From The Straits Times    |

Christopher Bailey: Practical clothes are vitalChristopher Bailey believes most of a person’s clothing should be practical.

Burberry’s chief creative officer gave his fashion advice in an interview with the April edition of UK’s InStyle magazine.

The British designer recommends purchasing sensible outfits to get plenty of use out of them.

“When putting together your wardrobe, remember this equation: 70 per cent should be practical and 30 per cent frivolous and fun,” he said.

“Sure, you need work pumps and winter boots, but you also need killer sandals to rev up something as simple as jeans and a top.”

Christopher also suggests wearing colours that suit your skin tone. He said mixing neutral and bold shades is a great way to keep the balance.

“Wearing colour can be gimmicky – you don’t want to look like a tangerine walking down the street,” he said. “It should be sophisticated, making your eyes sparkle and your skin tone warmer. Balance bold choices with a neutral, so you never appear overwhelmed.”

Rather than following trends, the fashion mogul thinks it’s best to follow your instincts. Christopher proposes choosing a style that reflects your own personality.

While he is a fan of practical fashion, he also loves injecting quirky pieces to make outfits stand out. Christopher advises pairing items that don’t match.

“This is such an English point of view, but I love things that are beautifully crafted, yet slightly askew,” he said.

“When it comes to dressing, I don’t want everything to match or to be from the same designer. Something in your mix should knock even your best look off a pedestal, like pairing our motorcycle jacket with that little black dress you’ve had for years. We’ll see you shining through – not just your outfit.” © COVER MEDIA