More Essentials

Great style has little to do with wealth, where you shop, or constantly buying the newest thing. Instead, a mixture of high and low elements that flatter your shape and unique accessories worn with creativity is always a captivating aesthetic. The intangibles add up to the most pleasing appearance. So, today I’ll share a few tips that help me feel like the best version of myself.

After my morning walk today, I received an email from Mr. Mickey letting me know we have a lunch date with one of our dearest couple friends tomorrow. What if we were away for the weekend with only a few basic clothing items and an impromptu lunch invitation arrived? What would I wear? The thought inspired me to create this post for you.

The navy cotton tee and dark wash ankle jeans are comfortable for my early morning walks, but if my options were minimal, I could add a ruana, sandals, pearl accessories, and a basket bag to style them up. A plum lip color here and a bit of eyeshadow add the finishing touch.

If a third layer isn’t appealing, push up the tee’s sleeves and stay true to your style.

Similar Tee – Jeans – Similar Sneakers – The Best No-Show Socks – Similar Ruana – Sandals – Bag – Watch – Pearl Lariat – Pearl Earrings – Bracelet (Use the code SAS10 for $10 off any one item at Beauty in Stone Jewelry.)

Please keep reading to learn more about the tips and tricks I use to help me look my best.

If you wear jeans, invest the time to find the best style and fit for your body. High-waisted straight leg or a slight flare that ends on the top of the foot will make short legs look longer. Ankle length is cooler in summer. Dark denim is more polished, whereas light denim reads more casual. Avoid anything distressed.

Fit should be a priority. You can spend a ton of money on the dress, but it will never look great if it doesn’t fit you properly. Shapewear is key to helping us look our best no matter what we wear over it. I’ve heard women say, “No one sees my underwear, so who cares?” but the truth is everyone can see the “results” of your underwear. I wrote about all my favorite foundation items here. (Years later, they are still my favorites!)

Define your waist-not your belly. (The smallest part of your torso may be slightly beneath your bust.) Long tops that cling under the tummy and across the hips will bring the focus to those areas. Pants and skirts with gathers, pleats, or pockets add volume around the hips and waist.

Try a pair of heels. Even a chunky one-inch block heel can look polished. However, a pancake-flat shoe is never flattering if you have thick calves and ankles like me. Additionally, I never find completely flat soles comfortable with my high arches.

Accessories are the icing on the cake. A simple tee and jeans suddenly become more compelling when you add a good bag, nude shoes, and a small silk scarf or stunning earrings. If I only had one pair of summer shoes, I would choose an almond-toe pair closest to my skin color. A good-looking watch can elevate the most casual look. Choose where you want the attention. For example, if you wear a chunky cuff bracelet, it will bring attention to your hips.

Always have a fresh manicure and pedicure. If the polish chips, I remove it since no polish is better than chipped. A good haircut and a little attention to our skin and nails (good grooming) are perfect starts no matter our style.

The way we carry ourselves conveys self-confidence. Other benefits of good posture include better digestion, improved mood, back relief, fewer headaches, improved concentration, and better breathing. We also look more slender when we stand or sit tall.

I’m retired now, so I don’t accept gifts, do product reviews, or shop often. As a result, the items I show may be more than a year old, so I share links to similar current items. My referral shopping links never allow an additional cost to you but may generate a small commission for me.