There's a certain kind of woman who appears effortlessly styled wherever she goes. We've come to know this woman as the fashion girl — the type who just gets outfit proportions, layering tricks, and how to pull off the trend of the moment. Sure, her styling prowess can be downright irritating — how does she always make it seem so easy? — but it can also be incredibly enlightening.
We've studied the styling habits of some really chic women and put together all the tips and tricks you need to know. Just scroll on for the styling secrets fashion girls live by.
Master the Basics First
Fashion girls aren't above the basics; they just know how to rock them. T-shirts, skinny black pants, and a classic pump are all among stylish women's must haves.
Change Your Look With Layers
In a fashion girl's closet, a sheath dress isn't just a sheath dress, it might also be a jumper. They look to transform staples like a great LBD into a fabulous day dress by adding a collared shirt or pretty blouse underneath. Just start experimenting with your layers; you never know what combinations you'll love.
Never Be Afraid to Mix Prints
Whoever said you couldn't wear stripes with polka dots had no idea just how cool they would look together. Fashion girls never play by rules like that, mixing up splashy prints with ease. If you're new to the print game, look for patterns that have a similar color scheme to start, then work your way up to bolder, brighter combinations.
Do the Half-Tuck
Tucking in your shirt has become something of an art form, and naturally fashion girls are really, really good at it. The half-tuck has been embraced by bloggers and street style darlings for its effortlessly chic feel, and getting the tuck just right is sort of like styling 101 for them. Just tuck the front in and let the tail hang out for the right effect.
Roll Up Your Sleeves
There's more than one way to wear a button-down. It might just be the easiest trick in the book, but rolling up your sleeves makes a big difference. It depends on the shirt and the look you're going for, but rolled sleeves feel more lived-in and a little more purposefully styled.
Knot It
Tees are meant to be twisted, rolled, and knotted — and stylish girls are adept at working them all the right ways. Knotting them at the waist is an essential styling trick that helps define your figure and can help you repurpose a dress as a skirt. Simply add a button-down or t-shirt over your dress and knot it at the waist to create the illusion of a top and skirt. How's that for layering?
Belt It
Drape Your Jacket
Outerwear becomes infinitely more chic when it's draped nonchalantly over the shoulders, rather than worn with the arms through the sleeves. It's fashion, not function.
Embrace New Trends
. . . just not all at once. You'll never see a really chic girl going full-throttle into this season's trends. Instead, fashion girls like Hanneli Mustaparta take on the season's must-have pieces, like overalls or statement shades, and mix them with no-fail favorites, like ankle-strap heels and a great tee, to give it their own spin.
Again, (Really) Change Your Look With Layers