Tan’s style secrets
The Queer Eye star and fashion guru shares his guide to picking clothes to make you look and feel fabulous
AS ONE of the Fab Five, Queer Eye’s Tan France is best known for giving style advice on the popular Netflix show.
Using simple tips and tricks, he turns fashion disasters into style wins. And Tan insists that looking and feeling your best is something anyone can do.
Here he shares his style commandments.
YOU ARE THE PERFECT SIZE
We have so many hang-ups about our bodies. We’re constantly told, “This is the perfect size”, when there is no such thing. This “perfect” version of beauty doesn’t exist.
On Queer Eye, we try to show people that they’re brilliant exactly as they are. We’re push the message of body positivity.
IGNORE SOCIAL MEDIA
There are many benefits of social media. However, it can also put people under a lot of pressure. You see all these ideas of beauty and feel you have to keep up with them.
When using social media, unfollow anything that does not make you feel good. I’m very selective with who I follow.
We need to be smart about how we manage social media so that it’s not detrimental to mental health.
GET MEASURED
The number of women wearing the wrong size bra is astounding. In fact, I’m yet to come across someone who is wearing the correct fit.
If your foundations are right, you can do whatever you want with the rest of your look. Your clothes will fit better and you’ll feel more comfortable too.
If you haven’t been measured in the past two years, go to a store and ask in the lingerie department. It’s usually free.
GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE
Are you making excuses about your style? Many people don’t step outside of their comfort zone when it comes to fashion choices. If you’re clueless, go into a shop and ask for help. Try something on in colour or style you would normally avoid.
GO FOR COLOUR
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to colour, except to give it a go. Play with it. Layer it. If you struggle with your style but want to stand out more, colour is a great way of doing it.
If you’re intimidated, wear colour under a neutral shade. For example, if you’re wearing a suit or leather jacket, add a bright printed top so you see a flash of colour underneath.
WEAR WHAT YOU WANT
The old-fashioned rules said that if you’ve got curves, cover them with an A-line dress.
I say no – embrace those curves and show them off. If you want to wear a pencil skirt, wear a pencil skirt.
Even if someone doesn’t like a look that you’ve chosen, say to yourself: “I’ve never looked better”. Then who cares what anyone else thinks?
DON’T DRESS YOUR AGE
I don’t think that age has to come into play any more.
That’s not to say there aren’t certain things that will look ludicrous on a person of a certain age. But I think more and more older women are finding the confidence to express themselves.
Interview by Hannah Britt. Naturally Tan by Tan France (£16.99, Virgin Books) is available now.