Fashion Tips and Tricks That Will Change Your Life

Hem Your Pants for a Shoe Height

“The biggest mistake women make is wearing pants that aren’t the right length for their shoes,” says stylist Kate Young. To fix this, hem to either flats or heels like Dakota Johnson—no going back. Generally, hems should just graze the tops of your shoes and be from 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch off the floor.

Be smart when you buy a jacket

Purchasing jackets, coats and blazers has just one rule – it needs to fit your shoulders. If it’s too tight or too wide, leave it in the store, because this is one thing that’s very difficult to alter, even if you have a good tailor by your side.

Go Hands-Free for Evening

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A dressy bag with a chain helps you hold crudités and a cocktail-plus, it lends a cool edge to evening wear, says stylist Cher Coulter. Wear the chain diagonally across your body for the best effect.

Consider the Wear and Care

Before you buy, try to gauge how a piece might hold up after a few washings. And don’t shell out for clothes you can’t, or won’t, take to the dry cleaners. If you know you’ll never hand-wash that embellished sweater or fancy bra, walk away.

Hit the Dressing Room Prepared

If you’re shopping for that ultra-important dress, get a true feel for the fit by bringing your Spanx with you. And while you’re at it, bring heels, lipstick, and a hairbrush. These will help you get a better sense of the final result.

Extend the life of your cashmere

The fact of something is called cashmere shouldn’t mean much, so the first step towards a long and happy life of an item made out of cashmere is purchasing a quality item. This material can be processed in many different ways, so you could easily end up with an overpaid poor quality sweater. However, there are some indicators that can show you what are you looking at. First, you should be looking for thick knitted garments, and second, try stretching it – if it pulls back, it’s a good type of cashmere. Chances are, you’ll pay good money for any quality cashmere item, so you should take care of it, which means washing it in cold water by hand.