck” is tortured or looks like you’re trying too hard. It isn’t!  That little bit of front tuck creates the “one-third” torso magical slimming and elongating effect. You don’t have to do the fancy twisting and tying and tucking. Just a simple front tuck works with most tops.  

Also, another great tip to balance proportions, top to bottom, is to wear a flowy top with slim pants or a skirt. Conversely, pair a fitted top to balance a flowy skirt or silky, flowy trousers. This simple rule of proportion can help create a flattering silhouette, whether you’re dressing for a casual outing or a special occasion. By paying attention to the proportions of your outfit, you can elevate your style and feel more confident in what you wear. These little tweaks make a BIG difference.

2. Work & Play: Balancing Business and Casual Style 

When your everyday look needs a little elevating either for work, outings, or date night, there’s a great formula that is sure to add a little fun to your business look and a little sophistication to your casual look.

Instead of running out the door with your tee shirt, jeans, and Nikes, why not elevate your casual style by mixing two parts casual to two parts business? This little formula works every time. There are endless possibilities now to experiment with casual pieces such as cute graphic tees, a myriad of jean styles, and fun trainers, instead of athletic shoes.  For business pieces try mixing classic pants or trousers, blazers, skirts, dressy blouses, and heels.

Influencer tips for simple ways to elevate your style (for work and play):

• Jeans and tee (casual) with blazer and flats/loafers/heels (business)
• Jeans and trainers (casual) with Bouclé jacket and smart bag (business)
• Tailored trousers and blazer/wool coat (business) sweatshirt/knit top and trainers (casual)
• Slip skirt and blazer (business) with tee and trainers (casual)

I promise you this formula will change how you look at getting dressed on most days, and it’s fun. Business casual never felt so good. Message me if you try it and send me pictures!

3. The Sandwich Outfit Trick: Your Belt, Bag, and Shoe Colors Matter

Style creator Lydia Tomlinson explored the basics of color balancing to create a sandwich effect in a video series on TikTok in 2022. She suggests mixing colors and details to help an outfit seem more elevated.

When you want to add interest and break out of the monochromatic look of all-black, consider adding white, denim, neutrals, or color. It’s important to wear your best colors. But, when you’ve done everything “right” in styling your outfit, don’t forget to ask, “What color belt and shoes should I add?” Instead of grabbing your old go-to heels or flats, take a moment to consider color. You need fluidity between the top and bottom halves of your outfit, so the balance of your silhouette is not thrown off.  Your shoes should match the top half of your outfit. Matching your footwear to your top, knitwear, or jacket can pull your look together seamlessly. You can also create a “sandwich” by tying your belt color to your shoe and bag.

Elevating the sandwich tip:

• Dark top, jeans, black belt, black shoes
•  Light top, jeans, light shoes, light belt 
• Light and bright colorful top, jeans, light belt, and light shoes, not dark belt and dark shoes
•  Camel overcoat, dark pants, camel shoes and bag
• Light shirt, jeans, black belt, black shoes and bag

Having a formula as to what to put together with what saves time.  Some days I start with my shoe choice based on my day’s activities and build from there.  We all have those days when shoe choice commands the day based on the question, “How long will I have to stand in these cute heels today?”

Ageless style is about embracing your uniqueness and expressing yourself through your clothing choices. By incorporating these tips into your wardrobe, you can create a look that is both timeless and modern, allowing you to feel youthful and confident at any age. So go ahead, have fun with your style, and let your fashion sense be a celebration of your vibrant spirit!