The fun of fashion is that it's ever-evolving, though on the flip side that can mean your wardrobe, much like Nick at Nite's comedy lineup, perennially feels stuck in the past. Even as someone who works in the industry, it can be overwhelming; but the truth is that fashion editors aren't always shopping, they're just really good at updating the clothes they already have. With simple outfit additions and stying tricks, the most stylish women aren't slaves to trends; they're pros at reworking what they have to feel new again.
Here, our team came together to share the styling tips they swear by with over 50 hacks to reimagine your t-shirts, dresses, jeans, and how you wear them all together. Sometimes, it's a little layering trick that goes a long way or swapping out your favourite heels for sneakers to update a favourite look. This Fall, let these outfits serve as the inspiration to make little tweaks, invest in the trends you actually care about, and change up your accessory routine.
Consider these hacks the easiest way to upgrade a look you love. From trading a top for dress or adding interest with a belt, these tips are all about how to maximise the wardrobe you already have by mixing up your go-to pieces and tapping into your closet's true potential.
Tired of your basic white button-down? Note: it looks entirely different when worn with leather leggings or layered under a slip dress. Sometimes, it's not about what you have, but how you wear it.
A liquid-silver slip dress is a stunning option for a cocktail party, but add a turtleneck underneath and it's just as ideal for a day out. Reinvent any of your favourite evening pieces by swapping in casual accessories and simple layers.
A simple way to add some oomph to a v-neck sweater? Just wear it off the shoulder. This little trick will come in handy when taking a look day to night.
Take a pretty slip or lacy top and give it a new life for daytime over a t-shirt or turtleneck, or tucked under a blazer or chunky cardigan. It's a sweet way to get more bang for your buck on a sexier piece you love.
If you've been nonchalantly throwing a sweater over your shoulders, you may have underestimated how much your knit can add to your look. Tie it across your shoulders, your waist, or cross-body style to add a little more outfit intrigue.
If you're lazy-day outfit revolves around a worn sweatshirt and jeans, you do you! But don't be afraid to add to it with a killer pair of shoes, a necklace you love, or a great bag that makes you feel a bit more pulled-together.
Give your favourite tee or sweatshirt a new identity when you counter it with something a lot more elevated, like a great skirt or tailored trousers.
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12Elevate a T-Shirt
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography
Don't be afraid to give your $10 tee a high-fashion makeover with bottoms in a more luxe material — think leather, tailored suiting, or even a sequinned skirt.
On Dana: a POPSUGAR at Kohl's tee, Veda leather pants, Stuart Weitzman boots, a Zara bag, and Illesteva sunglasses.
The easiest way to make a dress Fall or Winter ready? Just add boots. We especially love when a pair of statement-making knee-highs counter a something on the sweeter side.
Cardigans have long been touted as a conservative essential, but they hardly feel "grandpa" or "grandma-ish" when worn off-the-shoulder. Remix the way you wear yours by leaving it open over a t-shirt, buttoning just the first couple buttons, or even wearing backwards.
When the weather cools, it's a perfect opportunity to get creative with your layers. Try shorts over tights or a skirt over trousers to reinvent your outfit basics — suddenly, not so basic!
Sometimes, finding the perfect vintage piece can feel like you struck gold. Style a vintage logo dress with gold accessories, or pull out any of your favourite vintage finds — everything from your grandma's hand-me-downs to your S.O.'s college sweatshirt is fair game! It's up to you to give it a new life.
A double — or even triple — dose of denim is a guaranteed way to make your typical jeans more interesting. Then, get even more playful by pairing the monochromatic look with accessories that pop.
No need to save your prettiest dresses for a night out or a special occasion. A great dress is the easiest kind of one-and-done dressing for the work, weekend, and beyond.
Add combat boots or sneakers to your prettiest dress and see how opposites really do attract. This kind of juxtaposition is what makes a really great outfit.
Give your jeans an impeccably polished makeover with a blazer and heels. The effect is an elevated take on the everyday classics you can return to again and again with confidence.
On Laura: a Veda blazer, Citizens of Humanity jeans, Wandler mules, a Bottega Veneta bag, and Jimmy Choo sunglasses.
Make a dress more playful just by subbing in sneakers. What kind, you ask? Trainers, sleek white kicks, chunky dad sneakers — you can't go wrong with any of these styles.
Go all out and add a maxi dress right over your pants or jeans, or keep it simpler and swap a top for a shorter babydoll. The mix feels contemporary and so much cooler than your usual t-shirt.
Denim shirts, dresses, vests, jumpsuits are fair game, but give your jeans the day off today and see how creative you can get. We love the look of a denim shirt tucked into high-waisted trousers or a pencil skirt.
Literally! Just by cinching your trousers at the ankle, you can create one of the trendiest looks of the season — and all it requires are the ankle straps on your shoes or a little extra string.
For the trendsetter in you, these styling tips are all about embracing new looks and what the fashion world is buzzing about right now. From romantic sleeves to animal print, the set of hacks in here relies heavily on embracing a new aesthetic and pushing yourself beyond the traditional outfit formula.
Our tops get plenty of attention. For this next trick, we're making it all about the pants. From animal print, to polka-dots, or bright red trousers, liven up your outfit by slipping into some bold trousers. They're easier to wear than you think — just add a solid sweater, tee, or jacket on top.
On Sarah: a POPSUGAR at Kohl's sweater, Miaou pants, Wandler boots, and a Mary Rich clutch.
Layer up with a vest in any iteration — denim, leather, even tailored varieties are a perfect way to transition Summer staples to Fall and add an extra layer of warmth.
Give a cold-weather outfit a fashion-girl spin by combining a various textures together into one look. Neutral shades like brown, honey, and black are the easiest way to combine a mix of pieces. Plus, they look great with various colours and prints.
On Laura: a POPSUGAR at Kohl's coat, Ulla Johnson dress, Tory Burch boots, and a Wandler bag.
For those who believe black is boring, print may already be your thing. Now, just embrace it (times 10!) by wearing a pattern you love from head to toe.
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33Borrow From the Boys
Blazers, suiting, tailored trousers, and any of your favourite "menswear" pieces are up for grabs! Make them your own with a fresh spin that feels like you, whether that's dressing down a suit with a t-shirt or throwing your favourite blazer over a dress.
Forgo your regular jeans-and-top look in favour of a pulled-together jumpsuit. It's the piece that does all the work for you, giving a cool, pulled-together vibe from head-to-toe. Plus, they work from just about every occasion with the switch of your footwear.
If you're not a heels girl, embrace the block heel with dresses and skirts. From versatile black styles to colourful patent leather, there's an option for every aesthetic that's guaranteed to be your most comfy and walkable heel.
On Laura: a Khaite dress, The Row bag, Maryam Nassir Zadeh heels, and Mounser earrings. On Dana: a J.Crew skirt, Maryam Nassir Zadeh bag, and Jimmy Choo sunglasses.
Print mixing can be as subtle as adding a bag or clutch in a contrasting or complementary print — even a pair of printed pumps can be part of the pattern mixing! Start there, and see how your outfit evolves.
Let a multi-printed skirt be the star of the show by keeping the rest of your outfit neutral, or replicate the effect with a bold top and understated jeans. Whatever the pairing, the results are the same "look at me" without saying anything at all!
On Nikita: Off-White skirt, Alice and Olivia crop top, Ariat cowboy boots, and a Chanel bag.
Animal print is a fashion-girl favourite for a reason. In neutral tones, like classic leopard print, it adds subtler interest to your outfit; in bolder patterns, like zebra, it can be the star of your whole look. Introduce animal print the way you want to — start small, or dream big! — in every case, it's sure to be a head-turner.
Chokers, Chuck Taylors, slip dresses, bell bottoms, and more of today's throwback trends make for some pretty awesome outfit starters. Embrace the one that speaks to you and give it a contemporary upgrade.
To give your little black dress collection a modern update, try a silhouette with puffy sleeves. The touch of volume will feel fresh without going over the top.
On Laura: a Khaite dress, The Row bag, and Mounser earrings.
These styling hacks are all about how to utilise the details to your advantage. From the shoes to the bags and the jewels, fashion girls know these little things make a big difference.
Scarves are the simple way to rev up any outfit. It's the detail you can add tied in your hair, on the strap of your bag, as a belt, a bandana, and beyond!
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47Make Your Shoes the Star of the Show
Give a great pair of shoes the attention they deserve and keep the rest of your outfit simple. Just let your shoes do the talking!
Fedora, baseball cap, floppy hat — it doesn't matter. Any of these pieces will give your look a distinctly cool vibe, and quite possibly, save you from a bad hair day!
Adding a handbag in the same colour as your outfit can give your whole look a kind of theme. We love the playfulness it brings, then have some fun when you mix up your footwear entirely.
Highlight your favourite pieces and don't be afraid to mix metals and layer it on. Make today all about celebrating the jewellery you've been "meaning to wear" for months. Bonus: it makes thinking about the rest of your outfit way easy.
Do like the fashion girls do and throw your shoulder bag or fanny pack on crossbody style. It instantly gives anything you're wearing an on-trend vibe that requires next to no effort.
We love a statement shoe, but another equally impactful accessory is the statement bag! Whether you try a colourful silk mini, embellished shoulder bag, or printed clutch, a not-to-simple bag will bring any look to life.
On Nikita: a Zimmermann dress and Gucci bag. On Hannah: a Rixo London dress and Baggu clutch. On Laura: a Khaite dress and bag by The Row.
So you have the perfect outfit, but want to make it pop. Channel your inner Blair Waldorf and add a headband — et voila! — your outfit just got a thousand times more interesting.
On Nikita: Reformation dress, Tanya Taylor headband, Prada bag, and By Far heels.
