From The Straits Times    |


Image: Rachel Lim / @ms_rach

I have always wondered how some women manage look so effortlessly put together all the time. Their outfits seem to be always on point no matter what the occasion that it results in me feeling bad about about what I’m wearing whenever we cross paths.

So I went on a quest to discover some of the styling secrets of fashionable people and these are the 5 habits you should should cultivate to look impeccable every single day. 

1. Plan outfits 
It sounds like a pain but it’s actually really simple. All you’ve got to do is think of 2 outfits that you might potentially wear while you’re preparing to sleep. And if you are not happy with the outfits you’ve selected, all you have to do is swap something out instead of planning the outfit from scratch. This will save you from all the scrambling and rushing in the morning. You will find yourself strutting into the office in style, on time. 

2. Accessorise, always 
Accessories spice up an outfit; even the most boring of looks can be transformed with the help of a few key accessories. Make a point of doing an accessory check before you leave the house each morning.

3. Start a style inspiration album 
We are all visual creatures, so collecting some pictures of celebrities or style bloggers that shares the same sartorial taste as you really helps. You can get lots inspiration from them, e.g. see how you can reinvent some pieces that you already own or what should be on your to-buy list. 

4. Create your signature go-to outfits 
If an item of clothing suits you well, there is no harm in re-wearing it. When you feel good in your clothes, you will definitely look good. These outfits will help you still look on point when you are tired, late for work or just feeling uninspired.  

5. Buy less, invest more 
Many brands make us feel like we need to constantly purchase something new to stay ahead of the style game. So we always end up buying tons of cheaply made clothing that falls apart after several wears. In the upcoming year, aim to buy less of these trendy one-season pieces and employ the ‘buy now wear forever’ rule to all your purchases.