How to Elevate any Simple Outfit
Note: All links are for Hong Kong & in HKD. Here we use the 12 colour season method, Kibbe body types & Kitchener Style Essences. Don’t know yours? Book a session to find out.
[All prices and links were correct at the time of writing.]
Ok, so you put together a basic outfit, looks good. But still basic. How can you elevate a basic outfit while still looking put together, polished & show more of your personality? Here I’ve got 7 tips for you that you can apply to any outfit to make it just that much better:
The Beginning:
No outfit is going to look clean, polished or put together without the right undergarments. As one wise Maria once said “Let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start.” (Did you sing that in your head when you read it? Yeah, me too!) It may sound boring or * word of the day * basic, but if things aren’t fitting right or we’ve got VPL (Visible Panty Lines) showing, or lace patterns showing through, no matter what you do with your outfit, everyone will unfortunately notice exactly what you don’t want them to notice. Eek.
If you’re wearing materials that show lines and bumps easily, try wearing seamless bras and panties. Wear nude coloured pieces, the colour that is closest to your skin tone. Even white can be a problem! A white bra under a white top? Yes, it’s pretty visible…Pieces in your skin tone will create a seamless finish.
It goes without saying that you should get pieces in your size. I’ve had some say to me: ‘I always buy the size smaller than I am because I want to be able to fit into it.’ Don’t do it! First, it will make you look bigger than you are. Second, your, erm, beauty, will be overflowing & falling out of the pieces in ways you don’t want - amd we want it all supported. And third, the way standard women’s sizes were created & came about was ridiculous, so quite literally - size doesn’t mean a thing. (That’s a story for another time.) Get your size correct, girl. If you’re unsure about your bra size, go into pretty much any underwear shop and get measured! It’s almost always free. Even if you had it done before, it’s good to go back from time to time to get remeasured as we can change sizes over time.
Also, forget the lace and frills. All those lacy little bumps shining through…no one’s gonna be noticing those new $200 wide leg white trousers you got…trust me.
Another under garment that is a great staple to have is a slip. Why have so many forgotten about a slip? It sounds like something from my grandmother’s era, but it’s so great especially with these satin/silk skirts that are trending. Especially very light colours like white, sometimes the silhouette of those pretty panties are showing through…not the goal. A slip provides that extra layer underneath that helps with these slightly sheer fabrics.
A note on Spanx: these are great for any form fitting clothes or silk/satin pieces that love to cling to every lump & bump. It helps smooth out lines, hide belly button bumps and just smooths everything out. It’s great for any body, it’s more about creating that seamless finish than ‘slimming’ down or trying to look a size smaller. It’s not about hiding insecurities as much, but more about bringing focus to the outfit.
Basics but Better:
You may have heard it before, but it’s true: Buying quality basics will naturally give you a more elevated look. When shopping choose fabrics that are made of natural materials such as cotton, linen, silk. These can be on the pricey side, so choose the highest quality you can afford. Read the label of the clothes and choose the ones made with a high percentage of natural materials. For example a 70% cotton 30% polyester t-shirt will be better quality and fit nicer than a 10% cotton 90% polyester one. Some polyester can still look quality, for example viscose is often considered a nicer version of polyester and can look of better quality. Even those pieces labeled polyester can still have different levels of quality. It’s about training your eye to spot these things.
Try going into some higher end shops, feel the quality of the garments, look at the seams and the finish, study the small details like even the buttons and zippers. Then go to a fast fashion brand, look at the cheapest items and you will see and feel the difference. Something important to note is that the price tag is not equivalent to the quality. The more you spend will not equal the more quality you’ll get.
Try looking out for these ‘pain points’, if you will, when you next go shopping:
The sheer factor - how sheer is the material (when it’s not meant to be). Put your hand under it and hold it to the light. With a skirt, you may be able to wear a slip under, but with a blouse this may be quite difficult. Does it show the folded fabric underneath where they sewed the seams? Can you see the label shining through? More quality & thicker fabrics would be better at hiding these.
The seams & hems - does the thread match the colour? Is it sewn straight? Is it puckering, wonky or creating ‘bubbles’ along where it’s sewn?
Creases - if it’s not linen (a naturally ‘crease-y’ material) and it’s super creased on the coathanger already, why even bother? Of course, most shops will iron it to display it. To test if it creases easily (because even when you iron it, it’ll be affected every time you sit, hug, bend, fold your arms…), try taking a small part of it and crumpling it up in your hand. If it falls back nicely, that’s a good indicator of a nice fabric. Many will crease a little, but to what extent?
Hang on, weight - how heavy is the garment? Some great materials are super lightweight (e.g. chiffon, which is actually what my colour analysis drapes are made of). However, if you’re not getting something like that or something like a boho dress (trending alert for 2025), then have a feel for the weight, more importantly the hang. Does it feel like it’s (a tiny bit) weighted at the bottom and therefore hanging nicely? If it’s too lightweight, skirts can rise up when you walk, shirts can move around easily when you wear them, t-shirts don’t fit smoothly and dresses can look ill-fitting. If it hangs nicely and slightly heavily, it has more chance of keeping its shape.
Stretch it out - how stretchy is this garment? Stretch it out a little. If it stretches out easily, you may think, “Oh nice, it’ll fit nicely around my curves and shape”. Yes, but no. Yes, in the changing room it will. But once you’ve put it in the wash, worn it 2-3 times, it’ll be saggy in all the wrong places and stretched beyond hope. I’ve fallen for this many times, it’s so disappointing. Fabrics that hold their shape more in the shop will mean the same for at home.
Online Shopping Tips: A lot of this is difficult online. Look closely at the description of the items to see the material. Zoom in at the details and seams. Observe the model’s poses - is she trying to hide something, like the ill-fit, for example? Are there any edits, for example blurring of the VPLs? Sus…
Not So Basic:
Ok, now onto the fun stuff! T-shirt? Or T-shirt with a bit of bling? Classic button down shirt? Or classic button down shirt with a collar detail? Simple shirt dress? Or shirt dress with a twist? Glasses, but cat-eye with a diamante? See where I’m getting at?
Yes, think of those basic pieces that you need and choose ones with some small tweak. This will make your pieces stand out a little more from the crowd and not be the same same thing everyone else has! Here’s some examples:
Layer on the Personality:
Sometimes an outfit can seem ‘bland’ or ‘boring’ because it doesn’t match YOU! Define your personality & how that should show up in your outfits! Are you wearing a basic or even classic outfit but have a quirky personality? Where are the quirky elements? Are you wearing subtle pastels but you have a strong presence? Where’s the reflection of that? Are you wearing comfortable, black loafers but you love fun? Where’s the fun, girl?!
This is why in my style consultations I help women clearly define their style based on their personality (I use Ellie Jean-Royden’s Style Root systems, you should check her out, too). Strong & independent? Or sweet and girly? Or both? Love a womanly, sultry vibe but work in an office? How do you find a work outfit that still feels YOU? Check out my services here.
But in the meantime, who are you? And is “you” seen in your outfits? This could be the missing link. Some pieces with personality:
Let’s Decorate:
Once you’ve got the foundation of an outfit, accessorizing can take it to the next level. Jewellery, hair bling, sunglasses/glasses, belts, shoes and bags, there’s so much you can do! Matching hardware can help with the cohesive element. Mix and match styles to bring some creativity into the look. Have a statement piece and then add some smaller pieces that accentuate it. Accessories is where you can take an outfit to the next level. Some awesome pieces:
Sandwiches:
Sandwiching is when you have one piece in your outfit match with another somewhere else. For example: a red lip with a red bag, or a brown belt with gold hardware and matching brown shoes. When people see outfits like this it looks cohesive, put together and well thought out. It can really finish a look.
Juxtaposing:
This is when you basically add something unexpected. A feminine dress with trainers/sneakers, ripped jeans with a ballet flat, t-shirt and jeans with glam make-up. It can go any way, it’s just adding one element that somewhat ‘throws people off’ is what makes them think: “how do you always look so good?” or “I wish I could put outfits together like you”. It adds depth and personality to your outfits. It shows off your multifaceted personality.
Here are some combos I love:
flowy feminine dress x leather chunky boots x leather slouchy bag
casual ripped jeans x delicate lace ballet flats x glam crossbody bag
If you found these tips helpful, I’d love to see your elevated outfits! Head over to my IG & DM me your pics!
Love, Miss Analyst x
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