Stylist Stacy London has been shelling out fashion advice on TLC's "What Not To Wear" since 2003. and now she's got a book of case studies coming out in October called "The Truth About Style." Thanks to her incredibly successful career in the industry, she has become a trusted voice of reason to women of all sizes, shapes and ages.
At first glance, London's shopping and wardrobe tips may seem like common sense, but as she told us, "most women know what to do already but they just don't do it." Things like taking the time to try things on in the store before you buy them and not wearing things that just don't fit, along with those fashion do's and don'ts that often get swept under the rug in favor of a great sale.
Since we've all been guilty of the above offenses, London is here to give us a wake-up call. She revealed her seven expert style rules that you should live by -- and most importantly, follow:
1. Lock and Load: "One of my absolute musts is for women to go and get their bras fitted. You have to have it professionally fitted whenever your weight is altered by diet, and pre or post-pregnancy. Even the slightest bit of pounds lost can alter your bra size dramatically. I recommend that you go in every six months for a fitting to make sure everything is secured and of course, comfortable!"
2. Don't Wear What Doesn't Fit: "A pretty common sense tip but one that often get's forgotten about. Don't wear things that are oversized if you're trying to hide parts of our body and don't wear things that feel too tight once you've poured yourself into them. Clothes should be tailored and they shouldn’t be pulling anywhere. Regardless of body shape, there’s always a way to create a silhouette that’s flattering for you."
3. Don't Waste A Waist: "Every body type should make use of a waist line. Even if you carry all your weight in your tummy, you can still create a waist with seaming, or by belting at the smallest part of your waist -- which is usually the bottom of the rib cage. That is the easiest way to create curves if you're a straight boy shape or accent your curves if you've already got them. A waist line also balances body proportion, so even if you have large hips or a large chest you always want to accent a small waist in comparison."
4. Don’t Be Guilty Of The 'Buy Without Try': "A lot of women buy clothes in a hurry, try them on at home and find out that they don’t fit, that they don’t like them and then they just don’t bother to return them. Save yourself the time on the backend by frontloading your time in the beginning. Take the extra ten minutes to try it on in the store. The only exception to this rule is bathing suits, I totally understand anybody that wants to go home and try them on."
5. Shoes Are A Game Changer: "If you are going to invest in any one item for the season, a shoe can change your basic outfit dramatically. If you’re going to load up on anything load up on shoes. They can change those black pants or plain skirt instantly. It’s also an easy fix to a bland outfit."
6. Don't Buy Things Just Because They Are On Sale: "I’m happy if you find something half-off that is absolutely amazing for you and it is something you need in your closet. However, women tend to think that just because something is on sale it is worth buying and most of the time, it just ends up sitting in your closet or it doesn’t fit and you never get it tailored. A sale should not be the impetus for you to buy things, your impetus should be what you need in your closet or what looks great on you. The price tag is really incidental."
7. Variety Is The Spice Of Life, But Stick With What You Know: "It is very important for women to try new things. If you’re afraid of something, that’s the first thing I think you should try on in a store. But when I say stick with what you know, I do think there are certain times when you find a great pair of jeans. Then, you should just buy a couple of pairs, because you can hem one to flats and one to heels. If you find a shirt that just fits like a glove and you have a larger chest that’s difficult to shop for then buy [the shirt] in a couple of different colors and prints. Stick with what you know means stick with the sizes and shapes that work for you. Think of a pie chart when you think about your wardrobe. Split it up into quarters: Neutral basics, solid colors, prints and textures. If you have that ratio in your closet you won’t have to stress out every time you go to your closet to try and mix and match."
Find out more tips from Stacy London on the new season of "What Not To Wear" on TLC airing May 29th at 9 PM and "Big Brooklyn Style" at 10 PM. And mark your calendars for her new book of fashion case studies out in October called "The Truth About Style."