Four styling techniques I use all the time (and you should too!)
The cool thing about styling is that once you learn the fundamentals, you can apply them over and over again to create effortless chic outfits.
Like photography, paintings, and interior design, we rely on color, shape, texture, and size to convey different meaning and to stimulate our senses. These elements switch up depending on what you’re wearing, maybe it’s a monochrome jumpsuit day or a colorful sweat set day, but the techniques you use to put together an outfit do not.
Here are four tips to try this week. If you’re new to styling, focus on one at a time. If you’ve dipped your toe in, but don’t feel fully confident, try three. If you’re a seasoned pro, focus on all four in every outfit.
And remember, the point of styling is to express yourself. This whole process is about learning as you go and playing into what feels right along the way.
First, watch the video below.
Next, try out each technique.
TUCKING
Whether it’s a front, french, or full, tucking is essential! This may seem like it won’t make a big difference, but tucking is an absolute game changer. The reason is that when you tuck, 9 times out of 10, you switch your outfit from having the wrong proportion of half and half to the right proportion of one-thirds to two-thirds.
Tucking your shirt also makes your outfit look more put together, intentional, and polished. It helps accentuate the natural curve of your body, and it elongates your legs.
I tuck all day, every day, but here are a handful of times I tucked for reference…
COLOR MATCHING
This is the toughest technique I’ll talk about today because it requires a little bit of knowledge. The good thing though is that you can access that knowledge pretty easily by asking yourself questions about what you’re seeing.
One color will match well with another color that has the same characteristics as that primary color. To find out if the second color matches the first, ask yourself what you are seeing in the first color.
Is it bright and clear?
Is it light?
Is it dark?
Is it soft and muted?
Is it warm?
Is it cool?
If you are familiar with warm and cool colors, start with identifying that. Otherwise, focus on the other questions. Once you’ve identified two or three characteristics of the first color, ask yourself if the second color has the same three characteristics.
Below are a few times where I linked one color to another to create a fluid transition between two pieces.
HOT PINK + SCARLET (both are bright and dark)
CAMEL + MUSTARD (both are warm, soft, and dark)
AQUA + LILAC (both are light, clear, and warm)
PROPORTION
I touched on this a little bit with tucking, but the right proportion is essential to any outfit. You can create proportion by tucking a top into a skirt, short, or pant, but there are also other ways to find the right proportion in any outfit.
Taking one short element and balancing it with a long element is another way to assemble correct proportion.
A mini dress and duster go well together. Shorts and a crop top could pair with a full length trench coat. You can also create the short element by tucking in your top.
Check out a few ways I’ve used proportion in my outfits below.
Short wrap top + midi body con dress
Short denim skirt + long peacoat
Short denim shorts + long duster
Short denim shorts + long kimono-style jacket
Tucked in shirt creates short element + midi sweater coat
Short Biker shorts + long oversized blazer
BALANCE POINTS
Balance points are the optimum place for necklaces and necklines to fall to frame your face in the most flattering way. Each person’s balance points are different, because they are based on your face length and width.
To find your balance points, first, grab a string, ribbon, or measuring tape. Then, click through here to find out more and find your balance points.
Below I’m utilizing my balance points to frame my face using two of my favorite necklaces in my closet.
