A Stylist Shows How to Make Cheap Clothes Look Stunning and Avoid Common Fashion Mistakes

Some women underestimate the impact of accessories, leading them to disregard them. Nevertheless, even a small addition can highlight their best features and elevate their appearance. This has been visually demonstrated by stylist Irina Ponyakina on her blog, proving that fashion is not about trivial details.

Mistake #1. Flimsy jersey

• Many women are still attached to their lightweight cardigans, but wearing them as an inner layer is best. The same goes for turtlenecks.
• I chose an eco-leather shirt to add a trendy top layer to my outfit. I usually wear it unbuttoned as it creates an additional vertical line in my overall look, which helps elongate the body.
• As you may already know, long and short cardigans are currently trendy. However, it’s important to note that hip-length cardigans or those that fall just below the hips can be unflattering. As you can see in the photo, these types of cardigans can make a woman appear shorter, widen the hips, and shorten the legs. It’s best to choose a cardigan that falls either above the hip or below the knee to maintain a flattering silhouette.
• Regarding skirts: It’s common for girls to avoid tucking sweaters, turtlenecks, or cardigans into skirts, but I find this quite confusing. As shown in my example, a skirt can help elongate the legs and balance out the overall silhouette. Even if you have a protruding belly, a wide belt can effectively hide it. So, don’t be afraid to experiment with tucking in your tops when wearing a skirt, as it can help create a more flattering and put-together look.
• Light-colored shoes will make the overall look lighter.

Mistake #2. Voluminous clothes without an accent on the waist

The little details in our look really do play a role in the outcome. Even though all the clothes in my outfit are still fashionable, I noticed that I looked a bit boxy in the photo on the left. By simply paying attention to these little details, I could transform my outfit’s overall look and feel. All I did was:

• Tucked the top into the skirt, enhancing the waist and body proportions and making my legs look longer.
• Exposed the wrists, thus making the overall look more feminine and light.

Mistake #3. Clothes that are too tight

Certain clothing combinations, such as turtlenecks, ankle boots, and scrunched jeans, can create the illusion of a wider body shape. Additionally, it’s common for people with broader hips to accidentally make them appear wider by wearing clothes that are too tight.

Let’s correct the mistakes:

• Wearing an upper layer, such as a blazer, can be a good solution if you prefer not to emphasize your curvy body shape. This can help to balance out your proportions and draw attention away from specific areas.
• It’s necessary to tuck the turtleneck into the jeans.
• And we also need to change the shoes — ankle boots are no longer in style, while jeans scrunched around ankles are extremely outdated and have never made anyone look attractive.

Mistake #4. Too many horizontal lines

Rather than achieving a cohesive look, they divided the body into separate components. The photo on the left shows that the untucked turtleneck, pencil skirt, and ankle boots are disconnected and disrupt the outfit’s proportions. Additionally, leaving the turtleneck untucked can make the legs appear shorter, further exacerbating the issue. It’s no surprise that fashion experts advise tucking in tops like blouses, T-shirts, and sweaters to create a harmonious and flattering silhouette. Here is what I’ve changed about the look:

• Replaced the skirt. The model I used in the look in the left photo is no longer in style. The skirt’s length is not good — ideally, it should be either above the knee or, like in my case, below the knee. It would be good if the skirt has an asymmetric bottom — it will help us remove one vertical line.
• Tucked the turtleneck into the skirt and added a belt to the look. It restored proportions and made the legs look longer.
• Changed the shoes. Pumps that correspond to the color of the skin visually lengthen the legs.

Mistake #5. Closed look

The same dress can look vastly different due to subtle and seemingly insignificant details.

• It’s advisable not to button up all the buttons on the dress, assuming it has buttons. Keeping the neckline slightly unfastened is a good idea, as it creates the illusion of a longer neck and a more laid-back appearance.
• I’m fond of belts, but I’m not keen on the belts that come with dresses when purchased. The rationale is quite simple — a belt adds interest and a polished finish to the outfit, whereas choosing a belt that matches the dress color is often dull and uninteresting.
• To achieve a more airy and light look, consider rolling up the sleeves of the dress slightly to expose the wrists.
• As for the shoes, my advice stays the same — light shoes are preferable to dark ones.

Mistake #6. Breaking the body’s proportions

In the first image, the outfit appears dull, and the proportions seem slightly off, creating the illusion that the body is longer than the legs. Here is how I corrected it:

• Changed the shoes for high-heeled ones to make my legs look longer. By the way, if you opt for shoes in the same color as your pants or tights, your legs will seem longer — it’s true!!!
• Unbuttoned several buttons on the shirt to make my neck look longer and make my look more flirty and feminine.
• Rolled up the sleeves of my shirt to show my thin wrists. It gave a lightness to my look and made me look slimmer.
• Added accessories to make the overall look more attractive. You could opt for a bright red bag to add a pop of color or a black hat if you prefer to avoid bold details. Either of these tips can work well and add a stylish touch to your outfit.
• Corrected proportions. Consider adding a belt and keeping your shirt buttoned up to enhance your waistline. Alternatively, if you prefer not to wear a belt or draw attention to your waist, unbuttoning your shirt can create a vertical line that can give the illusion of a slimmer appearance. Choosing a shirt that matches the shade of your trousers for a cohesive and streamlined look is essential.

It’s all about the accessories.

• Here’s a useful visual example of how much of a difference a properly selected belt can make. The belt that came with the outfit does not do a good job. Notice the unfastened buttons. I also created an outfit where the shirt-style dress functions as a duster — a lightweight summer trench coat.

• If you’re considering wearing the blue dress in the picture, you might consider adding a belt to enhance your waistline. Although the dress is okay, a belt can make it look more polished and show off your best features. Don’t worry if the dress isn’t form-fitting, the belt can create a more flattering silhouette. And if you’re feeling extra stylish, try adding an unbuttoned shirt to create a vertical line and accentuate the belt even more.

• The look on the left is good for pregnant women. The look with the belt looks more balanced.

• The look with the black belt is beautiful. However, the red belt matching the color of the lipstick makes it more memorable.

• Every look has its place, but the second and third ensembles in the pictures above attract more attention. A belt on the dress draws attention to the waist, while including accessories such as a hat and a red bag that add intriguing accents.

• Here’s a lovely pajama-style suit, but we don’t want it to resemble sleepwear. Fortunately, this can be quickly solved with the aid of a belt.

• Here is another example with a dress: adding a jacket allowed me to create a vertical line, while using a belt helped accentuate my body shape.

• The violet outfit is stunning, but the belts help tie the whole look together and make it appear more polished and cohesive.

• And again — a belt on the dress made the overall look more balanced.

• A simple black dress looks boring, but incorporating a peplum and bright accessories can transform the outfit into something intriguing and captivating.

• Wearing a belt on the dress drew attention to my waist and gave the illusion of a slimmer figure. Meanwhile, the blazer helped create a vertical line.

• This dress resembles a nightgown. However, the belt and the jacket made it look festive.

• In this picture, I’ve unbuttoned a few buttons on my eco-leather shirtdress and cinched my waist with a black belt, which also elongates my legs. This outcome isn’t achievable when using the belt that accompanies the shirtdress.

If you enjoy dressing nicely, we’d love to recommend these articles for you to check out as well:

• 7 Fashion Mistakes That Can Cramp Your Style
• 9 Fashion Mistakes That Can Ruin Any Summer Outfit