30 is the new black

Giorgio Armani apparently once said that “When a woman alters her look too much from season to season, she becomes a fashion victim.” Admittedly, most of us have been a fashion victim at some point in our lives – either buying clothing that don’t fit, sacrificing our bodies for uncomfortable clothes or shoes, walking down the street in a short skirt or open toed shoes in sub zero conditions or buying a smaller size in the off chance we lose weight. Here’s ten ways to avoid becoming fashion road kill.

Top 10 tips

1. Buy investment pieces of clothing that will last a few seasons. It’s false economy to buy eight cheaper bags over a ten year period when you could buy one designer bag that will last the same period. You may want to view this article on dressing for the job you want.
2. Don’t be a slave to fads that you think will go out of style and never wear more than one fad at a time. Even when a previous trend is brought back into fashion, it’s usually given a new lease of life or there’s a twist.
3. If you’re going to buy clothing that is a fad, buy accessories like a belt or bracelet that will complement your wardrobe, add a touch of the current season’s trends but won’t break the budget on a seasonal item. Your wardrobe ideally should consist of 70% classical items of clothing and 30% trend based clothing.
4. Integrate clothes with your existing wardrobe. A skirt or top may look great on a hanger but if you don’t have the clothes to wear with it, there is no point in buying it. Sex and the City was fiction. Your wardrobe doesn’t double as a gallery.
5. Purchase clothes and shoes in the right size and right fit even if it’s a designer label and 70% off the recommended retail price. It’s not a bargain if it sits in your closet mocking you because you haven’t dropped a size to fit into the outfit. You can always take an outfit to a tailor if you lose weight but you can’t make a size 12 magically turn into a size 14 no matter how how many times you read The Secret.
6. Buy clothes that flatter your individual body shape and are in tune with your own personal style. Not every trend or fad will flatter your body shape. You may want to view this post on the six fashion looks you should only try at home.
7. Make sure that you have the right underwear to wear with your clothes. A visible panty line, wrong bra or conspicuous bra strap can spoil an outfit that has been carefully put together. Underwear can make or break your outfit. Ask Bridget Jones.
8. Pay attention to the smallest details like manicured toenails, keeping your nails neat, moisturising and everything waxed and polished. Nothing spoils an outfit more than chipped nail polish, a five o’clock shadow or unkempt toenails.
9. Wear clothes that are age appropriate and dress for the occasion and for the weather. You don’t want to look like one of those 19 year olds shivering in their tight dresses while they are waiting to get into a club.
10. Less is more. And remember, if Lady Gaga is wearing it, that’s a sign you probably shouldn’t.

Follow me on Twitter or subscribe to email notifications. If you liked this why not check out:

• Channeling Audrey Hepburn …”
• Dressing for the job you want
• Six fashion looks you should only try at home