Subtle Styling Moves That Make a Big Impact

Created with Van Cleef & Arpels

Written by: Giana León

Contents

Published on: April 18, 2023

Fashion editor: Caroline Griswold

Photo courtesy of Sandra Semburg

Changing your look doesn’t have to be dramatic in order to be effective. Sometimes it’s the most subtle styling moves, like swapping in a fresh silhouette or fastening a beautifully crafted watch to your wrist, that take an outfit from run-of-the-mill to really great. Below, four easy-to-implement styling strategies that earn maximum style points.

Go Tonal

Softly tailored suiting is both effortless and chic, especially in all white. Ivory sandals and an exquisite timepiece with mother-of-pearl inlay play up the monochrome effect.

DeMellier

Bag

goop, $395

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kosas

Highlighter

goop, $38

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g. label by goop

Veltkamp Vest

goop, $395

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g. label by goop

Brunswick High-Waisted Pleated Pants

goop, $495

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van cleef & arpels

Watch

Van Cleef & Arpels, $16,600

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aeyde

Sandals

goop, $275

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Play with Proportion

Staples like a trench coat, a white tank, and a pair of khaki pants become far cooler when reimagined in new, unexpected silhouettes. The resulting look is familiar yet fresh. Finish with a raffia tote, black-tipped flats, and an heirloom-worthy timepiece.

van cleef & arpels

Watch

Van Cleef & Arpels, $67,000

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cecilie bahnsen

Top

goop, $540

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g. label by goop

Walter Cropped Trench

goop, $795

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demellier

Bag

goop, $670

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acne studios

Pants

Net-a-Porter, $440

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chanel

Flats

Chanel, $875

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Tap into Texture

A high-shine sequin column dress. Soft suede slingbacks. A dimensional cocktail watch studded with clusters of flowers. While these pieces are elegant on their own, they’re even better together—the contrasting textures really elevate the look.

demellier

Bag

goop, $395

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van cleef & arpels

Watch

Van Cleef & Arpels, $48,400

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van cleef & arpels

Necklace

Van Cleef & Arpels, $20,800

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g. label by goop

Lindstrand Strapless Sequin Dress

goop, $895

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rms beauty

Lip Gloss

goop, $28

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neous

Heels

goop, $590

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Be Bold

The key to pulling off a daring print? Go classic everywhere else. A neutral coat and bag ground the patchwork stripes, while a complementary necklace—note how the rose quartz cover swings open to reveal a hidden clock—picks up perfectly on the pink in the dress.