10 Easy Ways to Look Instantly Less Frumpy
By Charles Manning
1. Wear your vest on top of your coat, so everyone can see it.
It’s a great way to dress up a basic, inexpensive jacket. Choose a puffer in a bright color for a fun, sporty look, or go glam with fur or feathers.
On the right: Gray Wool Coat, H&M, $80; Blue Plaid Top, JOIE (Available at Bloomingdale’s), $181; Blue Plaid Skirt, JOIE (Available at Bloomingdale’s), $157; Transparent Loafers, JEFFREY CAMPBELL, $135; Navy Fur Vest, CLUB MONACO, $199; Black Shoulder Bag, COACH, $425
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2. Pull your jogger pants down around your hips, instead of wearing them up around your waist.
Joggers, drawstring pants, and silk pajama pants are meant to be worn low across your hips, not up around your natural waist. Keep your top loose and blousy, then add some structure and sophistication with a tailored jacket, high heels and a boxy bag.
On the right: White and Red Striped Button Down, H&M, $60; White Blazer Dress, BCBGMAXAZRIA, $298; Black Perforated Leather Joggers, CLUB MONACO, $160; Black-and-White Printed Sandal Heels, CLUB MONACO, $199; Leopard Printed Shoulder Bag, COACH, $795; Gold Triangle Prism Earrings, SARAH MAGID, $148; Gold Pave Crystal Ring, NOIR, $75
3. Emphasize your waist, even in a shapeless sack dress.
You don’t have to wear something tight or cinch in your waist to create a flattering silhouette. Layer a cropped jacket over an otherwise shapeless dress for instant waist emphasis without a belt.
On the right: White Dress With Zipper Details, ASOS, $57; Strappy Black Booties, CIRCUS BY SAM EDELMAN, $91; Cropped Black Leather Moto Jacket, NASTY GAL, $88; Light Pink and Black Buckle Bag, NASTY GAL x NILA ANTHONY, $48; Gold Geometric Cuff, CC SKYE (Available at Glam Boutique), $195; Black and Gold Arrow Earrings, NOIR, $60; Gold Necklace With Stone Pendant, BAUBLE BAR, $36
4. Give your jeans a rest.
Wearing an oversize sweater with a pair of skinny jeans is so boring! Add a hefty dose of romance and glamour to that big, cozy sweater by layering it over a long, flowing dress or skirt. You’ll still flatter your figure but the overall look will be more comfortable and infinitely more beautiful.
On the right: Black V-Neck Sweater, EXPRESS, $50; Black Lace Skirt, FREE PEOPLE (Available at Bloomingdale’s),$128; Black Stretch Sandal Heels, CLUB MONACO, $199; Stone Statement Collar, A PEACE TREATY, $298; Two-Tone Stone Gold Cuff, LELE SADOUGHI, $195; Studded Black and Silver Cuff, DANNIJO, $395
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5. Play with proportions to make your outfit sexier and more fun.
Instead of a basic, hip-length sweater, try layering a cropped sweater over a woven top or blouse. Then switch out those basic black tights for a pair of over-the-knee socks. Layer a pair of sheer, nude tights underneath, and it will look like you are flashing a little bit of skin even though you will actually be completely covered up.
On the right: Black-and-White Miniskirt, ALICE + OLIVIA (Available at Bloomingdale’s), $198; Black Pumps, JEFFREY CAMPBELL, $145; Black Over-the-Knee Socks, AMERICAN APPAREL, $13; Cream Cropped Sweater, CLUB MONACO, $140; White Silk Top, CLUB MONACO, $150; Black and Gold Studded Crossbody Bag, MILLY,$245; Gold Embellished Pendant Necklace, CC SKYE (Available at Glam Boutique), $185; Gold Pearl Necklace, LELE SADOUGHI, $265; Gold Three-Ring Stack, CC SKYE (Available at Glam Boutique), $175; Gold Hexagon-Shaped Ring, GORJANA, $58; Gold Bar Ring, HOUSE OF HARLOW 1960 (Available at Glam Boutique), $58
6. Don’t let one awesome accessory completely dominate your outfit.
It’s easy to fall in love with an amazing pair of shoes or a fun bag when you are out shopping, but actually wearing them can be a little intimidating. The easiest thing to do is just wear all black and call it a day, but then your whole outfit becomes about that one accessory. Suddenly your shoes are the star of your outfit, when that role should be played by you.
Keep the black dress, but add a little white to help break up all that black and add a few more fun, colorful accessories into the mix to help balance your look and distract from those fabulous shoes, thus keeping the focus where it belongs: on you!
On the right: Black Long-Sleeved Bodysuit, NASTY GAL, $52; Black Leather Midi Skirt, EXPRESS, $49; White Sandal Heels With Pink Faux Fur, ASOS, $86; Off-White Leather Moto Jacket, BCBGMAXAZRIA (Available at Bloomingdale’s), $588; Multicolored Tweed Clutch, MILLY, $375;Gold Pave Crescent Moon Ring, CC SKYE (Available at Glam Boutique), $150; Pink and Lavender Pearl and Crystal Earrings, DANNIJO, $145
7. Wear your jacket on your shoulders, not on your arms.
And while you’re at it, stop pulling your boyfriend jeans down around the tops of your shoes. Instead, give them a little cuff to show off your ankles, and wear them a low on your hips for a little extra slouchiness. The volume of the jacket will help balance the volume of the jeans and create a more flattering look.
On the right: Lightly Distressed Boyfriend Jeans, MAVI, $118; Leopard Print Top, SCOTCH & SODA, $79; Gray Bomber Jacket, SCOTCH & SODA; White Pumps With Ankle Strap, JEFFREY CAMPBELL, $175; Burgundy Chain Crossbody Bag, DANNIJO, $1098; Gold Two-Tier Fringe Earrings, A PEACE TREATY, $180; Two-Tone Stone Ring, A PEACE TREATY, $180; Silver Embellished Cuff, DANNIJO, $245; Gold Thin Cuff, DANNIJO, $168
8. Save the big necklaces for when you’re older.
Jeweled statement necklaces are hugely popular, but they are a little costume-y and big necklaces in general are a very mature look, better suited to women in their 50s than those in their 20s. If you want to bling up a basic blouse or sweater without aging yourself 30 years, leave your neckline unadorned and try a cool ear cuff, or ring, or bangle instead. Anything, really. Except a brooch. That’s some major granny territory.
On the right: Light Blue Coat, FOREVER 21, $34; White Button Down, DEMYLEE (Available at J.Crew), $170; Crystal Earcuff, ZARA, $18; Silver Pave Stack Ring, NOIR, $50
9. Stop belting your tops.
If you want to draw attention to your waist in an otherwise curve-obliterating top, your best bet is to tuck the top into a high-waisted skirt or a pair of high-waisted pants. It’s a younger look and it elongates your legs, which is never a bad thing.
On the right: Black Wrap Pencil Skirt With Buttons, NASTY GAL, $78; Red Cashmere Sweater, LORD & TAYLOR, $100; Black Perforated Booties, SHOE CULT BY NASTY GAL, $130; Black Embellished Sunglasses, MIU MIU (Available at SunglassHut), $445; Black Faux-Crocodile Bag, AUXILIARY (Available at Aritzia), $325; Gold Triangle Prism Earrings, SARAH MAGID, $148; Gold Pearl Cuff, LELE SADOUGHI (Available at Net-A-Porter), $300
Related: 10 Reasons Your Jewelry Looks Cheap
10. Stop pulling your shirt down over your hips.
Pulling your top down like that draws a line right across the widest part of your body and makes you look larger than you really are. It can also cause unfortunate muffin-topping on even the most toned of bodies. Instead, go for a cropped sweater to bring the attention up toward your waist and get yourself some high-rise jeans to help shape and cover you from the waist down.
On the right: Black Skinny Jeans, J BRAND, $185; Gray Cropped Sweater, CLUB MONACO, $150;Gold Geometric Pendant Necklaces, GORJANA, $88; Gold Ring With Two Stones, CC SKYE (Available at Glam Boutique), $95; Leopard Print Sneakers, SAM EDELMAN, $80; Tortoise and White Glasses, TORY BURCH, $187
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