May's unconventional fashion advice
On 4: Treat yourself to a mis-selling
I recently attended the very last Koffietijd programme and was asked for my ultimate advice when it comes to fashion. I didn't have to think about it for long: allow yourself to miss out. Because stepping outside your boundaries, stretching your comfort zone, is necessary. Before you know it, you'll look the same your whole life. So here comes my list.
1. Poop on colour codes
I will probably soon get another e-mail from a colour consultant who says it really works: one of those surveys with a patch on your shoulders determining the best palette for you, and then go shopping with one of those colour fans. I don't believe in that at all. Sure, some colours look better on you than others, but there are many versions of red and, on top of that, the material plays an important role. A deep green wool jumper is very different from a hard green T-shirt. Besides, you can always choose that colour as a skirt or trousers where for your top you choose a shade that flatters your face more.
2. Choose colour
Occasionally, anyway. I really like people with a style signature (Italiamo-Sophie, for instance, is wearing something in a colour theme almost every day: lovely), but always just safe black or appropriate dark blue is also a bit boring. Alternate with colour. If you're not the exuberant kind, this could also be a subdued colour. If you find it scary to look for colour, I think Sophie's style of tone-on-tone is always a very good option.
3. Buy too big
Or at least rather too big than just too small. Today's fashion is mainly characterised by comfortable. This is how it should feel and more importantly, this is how it should look. So don't be shocked if the label suddenly says a size much larger than the one you normally wear. It's like the scales: sometimes you are heavier and look great. Let the image determine what you buy, not the figure.
4. Allow yourself that mis-selling
See my introduction. Indeed, many things with mis-selling potential (too hard yellow, too low back, too high split) ended up becoming my winning pieces.
5. Wear chic clothes even during the week
Otherwise, it all just keeps catching dust in your closet and the barrier to wearing it becomes so high. You can make a very distinct skirt a little more accessible by pairing it with trainers and a denim jacket. Or that intensely sexy leather dress from Rick Owens combine with a jacket and flat boots. Why does Saturday deserve a better outfit than Tuesday? Every day is a party, right?
