We are heading into fall and I can hardly believe it! A few weeks back, I had the pleasure of styling a client with my friend Allison from Sweet Light Studio, all around personal branding at the beautiful Rose Gardens in Minneapolis. As we are heading into the fall I thought it would be helpful to share my five styling tips that work like a charm.

Let’s jump into a mini style refresher as we move into the fall season, shall we?! For a behind the scenes peek at the shoot, be sure to head over to my Instagram!

Learn How To Balance Proportions

Understanding the “Rule of Thirds” is an important concept when it comes to putting together outfits that are flattering for your body. If the proporation of the outfit is “off” – it will look unflattering and frumpy. A 1:1 ratio is not only boring and expected but it cuts your body right in half, which is not pleasing to the eye.

Instead, I recommend the 1/3 to 2/3 ratio as a guideline. The 1/3 can be at the top of your outfit or the bottom and the same applies for the 2/3 portion of your outfit. In this dress example, you will see 2/3 is the dress and the remaining leg and shoes makes up 1/3 at the bottom.

I’ll be sharing more around this as we get into the fall season!

Wear Your Best Colors

While certain colors work best for certain skin types, I encourage a mix of what looks best with your skin with what you feel the most comfortable wearing. Color is very personal and while many of us like to stick with neutrals because it’s easy, adding the right colors can really transform an outfit!

Color is the personality of the outfit and really adds to what you are wearing. Neutrals can also make a statement as there are many monochromatic looks that are very chic – it’s important to remember color as a way to elevate your look.

Invest In Wardrobe Essentials

This is my favorite tip! You hear this all the time – “invest in wardrobe essentials,” but I think many of us tend to get stuck in the “trends” each season vs. investing in classic wardrobe staples that will stand the test of time.

In this example, a classic blazer (yes – with a pop of color!), dark denim jeans, a white tee and white sneakers is simple and looks SO chic. This is a look you can wear on repeat without worrying it will go out of style next year. For these types of pieces, it’s worth investing in quality over quantity!

Don’t Give In To Seasonal Trends

Yes and yes. It’s so easy to get stuck in the trends each season. When I’m looking for new pieces, I will ask myself, “will I still like this 3 years from now?” If the answer is probably yes, it goes in my shopping cart, if I’m hesitating, I like to give myself more time before making an impulse purchase.

There are ways to update the classic pieces you already have so I recommend starting with those pieces, like blazers, jeans, pumps, tee shirts to see which items need replacing or have been in your closet for a bit. It’s a great place to start so you aren’t buying more of the same item you already own.

Invest In Timeless Accessories

I love a good accessory – it’s true! Hats, sunglasses and watches are some of my favorites. Your accessories should reflect YOU and what you love. I recommend, thinking about which ones are the most important to you. Take inventory.

For example, do you wear a watch everyday? Do you love stud earrings? Are hats your thing? Once you determine what you really love, it’s fun to hone your personal style around those pieces and invest in quality items you’ll wear on repeat!

There you have it; those are my five style tips that work like a charm. If you are looking for a personal style refresh, I offer a variety of virtual styling options – special event, seasonal shopping list, workwear refresh, seasonal mood board and personal brand styling.

I believe your style should reflect who you are becoming – let’s get in touch!

-Natalie, xo

Photo Credit: Sweet Light Studio

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