7. Socks and Shoes
Whatever your style sense is, keep in mind your socks and shoes. Whether or not you match or mismatch, keep it trendy, keep it classy, keep it modern, use ankle socks, no show socks, ballet flat socks, or soccer socks, just maintain some kind of coherency with your overall style. That is, unless you can afford to have a forever changing wardrobe so deep that you find yourself in Narnia – which, if so, let me sneak a peek please. I’m craving some of that good ol’ Turkish delight…
Pro-tip. Keep your ankles moisturized please, particularly for those autumn-winter months. Check any skin that shows if you sit down (beware those rising pant hems!). You don’t want people to think you look perfectly pristine only to notice how parched your ankles are. But, if you’re keeping a routine going as I suggest you should, you needn’t worry about this. Since. You know. It’s routine.
8. Accessorize
All style posts say this. I will say this. This post is saying it. Accessorize. Glamify yourself. Diva it up. Prince-fy yourself. Something -fy yourself.
It’s fun. Honestly. You will go through stages where you don’t know what to accessorize with. Or you might look back and regret your choices. Whatever. It’s fun. Don’t regret. It’s a part of your personal style evolution.
Cross-body bags. Chunky scarves. Floaty scarves. Stone bracelets. Filagree rings. Ribbon chokers. Long Necklaces. Anklets. Ankle boots. Bright sneakers. Ear piercings. Funky ballet flats.
Whatever you like. Just try to maintain overall sense of balance according to your body and limb proportions. Honestly, it’s harder than it sounds. At least, it definitely is for me! I like to shop in shops with large windows. In fact it is THE most important thing to check for in clothing and shoe stores. The best way to self-evaluate is to take pics of the accessories on your body along with your OOTD, either in the mirror or as is. As is, is the best way. Non-reflection shots. Ask whoever you’re with to take a few snaps with your phone. Try to take upper waist and limb shots with jewelry while taking full body shots for everything else.
It helps. A lot more than some might think. Sounds tedious right? Like I said, try to treat yourself as your very own number one VIP client and it should become routine.
Once you find the accessories that flatter your overall image, you’ll find there are inherent qualities and categories these belong to. This will help draw your eye to things that will suit you faster, whilst you shop. Keep a close eye to yearly trends (colours/ shapes/ patterns) that happen to match these qualities and categories you tend toward.
9. Sunnies
Sunglasses are different from accessories. I think everybody needs a perfect or at least a favourite pair of sunnies to get through the day. It’s a signature piece that everybody should have. It shows that you take care of your eyes but also helps reduce under eye circles and wrinkles.
Which takes me to the next enhancer…
10. Sunscreen 24/7 (Srs.)
Just wear it. All the time. Everybody do this. You should be doing this. Anywhere that gets light exposure – including your ears and back of the neck – spritz it. Rub it. Massage it. This is not a moisturizer. I tend to put on sunscreen before I put any moisturizer on. Or I mix them together. I find it works best on most skin types if you layer them however. Play around with the stuff you have at home, see what works for you.
This stuff prevents wrinkles. ALWAYS keep on your under eyes to prevent dark circles. My friend, this is immortality bottled up for our use. Let us take advantage of it. Soak up that sun warrior HP.
11. Talons Trimmed
Keep your nails trim. Keep your nails even. Don’t leave nail polish chipped. They always look better once you’ve removed that old chipped polish. Keep them nails clean. Both on the fingers and toes.
Try new colours and patterns. It’s a fun way to keep up with the season’s colours.
If you’re not a nails person, keep on rocking those natural nails. I salute you. If you like, use a clear coat or a nail strenghtener. Use cuticle oil, or coconut oil for them nail beds.
12. Smelling Good
Use parfums, eau de toilettes, body sprays, colognes, deodorants to smell clean, fresh, sexy, however you like. Just keep away those stinky body odours. Smelling nice is a VERY good way to keep a signature style element consistent for your overall sense.
It’s something people recognize you by, especially if its a particular scent – I personally layer mine so the top, middle, and base notes last the way I want to on my skin.
13. Smile
Keep your teeth clean. Not necessarily denture white, but keep those pearls flossed and as white as you can have them naturally be (see, it’s okay if you don’t have regular whitening done, at the dentist or with strips). Just put your best effort forth.
Also, chew on whitening gum or icy mints to keep breath smelling fresh and sexy. Yes, minty icy breath smells that good. Especially after coffee, tea, any kind of meal or drink really. Keep this in mind for those who are the road to eating healthier or getting a better bod. Breath can really stink sometimes – I speak from experience…ngl, I was pretty mortified once I found out through someone else, after spending the entire day on campus.
Shocking. High-key embarrassing. So I’m telling you now. Keep that spare gum or mint pack in your bag for whenever. You’ll save yourself. You will be your own hero.
SOPHRYNE 