1. The Top Half

When dressing to look slimmer, keep this tips in mind for the top half of the outfit:

remember the fit…be comfortable, but bigger isn’t necessarily better

longer length tops, blazers, and sweaters worn on the outside work well with most outfits.

with fitted trousers, tuck in your shirt unless your middle is a problem area.

avoid large cowl necks or overly bulky turtlenecks

round necklines and V-necklines are most flattering

leave a button or two open near the neck area

don’t let the sleeves of your top/jacket/sweater hang down over your hands; it pulls the eye and attention downward. Push them up or hold them up with sleeve bands

highlight your beautiful face to minimize body fullness. Fluff the hair, add some statement earrings, brighten the makeup a little bit.

2. The Bottom Half

When it comes to selecting the right pants, there are some choices we can make that will help us look slimmer:

wear long pants that reach the ankles or slightly below

neutral, darker colors are best

a little bit of stretch in the fabric is good, coupled with the appropriate size for your body

avoid pleating at the waist

for jeans, look for a slim fit with a high rise (as opposed to the jeans that sit lower on the hips)

3. Dresses

When we’re choosing a dress and want to to look slimmer, there are a few things to keep in mind.

A dress that has color-blocking, as shown on the left, can do wonders for an overall slimming look. Just pay attention to the colors and make sure that the combination is indeed slimming.

In this example, the majority of fabric is black, with white on each side. A simple sleeve and length just to the knee can result in a stunning look.

The wrap dress is a look that can be very flattering and slimming for most body shapes. Look for a soft, drapey fabric in a solid or small pattern.

4. Skirts

When your goal is to look slimmer in a skirt, it is pretty simple.

A knee-length pencil skirt is most universally flattering. Stay with a darker neutral color and you’ll look great.

5. Finishing Touches

Any time we’re putting an outfit together it’s the finishing touches that can really make the statement. And we want our statement to be slimming, right? So, here are a few suggestions:

Jewelry: necklaces that aren’t bulky couple with small earrings are a good choice

Belts: if you wear one, make it a skinny belt, not chunky

Shoes: when pairing with a dress or skirt, shoes that are similar to your skin color can make your legs look longer and your body slimmer. Avoid ankle straps

Shoes with pants or jeans: short heels, ankle boots or pointy flats

Scarves: wear loosely around the neck, not tied tight

6. Putting the Outfit Together

Here are a few final tips for you in your quest to dress to look slimmer:

Layering with separates that fit properly can give your body definition, not make you look larger

Wear a classic blazer or jacket, worn open, to create a long, slim line down the center of your body

All black can work well for most women

In general, wear lighter colors on top and darker colors on the bottom

Small patterned fabrics can also be slimming

All of these tips can be useful at one time or another, so utilize them as the occasion requires.

Don’t think of your jacket as a jacket. Think of it as a cape with sleeves that fall by your arms. Especially going into transitional weather, it’s a simple way to wear a jacket that won’t make you overheat, but will still give you the coverage you want.

Layers, layers, and more layers.

The more layers you have, the less likely any one piece is to really make or break your outfit, so go crazy—e.g., wear a coat, over a dress, over a mesh shirt, with tights, like seen here. Basically, think of yourself as a fashionable onion. A bonus: This tip works well in the winter time when you need to bundle up anyway!

Change up your footwear.

Whatever you would normally choose for footwear, choose the opposite. Trade your high heels for flat booties, your sneakers for high heels, and your sandals for sneakers. The more wrong it feels, the more right it is. Trust me on this one.

Play with proportions.

A bra top with an oversized quilted jacket. An bulky top with cut-off shorts. Looking fashionable is all about varying proportion and leaning into contrast. Not just pairing big and small shapes, but also structured and soft textures, tight and loose silhouettes, and thick and light materials.

Don’t tuck in your top all the way.

Whether it’s a sweater, a tank, or a collared silk shirt, just grab that middle front piece, loosely tuck it down, and watch your style cred increase instantaneously. The less effort you put into the tuck, the better.

Slap a hat on it.

Fashion is all about making a statement and creating a well-defined look, and no other accessory does that quite like a good hat. Sure, some styles can be a little costume-y, but that’s kinda the point.

Wear sunglasses.

If you put on an outfit and it feels like it’s missing something that you can’t quite put your finger on, odds are it’s a pair of sunglasses. Even better if they coordinate with the rest of your outfit, like this lilac pair here. They’re also easier to put on than eye makeup, just sayin’.

Wear your cross-body bag in the front.

Pull that thing around to the front and show it off. You know it’s your favorite part of your outfit anyway. Another trick is to adjust it so that the strap is shorter and sits closer to your waist as opposed to the top of your leg.

These trends will give your fall outfits some serious edge.

Change is good, right? Even if you already have a sharp sense of style, it’s always fun to infuse it with new energy once in a while. And one of the best times to do that is with a change in season, since you’ll be naturally transitioning your wardrobe.

So with fall right around the corner, what’s the secret to pulling together an edgy women’s outfit? Keep reading for our guide to the key trends for fall 2020 and how to brush up on your fashion know-how.

View to a hue

Feel-good, bright, saturated color is a key message for fall 2020, with edgy women’s outfits appearing in head turning heas that we might normally see in spring or summer. Think minimalism and tonal looks, dressing from head-to-toe in a single favorite color to make a real statement. Choose a vivid tone in a solid long dress or matching jacket and trousers and tie in matching accessories to complete the ensemble. For some visual variety, choose a bold-print blouse in a luminescent color with a neutral tailored jacket and a solid skirt.

Menswear influence

We’re definitely borrowing from men’s closets for fall, with jackets and coats in traditional suiting fabrics like plaid, houndstooth, and pinstripes. For truly edgy clothing style, mix patterns by pairing a sharply tailored oversized hounds-tooth jacket with skinny navy pinstripe trousers. A bright white button-down shirt will finish the look perfectly, but pay attention to proportion.

Tailor made

Speaking of menswear influences, ’80s tailored styles with bold shoulders and wide lapels will get a refresh in the roaring 2020s. Pick up an updated blazer in a warm neutral tone like camel, olive, or charcoal and wear it with a body-skimming black dress and the highest heels you can handle to channel that ’80s power look. Try also playing with unexpected cut-outs in jackets that allow bright-toned blouses or dresses to pop in unexpected ways.

Long and lean

Dresses, skirts, sweaters, outwear—they’re all embracing a longer silhouette for fall. Get yourself a calf-skimming, unstructured or knit lightweight coat for cool fall days, and then use it as a jacket under a lengthy down coat when the chill really begins to hit.

Skin to skin

An easy way to edge up your fall fashion? Slip on some leather. And we’re not just talking outerwear or accessories—seek out blazers, skirts, blouses, and coats in various tones. A bright, tan leather skirt worn with a soft knit blouse or sweater in a contrasting saturated swatch will keep it fashion-forward yet playful.

Finishing touches

Edgy women’s outfits work best with statement-making hair to match. A big trend this season is soft, romantic hair, worn in a half-chignon with the rest of your mane tumbling around the shoulders. Cropped, gamine-like styles look great when tucked into a knit beanie and all that ’80s influence means that slicked-back locks will add welcome drama. Complement all those cheerful hues you’re wearing with a color pop on the lips, retro cat-eye treatments, and black nails.

No more sacrificing style for warmth.

Half the battle of going out during the winter is putting together an outfit that allows you to combat the cold in style. But with strategic layering, the right materials, and creative styling, there are plenty of ways to curate a look that offers the best of both worlds. With some of your favorite celebrities as proof, sacrificing a chic ensemble for warmth is no longer necessary.

For those who prefer a more low-key approach but want to remain polished, it’s all about the accessories—and less is absolutely more. A perfect example,  effortlessly chic lingerie outfit makes a strong case for wearing a mini slipdress in the winter. Just add a pair of denier tights and bling-y earrings. If dresses aren’t really your thing in winter, consider warm, jewel-toned suiting separates to mark the occasion. (Bonus points if you style them with a coordinating turtleneck to further insulate your look.)

The main takeaway? Regardless of your personal aesthetic, you don’t have to choose between comfort and style for a night out with friends or your partner. And more often than not, the main pieces you need are already hanging in your closet—you might just need a few extra additions to complete the look. Ahead, six winter going-out outfit ideas with the key pieces you need to re-create them yourself.

A feminine blouse offset with edgier separates is a perfect way to find some balance.

Pair this pretty bow-tied blouse with leather trousers. One of the easiest ways to get dolled up on drab winter nights is to opt for jewel-toned separates that pack a bold yet polished punch. A mini slipdress paired with a leather trench is a foolproof look for a night on the town—combatting chilly temperatures in the process. Finish the outfit with opulent statement earrings. A pair of tall leather boots paired with a midi skirt offers just enough coverage to keep you warm when the temperature drops. Plus, when paired together, they create a streamlined look that’s chic too. Every new year makes way for more style risks, and 2021 is no different. Consider adding a posh skinny tie to your well-tailored suit.

Skip the bikini and go straight to the good knits.

We look forward to summer as a way to embrace the breezy, naturally languid ease of the season. But with fall approaching, we can’t help but get excited for the new crop of outfit ideas and layering opportunities the new season brings. From oversized blazers and modernized outerwear trends to cozy knits and sweaterdresses, there is much to play with. Get inspired by the following autumnal ensembles—to wear while working from home, indulging in virtual Zoom happy hours, or getting out to enjoy weekend wanderings.

Put aside your favorite little white dresses in favor of one with maximalist appeal. There’s no better fall pairing than an oversized shirtdress teamed with croc-embossed knee-high boots.

You can never go wrong with a well-tailored suiting option; whether you mix and match the blazer with your own favorite pair of trousers, keep the look effortless by utilizing a slouchy white tucked-in tee beneath.

There’s something about cream-on-cream that screams style star to us, so much so that it has garnered its own social media hashtag. Showcase your love for oatmeal dressing with an off-white hoodie and matching joggers for your next fall weekend out.

There’s nothing chicer than stepping into fall with a burnt orange dress to reflect the colors of the season. Paired with gold jewelry, this look will warm you up in no time.

If there’s one trend we’ve coveted from social media, it’s the sweater-wrapped neck detail on top of another turtleneck. When paired with leather pants, the results are effortlessly cool.

Leave it to the sweaterdress to become the end-all, be-all piece in your closet. The right one can carry you through a variety of occasions. Think: breakfast with friends, days at the office, and strolls through the city.

Not only is all black incredibly flattering, it transcends time and trends. The best part? You can guarantee your ensemble will always match.

Denim-on-denim was once a fashion “please do not,” but with the new crop of influencers and street style stars showcasing it, we’ve fallen in love with the sartorial faux pas. Don’t be afraid to mix and match denim dyes for a chic, put-together look.

We can’t help it; we love neutrals. Add a textural element to your minimal look with a fluffy coat and chunky sneakers.

The jumpsuit will always be a mainstay in our hearts and in our closets for its ease—there’s nothing better than a one-step look. But when worn beneath a longline wool coat, the end effect is autumnal perfection.

Update your classic workweek wardrobe with a plaid blazer layered over a white T-shirt, then add dark-wash jeans. This look can take you from desk job to happy hour with nary a costume tweak.