The difference between looking cool & fashiony & looking blah/average #FiFiFAVFINDS
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As a fashion editor/personal shopper I know it’s not really necessarily about what you own but it’s how you wear it.
Styling can mean the difference between looking cool and looking, well, let’s just say… average. Whatever size, age or income it seems to me everyone wants to look their best self. And everyone definitely wants to look cool.
FiFi’s styling tricks to look cool and fashiony rather than just blah and average, without spending a fortune.
1. Go up a size.
If you haven’t noticed oversized is the new cool silhouette. Slouchy and baggy is the way to go.
You want a cut that is big and roomy. Which means it looks fashion. It looks effortless. Feels easy. What’s not to love about being comfortable! Sometimes when you’re trying something new on you look in the mirror and you’re just not sure. My tip: go up a size! Jeans too tight? Get a size bigger. They sit lower. Usually longer in length too. Same with a skirt. That blazer that feels too tight and neat? Go up a size or two, suddenly it looks cool. Ditto a white tee or blue shirt: both look better when looser. I can guarantee when you go up a size, suddenly the proportions change. And the pieces that are cheap and chic they suddenly look expensive: Instant cool. Shoes? Haha stick to your own size.
If you haven’t noticed oversized is the new cool silhouette. Slouchy and baggy is the way to go.
You want a cut that is big and roomy. Which means it looks fashion. It looks effortless. Feels easy. What’s not to love about being comfortable! Sometimes when you’re trying something new on you look in the mirror and you’re just not sure. My tip: go up a size! Jeans too tight? Get a size bigger. They sit lower. Usually longer in length too. Same with a skirt. That blazer that feels too tight and neat? Go up a size or two, suddenly it looks cool. Ditto a white tee or blue shirt: both look better when looser. I can guarantee when you go up a size, suddenly the proportions change. And the pieces that are cheap and chic they suddenly look expensive: Instant cool. Shoes? Haha stick to your own size.
blazer: GO big like this one at COS
jeans like barrel ones from Witchery , go up a size so they sit lower.
skirt: You want a pleat skirt to sit lower so it doesn’t dig in or try one with a flat front
Trench: This is already oversized but this one at Uniqlo is a neat so go up two sizes.
Trench: This is already oversized but this one at Uniqlo is a neat so go up two sizes.
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2. Add white shoes.
One of the FiFi philosophies? Shoes maketh the outfit. White shoes are instant wardrobe updaters! This not a drill.Pull on white pointy heels or any flats and immediately you look fashiony. Chic. Edgy. Those old jeans from a few years ago? Pull on white pointy flats. That midi skirt that needs a refresh? Try white mules. A boring black dress? White strappy heels take it to another level. They lighten the look, add a fashion edge you didn’t know you needed. Try this at home with any old average lewks and watch as white shoes work their cool girl magic.
One of the FiFi philosophies? Shoes maketh the outfit. White shoes are instant wardrobe updaters! This not a drill.Pull on white pointy heels or any flats and immediately you look fashiony. Chic. Edgy. Those old jeans from a few years ago? Pull on white pointy flats. That midi skirt that needs a refresh? Try white mules. A boring black dress? White strappy heels take it to another level. They lighten the look, add a fashion edge you didn’t know you needed. Try this at home with any old average lewks and watch as white shoes work their cool girl magic.
So you want white pointy pumps , white loafers and white strappy heels, and net flats.
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3. Shoulder pads are your friends.
Exaggerated shapes are the difference between looking average and looking cool. The easiest styling trick: Put shoulder pads in everything. Joking. No joking. Fashion right now (and for quite a few years more) is all about the big shoulders. It’s a thang. Looks cool. But what’s great about shoulder pads is they also do wonders for your waist. (if a small waist is what you want). Who doesn’t love a little helping hand? Which is why I live in shoulder pad tees. So if you have a blazer that doesn’t sit properly and needs structure, put in shoulder pads. Especially raglan sleeves ( cut on the side : never really flattering as they give sloppy shoulders)(Put on the jacket you never wear and can’t work out why: bet it has raglan shoulders!). If your shirt looks limp and sad. Put in shoulder pads. If your T shirt is just a bit floppy (and you are too!)(lols) put in shoulder pads. You can thank me later.
Exaggerated shapes are the difference between looking average and looking cool. The easiest styling trick: Put shoulder pads in everything. Joking. No joking. Fashion right now (and for quite a few years more) is all about the big shoulders. It’s a thang. Looks cool. But what’s great about shoulder pads is they also do wonders for your waist. (if a small waist is what you want). Who doesn’t love a little helping hand? Which is why I live in shoulder pad tees. So if you have a blazer that doesn’t sit properly and needs structure, put in shoulder pads. Especially raglan sleeves ( cut on the side : never really flattering as they give sloppy shoulders)(Put on the jacket you never wear and can’t work out why: bet it has raglan shoulders!). If your shirt looks limp and sad. Put in shoulder pads. If your T shirt is just a bit floppy (and you are too!)(lols) put in shoulder pads. You can thank me later.
This is a fab Tee or this tee. Love this blazer or try a sharp shoulder or a neater cut , and love YSL.
Try a sweater with shoulder pads like this Jumper
Try a sweater with shoulder pads like this Jumper
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4. Add bright red or orange to neutrals.
You might have a wardrobe of neutrals. How to inject a bit of cool? Throw in a bit of colour. (or the other way round: a wardrobe of colour needs neutrals). My advice: Try an orange tee with camel pants. Toss a red knit around your shoulders or your waist and it gives off effortless vibes. I think accessories are one of the best ways to inject a pop of colour. Try red shoes with jeans, an orange belt with chocolate brown slouchy pants or say, a red bag with a camel dress.
Check out this fab red knit,
These are the best red shoes
You might have a wardrobe of neutrals. How to inject a bit of cool? Throw in a bit of colour. (or the other way round: a wardrobe of colour needs neutrals). My advice: Try an orange tee with camel pants. Toss a red knit around your shoulders or your waist and it gives off effortless vibes. I think accessories are one of the best ways to inject a pop of colour. Try red shoes with jeans, an orange belt with chocolate brown slouchy pants or say, a red bag with a camel dress.
Check out this fab red knit,
These are the best red shoes
Screenshot
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5. Don’t match shoes and bags.
Sometimes matching your accessories like shoes and bags can look too done. Too uptight. There’s nothing effortless about it. It’s all too try hard without any spontaneity. Looking cool is about looking laid back. My advice: Mix it up.
It’s a sneaky way to add personality. A tan/brown bag with red shoes (see above) is cool. A silver shoe with a black bag. A brown suede bag with white shoes. It freshens up your styling. You want to appear nonchalant to look cool, as if you just threw it together (I call it “ the 5 hour , 5 minute look!).
It’s a sneaky way to add personality. A tan/brown bag with red shoes (see above) is cool. A silver shoe with a black bag. A brown suede bag with white shoes. It freshens up your styling. You want to appear nonchalant to look cool, as if you just threw it together (I call it “ the 5 hour , 5 minute look!).
Love this brown bag, this suede bag, and this is great , try this casual cross body black bag with silver or white shoes.
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6. One single item in your outfit should be updated.
You don’t need to update everything every season. Instead build a wardrobe of great pieces and repeat wear. Better for your wallet and the planet. The trick ? Update just a few key pieces that will inject instant cool into your old pieces. Which means great cost per wear.
So a new big, oversized blazer will suddenly make your old daggy (tight?!) jeans look cool. Your short little fitted blazer from a few years ago? It will go another season with wide leg jeans. A longer flared midi skirt and boots will make any old top look suddenly cool. And straight tailored pants will get a new lease of life with a cool sporty zip up jacket.
So a new big, oversized blazer will suddenly make your old daggy (tight?!) jeans look cool. Your short little fitted blazer from a few years ago? It will go another season with wide leg jeans. A longer flared midi skirt and boots will make any old top look suddenly cool. And straight tailored pants will get a new lease of life with a cool sporty zip up jacket.
Try this fabulous ( I love Arket!) brown blazer or this divine check blazer one, these baggy barrel pants and this zip jacket and this bomber jacket.
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7. Mix it up. Opposites attract .
Fashion is about contrasts. Looking cool is about mixing it up. Tight with loose. Hard with soft. Feminine with masculine. Pretty with tough. Plain with ornate. Think outside the box.
Try throwing a pretty blouse with tough leather pants or denim. Baggy jeans with a sequin top. Flat sandals look great with a maxi dress for black tie party. Or try denim with tweed, sweatshirts with a pencil skirt or an evening tuille skirt with a plain white cotton shirt or slouchy knit. A lace top with a sporty top. If it’s unexpected it’s cool.
Fashion is about contrasts. Looking cool is about mixing it up. Tight with loose. Hard with soft. Feminine with masculine. Pretty with tough. Plain with ornate. Think outside the box.
Try throwing a pretty blouse with tough leather pants or denim. Baggy jeans with a sequin top. Flat sandals look great with a maxi dress for black tie party. Or try denim with tweed, sweatshirts with a pencil skirt or an evening tuille skirt with a plain white cotton shirt or slouchy knit. A lace top with a sporty top. If it’s unexpected it’s cool.
A tulle skirt with white loafers. Love this sequin top.I’ll wear with jeans, and pretty blouse with chinos
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8. Jewellery: Pile in on or none at all.
Sometimes in fashion it’s about all or nothing. With jewellery you have to be bold and double the fun.
Meaning: it’s better to have 3 or 4 bracelets on one wrist rather than one little lonely cuff all by itself. Try lots of necklaces layered in different styles together rather than one single boring chain. Go for big major statement earrings, or try lots of rings on one hand. It adds personality. Individuality. Drama. That translates into cool. Tip: Don’t pile it on everywhere all at once. Earrings, cuffs and necklaces together? No, you are not a Christmas tree.
Sometimes in fashion it’s about all or nothing. With jewellery you have to be bold and double the fun.
Meaning: it’s better to have 3 or 4 bracelets on one wrist rather than one little lonely cuff all by itself. Try lots of necklaces layered in different styles together rather than one single boring chain. Go for big major statement earrings, or try lots of rings on one hand. It adds personality. Individuality. Drama. That translates into cool. Tip: Don’t pile it on everywhere all at once. Earrings, cuffs and necklaces together? No, you are not a Christmas tree.
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9. . The wrong shoe theory.
It’s a trend in itself – wearing a wrong shoe- but I think it works. Easy too. Think of it this way: if it’s not feeling right when you try something on then change your shoes BEFORE you do anything. The idea is to intentionally choose shoes that traditionally would not work. For example try strappy heels with track balloon pants, sneakers with a trouser suit, chunky dad sandals with a pretty dress. It could be jewelled flats or silver with denim jeans. A pretty Chanel flat with an army jacket. It’s about going against the predictable and shaking up your style just a teeny bit.
Love these tan flats, these kitten heel mules, these sneakers.
It’s a trend in itself – wearing a wrong shoe- but I think it works. Easy too. Think of it this way: if it’s not feeling right when you try something on then change your shoes BEFORE you do anything. The idea is to intentionally choose shoes that traditionally would not work. For example try strappy heels with track balloon pants, sneakers with a trouser suit, chunky dad sandals with a pretty dress. It could be jewelled flats or silver with denim jeans. A pretty Chanel flat with an army jacket. It’s about going against the predictable and shaking up your style just a teeny bit.
Love these tan flats, these kitten heel mules, these sneakers.
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10. Raid the mens department .
See tip number one and you get what I mean. Men’s clothes are cut obviously to a bigger size. And quite often men’s fabrics are better and sturdier than women’s . I know for instance the men’s Uniqlo knits are much better cut for me and can take the constant repeat wear. Men’s blazers will give you that oversized lewk instantly. And men’s shirts always look cool and sexy on a woman. For me men’s T shirts are so good, with wider shoulders, longer sleeves and they skim rather than cling. Yes, please. This men’s shirt is good and so is this Tee : usually cheaper too!
See tip number one and you get what I mean. Men’s clothes are cut obviously to a bigger size. And quite often men’s fabrics are better and sturdier than women’s . I know for instance the men’s Uniqlo knits are much better cut for me and can take the constant repeat wear. Men’s blazers will give you that oversized lewk instantly. And men’s shirts always look cool and sexy on a woman. For me men’s T shirts are so good, with wider shoulders, longer sleeves and they skim rather than cling. Yes, please. This men’s shirt is good and so is this Tee : usually cheaper too!
This article also appeared last year in Mamamia
Hope that’s been helpful ! Let me know if you have any questions !
Most of the runway inspo comes is Celine
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