22 Style Rules To Live By From A Cool Fashion Stylist

Create balance in every outfit. I split it into three rules: balance volume, balance weight and balance accessories. Balancing volume is ensuring you don’t look like a block – I make sure either my top or my bottom is bigger or smaller than the other, and I cinch my waist when needed to create more shape. For example, if I’m wearing a high-waisted shirt skirt, I’ll throw on a bohemian, floaty top and French-tuck it to make it feel balanced and stylish. Balancing weight is about visual heaviness – never wear leather, suede, stripes, or polka dots head-to-toe. Let one piece be of a heavier texture and make sure the rest of the fabrics complement it. Balancing accessories means knowing how to stack jewellery and mix it with the textures of your bags and belts. For example, if you’re wearing tassel earrings, avoid a tassel bag and tassel shoes. Let one accessory be the main character and the rest support it.

Use accessories to transform your look. You can wear something as simple as a t-shirt and linen trousers, but add a chunky belt, a long tassel necklace, a couple of interesting rings and an archival luxury bag, and it completely transforms the outfit. If you can invest in only one thing, I’d always lean towards accessories. 

Build a wardrobe that speaks the same language. A cohesive wardrobe isn’t about having fewer pieces; it’s about having pieces that work together. Start by defining your style, then lock in a signature colour palette. I naturally lean towards earthy and jewel tones, then balance them with neutrals. I also follow a silhouette identity – my waist is always defined, with either a bohemian top or bottom (never both) mixed with more sophisticated layers.

Lean into colour and texture. I gravitate towards camel, tan, beige, olive, terracotta and ivory, complemented by oxblood, aubergine, ruby red and burnt orange. For textures, I love suede, leather and crochet. 

Elevate basics with accessories. I add chunky jewellery – I’ve been obsessing over eclectic earrings, especially from YSL, and long necklaces like the ones from Sophie Buhai. The attention naturally gets drawn to accessories when the outfit is simple. It’s the oldest trick in the book. 

Make day-to-night dressing work for you. Personally, I can’t do without a shower before my evening affairs, but if I’m absolutely packed, I’ll carry a statement skirt with a print or texture that can jazz up even a simple white tank top and be easily packed in your bag. Otherwise, I’ll keep my day look slightly dressier and switch the footwear to heels and the bag to a clutch. 

Invest in pieces that last. Invest in luxury and mid-market items that are classic and won’t go out of style – like two-tone Chanel ballet flats, a rare JPG Shoulder Birkin bag or the Tiffany Bone Cuff. You can wear these years from now and still feel relevant. For everyday pieces that go through more wear and tear, it makes sense to save and shop more accessibly. I like brands like St. Agni, Akarkii, Faithfull The Brand and The Frankie Shop, and Revolve has great options for holiday wear. 

“Expensive is a feeling, not a price.” That’s the best style advice I’ve been given. Style has nothing to do with how many labels or expensive items you have in your wardrobe – it’s about how intentionally you’ve curated your pieces, how memorable they look and how long-lasting the quality is. I have items picked from local designers in Sicily that have lasted me longer than luxury brands. 

Look beyond fashion for inspiration. I studied Art Research at Central Saint Martins, which taught me to draw inspiration from sources beyond other people’s work. I take a lot from culture – music, food, photography – and recently I’ve been exploring South-American influences. It’s a really fun way to mood-board and understand colour, interiors and beauty. 

Add one standout detail. A pop-coloured heel is the easiest way to make an outfit feel more interesting. I love archival heels, tasselled styles and bright colours – they instantly make a look feel more fun. Brands like Andrea Wazen, Cult Gaia, René Caovilla, Giuseppe Zanotti and vintage Dior all do great statement heels.