Style Tips...ish

I say "ish" because my style is very particular and by no means am I suggesting I'm some sort of pro and that you should dress like me. I just know what I like and am very aware of what looks good on me vs what makes me look dumpy. But, there are a few things that I've learned that have worked for me. Maybe they'll work for you.

1. Find a good tailor. I think this is my probably the most important tip I can provide. I am always scouring the sale section on my favorite websites. Many MANY times I find that my size is sold out but the price is amazing. If the sizes that remain are larger than my normal size, I purchase it and take it to my tailor (and by "my tailor" I mean my dry cleaner. #ImNotFancy) I work with them to tuck and pin and once I get it back, the price of the service + the heavily discounted item is still less than what I would have paid full price. See below for an example. That yellow Asos dress below was 3 sizes too big for me. I snagged it for 40 bucks on sale, paid 15 to have it tailored and it fit like a dream.

(Look how proud I am that I got that dress for 40 bucks, you can see it in my face. Also, my date's pretty damn 😍 )

2. Don't be afraid to spend money on staples that you'll always wear that will never go out of style. Think: cashmere sweaters, a perfectly fitted wool pant, a reversible leather belt, a sexy stiletto heel that you can actually wear without wanting to cry (I'm looking at YOU So Kate's, you unwearable bitches) a perfectly fitted blazer, a pair of jeans that fits you like a glove. Do NOT spend money on "the perfect tee." Those bitches are a dime a dozen and IMO Zara makes the best t shirts and they're like 9 bucks. Plus, if you're paying 150 bucks for a white Alexander Wang tee, you know the arm pits are gonna get yellow soon and you'll just have to throw it out, right?

(Click to shop)

3. Neutrals always look chic. But a bright color or print here and there can look pretty fuckin good too. However, I wouldn't break the bank on something that you can only wear once in a blue moon because it's so recognizable (as in people might say, "Yo didn't Andrea JUST wear those striped palazzo pants? Doesn't she have more clothes?" No one is probably going to notice when I wear a black silk blouse twice in one week and make it look completely different.) PS 👇🏼 Not me. Obviously.

4. I'm all about sexing it up, but pick one asset to highlight at a time. KKW looks amazing, let's call a spade a spade. But who can dress like that in real life and be taken seriously? It's because she loves to show off every curve, at the same time, all the time. If you're showing some cleav...cool, I'm into it. But, pairing a very excellent view of your tatas with a short mini skirt can really cheapen your look. Cleav paired with a wide legged pant or high waisted trouser can look chic af. My rule is I always dress like a dude in one aspect of my outfit. (In this case, the "dude" aspect is the pant.)

So another example:

a. Short fitted black skirt+ loose shirt tucked in + sneaker. If you add in a high wedge or a stiletto heel to a mini skirt, no beuno. (Dude aspect: sneaker)

Bueno 👇🏼

b. Flowy silk blouse+ joggers and a sexy barely there heel? 👌🏼 But with a sneaker? Dumpy. (Dude aspect: loose clothing)

c. Body con dress + sneaker is so chic and wearable. Adding a high wedge or stiletto heal= "You going to the club, boo? *looks at watch* It's 11am." So unless you ARE going to the club, leave the heels at home.

(One exception is stacked heels. I think these can almost always be interchanged with a sneaker or a flat shoe; something about a stacked heel is so casual and effortless. Whereas a stiletto+ a form fitting outfit can instantly turn a daytime look into a nighttime look. The only way I'm down for a daytime stiletto is if it's paired with a dude aspect: jogger pant or boyfriend jean.)

So, ok, see? Adriana Lima (ok I get it, she's a supermodel but still) is showing a little bit of her tummy with a boyfriend jean and a stacked heel and doesn't look cheap or like she's trying too hard. For those of us who don't feel comfortable in a cropped tee (🙋🏻 ) a regular length would work just as well and still look sexy and effortless.

5. Fuck the rules and do whatever you want. What tf do I know, anyway?