No matter our way of dressing, we all want to look stylish in one way or another but sometimes we may not have the time or energy to put our all into choosing the perfect outfit, makeup and hair. Especially if we have to be ready to go early in the morning.  As for me, I used to be more than a little anxious when it came to going out without a well-thought-through ensemble, and some good make-up. Those days are kinda gone. Don’t get me wrong, I live for a stylish moment but I’ve learned some quick tips to look well put together and retain my style without having to spend hours in front of a mirror. To be honest, it has made life easier and has allowed me to not worry so much of the time. Besides, sometimes, the smallest changes make the biggest differences!

– Pointy Shoes: These are completely optional, some love them, some hate them. Currently, square-toed shoes are in fashion, and these are more comfortable but the reality is pointy shoes tend to make outfits appear more stylish and elegant as they elongate your legs and make you look taller. Nowadays, many shoes have a pointed toe, from mules to stilettos and even flats, no matter where your comfort zone is, a pointy shoe is there for you to try. That said, if you suffer from problems with your feet or your feet are too wide, I would suggest staying away from this kind of shoe as they may cause trouble for you and there is nothing less stylish than being in pain!

– A Red Lipstick and Mascara: Do I need to explain? I mean, a red lip is iconic, it will instantly make any look pop without having to do much else to the rest of your face. Having a shade of red in your collection that makes you feel confident and sexy will help you get a chic look in one swipe. I recommend taking your time to find the appropriate shade for your skin-tone, and the finish for your style, as there are so many out there. Two of my personal favourites are Dior’s Ultra Shock in the shade 851 and The Huda Beauty Liquid Matte Lipstick in the shade Heartbreaker. That said, mascara is a must if you want to look bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, you’ll be fresh in a heartbeat. There’s a reason why getting your lashes done is so popular now! Putting on some mascara is a fast pick me up that makes you look gorgeous and ready to face the world, all with minimal fuss.   

–Well-kept nails: My sister takes pity on me and fixes my nails up fairly frequently, as when I’m anxious my nails pay the price, so I’m hardly one to talk.  But seriously, having nails that are neat and clean can make all the difference to your look. Even if you don’t have the time to get your nails professionally done in a salon, just taking care of them at home is enough. Also, now that most beauty retailers offer stick on acrylic nails, these are fast and foolproof to put on, and many look insanely good for the price, especially where time or affordability are a factor. 

– Fitted Clothes: With this, I mean clothes that are your right size and fit your body/shape properly, unless you’re going for a deliberately oversized look, then that’s a whole other story. My point here is that if your clothes are way too tight or way too baggy, they can not only be unflattering, but can make you look unkempt. If your clothes have a nice fit and the fabrics are good quality, however, your outfit will look on point even if it is only a pair of jeans and a t-shirt!

–Neutral Colors: Don’t get me wrong, I’m a print lover but neutrals tend to be more stylish than patterns. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t have prints in your closet, but make sure to have some basics in neutral colours as they are easier to combine and create outfits that look like you’ve just come out of an influencer’s photo. In my case, black is my neutral colour of choice but it can be brown, white, tan or even pink! It’s your choice, you know yourself best!

– Cool Sunglasses: Have you ever seen your fav fashion icon wearing a killer pair of sunglasses? Don’t they look fantastic? Well, it’s hardly a well-kept secret that a great pair of sunglasses can transform a whole look. It doesn’t matter if you can’t afford a stunning pair from Gucci, just look around for ones that fit your face shape and personal style and stick with just those, or go crazy and get several pairs, so you can mix it up depending on the occasion! As I wear glasses on a daily basis, I chose a pair I fell in love with and got them in my prescription, so now I don’t have to worry about using sunglasses that make me dizzy and I can only wear for a couple of hours. They were a bit of an investment but it’s worth it!

– Great Hair: There’s no need to be a hairstylist or spend hours fixing your hair, but having clean and combed hair is a thing that it’s kind of a must if you want to look stylish at any given moment. Even a bed-head style needs to be messed up in just the right way with the correct products! There’s no need to fuss around it, or even change your hairstyle every time, unless you want to. Just make sure it’s neat and you’re ready to go! If you are into trends, you can always add a nice headband, textured scrunchie or some pearl clips to give it the final touch that will make it special. 

– A Statement Bag: Whether it’s the “it” bag of the moment (if you are lucky enough to be able to afford it), or that Tote bag you fell in love with, in the shop around the corner, having a bag that is a conversation piece will always improve your outfits. You’ll probably have read that investing in a designer bag is a great way to elevate your look quite easily and I agree. However, it is NOT necessary to spend your money on this element if you can’t or don’t want to. In my opinion, as long as you find that bag that you love and that works with most of your outfits, it’s great. I suggest also bearing in mind your type of everyday life; for example, if you tend to carry a lot of stuff, a Tote or Bucket bag are good choices but if not, you could always go for smaller, more interesting bags that may carry less but look super cute in photos. As for me, I love both. I have some designer bags that I am so grateful I was able to get my hands on but, if I’m honest, you’ll see me sporting a Harry Potter bag I got from Primark on most occasions and I rock it. 

– The right number of accessories: I am all for accessorizing but sometimes you can end up looking more like a Christmas tree than a fashionista if you’re not careful. Whilst some styles call for more accessories, and conversely others for less, For me more is more, but cutting back and choosing a delicate necklace and some rings instead of throwing on ten things can look more streamlined and sophisticated. It all depends on the look you’re going for, there are always exceptions to the rule, especially in fashion. Check your outfit in advance if you can, and try on different accessories. Just consider a new approach, if you want to go all out with bracelets, maybe leave the necklace and the earrings for another occasion. 

– Confidence: This is the most important tip in this whole post. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what you wear, or how you look, as long as you are confident in yourself; that will ALWAYS make you look stylish and beautiful no matter what. Be true to yourself. Whatever you go out in, hold your head high, with a smile and forget anything anyone else might say. Those who mind don’t matter and those who matter, don’t mind. If you believe in yourself, others will too and you will shine. 

As the great Iris Apfel said: “Life is grey and dull; you might as well have a little fun when you dress”. So, take these tips with a pinch of salt and humour. I am not a fashion guru nor do I try to be, I’m just someone who loves and enjoys fashion and wants to share that with the world. I don’t believe in “rules”, I think there are tricks to guide the eye and build confidence, but there are no right or wrongs in fashion, or in life. Everything is subjective so do what makes you happy! But if any of these tips helped you, even a tiny bit, that makes me very happy! If you have tips or tricks of your own that you’d like to share, leave a comment. I would love to read the tips you have to achieve your perfect look! 

Xoxo,