8 Style Tips | Look Better in Clothes
Hi friends! Happy Friday! I’m so ready for the weekend! How about you??
This week felt so out of whack with the kids being home from school for two days in the middle of the week, and now we’re looking forward to a weekend with not much on the agenda. Sometimes those are the best kind of weekends!
It’s been a packed week on the blog with me opening up about dating after divorce, the best sales, the $25 sweatshirt I can’t stop wearing, and some new coziness I know you will love.
And even better, you can use my code HONEY20 to get 20% off your order at Gibson!
8 STYLE TIPS | LOOK BETTER IN CLOTHES
Today I have what I hope will be a useful post for you. I’m sharing some simple styling tips that will take your outfit from drab to fab!
Of course, these are just things I think make an outfit look better, but if you prefer to wear things another way, that’s A-Ok! That’s why it’s called personal style!
Some of the tips are minor things, little ‘zhushs’ here and there, but they can make a big difference in how things appear.
I would love to get your feedback on this kind of post and if you did think it was helpful, please let me know in the comments!
Jewelry Worn: Earrings • Necklace • Cuff Bracelet
ONE | Show Some Skin With Ankle Booties
Maybe it’s personal preference, and because I’m so short, but I think it looks good to show a little ankle between the bottom of your jeans and booties. For this kind of a look, I prefer a bootie that has a shorter front, as opposed to a bootie with a higher ankle.
I typically save those higher ankle booties for skirts and dresses.
Colorblock Sweatshirt • Paige Denim Jeans • Booties
Sweatshirt Fit: I’m wearing an XS
Jeans Fit: I’m wearing a 25
HOW TO CUFF YOUR JEANS
Well, how exactly do you cuff your jeans? Back in high school, I remember folding the jean on its side, then rolling up a couple of times so that is was super tight around the ankle. You’d die of embarrassment if you wore a wide leg jean.
Now, I cuff my jeans so that any raw edge or hem shows.
To achieve that look: cuff the hem of your jeans up one time with a pretty wide cuff, then fold that cuff underneath, pulling down to your desired length. Did that make sense?
I’ll be sure to do a video demonstration on Instagram Stories on Sunday!
TWO | FRONT TUCK YOUR TOP
Did you notice another thing I changed from the before and after photo above? I tucked in the front of the sweatshirt. Such a simple thing to do, but I do it on nearly every top!
It’s pretty much universally flattering to tuck a T-shirt, sweater or sweatshirt into the front of your jeans, which has the effect of making your legs look longer. And I sure need all the help I can get in that department!
Colorblock Sweatshirt • Paige Denim Jeans • Booties
THREE | SCRUNCH OR CUFF YOUR SLEEVES
What else did I do? I scrunched the sleeves up to about 3/4 length. This gives you a more cool vibe and also lets you show off your bracelets!
Cuffing your sleeves makes your outfit look more relaxed and less ‘proper’ than if you wore the sleeves all the way to your wrists.
Target Button Down • Wit and Wisdom Jeans • Booties • Circle Belt
Button Down Fit: I’m wearing an XS
Jeans Fit: I’m wearing a 0P
HOW TO CUFF YOUR SLEEVES
Start by unbuttoning the sleeve, then fold it up once in a wide cuff. Then take the bottom and cuff it up again.
With the black jeans outfit, I also added a white tee underneath the button down to add more visual interest by layering. The front tuck was perfect because a full tuck would have been too bulky with the tee layered underneath.
I’ll do a video on Stories for this too!
FOUR | ADD A BELT
Adding a belt also gives your outfit a more complete look, than if you went without. This double circle belt from Amazon and the 4-pack of stretchy belts are what I reach for most often.
But, I also love to add a leopard belt once in a while for a pop of pattern.
FIVE | ADD ACCESSORIES
One final thing I did for the first outfit was to add a necklace. I’ve been wearing this layered necklace from Amazon with the layered clasp from Bauble Bar.
But, this necklace is already one necklace with three strands.
Necklaces look great with v-neck tops, but also over crewnecks to break up the solid color.
SIX | ELONGATE YOUR LEG WITH BOOTCUT JEANS
These bootcut jeans have the potential to give you legs for days, as long as you show off the whole legline and wear a pointy toe heel with them.
In the first photo, I’m wearing a peep toe bootie and left my shirt untucked with the sleeves down. The peep toe is making my foot look a little stunted and my legs look shorter with the top untucked because you can’t see as much of my legs with the top untucked.
In the second photo, I tucked the top in, added a belt, scrunched the sleeves and wore them with a pointy toe bootie. Now, my legs look longer than in the first outfit.
Black Pullover • Itty Bitty Bootcut Jeans • Booties
Pullover Fit: I’m wearing an XS
Jeans Fit: I’m wearing a 0P
Top • Itty Bitty Bootcut Jeans • Heels | Leopard Sweatshirt • Itty Bitty Bootcut Jeans • Booties
If you wanted to wear bootcut jeans without tucking in your top, opt for a crop length or something that sits higher on the hips like the two options above.
Top Fit: I’m wearing an XS
Sweatshirt Fit: I’m wearing an XS
Jeans Fit: I’m wearing a 0P
SEVEN | LOOK BETTER IN HIGH WAIST STRAIGHT JEANS
If you want a change from skinny jeans, there are many straight leg styles available. I really like this high waist, button fly pair from Express with a little bit of distressing at the knee.
I feel like they definitely look better on me with nude heels and you can take advantage of the high waist with a tucked in or shorter top.
Top • Express Slim High Rise Jeans (Was $79, Now 39) • Mules | Olive Puff Sleeve Sweater (Was $49, Now $24) • Heels
Sweater Fit: I’m wearing an XS
Jeans Fit: I’m wearing a 0S
Top • Express Slim High Rise Jeans (Was $79, Now 39) • Mules | Jeans
I do like this outfit and the flat mules better with my Amazon skinny jeans.
Top Fit: I’m wearing an XS
Express Jeans Fit: I’m wearing a 0S
Daily Ritual Jeans Fit: I’m wearing a 25 (0)
EIGHT | HOW TO STYLE JOGGERS
Last but not least, let’s talk camo joggers! Such a great transition out of jeans or traditional cozy joggers.
The cool thing about these is that you can easily dress them up or down, making them weekend friendly or night out ready!
Did you catch that I’m wearing socks with my sneakers in the first photo?! If you’re going to wear socks, make sure they are no show. Or get comfortable wearing your cute sneakers without socks- that’s what I typically do.
When you tuck in the top, it elongates the leg line and I also like scrunching up the cuff a little bit to show some ankle.
Tee Fit: I’m wearing an XS
Joggers Fit: I’m wearing a 25
Tank • Joggers • Heels | Belt • Clear Heels
You can also dress them up with a black top and heel. The black heel is fine, but maybe not as ‘edgy’ a look as I was going for here. By tucking in the top and accessorizing with necklaces and a belt, plus a clear heel, you are ready for a night out!
I hope this post was helpful for you! I sure enjoyed putting it together! I’m happy to do more like this if you want, just let me know!
THIS WEEK’S FAVES
I love seeing what y’all love every week, and here’s what topped your list!
Sandals • Pullover • Jeans • Coat • Flip Flops
Tees • Colorblock Sweater • Skinny Ankle Pants • Cardigan • Cozy Pullover
WEEKEND STEALS
Here are the sales worth checking out this weekend!
Nordstrom • New Markdowns include the popular Miller Sandals! Now just They were $228 now $171! Also my go to slides from summer are now $59!
Abercrombie • Up to 40% off sale styles, All this rain in Houston had me looking for rain gear. This trench coat would be perfect even for non rainy weather! 😉
Anthropologie • Extra 30% off sale styles. Hoodie AND a dress?! Talk about comfort! Yes PLEASE!
Banana Republic • 40% off a regular priced item. This long sleeve tee would work for so many outfits, comes in several color options!
Colleen Rothschild • 25% off sitewide with code BDAY25! You can grab some of my favorites including the Sheer Renewal Cream, Extreme Recovery Cream, and the Cleansing Balm
Express • Up to 30% off select styles
JCrew • 40% off cozy fall styles, use code COZY, This sweater blazer is so chic!
LOFT • 40% off Fall perfect tops or 50% off when you buy 2+ tops, Use code STOCKUP
Old Navy • Several styles on sale for as low as $6
Victoria Emerson • Up to 45% off select styles. Have you seen all the new Apple Watch bands?!
Have a fantastic weekend!
helpful tips for lovely and better pics, thanks for sharing!!!
Thank you so much for being here Giulia! Have a great weekend!
Great post – thank you. Please keep em coming!
I love how you did this. It reminded me of when I used to buy fashion magazines and they did the split screen with right and wrong way to wear something. Please do more!
Great post – so helpful to see the difference.
Oh my gosh! I feel like i wear everything like the first picture ?. Thank you so much for the tips.
I’m so happy this post is helpful! Thank you for letting me know Lee Ann!
Megan – Thanks for this post! I love everything about it and the tips you share are so helpful. I would love to see more like this, especially:
– As a woman over 40, how to wear trends and not feel awkward or like I’m trying too hard (because honestly, I won’t try THAT hard… but I still want to stay stylish)
– Love the tips for shorter gals
– Love the specific photos showing how you roll cuffs, etc.
Thanks!
So much great information here, Megan!! Thanks for sharing these tips!
So helpful, thank you!
I like this type of post. Would like to see more, it’s surprising how a few changes can make an outfit look more flattering.
Love this post! These are great tips and I appreciate the side by side comparison photos. Would love to see more styling content in the future too 🙂
this got pinned to my capsule closet board. Love it.
These are great- easy, simple changes that make a visual difference. Question: when you layer a tank/tee under a button-up shirt, do you fully tuck in the bottom layer when you’re doing a front tuck? I struggle with this MIGHTILY for some reason!
I did tuck it in, but I understand that it can be kind of bulky, so you may want wear a shorter tank or thin cami underneath.
Excellent post! Such simple, easy changes can transform an outfit.
I loved this post~extremely helpful!!
Some great tips here
Such a helpful post !! Please do more! Follow up question, when you tuck in how do you prevent the bulky look under your jeans from the fabric?
Really like this post…thanks!
Hi I loved this post. As an Aussie on a limited budget I find a lot of the fashion posts hard as we don’t have the stores and our dollar makes the clothes really expensive! But tips for how to make my clothes look better when I wear them is really helpful! Thank you so much!
This was a great idea for a post. I’m STILL trying to get the front tuck down, but it just looks weird on me when the rest of the world looks so cool and relaxed when they do it.
Such a great post!!
This was filled with so many good tips. I’m a shorty at 5’3″ and all of your tips are especially useful to me.
Great Tips! Thank hou so much for putting this together. Very helpful!
Such a fabulous post! Love the side by side and the amazing descriptions that help me think about the things you are pointing out. I definitely saw myself in some of those “drab” before. Thank you so much!!! So… leopard belt, clear heels, pointy shoes are on my list!
I love this post! I usually do most of these tips but it’s always good to have a reminder. I’m especially living posts with tips that aren’t specifically about buying new things, but about using things or clothes that you already own, but maybe in a different way. This is especially true for those of us on a COVID budget.
Meghan, when you do a front tuck and leave the back untucked, doesn’t it bulk up the back part? or create an awkward transition on the sides? I haven’t mastered the front tuck yet, unfortunately