Style is definitely — definitely — not my forté.  But I’m learning.  (I don’t want to be the frazzled stay-at-home mom or dumpy wife!)  For those who are fashion-clueless like me, here are some of the basic “rules” I’m learning, to make an outfit “complete” and not just “there”:

1. Always wear an extra layer, a prominent accessory, or both.

As an example, let’s take a very basic outfit: a pair of nice, dark-wash jeans and a solid white t-shirt.  (We’re going to assume that the t-shirt fits well, rather than just being oversized and shapeless.)  This is okay, but it’s pretty boring.  You’re going to look dressed in this, of course, but not really “put together.”

Now add a denim jacket.  Suddenly you have an outfit.  Or add a chunky hot pink necklace.  Or both.  Any of these three options will take the style up a notch.  (There are other options, too, of course.  These are just a few examples.)

2. If your ears are pierced, wear earrings.  It will make you look more “finished.”

If your ears aren’t pierced, that’s okay.  Some accessory of some kinds, though, helps provide some “polish” to your look.

3. Wear the right shoes.

This is still, by far, my weak point.  I am just not “into” shoes.  I don’t have any desire to become a connoisseur, or to pay $100’s for Christian Louboutin or some other designer brand, but I would like to get a better grip on general shoe styles and what goes with what.

If you’re not good with shoes, it seems to be a pretty good bet that a heel — however small — will generally be more stylish than flats with most outfits.  But then there are heeled boots, sandals, loafers, slides, etc.  The list goes on and on, and this is even less my forté than style in general!  But wear the right shoes, and you’re much more likely to look like you know what you’re doing, style-wise.

So there you go — my “dummy’s guide” to style.   (And, yes, it’s “dummy’s,” not “dummies’,” because I’m the fashion dummy! lol)