March 2019 – Been Caught Styling

Style Rule 7: Keep All The Clothes And Accessories For The Season At Your Sight

And yes, it is very important to keep all your clothes and accessories for that particularly season at your sight all the way through, so you can maximize your closet options and wear regularly everything you have there. Otherwise, you will not. Trust me on that!

In order to do that, every time a warm (Spring) or cold (Fall) season cycle starts to show up, organize your wardrobe accordingly. Especially if you don’t have much space. In this case, you can pack or store the clothes from the other season cycle and put them in a shelf at the top of your wardrobe or any where you can.

In any case, let the season’s clothes be more at reach, more in evidence so you can see all your options. Because if you don’t, you might waste good look opportunities and even ending up buying something you don’t need and/or already have just because you forgot about that piece hidden in the back of your closet.

It happens. Especially with accessories.

And yes, you should keep a few options for the other season at sight, but in a secondary sight level, like in the far ending of your closet or in the back of your drawer. Things like a cardigan, a sweater or a coat in the warm season just in case you need it. Pick your favorite pieces for that.

“Fashion is what you’re offered four times a year by designers. And style is what you choose.”
—Lauren Hutton

Style Rule 6: Love Everything You Have

Actually, I should rephrase that and instead say: only buy clothes and accessories that you absolutely loooove. Like, OK, why not? are not really a deal maker. Only loooove is. And if you are not loving a piece, then don’t buy it in the first place.

And yes, sometimes you have an event coming and you may not have a proper shoe or an outfit for it and eventually you end up buying something that will follow in one of those categories. Because that was what you could find at that particular time. OK. Sometimes it is the way it goes. But even in those cases, try the best you can buying something you actually loved. Or at least consider renting, borrowing…

And if you still couldn’t find anything and buying is the only solution, always remember that you can sell the piece afterwards if you are not going to need it for other occasions. This way you can keep your wardrobe on the love vibe.

And speaking of it… keeping your entire wardrobe committed to a love only vibe will help to make you shop wisely and make you save some serious bucks but also this little detail will help to build a wardrobe that you are more likely to wear it all as you should, frequently and happily. Because when we only have pieces that we love available that is the tendency. Just think for a moment in that piece in your wardrobe that you absolutely love the most. That piece that sparks joy (hello, Marie Kondo!), a piece that if you could you would wear it all the time. See? That can actually happen for real if you ONLY have in your wardrobe pieces that makes you feel that way.

Wouldn’t that be wonderful? It would, right?

Then consider this every time you go shopping for something. Only buy pieces that you loooove.

Style Rule 5: Don’t Underestimate The Power Of Details

Details are key to maximize your looks. In order to do that you have to understand that details can make (or break) a look, they can differentiate a look so you don’t get bored when repeating an outfit, they can communicate your style or who you are when you have no or little opportunity to do so. Or just don’t want to use words for that.

Image by Juan Carlos García Menezo from Pixabay
Image by Mater Miliano from Pixabay

What do I mean by details? Details can be literally a detail on your top like something sparkling, it can be a message on your t-shirt, it can be how you wear your sweater, your belt, your scarf, your cuffs, your hem, your tucked shirt or even just an accessory per se.

To illustrate that, think about wearing your cuffs undone at its on place, a half tucked, half untucked shirt, a belt buckle a little off its place, a different scarf knot, a bracelet or any kind of so you jewelry,

If you master that you can easily wear to the most everything you have, you can pack lighter because you will get that you don’t need a lot of pieces to have something to wear, you just need the right pieces and the right details.

For inspiration on details you can check my boards on Pinterest Details For Her and Details For Him. I will update them frequently-ish.

Style Rule 4: Be A Smart Shopper

And in order to be a smart shopper always go shopping (online or in person) with a list and stick to it. And every time you make your shopping list consider this:

Do I really, really need this? You do if you answer yes to one or all of these questions —> Is it a piece that will bring joy to you and your wardrobe? Is it gonna help you to refresh it for a new season? Is it a piece you have but need a replacement because yours is worn out? Is there a special occasion coming and you don’t really really have something to wear?
Can I afford it without compromise my finances? —> If you can’t afford it, don’t buy it. Or first, get the money and then buy it. I know it is way easier to say than do it, but hey, deep inside you know it is the right thing to do.
How often am I gonna wear this piece? —> If you are gonna wear very rarely, then why are you buying it? If it is for a special occasion, that you are gonna wear just once or every now and then, than consider not spending that much in that piece or even renting it. Because a piece only pays off your investment on it if you are gonna wear it a bunch of times.
Do I have at least 7 whole different looks to wear that piece with? —> Because you need to have a few different looks to wear your purchased piece and don’t get bored that easily. Otherwise you are not gonna wear that piece that often and as we see above, frequency it is paramount to actually make your investment worths.
Does the piece suit me, my body type, my taste, my style, my lifestyle? —> Because if it doesn’t, then why on earth you are gonna get it?
Do you looooooove the piece? Or is it just cute or Ok? —> You gotta looooove everything you purchase. That is what will make you want to wear it frequently: the joy of loving it. And that will show. Besides that, why buying something that you only like if you could save the money for something you really love it? Why? Why?

With those things in mind, if answered honestly, you will be in the route to be a smart shopper. Guaranteed.

From The Runways: Joie Fall 2019

Joie is a Californian brand that evokes a feminine, effortless elegance for the contemporary women, a brand that is what I call affordable chic. And what I mean by affordable chic is that they have clothes that are very much down to earth understated elegant on its aesthetics and not too expensive but not cheap at all on its price point. Joie is indeed one of my favorite American brands. Love to shop there when I am in New York. And they show their collections during Paris Fashion Week that is happening now. For Fall 2019, here are 6 looks that could go straight to someone’s real life lookbook.

The pieces that most called my attention were the dresses. They all could go from day to night by changing the accessories. Think flat sandals, ballerina flats, wedges and boots for day and heeled boots, high-heel sandals, peep toes or a striking flat sandal (or ballerina flats) for night. And the purse should follow the same vibe. Actually if you decide to wear those boots to any of the dresses, you could go day through night with the look. The purse would give a better idea if you are dressing it a little down or up.

And if the weather gets colder, you can always wear a warm coat or a cardigan on top of it. Stockings are also a good warm option as well.

Among the dresses a good idea for a pants’ look. A blouse with a sweater vibe and cropped pants with mid ankle boots. Very Californian chic, I would say.

Do Socks Match Shoes Or Pants?

Well, it depends. It depends on which fashion rulers you decide to follow. Someone believe that socks should match your pants. Full stop. Others believe that your socks should match your shoes. Full stop. And others believe that your socks could match your shoes or your pants.

If you want my two cents on that: match your socks with your pants. This is a better bet that will work most of the time. And it is the most elegant one as well. If you can, do this match.

Style Rule 3: Invest In Quality Over Quantity

Because first, you don’t need a wardrobe full of clothes. You need a wardrobe with the right clothes for you, your lifestyle, your taste, body type and style. And for that you don’t need 100 tops for 1 trousers. Secondly, if you want to look your best, your clothes have to look good. Not only on you, but on their own. They don’t need to be highly expensive but they need to look expensive, to have some quality degree. That can upgrade your wardrobe and your look way more than a 100 options to 1 trouser. Way more.

Plus when you invest in quality you will have a piece that will last longer, so you will need to buy less clothes. In theory at least, you will. This will be a good investment.

So always go for quality over quantity. Always.

The Right Way To Button Up Your Suit’s Jacket, Blazer Or Sports Coat

Here we go:

If your blazer, suit’s jacket or sports coat/jacket is an one-button piece then button up that button.

If it is a two-button one then only fast the top button.

If it is a three-button piece then the middle button should always be fasten. The bottom button always left unbuttoned. The top button could be left unbuttoned or be buttoned up. It is up to you.

Having said that if your jacket, blazer or sport’s coat is a rolled up into a lapel (like the photo above), then this is a strong suggestion to leave it unbuttoned.

If it is a four or five-button piece (seriously?), always leave the bottom button unbuttoned. The top button may be fasten or not.

If it is a double-breasted one, then usually you keep all the buttons fasten.

Another possibility: the bottom button from the outside is left unbuttoned. Look at the photo for a better understanding.

For single-button pieces, no matter the configuration (one-button, two-button, three-button etc) it is better to keep it buttoned up properly as it is illustrated above while standing and unbuttoned completely while sat.

Of course that if you are wearing a jacket’s suit, a blazer or a sports coat/jacket casually, it is an option to leave it unbuttoned while standing. But if it is a black-tie, formal or business event, keep it buttoned up properly at all times while standing. Or at least at pivotal moments, like in an Oscar ceremony during the red carpet and on stage if presenting an award or receiving it.

Got it?

For double-breasted button pieces it is better to keep it buttoned up even while sat. Having said that, since the introduction of the slim fit suit, sometimes in this case it is totally doable to leave it unbuttoned while sat. And it is because with a slim fit suit there are less fabric hanging. But still…

Wardrobe Essentials For Her: Panties

This is a very important element in our wardrobe. First, because we need some kind of comfort when the subject is underwear. We need to feel good there. And for some women it is also a requirement to feel great, wearing nice, elegant or sexy underwear at all times. Those are things that will depend on each woman. Having said that, one thing that any women should consider is wearing the right underwear for the right clothes. Because sometimes, some outfits will demand invisible-ish underwear. Like white or light colored clothes, thin fabrics, even some see-through ones. All of them requires the right underwear. And here is a very general list for undies that you should have around to cover most of your bases. Take a note:

A nude thong. Photo: Spanx.com
A thong with a bit tummy control. Photo: Spanx.com
A boyshort with high waist. Photo: Spanx.com
A tummy and bum control. Photo: Spanx.com
A Longer version of boyshort with tummy control. Photo: Spanx.com
A Bum Enhancer Panties. Photo: Shape.com
Organic hip huggers cotton panties. Photo: Hesta.
A sexy lacey thong. Photo: Journelle.com
A lacey bikini. Photo: Journelle.com
A high waisted undie. Photo: Journelle.com
A sexy boyshort. Photo: Spanx.com
A lacey nude boyshort. Photo: Journelle.com

At least 9 daily panties. They can be sexy or just comfy, organic cotton or lace, briefs, thongs, boyshorts, hip huggers, bikinis, high waisted… They can be in neutral colors or colorful or printed. But it is a good idea to have at least 1 or 2 in nude, your shade of nude, just in case. If they are seamless or undetectable even better. You can obviously pick here underwear to match your bras or wear them in a mismatch vibe. Up to you. And your style.
At least 2 in your shade of nude, seamless, undetectable. It could be a thong or a boyshort or even one of those control shorts with or without highwaisted.
1 or 2 shapewear. In nude and black. And this will totally depend on you and in what you want to. If you get one of those control shorts mentioned above and this will be enough for what kind of outfits you wear, then great. No need for anything more here. But here you can add special pants with high waist and tummy control or a thigh control or a bum enhancer panties, go for it.
3 or 4 for a special dating occasion. Again, one beautiful nude panties is a good idea. The others could be black, red, white or in any other color.