Developing a Sense of Classic Style

Developing a Sense of Classic Style

By Prin Dumas

I am by no means the reincarnation of Audrey Hepburn! However, I have a great eye for quality and simplicity, sprinkled with some class. My mother, a designer and avid fashionista in her youth, awoke my rebellion as a teen to manifest itself in liking to look "grungy." I hated anything trendy until I grew up. At 16, you found flannel shirts wrapped around my ripped jeans. Now, I would be lying if I did not admit to my hankering for all things beautiful.

Is there an easy way to look chic?

Black is always a classic. Red, white, and tan closely follow. However, explore your colors by knowing your best shades. Visit ColormeBeautiful.com and consider getting a color analysis done!

The traditional 3 to 4 inch heel with a closed toe never goes out of style-no matter what any magazine tries pushing on you each season. The more normal looking a shoe, the more years you'll be able to wear it! Certain brands, like Guess, Bandolino, and Candies find themselves at discount retail stores like Marshall's.

Dressing your size will always make you look perfect. So simple: know your size; look perfect! Google measurements and know what waist and bust inches correspond to jean/pant sizes and small, medium, and large fittings. For example, visit Webundies.com at http://www.webundies.com/sizes.htm and look up more information off of their helpful charts:

Size
Number
Waist
Hip
Bust
Small
4-5
23.5-25.5 inches
33.5-35.5 inches
30 inches
Small
--
24-26 inches
34-36 inches
30-32 inches
Small
5
24-26 inches
34-36 inches
30-32 inches
Medium
--
27-29 inches
37-39 inches
34-36 inches
Medium
6
27-29 inches
37-39 inches
34-36 inches
Medium
8-10
32-34 inches
38-40 inches
34-36 inches
Large
--
30-32 inches
40-42 inches
38 inches
Large
7
30-32 inches
40-42 inches
38 inches
Large
12-14
33-35 inches
40-42 inches
38 inches
X-Large
--
33-35 inches
43-45 inches
40-42 inches
X-Large
8
33-35 inches
43-45 inches
40-42 inches
X-Large
16
35-37 inches
44-47 inches
42-44 inches

Maybe after reading this, everyone who knows me will state, "Yeah, she wears black all of the time and likes heels," but that's usually my work outfit. Give me a pair of tailored pants and a fitted shirt, and I'll bring the heels, unless my feet hurt that day! A girl's bound to look casual at some point!

If you don't have the stomach to show off, don't show it. Know the length of your torso and buy t-shirts that cover you, not drape you.

Wear a belt, or at least, have someone "take in" the pant legs, but always wear pants that actually fit your waist. Even the skinniest of girls can fall prey to walking around with flab hanging off the top of her tight jeans, because she thinks it makes her bum look "cute." No, it makes her look like she has rolls!

There are sneakers and then there are casual shoes. If you're going to go hiking, bring the sneaks. If you need to look attractive, consider a non-workout shoe, even if it is a sneaker. One good run will crease a shoe more than it should for casual wear on a weekend outing.

Overall, aim to look neat. You don't have to splurge on the latest outfits in order to look good, but you do have to spend money. Buy quality items and classic materials.

The cheap cotton that wrinkles the moment you take it off and lay it on your bed is not worth the $40 it costs at the trendiest store. The Kenneth Cole watch that you got on sale for $200 just may be worth the splurge.

If you are on a budget (or still on your parents') make a list of items in your closet. Take an inventory. Buy accordingly. I mean really, how many pink tank tops do you need?