From Manila with Love: fashion

In fashion, there is nothing worse than falling into a rut. You open your own closet, sigh, and realize that every single item in there is kind of... boring. So, how do you break free of this style rut? With a few tips and tricks, you could refresh your wardrobe and rock some splendid new looks.

Fitting is key
Fashion is all in the way things fit you. That blazer with the shoulders just a touch too wide, those pants that are only a bit too tight around the hips can throw off the whole outfit. From your neck to your ankles, don’t allow chafing, looseness, or awkward angles to give you a bad shape and make sure that everything you wear fits you well. If you’ve got money to invest, invest in a personal tailor. They don’t have to make all, or even most of your garments, but have them make one perfect piece that fits you like a dream.

Don’t be afraid of color
Black, white, navy, gray are timeless classic and safe colours. But they can get a little too safe. Find the colors that suit you (jewel tones, maybe vivid or in pastel pink) and pick out a few items that look vibrant, and look fun.

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Glasses as accessories
Accessories are an excellent way to switch it up and glasses aren't just for poor eyesight. An Australian trend that’s slowly spreading to the rest of the world are glasses. That’s why girls there commonly go to an optometrist because they offer a variety of frames, which are a great accessory for pulling off a polished chic look. If you already wear glasses, now’s the time to get a chic new frame.

However, bear in mind that when it comes to accessories, less is more. It’s to add subtle pieces that complement the outfit.

Quality over quantity
Don’t buy it if it doesn’t look perfect on you, doesn’t fit like a glove or if the material doesn’t feel pleasant. Chances are you’ll either never wear it, or you’ll be uncomfortable each time that you do wear it. Having a single perfect dress that accentuates your curves just the right way is a lot better than having ten poorly-made, cheap dresses that make you look like a potato.

Shop in the Men's section

One thing to keep in mind when you walk into a clothing store is that no space there is inaccessible to you. A hoodie from the men’s department won’t suddenly degrade your femininity. Clothing has no gender, so if you like some piece you saw across the store, why not grab it?

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Have a signature piece
Have one thing that’s absolutely, uniquely yours. Something that people recognize you by, a sort of signature that no one else has. Maybe you have a green scarf that you always style differently, maybe it’s a pair of earrings that your grandmother left you, maybe the fact that you always wear something pink, or maybe it’s the perfume you always wear.

Learn how to do makeup
Think of makeup as an accessory. It’s not necessary, but it sure is fun and can complement your outfit. Match your lipstick with your blouse, learn how to do the perfect daytime smokey eye, dab some highlight on your cheekbones to bring the glam. Play with colors and coordinate with your outfit.

When you fall into a rut, it’s always a good thing to experiment and push your boundaries to get out of your comfort zone. Being creative with your style is all about being bold enough to try new things!

Contributor : Amy Mia Goldsmith
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmyMiaGoldsmith
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GoldsmithMia

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Are you a fan of unusual ideas? Well, if you don't have a closet (many homes don't), you will learn to be.there's nothing to worry about because there are many back up plans to save the day.

One very helpful way to store your clothes is to use an old wood trunk. Not only will it bring an elegance to your home, but it's very practical as well and can hide things which usually turn your room into a mess. With some patience and creativity, you can transform it as you wish.

Add some colour and bring it back to life! It can be used for a range of storing ideas. Another plus is that you can hide it under your bed or in any other room. Fantastic!

If you have some free space in the hallway or behind the door, you can use it to put a small shelf, where you can place all the shoes. You can also use this shelf for storing socks. Just provide yourself with bins or boxes, label each who it belongs to and fill it with their possessions. If you just want to provide yourself with something that at least looks like a typical closet, buy yourself a clothes rack. They are inexpensive and will work great in any property.

When I was a kid, I used to hide from my parents under the bed. It was a very strategic place back then. Now, when I'm already a grown-up, it occurred to me that I can use storage containers or rolling drawers that go under the bed and make the best of that free space.

In case you have a bookcase which you don't use accordingly, you can always benefit from the empty shelves. There you can place clothing that doesn't bother to be folded. The greatest advantage of this organisation idea is that you don't have to spend an eternity looking for what you need.

I have watched many movies where many residents mimic a closet by hanging rods from the ceiling. I haven’t tried it yet but I think it can be very helpful in case your room is tall enough.

If you lack space, the easiest way to make the best of your place is by rotating clothes that are already out of season. Pack up all the clothes which are out of season and keep them somewhere safe...under the bed or in boxes in the garage. (or re-purpose them/make new clothing etc!)

Do you know what's the best part about not having a closet in your home? Less space to clean. As my home is big enough, I'm actually very happy that it does not have a closet. Since I'm not into cleaning, scrubbing and vacuuming (yes, I'm a housewife, and yes, I hate doing the housework), the basic household cleaning usually take me a couple of hours. As if this is not enough?

No closet, no problem, no cleaning! Have you used any of these tips already? Do you have other closet organisation tips you would like to share?