Nina Garcia gained her knowledge of style from her parents, working in fashion houses and in fashion media, and on Bravo’s Project Runway. In her book, The Little Black Book of Style (Collins, 2007) she says,“…when it comes to style, there are no rules…but there are definite basics.
Clean the Closet then Fill it with Clothing Staples
If a woman’s closet is filled with clothing that doesn’t fit or look good on her body it is harder to be stylish. Weed out clothing held onto for sentimental reasons or because it was a great deal five years ago. Then, look if the closet includes basic pieces that work through day or night, several seasons, and from year-to-year. Work with a personal color palette to ensure that pieces go together.
Garcia suggests the little black dress, a classic men’s white shirt, a cashmere cardigan or turtleneck, a trench coat, denim, a man’s classic watch, diamonds, ballet flats, a classic high-heel pump, and a great bag. These pieces don’t fill a woman’s closet but they give her the basic elements to fall back on in many situations.
Spend more money on classic pieces that will last for years. Everyday basics like t-shirts, khaki pants, button-up shirts, etc. don’t have to be expensive – figure out what is worth spending money on and where money can be saved.
Invest in Dramatic Fashion Accessories but Avoid Becoming a Fashion Victim
Garcia recommends buying “truly fantastic” pieces that the wearer falls in love with “immediately.” These pieces should be timeless as opposed to trendy (meaning that it can be worn for years). “The key to accessorizing is to keep it personal and to keep it tasteful.”
As for accessories, Garcia points out that no matter what the scale says, accessories will help the wearer express her personality or mood for the day. Avoid going overboard by wearing two (or more) dramatic, eye-catching pieces. The same goes for trendy items – following too many trends in one outfit prevents the wearer from expressing her personality, and therefore, her style.
Find a Good Tailor or Seamstress
While the only clothing a woman may think to have fitted to her is a wedding dress, a tailor can personalize a garment by giving it a perfect fit, revive an old item and make it new, and turn an item into a one-of-a-kind object. If clothing never fits quite right and the wearer has to settle for what’s on the rack, a tailor can create a polished look.
Mix and Match Clothes and Accessories for an Individual Fashion Style
Garcia points out that “Style is about … imperfect mixes and … unusual juxtapositions, it takes time and trial to perfect the mix….it has to look effortless.” This is the hard part because there are no hard and fast rules that will ensure the perfect outfit. If the wearer feels uncomfortable or self-conscious, then the mix isn’t for her (even if it looked great on someone else). Try mixing vintage and modern, preppy with edge, masculine with feminine, funky with basic, or sweet with vampy.
These suggestions boil down to a woman figuring out how she wants to present herself to the world instead of simply following trends. Experimentation is the key to finding one’s style. Avoid allowing the clothing to overshadow the wearer.
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