As a fashion designer, I find myself naturally coming across friends and clients debating on what to add to their wardrobe. To that, I would often start with the question “so, who is your favorite IT girl”?
Fashion has seen names come and go. Yet, surprisingly, to that huge list of muses, more often than not, instead of getting iconic names like Kate Moss or the more recent faces like Cara Delevingne, the answer I get would be what I call “The Intellectual IT girl”.
They are the ones who look like they know exactly what to wear when, looking comfortable all the time. They look a bit reserved, natrually shy, but never out of place. Think Alexa Chung, Olivia Palermo and Garance Doré. For them, there is never a bad hair day, never a fashion faux pas. The clever ladies.
What do these ‘clever’ women have in common? The (slightly) aristocratic background? The UK edginess, Italian flair, or French elegance? Or the artistic and/or fashionable career?
I do think there is more to the heritage and glamorous job, which of course are legitimate tickets to a trained eye for style. Take Olivia, despite being articulate all the time, her looks are never too put-together. Garance dresses in lots of basics — denim shirts, white shirts, smartly tailored trousers. Alexa is slightly edgier but her looks are versatile and she keeps an effortless cool about her.
How could we replicate that easy chic? When sharing on how to dress smartly without over or underdressing, here are some little tips :-
1. Keep silhouettes simple and flattering.
Dress according to your shape and flaunt (flash) no more than one body part. Attention from vulgarity is not what you want. If you are undecided between two sizes, take one size up. Looking relaxed is way more charming than looking like you are forcing flesh into your dress.
2. White elevates many looks. It also guards outfits from being too casual and gives instant freshness to the summer (and winter too!).
3. If the heat is keeping you from layering, try contrasting with textures. Pull on a light silk blouse with a heavier jacquard skirt. Or a blue denim shirt with a leather skirt.
Pull on a light silk blouse with a heavier jacquard skirt. Or a blue denim shirt with a leather skirt. Textures makes an outfit so much more interesting. Slip on a pair of smart leather flats (or go casual with espradrilles) and you are ready to go!
4. Dress for any occasion by contrasting feminine details with a more adrogynous look. A floral shift dress with plain white oxfords. A lightweight, cotton jersey top with a pleated maxi skirt. Or a clean, boxy cropped top with culottes and very feminine shoes like your rockstud valentinos. Versatile outfits like such are winning and will take you through a meeting to weekend brunch.
5. Never over-accessorize.
There is no one rule as to the number of items one should wear, but jewelry all over is almost always untasteful. Make good use of accessories and makeup to highlight a color in your outfit to give a sense of thoughtfulness.
…And those were very loose guidelines. There is no shortcut, as the path to get the intellectual IT girl look right is unfortunately that of acquired taste. Well, look on the brighter side of life. Says one of the first intellectual IT girls, whom all french women adore, Inès de la Fressange, — “Fashion and good taste are made with a little bit of bad taste. Somebody who looks totally perfect would be boring.”
There you go, that’s fashion!
What are the fashion tips that you abide by? Share with us in the comments section below!
