DISQUS

DISQUS Hello! Carrie and Danielle is using DISQUS, a powerful comment system, to manage its comments. Learn more.

Community Page

Carrie and Danielle

The go-to place for information, inspiration and how-to content on topics ranging from Beauty and Relationships to Wealth and Wellness.
Jump to original thread »
Author

What’s the best “how to dress right” tip that you know?

Started by Daniel Gibbons · 8 months ago

Beware of wearing THAT. ... Continue reading »

87 comments

  • Catharine

    8 months ago

    A well-edited closet is the best "how to dress right" strategy I know of. If you have a closet in which you love and *wear* everything, you really can't go wrong. Approach your closet like a self-portrait; when you open it, it should make you happy with what you see. I spent one month last year cleaning out my closet (it was a long overdue project!) and it kind of changed my life.

    Also, whoever said to "take one thing off" after getting dressed in the morning...I loved that! Too often appearances are over-cluttered; stripping things down just a little bit helps make elements shine, I think.
    reply
  • Linda Borland-Fitzgerald

    8 months ago

    The 'take one thing off" tip was the first thing that came to my mind too.
    reply
  • Domestic Miss

    8 months ago

    It's Coco Chanel that said it. Take one thing off after you got dressed and before you get outta door. Oh, I don't think that underwear counts.
    reply
  • Linda Borland-Fitzgerald

    8 months ago

    If you're going to wear a trend, pick just one thing. For example, tartan is in this fall so wear it is a scarf double looped around your neck over a crisp, white shirt and stand the collar up.. or 'Joe Fresh' (Loblaws Super Store) has a great tartan bag for $19.
    reply
  • sarahsalway

    8 months ago

    Be comfortable - think about what you are going to wear before you dress, but make sure you don't have to once it's on. There's nothing worse for me than having to spend time worrying about whether my buttons are coming undone, my shirt is tucked in etc etc. Oh, and wear shoes that fit properly.
    reply
  • Jamie

    8 months ago

    Think about it before but not after - brilliant tip!
    reply
  • DanielleLaPorte

    8 months ago

    comfort helps convey confidence. When a woman is hobbling around in heels and a too tight pencil skirt - it hurts for everyone!
    reply
  • Alison

    8 months ago

    So true. There's no point in fabulous shoes if they make the woman herself look bad. Its amazing how women tend to misdirect their energy, attempting to make the clothes look fabulous instead of themselves.
    reply
  • laurel

    8 months ago

    I forget where I read this but it really works. To look pulled together, repeat a color from the bottom of your outfit near your face. You can do this really subtly or in larger color blocks. Some examples:
    * black loafers, khaki pants, black shirt (as seen on my husband!)
    * red sneakers, jeans, gray sweater, scarf with flecks of red in it
    * brown sandals, green jeans, white T-shirt, navy blazer, brown sunglass frames
    reply
  • Linda Borland-Fitzgerald

    8 months ago

    I like that...
    reply
  • Domestic Miss

    8 months ago

    Wear what suits your shape; there is no person that looks good with absolutely everything out there! And skinny jeans do not look good on anyone; it's a toss between blue toothpicks or blue sausages and neither are nice.
    reply
  • ellabobella

    8 months ago

    Only buy things that make you sing.
    reply
  • Kelly

    8 months ago

    Buy good shoes.
    reply
  • CarrieM

    8 months ago

    Yup, blow the budget on good shoes. Your feet need love and respect!
    reply
  • Linda Borland-Fitzgerald

    8 months ago

    I had to stop wearing 'cute' shoes years ago because of my back and I always have to consider orthotics when I buy. When I do go without them, I choose low heels or flats but pay for a few days afterwards. I have this incredible pair of Norma Kamali's fro the mid eighties that I kept and they are exactly what's back on trend this year.. damn!
    reply
  • CarrieM

    8 months ago

    I bought a pair of Max Mara world war two chunky heel so comfortable shoes
    12 years ago and they're still fabulous!
    reply
  • Linda Borland-Fitzgerald

    8 months ago

    I also still have a Norma Kamali dress that came with those enormous shoulder pads so popular in the eighties and I still wear it, sans the pads.

    For fun, I have an old, hump topped trunk in which I have stored certain clothes from different eras. From the sixties I have a suede mini skirt and chocolate brown see-through shirt, my mini wedding dress and matching coat, high platform shoes and really wide legged pants (seventies), the eighties heralded a few things like my Annie Hall felt hat and dirndl skirt with wide leather belt. Fun for future grandchildren or a museum?
    reply
  • Traci

    8 months ago

    Tailoring makes all the difference.
    reply
  • laurie_matthews

    8 months ago

    The best advice I've ever heard is - wear the clothes, don't let the clothes wear you. To that end I don't just look in the mirror, but see how I feel in an outfit before deciding on it. If I feel comfortable I'll be confident.
    reply
  • Jess

    8 months ago

    Skin-tight looks good on no one. If you wear something baggy on top, wear something more fitted on the bottom.
    Get formal dresses that flatter YOU, they don't need to be the newest thing out there.
    Make sure your wardrobe fits together...don't have a million "outfits," be able to throw something together in the morning and have it all work (part of my S.S. - the "comfortable" part).
    But don't be afraid to try something different - especially regarding lingerie ;)
    reply
  • Lisa D

    8 months ago

    Don't take fashion too seriously.
    Sometimes I see what's on the runway and think the designers are just trying to be absurd and shocking just to make a name for themselves. That's the last thing that fits into my everyday wardrobe.
    reply
  • Kristen

    8 months ago

    A gorgeous white shirt can make you feel like a million bucks....and your beautiful smile!!
    reply
  • Linda Borland-Fitzgerald

    8 months ago

    Absolutely my favourite thing and I have a closet full to show for it. I am however, on a quest to find one that has a collar that stands up permanently. I saw one featured on City LIne a few weeks ago and by the time I got around to checking out the J. Michaels store near me (they called around the country to find one for me) they were gone.. from every store across Canada and are not getting more.. very sad.
    reply
  • sarah

    8 months ago

    Check out the label ITEMZ - By: Chris Baumgartner (www.neetumalik.com). Great item tops (come in white, too) that look amazing on every body.
    reply
  • Linda Borland-Fitzgerald

    8 months ago

    I will - thanks.
    reply
  • ayobeauty

    8 months ago

    “True elegance consists not in having a closet bursting with clothes, but rather in having a few well-chosen items in which one feels totally at ease.” Coco Chanel

    Ayo Fashola
    Style and Fashion Engineer
    iCECREAM STYLE
    reply
  • DanielleLaPorte

    8 months ago

    thanks for the Coco wisdom - so true
    reply
  • Traci

    8 months ago

    I can't remember where I read it, but when she passed, Ms. Chanel had something like 4 outfits in her enormous walk-in Parisian closet. That woman was a genius.
    reply
  • Leah Graves

    8 months ago

    get a handful of cute jackets. You can wear them with jeans or dress pants and if you work in a very cold office like mine they come in handy.

    Also, don't go by the size--try it on (there's no standard sizing in jeans etc. so you can pick up two pairs with the same size that do not fit the same at all).
    reply
  • kim

    8 months ago

    Something I tell new employees:
    If you wouldn't wear it to church, don't wear it here!
    you'd be surprised...
    reply
  • Gayle

    8 months ago

    good one. I've been in too many business meetings where clevage can become a big distraction..........
    reply
  • Gayle

    8 months ago

    When wearing skirt and stockings (nylons) .....make sure the colour of the stockings are not darker than the skirt or dress. ie Black stockings nice with black dress or skirt,,,,,but lighten it up otherwise.
    reply
  • alligator_kate

    8 months ago

    I'm wondering why on this one?
    reply
  • Bridget Smith

    8 months ago

    There are all sorts of rules for dressing well that I teach my clients, however, I have to say that CONFIDENCE is critical to dressing right. You need to own your look, whatever it may be! Dress like you meant it! Aside from that, my top three tips would be (1) wear the proper foundation garments, (2) wear clothes that fit, and (3) achieve a balanced silhouette through your clothes.

    Shoes make or break an outfit, too!
    reply
  • CarrieM

    8 months ago

    Confidence is essential, noticed before the clothes.
    reply
  • Ginger_Laine

    8 months ago

    What a fun and useful question today!

    Bridget, I think you have presented what should be considered the Four Noble Truths of Dressing:

    1. You are only as good as your foundation.
    2. Bad fit will out.
    3. Balance and proper proportion create beauty.
    4. Shoe choice reveals everything.

    I have long lived by the power of proportion and the mantra that the quality of your shoes matters most, but just this past year I have finally recognized the value of your two other points and have accepted that spending extra money on these is very worthwhile. It is awe-inspiring the difference the right underwear can make, especially now that I am older. Also, I now keep my tailor on speed-dial and just automatically take new skirts and slacks to her to be altered to fit me perfectly.
    reply
  • Shelly

    8 months ago

    I agree that fit is most important and then after that I think your clothes need to express who you are. It's that feeling when you wear something right that you can "take on the world" and you feel your best. I'd rather buy fewer clothes that make me feel great and express who I am (which I have a better sense of through my SS!!).
    reply
  • Ms. Tabitha

    8 months ago

    When in doubt, ask. And I prefer to err on the side of dressier than not.
    reply
  • candis

    8 months ago

    Get a Style Statement- It narrows things down pretty quick and you don't end up with doozers in the closet anymore.
    reply
  • weezie

    8 months ago

    1) Lipstick and a great pair of sunglasses can be all the makeup one needs
    2) Shoes are an indicator that God loves us and wants us to be happy
    3) A V-neckline (deep or shallow depending on body type) is universally flattering
    reply
  • Ellen

    8 months ago

    Find your own style and stay true to it.
    reply
  • Kirsty

    8 months ago

    I've never had my eyebrows done! Always wanted to but I'm someone who only wears make-up on 'special' occasions, and finds bikini waxes hard to maintain....a few girlfriends echo Carrie's statement that eyes are the window into your soul (and they shape your face).
    reply
  • Kirsty

    8 months ago

    Did it! Got my eyebrows done this past week while I was in Ottawa. Went to a salon recommended by my friend and the girl took off just the perfect amount. I love my 'new' eyes! Thanks Carrie for the inspiration.
    reply
  • Mackenzie

    8 months ago

    'Buy the best and you will always be happy with it'. I find that quality over quantity is the way to go. If you have to save to buy that special, classic piece, it always ends up being worth it and the piece will last you years to come. When I find an item that is expensive and classic, I try it on more than once to make sure that it fits and feels the way I want it to...you will end up rockin' it out for years to come!
    reply
  • CarrieM

    8 months ago

    Ditto, quality saves money and time in the long run.
    reply
  • Carol

    8 months ago

    Wear something great when you go shopping, and if what you're trying doesn't make you feel better than what you wore in there, back it goes!
    reply
  • Suzyn

    8 months ago

    I totally agree! After trying on 15 things that make you look frumpy, you can start to believe that you ARE frumpy! Putting on your fabulous outfit afterwards reminds you that it's the clothes, not you, that are the problem.
    reply
  • Tamara

    8 months ago

    I have committed to ripping every frumpy thing from my closet. If I can't put it on and think I look pretty great, it's gotta go. (I can't bear to trash perfectly wearable clothes, so I've got a perpetual bag for my local charity.) And, yep, if you've done the style statement, that helps a bunch. Is it Sacred Tradition? No? Nix it.

    As for shoes, if they're great, comfortable and you love them, you'll walk with all the confidence in the world.
    reply
  • Traci

    8 months ago

    I've changed my mind. THIS is the best "how to dress right" tip I know. Thanks!
    reply
  • Katie Kay

    8 months ago

    Because I am an accessories retailer (and accessories lover) I always suggest to my clients they choose one fabulous accessory for the focal piece of an outfit. Less is definitely more with accessories. A fabulous red handbag, or a large chunky necklace, or a beautiful belt around your middle, or a large cocktail ring.
    reply
  • Licarrit

    8 months ago

    Wardrobe Capsules! make sure that every item can go with 5 different things in your closet. You'll use more than 20% of your wardrobe and have less stuff cluttering up the system. After that, figuring out what is YOU is important so yeah! do your Style Statement. I also found the advice to set up your closet like it is a mini boutique really helpful and it makes getting dressed FUN instead of "Oh, God! what am I going to wear!"
    reply
  • alligator_kate

    8 months ago

    I love the mini boutique advice!
    reply
  • CS - Composed Lovely

    8 months ago

    Wear your clothes with confidence. If you are tugging and pulling at an outfit all day, it isn't meant for you. You should be able to stand proud and "be one with your outfit".
    reply
  • MoJo

    8 months ago

    Feel good in it, feel 'you' in it. Styles change and we change - but there are certain things that just make you feel very 'you' and probably always will. I'm all for self-expression through fashion, but I've always found that my style is more akin to a 'tabula rasa' and rather than speaking for me, it provides an uncluttered foundation from which I speak. And regardless of the backlash against black and neutrals, they can serve as a calming beauty in a sea of so much visual noise - I like to wrap myself in that simplicity and find expression in the subtleties of texture and tone. Clothing can provide the context for your message, or serve as your last word and flourish - but it's always about you. The more present and authentic you are in your choices, the better. As with everything....
    reply
  • Rushmi

    8 months ago

    Spend money on building a wardrobe with classic pieces. Then add some fun by going trendy and fun (usually classic fit suits with a fun trendy shirt)...or Classic jeans with an awesome sweater and high heels! The more classics you have, the better you look, and the less money you need to spend every season. Oh, when on a budget, get great conditioner and make your hair the fashion statement....just like alberto says on the commercials...don't know what to where, start with your hair!
    reply
  • Ralu

    8 months ago

    I forgot where i got this from, but i wanted to share it:
    the best definition of elegance is by Antoine St. Exupery, the author of The Little Prince:
    “A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” That says it all.
    reply
  • CarrieM

    8 months ago

    so true and works in all areas of your life! Thanks Ralu.
    reply
  • DanielleLaPorte

    8 months ago

    that is his quote pertaining to the definition of Elegance, actually. Beautiful.
    reply
  • Suzyn

    8 months ago

    To quote Richard Gere in Pretty Woman (and my mother on countless occasions): "Stop fidgeting!" If you feel the need to hike it up, hike it down, smooth it out, close the flap (note to self: maybe all those wrap skirts aren't the best ideas), you're not going to feel comfortable and you're not going to project your true radiance. Your clothes should feel effortless once they're on.
    reply
  • kerrymac

    8 months ago

    Be yourself, dress to reflect your personality. Wear clothes that fit well and flatter. Finding my Style Statement... Innovative Grace, has been very helpful with shopping and dressing decisions.
    reply
  • Elena

    8 months ago

    wear clothes that fits, so that it doesn't take constant adjusting. When I was in Jr. High school i went to a school dance. I was maybe 14, and had made myself a little black mini dress in home ec. class. I covered it up pretty well and slipped into the van without my dad noticing, and when he dropped me off he was a little surprised at how short it was. As i got out of the car I struggled pulling it down awkwardly, and my Dad kind of sighed and advised me to just let it be and not pull at it - if you are going to wear it wear it with confidence, nothing is worse than someone choosing to wear an item and then pulling at it the whole time because they aren't quite comfortable in it. So Id say, if you are going to wear it, just let the item be, resting where it will on your body. If you don't like how it naturally falls, and have to hike it up, or smooth it out all the time, don't wear it. I think wearing item's like this is basically the definition of "the clothes wearing you". The clothes should draw attention to your beauty, it shouldn't be constantly distracting you, drawing YOUR attention to it.
    reply
  • Natasha_L

    8 months ago

    Ignore the size. Ignore the label. When you find something you love, buy multiples!
    reply
  • DanielleLaPorte

    8 months ago

    oh - good one. At any given time I am wearing a size 8 to a size 12, a medium to an XL- I buy for the fit and hang, not the size label.
    reply
  • Colette

    8 months ago

    Having three sisters who were models and two of them who won muiltiple Miss or Mrs, pageants, you would think I would at least care a little bit about fashion. If it is comfortable and I like the way I look and feel in it, then I buy it because then I will wear it. I really honestly do not care what any one else thinks. I believe in the rule of one in one out. I wanted a new pair of black pumps so I tossed the old ones and went searching for the perfect new pair.
    reply
  • CarrieM

    8 months ago

    dynamite rule Colette! One in one out for life!
    reply
  • Linda Borland-Fitzgerald

    8 months ago

    Ditto!
    reply
  • EcoDiva

    8 months ago

    Be comfortable in your own skin, well fitting (right sized) jeans, good shoes and oh yes...a full length mirror!

    One more that made my life better in so many ways....get a good bra fitting and spend more on a well made beautiful bra.
    reply
  • rock girl

    8 months ago

    Be yourself only better - be as natural and comfortable as possible. I do this by wearing no makeup except for tinted lip balm, and for clothes, I only wear natural fibers like silk, cashmere, leather and of course, jeans that fit perfectly! My favorites are Paige Premium Denim because they are cut beautifully and last for years, and come in petite sizes. My favorite outfit is probably a t-shirt with some lacy trim around the neck, with an embroidered cashmere sweater layered over it and some jeans and high heeled boots and a delicate necklace.
    reply
  • Kristenbond

    8 months ago

    Go by FEEL!
    If you FEEL great in something, wear it!
    Magazines and trends are for fun but they are not law...they are inspiration or ideas to be taken or left by the wayside.

    If you try something on and it makes you want to dance, BUY IT.
    This is my only rule!

    Today is not a dress rehersal for life, so put on your favorite thing TODAY and everyday!
    Life IS that special event and the side walk isYOUR catwalk, so get dressed in what you FEEL is right for you, trust your own individual intuition and know that if you FEEL your best then you are putting your own best self forward (in your favorite pair of shoes)!!!
    Yes,
    Go by FEEL....
    How do you feel in your clothes, in your body, in your temple...
    then adorn according to your Self.
    xo
    Kristen Bond, Clothing Artist, www.KristenBond.ca !!!!!!!
    reply
  • Teal Marie Chimblo

    8 months ago

    Learn the right proportions for garments for your body. Tim Gunn's guide to style does a good job of showing this for the people they do make-overs on. Fit and proportion are so big! It's worth it to get things altered if you have to. That's why all those super stars look so good! :-)

    Awesome site BTW!
    reply
  • DanielleLaPorte

    8 months ago

    I second that - I had a style consult a few years ago that honed in on the right proportions for my bod' - big learning! I learnred about the right length, cut, silhouette to feel great and look uh, sleeker. The "What Not To Wear" girls - Trinny and Susannah also have some good visuals on right proportion dressing.
    reply
  • lezin bogan

    8 months ago

    i know that this sounds cliche, but put a smile on your face. the other night a bunch of girls and i went out to celebrate our 40th birthdays. we were all dressed up and had a great time. the whole night i walked around and i just smiled at everyone that i made eye contact with. it really made a difference in the way people reacted to me. look, i am married for 15 yrs. and i was not "looking for love", however smiling at people is no crime and no matter what you have on or what label you shoes are, the first thing people look at is your face and if has a smile on it, you will look fabulous!!!!!!!!!!
    reply
  • Kate

    8 months ago

    I have had my eyebrows threaded for years!!! And I always feel so much cleaner and put together with good eyebrows.
    reply
  • Joshua Pettinato

    8 months ago

    Great shoes! Quality shoes makes any outfit look better. Quality shoes will make your H&M suit look like a Brooks Brothers
    It's all about accessories! (this doesn't mean over accessorize!) Accessory items should be either Quality or Vintage eclectic. Shoes, handbags, sunglasses, etc. Along with a simple/classic wardrobe you can't go wrong.
    Like Sigourney Weaver said in Working Girl 'Dress shabbily, they notice the dress. Dress impeccably, they notice the woman.'
    Coco Chanel.
    reply
  • candis

    8 months ago

    Hi Josh
    Candis here- I watched your SS video today- You look great!
    Here is a kiss....
    reply
  • JoeM

    8 months ago

    I always dress to be comfortable. If I'm comfortable, then everything else works smoothly.
    reply
  • Alison

    8 months ago

    Your wardrobe should be making you look good, not the fashion.
    reply
  • Dena

    8 months ago

    As a business manager, I am always disappointed to see how sloppily younger office workers seem to think it 's acceptable to dress. They come to the office in clothes that I wouldn't clean my house in. If you want to succeed in business, dress for the job you want to have, not for the one you do have. And at least have some polish - don't come to work with your hair wet just out of the shower, or wear a pair of socks slinking down into your shows. Unfortunately some of these things apply to older workers too. I'm in the office 10 hours a day, and I feel better if I look good! When so much of your life is spent in business, isn't it better to look good and feel good while you're there?
    reply
  • Alison

    8 months ago

    Egads, and wouldn't it be lovely to see well-groomed people in your work space? Beauty spreads happiness, people! An office filled with bad dressers sounds like a terribly bland working environment.
    reply
  • Linda Zaurrini

    8 months ago

    When in doubt always overdress rather than under. And I wear alot of black and tan or cream they always have a classy look. That's my deal.
    reply
  • colleenoverman

    8 months ago

    Only buy what you feel beautiful in, NOT what is on sale. You'll save money in the long run and actually love your wardrobe.
    reply
  • Cobby

    8 months ago

    The best how to dress right tip that I know is to always buy and wear great bras and panties. If the girls and tush aren't comfortable because of a bad bra or a wedgie, it doesn't matter how expensive or pretty of an outfit that you've got on because there's a flaw in the foundation. Great bras and panties by definition are those that fit properly, are comfortable and attractive too.
    reply
  • marieleona

    8 months ago

    Love this tip. Thanks will be applying this one for me. Thanks once again.
    reply
  • marieleona

    8 months ago

    Never try to look young by dressing young. Yes there is such a thing as age appropriate when it comes to dressing. No mini after 35 please!!!! Never dress bigger to look thinner.Wear confidence. Buy classics over trendy, buy good quality over cheaper and walk with pride.
    reply
  • Cindy - Creative Classic

    8 months ago

    Make sure that every item you purchase passes "the gasp" test. What do I mean by the gasp - it is that intake of breath that every woman takes when they find something they love. If I don't do that, then I know that I can take it or leave it.
    reply
  • Chuck

    8 months ago

    From a guys perspective, there are a few simple things that the typical non-metro, hetero guy can do to greatly improve his look. First, I see that most guys error on the side of being too casual. The old adage of over-dressing if you are unsure of what to wear is great advice, but this doesn't mean it has to be uncomfortable. Lately, I have been buying great black jeans to wear on days I don't have to wear a suit. Pair the black jeans with a great dress shirt, stylish shoes and add a sport jacket if necessary. (I live in Vancouver, which has a very casual business culture, so I can get away with this.) Second, I feel the key to a great outfit (and ladies, tell me if I am wrong) is the shoes. Put on a great pair of shoes and you can take the average outfit to a whole new level. However, put an average pair or a too casual pair of shoes on and the outfit will end up looking way worse than it should. On that note, you don't have to spend a fortune on shoes, but if you don't spend a lot on shoes, remember they won't last. Treat less expensive brands as semi-disposable and replace them every year or two at the most. However, always buy the best quality you can afford. Third, don't be afraid of bold colors, but find out what colors look good on you. Lastly, work hard to smell great. Find a cologne that smells great on you and don't be hesitant to spend for the best brands. When you start receiving compliments on how you smell and people asking what brand you are using, you know you have found the right one. My favorite is Joop.
    reply
  • Belva

    5 months ago

    This one isn't for everyone, but it works for me. My wardrobe consists of about six colors, and I'm absolutely disciplined in keeping it down to these six. They are colors that are fabulous on me, as opposed to just looking OK or so-so. This technique, and the fact that I like a clean, classic style (no worries about trendy stuff - it's not for me), have saved me an enormous amount of shopping time - and I never have to say "does this color look good?"
    reply

Add New Comment

Returning? Login