“STYLE IS IN YOUR DNA”

IRIS APFEL’S TIPS FOR FINDING YOUR FASHION SENSE

I’M CONSTANTLY FOR STYLE ASKED ADVICE.

I hate to give guidelines because what works for one person won’t necessarily work for another. But here’s what I believe: the worst fashion faux pas is looking in the mirror and seeing somebody else.

TO KNOW YOU HAVE YOURSELF BEFORE FIND YOUR YOU CAN OWN STYLE.

If I tell you what to do, it’s not your style anymore. It’s mine. Your style has to come from you. Style cannot be bought or learnt – it’s in your DNA. You can get help to bring it out; you can learn how to be better dressed. But in the end, style is inherent. A personal shopper or stylist can’t give it to you, either.

ATTITUDE, STYLE IS ATTITUDE, ATTITUDE.

It’s not about wearing expensive clothes. You can have all kinds of money and have no style. You can be dressed in the latest couture, $10,000 shoes and be baubled to the nines, and look like a Christmas tree.

IT’S NOT WHAT YOU BUT HOW WEAR YOU WEAR IT.

I’m just as happy to wear bangles that cost $3 as I am to wear valuable pieces. I like to mix high and low... When you try too hard, you look uncomfortable, like you’re wearing a costume. If you’re uptight, you won’t be able to carry off even a seemingly perfect outfit. If that’s happening, I say abandon the whole thing. It’s better to be happy than well dressed. From Iris Apfel: Accidental Icon ($45, Harpercollins) >