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I once knew a girl (let's call her Miss Fashion Plate) who never spent less than two hours getting ready to go out. It wasn't so much the actual hair and makeup side of it as it was the selection of clothes. Miss Fashion Plate never seemed to have anything to wear, despite possessing several closets stuffed to the brim with clothes.
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I, on the other hand, have never spent longer than half an hour getting dressed to go anywhere. My philosophy has always been '30 minutes from the shower to the door'. (It helps when you have a spouse who hates being made to wait.)
I, on the other hand, have never spent longer than half an hour getting dressed to go anywhere. My philosophy has always been '30 minutes from the shower to the door'. (It helps when you have a spouse who hates being made to wait.)
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This is known as The 30 Minute Rule. It means knowing your sense of style and the contents of your wardrobe so well that you're able to put together an outfit and be out the door in half an hour. Sounds impossible, I know, but not if you consider the following principles.
This is known as The 30 Minute Rule. It means knowing your sense of style and the contents of your wardrobe so well that you're able to put together an outfit and be out the door in half an hour. Sounds impossible, I know, but not if you consider the following principles.
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Know your body type:
This may seem like a no-brainer. But as tempting as it is to try out the latest trends gracing the runways, don't even think about doing it unless you know you can pull it off. Don't wear gladiators if you have fat calves. Don't wear skinny jeans if your legs don't suit them. There's just no point in decking yourself out in the trends of the season if you can't do them justice.
This may seem like a no-brainer. But as tempting as it is to try out the latest trends gracing the runways, don't even think about doing it unless you know you can pull it off. Don't wear gladiators if you have fat calves. Don't wear skinny jeans if your legs don't suit them. There's just no point in decking yourself out in the trends of the season if you can't do them justice.
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Beyonce Knowles: Curves galore. Impeccable sense of style. What's not to love? Image courtesy of WireImage.*
It sounds harsh, and you're probably wondering why you would want to let anyone stop you wearing what you want. Honey, the world is full of critics, full of people who get a kick out of belittling you and what you wear to bolster their own self-esteem. Why give them ammo?
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But more than that, it makes shopping a lot easier. Knowing your body type means that you can go into however many shops you want to look at scores of clothing, and yet you'll be able to identify with a single glance precisely which clothes will look fantastic on you. Saves you time, saves you the agony of staring at yourself in the mirror wondering: “I like it, but do I really like it?”, and saves you the heartache of forking over your hard-earned money for something you're not even a hundred percent sure you'll ever wear again.
But more than that, it makes shopping a lot easier. Knowing your body type means that you can go into however many shops you want to look at scores of clothing, and yet you'll be able to identify with a single glance precisely which clothes will look fantastic on you. Saves you time, saves you the agony of staring at yourself in the mirror wondering: “I like it, but do I really like it?”, and saves you the heartache of forking over your hard-earned money for something you're not even a hundred percent sure you'll ever wear again.
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Know the contents of your wardrobe...intimately:
I have a confession: I organise my wardrobe into sections. Not just according to type (tops; bottoms; dresses), but also theme (office; dressy; casual), style (tube tops; tunics; long sleeved), colour (earthy tones; jewelled hues; monochromes), and print (floral; polka dots; batik).
Know the contents of your wardrobe...intimately:
I have a confession: I organise my wardrobe into sections. Not just according to type (tops; bottoms; dresses), but also theme (office; dressy; casual), style (tube tops; tunics; long sleeved), colour (earthy tones; jewelled hues; monochromes), and print (floral; polka dots; batik).
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It may sound frighteningly obsessive compulsive, but it makes getting dressed in the mornings a whole lot easier when I know exactly where everything is. And knowing what you have in your wardrobe brings me to the next principle.
It may sound frighteningly obsessive compulsive, but it makes getting dressed in the mornings a whole lot easier when I know exactly where everything is. And knowing what you have in your wardrobe brings me to the next principle.
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Know how to mix and match:
I've been told by a lot of my girlfriends that they never seem to have enough clothes, and that they're always wearing the same thing over and over again because of that. Here's the problem though. A lot of people are so used to repeatedly combining certain pieces in very specific ways that it never occurs to them to match, say, that 60's style mini halter top with those shorts, instead of their usual jeans.
Know how to mix and match:
I've been told by a lot of my girlfriends that they never seem to have enough clothes, and that they're always wearing the same thing over and over again because of that. Here's the problem though. A lot of people are so used to repeatedly combining certain pieces in very specific ways that it never occurs to them to match, say, that 60's style mini halter top with those shorts, instead of their usual jeans.
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Rachel Bilson: A perfect example of mixing and matching. Image courtesy of Urban Updater.
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Knowing what you have in your wardrobe is like having a mental database that constantly enables you to figure out new combinations for clothes you already have. And the next time you're on the verge of making yet another impulse purchase that you swear you can't live without, take a moment and ask yourself: “What do I have that I can wear this with?” You may feel like I'm depriving you of your God-given right to impulse buy, but you'll thank me later when you get home and realise you have nothing to coordinate your newest purchase with.
Keep it comfortable:
The ideal outfit is one you throw on and don't have to think about the rest of the day. No incessant tugging at hemlines; no itchy lining; no flashes of paranoia that anyone can see your wobbly bits through that extra-tight dress or shirt you're wearing. It's much easier to feel elegant when you don't live in constant fear of a wardrobe malfunction.
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Blake Lively (top) and Ali Larter: Living proof that your clothes can be stylish and comfortable. Images courtesy of The Evil Beet and The Fashion Police.*
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Case in point: As I was out and about a few days ago, I happened to catch a glimpse of a girl walking past in the shortest skirt imaginable. (You know, one of those pleated Catholic schoolgirl-type skirts.) Nothing unusual about that, of course – except that she insisted on keeping an abnormally firm grip on the back of her teeny tiny skirt, leading me to conclude that:
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a) she wasn't particularly used to wearing something so skimpy; and
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a) she wasn't particularly used to wearing something so skimpy; and
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b) she hadn't counted on it being such a windy day.
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I understand perfectly the need to show some skin every once in awhile, but if putting on that mini anything means you'll be spending the entire day worried about just how much of your goodies are on display, then it's probably not worth it.
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I understand perfectly the need to show some skin every once in awhile, but if putting on that mini anything means you'll be spending the entire day worried about just how much of your goodies are on display, then it's probably not worth it.
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Just. Don't. Go. There.*
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Make sure it fits:
Everything you wear should fit you perfectly. If that dress you just bought happens to be a size too big, have it altered. The perfect outfit should complement your curves, not drown them in yards of fabric.
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Everything you wear should fit you perfectly. If that dress you just bought happens to be a size too big, have it altered. The perfect outfit should complement your curves, not drown them in yards of fabric.
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Lauren Conrad (top) and Vanessa Minnillo: Gorgeous outfits, love the shades. Images courtesy of Fame Pictures and Denimology.*
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I hear some of you complaining about excessive alteration fees. Zip it. A good tailor is worth her weight in gold, believe me. I highly recommend Ruth's Design, or Za Altera in Bangsar Village. Both services are very good at what they do, and haven't once disappointed me.
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As for clothes that are too small, I've two words for you: MUFFIN TOP. If that skirt doesn't fit you now, don't buy it – unless you're prepared to exercise your way into it.
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Know how to accessorise:
Sometimes your clothes are enough of a statement on their own, and sometimes they could do with a bit of sparkle.
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As for clothes that are too small, I've two words for you: MUFFIN TOP. If that skirt doesn't fit you now, don't buy it – unless you're prepared to exercise your way into it.
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Know how to accessorise:
Sometimes your clothes are enough of a statement on their own, and sometimes they could do with a bit of sparkle.
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Consider investing in good quality pieces that go with pretty much everything. Whatever you choose, be sure they go with more than just one outfit, or else you'll wind up with yet another trinket taking up valuable space in your jewellery box.
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Know how to have fun:
Knowing what works on you and what doesn't does not mean you're doomed to buying only certain kinds of clothes the rest of your life. Au contraire!
Know how to have fun:
Knowing what works on you and what doesn't does not mean you're doomed to buying only certain kinds of clothes the rest of your life. Au contraire!
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There's no harm in buying pieces you know you'll only ever be able to wear with just one other item you have in your wardrobe. In fact, I heartily encourage taking a fashion risk like that every once in awhile. But as far as your wardrobe goes, the one-of-a-kind items (translation: difficult to match) should never outnumber your staples.
There's no harm in buying pieces you know you'll only ever be able to wear with just one other item you have in your wardrobe. In fact, I heartily encourage taking a fashion risk like that every once in awhile. But as far as your wardrobe goes, the one-of-a-kind items (translation: difficult to match) should never outnumber your staples.
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Now that you know everything there is to know about being a disciple of The 30 Minute Rule, I leave you with one final word of advice: go forth and live a fashionably fabulous life!
Now that you know everything there is to know about being a disciple of The 30 Minute Rule, I leave you with one final word of advice: go forth and live a fashionably fabulous life!
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