5 Expert Tips to Improve Your Style – From a Top NYC Personal Stylist
Let’s be honest: sometimes it feels like your clothes are working against you, right?
Nothing reflects your success.
Nothing fits.
Nothing makes you feel good.
The f*ckers at the stores never make the sizes the same.
Getting dressed should make you feel cool, and like yourself every day – but that’s easier said than done.
Luckily, you have me, an NYC personal stylist with almost 15 years of experience and over 1,000 clients, to help you improve your style!
Whether you’re looking to elevate your look for work, impress on a date, or just feel more confident in your day-to-day life, improving your style isn't about trend-chasing and buying all the new-new out there.
Here are my 5 favorite style expert tips that - should you execute - will help you improve your style—so yes, you’ll feel like you've got it together every time you leave the house.
1. Create A Vision For Your Personal Style
To you, your style may be an extension of your personality or a way to demonstrate your executive presence, but without a vision and a goal in mind, you'll get what you've always gotten: a closet that doesn't make it easy to create outfits.
Change this by creating a mood board or following some style icons you admire. Are you drawn to classic, chic, edgy, or eclectic looks? Or maybe a splash of everything? Once you figure this out, you can start editing your closet, and curating pieces that match your unique vibe because you have a PLAN.
Pro Tip: If you’re still figuring out your style, don’t stress. Have patience: it’s a journey and curating a sick wardrobe takes time. The key is to listen to your intuition, experiment, and be mindful of your choices.
Read more: The Key to Finding Your Personal Inspiration.
2. Dress for Your Shape—And Accept It!
When you respect your shape, you are more likely to choose pieces that complement your body in a way you want them to, rather than battling with items or trends that don’t work, wishing you were different.
When you dress for your shape, it’s not about hiding, it’s about understanding and working with your unique features and proportions.
Don't change your body for fashion—let fashion work for you:
Post-partum-mama with new curves? Find fashionable moms online with your new size and replicate her outfits.
Petite and feel swallowed by oversized trends? Look for style icons that suit the style you wish you could pull off. For instance, find influencers in South Korea and Japan where smaller people play with proportions frequently.
Stocky guy who can't tolerate trying on clothes anymore? Shop to find a stellar item in one category at a time. Sticking to one like jeans or T-shirts will help with fatigue.
You get the idea.
Pro Tip: Trust your intuition. Choose clothes that make you say, “This was made for me.”
Read more here: Woman, Here’s How to Dress and Shop for Your Shape
3. Understand How to Shop Smarter
What you need is a strategy and a shopping plan, not a bigger budget. When you shop smarter, you save money, time, and headaches.
Do this: make a shopping list and stick to it, until one by one you fill wardrobe gaps.
The other best way to shop? Only buy pieces you love that are the highest quality your budget allows, and fit your lifestyle and style vibes.
Tips before making a purchase, ask yourself:
Will this work with at least three items I already own, in at least one area of my life (work, weekend, dates)?
Does it fit my tastes (hello, comfort!) and realistically does my lifestyle support wearing it?
Do I love this so much I would wear it whether it's trendy or not?
If this was full-price would I still want to buy it?
By getting clear on what you need (and what you love), you avoid those “what was I thinking?” shopping regrets. The result? A wardrobe full of clothes you actually wear and feel cool in.
Pro Tip: Skip the impulse buys and focus on building a versatile wardrobe patiently over time—your future will be more stylish and your wallet will thank you.
Read more here: 4 ways to shop smarter online (from a professional personal shopper)
4. Invest in Quality Pieces
Here’s the deal: quality beats quantity every time. Sure, buying crap might give you instant gratification, but investing in well-made, timeless pieces pays off in the long run. Not only will nicer pieces look better, but they’ll last longer, saving you money (and the environment!).
Pieces that anchor your wardrobe, can worn weekly, and be styled in a million ways. Items in cuts you want to wear and in colors you like. When you invest in quality, you’ll find that your "regular" clothes elevate your look without you having to try too hard to be stylish.
Pro Tip: Look for tailoring and fabric. These two elements make all the difference between “meh” and “wow” when it comes to fit and durability.
Read more here: How to know what clothes to spend money on
5. Find an Expert to Help You
Don’t be embarrassed to ask for help. Sometimes, a little expert help goes a long way. If you’ve ever stood in front of your closet, completely stuck, then you know what I’m talking about.
Hiring a personal stylist is like having a wardrobe whisperer—someone who can decode your style, shop for your specific needs, and make getting dressed a breeze.
Think about it: less time shopping, no more trial-and-error, and a closet that works for YOU. Whether it’s virtual or in-person, working with a us takes the stress out of style, and honestly, it’s a game-changer.
And you don’t have to be in NYC to work with me, we work virtually!
