How can I be fashionable without any money?

One of the biggest misconceptions that exists about fashion – and there are many – is that it requires money. No question, the fault for this lies with fashion writers because we tend to write mainly about big (read: expensive) brands. There are several reasons for this, none of which, incidentally, are the ones most people assume, namely, that fashion writers are idiots and think everyone out there spends their Saturday mornings at Louis Vuitton, or, alternatively, that fashion writers are basically a load of Mean Girls, here to make everyone else feel miserable about their un-bling lifestyle.

Rather, the answer is far more prosaic, which is French for "boring": fashion writers are quite lazy. Expensive brands have more money to send out press releases, hold shows, pay for advertising. Therefore, fashion writers are basically spoon-fed the information without having to go out and look for it. (Some fashion writers, of course, are obliged to write nice things about expensive brands because the brands advertise in their publication. Happily, that is not a problem here at the Guardian, where the only fashion I ever see regularly advertised is men's slacks from the Guardian store. And jolly stylish they are too, I'd wager my Guardian store-bought hat on it.)

And that, Gen Y, is the rub when it comes to fashionable cheap clothes: they require effort to find. Which is not to say that all expensive things are nice (to be honest, a lot of expensive stuff looks to me like it comes from Imelda Marcos's garage sale), but it is at least more visible. Good cheap stuff requires some nosing out on your part.

First, go to charity shops – but not just any charity shops, go to ones in posh areas. This was one of the best fashion tips I got as a teenager and it has honestly never let me down. I once found the niftiest little Dior bag in Oxfam on London's Kensington High Street and a dream of a dress from Oxfam on Westbourne Grove near Portobello, also in London. (Incidentally, this has nothing to do with fashion but you can always find an excellent selection of books in charity shops in north London, Cambridge and Oxford because so many book reviewers live there, so there are often books in charity shops that aren't even in book shops yet.)


Next, go shopping in your closet. There are – I promise – many things in your cupboard at home that you've forgotten about: that skirt you bought on holiday three years ago, that T-shirt that's wedged between two drawers, those sandals stuck under the dresser. Spend one Sunday taking everything out, going through it all and reacquainting yourself with your wardrobe. Then take all the stuff you really don't like to the charity shop so another Gen Y-er can help themselves to it. And even if you don't find anything, at least you've cleaned out your closet, which is nice.

Find out when sales and sample sales happen. For sample sales, look in your local papers, keep an eye out for notices on lamp-posts in your area and ask in shops (the worst they can say is: "We don't have one.") As for sales, look on the websites of stores you like or simply ask in the stores. Then be quick on the draw on the sale day, either by queueing outside in the cold (don't do this) or being on the internet by 9am (do this).

Learn how to sew. This is the one tip on the list that I've never followed, so I feel pretty hypocritical throwing it back at you, Gen Y. But my friends who can sew invariably have the loveliest wardrobes, and they spend about a 50th of what I spend on clothes. If you can sew, you can copy designs out of magazines (and tweak them to your liking). Even if you can't make a whole dress, little jazzy touches will make the blandest of clothing a billion times better: sewing on snazzy buttons, for example, or putting on some piping, or not going around in dresses covered in moth holes and decked with trailing hems, as some of us do because we never learned to bloody sew. Also, it means you won't have to stoop to buying cheap clothes from companies who manufacture their goods unethically, which is probably the best reason of all to get that sewing needle out.

But most of all, have a good attitude. The reason people like buying new, fashionable things is because they make them feel good about themselves. So much about fashion just comes down to attitude – look at Kate Moss, who these days looks as if she's just stepped out of an All Saints advertorial, but nonetheless has an intractable air of fashionability because of her attitude. So walk tall, Gen Y-ers, walk tall! No, you might not be carrying the Chanel swag about your person (although you might – honestly, that Oxfam in Kensington is a goldmine), but you're still looking good, so enjoy it. Yes, I know being twentysomething sucks (believe me – I know), and I know it feels especially tough now. But trust me, all this will pass. You're all young and hungry and ambitious – all will work out. Now walk tall and wear that wonky dress with pride. You're Gen-Y, and you'll be fine.

How to Select the Right Shoes for your Clothing

The first step in selecting the best shoes is choosing shoes that complement your clothing, rather than ones that compete with your outfit.

For that reason, I always recommend pairing busier shoes with simple outfits, and wearing simple shoes with clothing that features a lot of prints, embellishments or dynamic accessories. It can be tricky to find shoes that complement your clothing, without dominating or being overpowered by it, but the reality is, it's a simple balancing act.

    When you look in the mirror, does one element of your outfit stand out more than the others?
    Is your outfit too chaotic? i.e. Are the sequins on your shoes competing with the crystals on your dress?
    Do your shoes and clothing blend together too much? i.e. Do your black pants, black turtleneck, and black booties all look like one long body suit?

If you answered "yes" to any of the above questions, then the quickest way to pull together a cohesive look is to simply try on another pair of shoes, and ask yourself the questions again.
It doesn't matter how pretty they are, how comfortable they feel, or how discounted they were when you bought them -- if they don't fit the event, the environment and the occasion, then they are -- at least temporarily -- the wrong shoes.

Glitzy evening shoes have no place in the office, and flip-flops aren't generally considered acceptable for a formal event. So how do you know which shoes you should wear?

Well, the simplest approach would be to wear simple loafers or ballet flats for casual events, and classic pumps for anything dressy -- but that can get a little boring. If you want to play it safe without giving into tedium, go ahead and wear those widely-accepted styles but choose a unique color, or a pair that is embellished with a chic buckle or other accent.

If you want to make a more dramatic statement, then by all means, pair stilettos with your jeans, and sandals with your suits -- but to avoid attracting the wrong kind of attention, you should still stick with shoes that are well-suited to your environment.

How to Wear Pink This V-Day Without Looking Like Barbie

Festive but still chic

As someone who loves pink, I of course want to rock a rosey-hued outfit on Valentine’s Day. However, pink is one of those colors that can make you look like a life-size Barbie wannabe instead of a put-together, self-sufficient, independent woman (throw your hands up at me, ladies…). That's especially the case when you already have the blonde hair thing going on. And that's, well, not ideal.

Good thing, then, that you can totally wear pink without looking like you’re waiting for your little sister Skipper to meet you for cocktails. I'm here to show you how.


1. Pick One Pop of Pink
The easiest way to avoid the whole toy doll comparison is to limit the amount of pink in your outfit. Choose a pink skirt or jacket instead of a floor-length, ruffle-laden ensemble, and your pink will look tasteful instead of tacky. If you do find an all-pink dress that you just can’t live without, tone it down a bit with an edgier piece on top—a cute cropped moto jacket will do the trick.

2. Give Your Pink a Pattern
Another way to avoid a sickeningly sweet overdose of pink is to choose an item that has a pattern on top of the pink. That'll help to break up the color and gives the item a bit more of a modern feel.

3. Choose a Bright Lip
Okay, I did say to keep it to one pop of pink per outfit, but lips aren't a clothing item. If there’s anytime that calls for a bright pink lip, this is it, ladies! I love wearing all hues of pink lipsticks throughout the year, so this is an easy rule for me to follow. But if you haven’t tried a bright lip yet and have a hard time picking colors, talk to the makeup consultants at your local department or beauty store and they will get you set up (this color is my go-to for a bright lip). Oh, and if you don’t already have one, I totally suggest a clear wax lip liner pencil to keep your color from bleeding. Works like a charm!

4. Use Neutrals to Complete the Outfit
This is probably the most important part of not looking like Barbie’s twin sister: For the rest of your outfit, stick to neutral colors—like black, grey, white, or brown—and your pop of pink won't look too teenybopper. The neutrals do double duty by both toning down the overall look and drawing attention to your one fun pop of pink. They let the color be the star!

How to Make Boring Button Downs Look Crazy Stylish

You style maven, you

Okay, Okay, we’ve all done it before. You go to your closet, grab a button down shirt to wear, finish getting ready, and when you look in the mirror you think, “Wow—this looks so boring.” A button down shirt can be such a mark of cool sophistication (think Audrey Hepburn on a day off) or carry an easy-breezy “I just threw this together, but it still looks great” vibe (think Lauren Conrad). But if you don’t style it right, these shirts can also look pretty dull. To avoid an uninspired result, I have three ways that I like to style mine:

The basic button down: The basic solid button down is the style most in danger of becoming boring or frumpy. First, make sure that your shirt is a good cut for your body—tailoring goes a long way with wardrobe basics. Roll up the sleeves a few times for a more relaxed look since a plain button down can sometimes appear a little stiff-looking. The other key to a basic shirt like this is in the accessories. A cropped skinny jean with heels and a casual clutch take this look from basic to polished in a few seconds flat.

The loose flannel button down: This shirt is something of a staple for the younger half of Hollywood on their days off. While this look can sometimes swing a bit too casual and look a little truck stop, a few key details can bring the look to a more stylish place. Go for an oversized loose fit on the shirt, but don’t go so big that the shirt is wearing you (this is a great choice). Add some classic details like a streamlined heeled boot, classic sunnies, and a modern clutch or purse. For an extra nod to the ’90s grunge era, opt for a skinny jean with a bit of wear and tear to complete the look. Your shirt and jeans say “cool and casual,” but your other pieces say, “I totally have a real job and contribute to my 401k.” A balance of both worlds is key.

The printed button down: To add a little more fun to a structured button down, go for a fun print to bring a little personality to the piece (like this one!). Buttoning the neck to the top and keeping the sleeves down bring a clean sophistication to the look, but the print still keeps the overall feel light and happy. I like to unbutton the last few buttons on a fitted button down, tie the two ends together, and wear a high-waisted jean or skirt with the top. It’s just another detail that keeps the button down from wandering into Snoozeville territory.

5 Quick Fashion Tips for Men

I’m sitting here enjoying a hot cup tea, trying to get the creative juices flowing for this next article. Since everyone loves top lists, I thought I’d give you guys something you probably don’t see too often, a quick list of some practical fashion tips.
Here are 15 Quick Fashion tips:

1. Fit is King – The most dramatic improvement you can make in your style is to make sure everything fits impeccably. Most guys wear clothes that are too large. Make sure everything you wear is almost hugging the shape of your body – without being tight. Bad fit is an epidemic. The Kinowear Bible shows you how to avoid the “bad fit disease”.

2. Keep it simple – You want a wardrobe that looks great on you, but don’t overdo it. Don’t wear more than three pieces of jewelry or more than three colors. Don’t dress like a rock star unless you’re in a band. If you want to be flashy, a simpler but stylish look would be sporting a black striped dress shirt with a white blazer, a dark pair of jeans, a dressy belt, and your sharpest dress shoes. You could also add a flashy watch or a simple accessory like an interesting necklace, but nothing more. Check out out our article on basics to refresh yourself on what are essential wardrobe items.

3. Change the way you see casual – casual doesn’t have to be boring. Have fun with collared shirts, or take some inspiration from those who approach casual a bit differently.

How to Be Stylish

Three parts: Picking Clothes Dressing Presentation

Everybody wants to know how to dress cute and look appropriate for whatever life brings, so if that's you then keep reading.

Part 1 of 3: Picking Clothes


    1
    Wear clothes that flatter your shape. The first thing to do to look effortlessly stylish is to make sure that you’re wearing clothes that are good for your body type. Since effortless style is supposed to be subtle, you’ll need your clothes fitting well in order to get the elegant, expensive look from your clothing. You want clothes that make you look thinner and the perfect height, with everything in proportion.


    2
    Stick to classic cuts. Effortless style is mainly based around classic looks. Dressing for the trends just shows that you put way too much thought into that outfit and that you’ve been following fashion news like a broker watching stocks. Choose classic styles in classic cuts for a more effortless look that looks good for years.
        This means women should beware of floor length casual dresses in favor of knee-length, for example, while men should shy away from skinny-legged suit trousers in favor of something more loose-fitting.

    3
    Choose muted, neutral colors and bold accents. What colors are popular and what colors are considered absolutely hideous is very dependent on time and place. Just look at your mom’s clothes from the 1970s, for example. In order to look effortlessly stylish, you’re going to want a more timeless look, which means sticking to more muted and neutral colors. This can, however, be broken up with bold accent colors, especially on accessories.
        Muted colors include tan, black, white, denim/navy blue, and gray.
        Good accent colors include most shades of red, many shades of blue, plum/eggplant purple, golden yellow (like rubber ducks or tulips), and emerald green.
        Be careful of certain colors. Be wary of other greens and yellows, and generally avoid oranges, as these colors are very prone to going in and out of fashion.

7 Ways to Double Your Winter Wardrobe

Just hold on to these warm-weather pieces.

It's that time of year—when the leaves fall and the mornings become a little (or a lot) chillier, the start of winter is officially all too real. But before you pack away your summer staples and realize you have no cold-weather clothes, keep a few choice pieces in your closet. With some slight tweaks, you can turn these seasonal styles into year-round must-haves.

Denim Shorts
Yes, cutoffs are the quintessential summer staple, but they also look amazing—and appropriate—in the fall when paired with opaque black tights. A thick wool pair will keep you toasty and make them weather-appropriate. To complete the look, add a blouse and tailored blazer or oversized sweater, then finish off with knee boots, lace-ups, or a sleek pair of pointy loafers.

White Jeans
Who says you can't wear white after Labor Day? Fashion rules are totally made to be broken, which makes styling yourself all the more fun! Pair your skinny white jeans with a fitted nude or black turtleneck, camel overcoat, and a bronze pointed heel or cropped boot for an effortless, modern look.

How to Make a Thrifty Wardrobe Look Expensive

How to Make a Thrifty Wardrobe Look Expensive
You brilliant shopper, you!

Everyone wants to look like a million bucks. But not everyone is able to drop a cool mill for the latest trends—so it’s a good idea to have a thriftier game plan. Buying lower-cost clothing at places like Forever 21, Target, and H&M can save you a considerable amount of change in the long run, and if you keep a few tips in mind, your finished look will appear just as expensive as all those fashion blogger outfits you’ve been pinning.

Go for Sturdier Bags
Buying a thrifty bag in a similar style to a designer handbag can save you hundreds of dollars, but be choosy about which one you settle on. More structured bags and clutches with crisp, clean lines tend to look more expensive than their slouchier counterparts (this bag is a great example). Plus, the stiffer inner boning of those bags will hold up better over time.

Keep It Classy with Black and White
I would say that about 90 percent of my lower-priced items are black, white, gray, or a mixture of those colors. There’s just something about a black and white scheme that makes any piece look a little more upscale than if it were a splashy color (love this monochromatic top). A black and white scheme is sometimes (wrongly) accused of being dull, but in reality, it’s timeless and always a chic choice.

Should You Go Vegan Like Beyonce?

Is there anything Queen Bey doesn't do? She's now launching a vegan food delivery service called 22 Days Nutrition with her trainer, exercise psychologist Marco Borges. The program is based on the 22 Days Nutrition challenge she took in 2013 with her husband Jay-Z, according to the news release. The program offers three meal plan options that range from $9.76 to $16.50 per person. All meals are 100 percent plant-based and made with organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free ingredients. The theory behind it: It takes 21 days to change a behavior, and the 22nd day marks the day your small changes become a full-fledged habit.

Whether or not you're considering Beyonce's specific plan, is it worth giving veganism a go? The fact of the matter is, a vegan diet isn't virtuous in and of itself—you can be a vegan who eats bread and sugar all day. "Just because a cookie is vegan does not mean it is low in calories and sugar," says Alexandra Miller, RDN, LDN, a corporate dietitian at Medifast. But if you swap processed foods for fruits and vegetables, you can reap the rewards of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and rich in antioxidants, fiber, vitamins and minerals, especially vitamins C and E, folic acid, and magnesium, she says. These nutrients can help prevent diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease—the leading cause of death for women in the United States. Plus, a vegan diet forces you to read labels and think about where your food comes from—never a bad idea.

Just remember: While vegan diets offer a healthy dose of many key nutrients, there are certain ones that may be lacking due to the elimination of animal products, such as calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12. Look for foods fortified with these nutrients and talk to your doc about supplements.