First off, let me just say that no matter what it says on your clothing label, you are beautiful just the way you are.

But hey, even the most confident women will tell you that they wish some parts of their bodies were different. Some wish they were a little taller. Some wish they were a little bustier.

And some wish they had a little more junk in the trunk.

While some ladies will go as far as getting implants or lifts, there are other ways that you get a bigger booty without having to visit a clinic. Adding more squats and core exercises to your workouts will give you that definition you’ve always wanted. Another thing you can do is wear clothes that give the illusion of a bigger behind.

So yes, you can trick people into thinking you’re bootylicious.

Generally, what you want to do is create that oh-so-enviable hourglass shape, using specific details of clothing to narrow down your hips and perk up your butt. Most of the time, that’s achieved by choosing pieces with a high waist silhouette, though there are a few things here and there that you can wear to aid the “lift”.

Let’s get down to the particulars, shall we?

Jeans & Pants

Pay attention to the pockets

High waist stretch denim is probably the most common way people fake having a fuller butt , but the back pockets of fitted jeans are what really make the impact. Two things to consider are the placement and the size of the pockets. You want to select jeans with smaller pockets located slightly lower on the cheeks, such as Classic Ripped Skinny Jeans, for the appearance of a bigger and perkier rear. Pockets that are bigger and higher will just make your butt look smaller and flatter.

Wear yoga pants or leggings

If it’s not a jeans kind of day, you can always wear leggings, as they kind of work like shapewear. Yoga pants are generally made from a thicker material while some leggings are almost sheer in the sunlight, so remember to pick bottoms like Stretchy Faux Leather Skinny Pencil Leggings.

Shorts

Go for bright or patterned fitted shorts

When you want to draw attention to your heinie, go for striking hues similar to Candy Denim Shorts. If you aren’t against printed shorts, plaid and checkers tend to have a widening effect, which can help with enlarging your backside.

Again, pay attention to the back pockets, and choose shorts that are high waisted.

Dresses & Skirts

Cinch that waist

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to wear a bodycon dress to emphasize your booty. It’s actually more effective to carve out your waist than focus on ultra tight silhouettes, so even if a Self Tie Kimono Dress doesn’t stick to your skin, the tie detail slims the waist to promote an hourglass figure, thereby increasing the appearance of your butt by association.

Go for flared skirts

Another silhouette that boosts your bum is the flared skirt. Pleated is the way to go, as it gives extra volume. The larger the pleats, the better. The trumpet shape is another thing to look out for, especially when the seam of the flare starts just below your cheeks, like with a Tailored Flounce Skirt. But most of the time, any fit and flare or skater dresses and skirts will make it seem like you’re more bottom heavy than you really are.

Of course, bright colors, and patterns like plaid and horizontal stripes, would help.

Jackets

Throw on a waist defining jacket

It’s not just what you wear on the bottom that matters. Adding layers can also define your waist and magnify your tush, but you need to be smart about your layering; you can’t just assume that any fitted outer layer to plumpen up your bottom. Cropped jackets, like the Attack on Titan Cropped Cosplay Jacket, end at the waist and give this impression of a smaller waistline.

If shrugs and cropped jackets aren’t really your thing, blazers also do a pretty good job of thinning out your waist, then flaring out like your butt’s the one creating that lift.

Shoes

Wear heels

Okay, heels themselves don’t do anything directly to change the appearance of your butt, but they do affect your posture. Have you noticed when you stand on your tip toes that your legs start to tighten and your butt starts to clench? As you lift your heels higher, your bottom half flexes more to round out that tush, as well as elongate your legs. At the same time, you’re sticking out your chest and exaggerating the curvature on the small of your back.

You don’t have to wear anything too tall—Pointed Toe Strappy Block Heels are tall enough to make a difference in your shape, but your butt will look much bigger with taller heels. If you have a hard time balancing in stilettos, opt for chunky heels or wedges.

Who needs a paid butt lift when you can get one for free with these hacks?

Have you ever made the mistake of wearing sweatpants while cycling? Or perhaps you wore a top that you though was fitted enough for aerial yoga, but then you were proven otherwise the moment you were upside down?

We’ve all been there, at some point in our lives. Even fitness fanatics have made an error in judgment a time or two, especially when trying out a new sport for the first time. I’ve had friends that walked into a hot yoga class in big cotton t-shirts and shorts, and boy did they regret that.

Sometimes the mistake we make is matching our workout ensemble the same way we would with our regular outfits. Sure, the hot pink tank might go well with the stripe on your comfy cotton pants, but the pants might feel like they’re weighing you down when you’re at your first barre class, pumping your legs in the air for what seems like the longest minute of your life.

Making it to the gym is hard enough. You don’t want anything, especially your clothes, to prevent you from having a good workout.

So the next time your sifting through your clothes to figure out what you should wear when you’re going to exercise, think about the following:

Consider the type of workout you have planned

What you wear to CrossFit is something completely different from Pilates, and what you wear for a run is not the same as what you wear for spinning. Haimie cycling shorts are pretty versatile in that they can be used for spinning, running, and sports like volleyball, but tiny split shorts might be uncomfortable in the gym when you’re doing lunges and have to readjust every time your shorts ride up your butt.

While leggings like High waist yoga leggings are the safe choice for yoga, it also depends on the kind of positions that will be covered in your practice. For example, tree pose requires you to stick your foot on the crook of your thigh, which is difficult to accomplish when your foot keeps slipping on your leggings. If you’re attending a yoga class, the flow is beyond your control. However, if you’re following a video or using an app at home, you can quickly browse through the positions to see if shorts or leggings work best.

Make sure you have the right shoes

The beauty of Pilates and yoga, as well as some other at-home workouts, is that shoes are not required. Some barre studios only need socks for sanitary purposes, though if you’re going to work out in socks, wear ones with grips at the soles so that you’re not slipping all over the place.

Regular running shoes are safe for most workouts, but if you’re training for sports, stick with the proper footwear; tennis shoes for tennis, cleats for sports on the grass, etc.

Think about the fabrics you’re comfortable in

Do you tend to sweat a lot in your workouts? Or maybe you get hot pretty easily?

If you’re the type that sweats a lot, stretchy fabrics are better for you, as they dry faster. Cotton clothes, on the other hand, soak up the sweat and take forever to dry, leaving you with that disgusting, soaking wet feeling all the way up until your shower after.

If you’re a person with a higher body temperature, loose tees, muscle tanks and loose shorts like Korean style elasticated casual shorts may be the comfier choice for you.

Though if you are a person that both sweats very easily AND sweats a lot, the best workout outfit for you would be a sports bra top or a muscle tee and sports bra (depending on the type of workout) and Breathable mesh leggings.

Always wear a sports bra

Although this might not seem as important for ladies with a smaller bust, sports bras make any kind of movement much easier to manage. Having the right support, even if your chest is on the smaller side, is extremely important, so if you decide not to wear one, at least wear a top with built-in bra support.

Like with a regular bra, fit is vital. Some sports bras might keep the girls in place but end up suffocating you in the process. Others might fit around your ribs but are too loose on your chest, so just make sure that you’ve got bras with the appropriate fit. Otherwise, you’ll have to go buy some new ones.

We all have a favorite pair of leggings we love to wear in lieu of pants.

Your collection include a variety of colors, prints and fabrics, but the one that you end up reaching for when you’re not in the mood for jeans is the black cotton ones. Stretchy, breathable, you wear High waist yoga leggings when you’re going to exercise, you wear them around the house, and you wear them when you’re out and about on the weekend. In fact, you’ll find any excuse to wear them, assuming that you’ll be in a casual environment.

There are tons of things you can wear with leggings, but on those extremely lazy days, you go back to same old leggings and big tee pairing, and appear as though you’re about to sweat it off at the gym instead of having lunch with friends at the mall.

To be honest, there’s nothing wrong with the sporty look. However, when that’s the vibe you always resort to on days you feel like wearing leggings, the look is a little played out. We forget sometimes how versatile leggings are, which is completely okay, but it is about time we break our bad styling habits.

Here’s the list of what we all need to stop wearing, or at least wear less of, with leggings:

1) Sneakers on repeat

Sneakers and leggings are at the forefront of athleisure, but when you consistently pair them together, it’s almost a waste. There’s so much more you can do with both, pairing them with dressier items for contrast.

Experiment with different kinds of footwear, from wedges to sandals, ankle boots and slides, although try to avoid being super casual with flip flops. Leggings go great with heels, while cropped ones are the perfect length for calf boots.

2) T-shirts

Loose graphic tees are definitely one of the first things that pops into my mind when coming up with a leggings ensemble, and it’s probably the same for most women. While I wouldn’t say there is anything wrong with wearing a vintage tee featuring your favorite band, it’s the styling choices that follow. It’s almost instinct to reach for sneakers next, which ticks off two of the five items in this list of what NOT to pair with leggings (or at least pair is LESS often).

You have a bunch of tops in your wardrobe, so try to avoid sticking to that tee and leggings duo and opt for a button-down, an off-shoulder number, and other tops that are loosely fitted, which brings us to the next article of clothing to avoid.

3) Fitted tops

The tight-on-tight silhouette is seriously overdone, and if the whole point of wearing leggings is being comfortable, why pair it with an article of clothing that will have you feeling conscious of looking fat in certain angles? Again, give yourself room to move and breathe. Play with loose silhouettes to balance out the skintight quality of leggings.

4) Crop tops and midriffs

A crop top and leggings seriously puts everything on display. If you’ve got the confidence to wear this, that’s awesome, but this combination isn’t for everyone, and there are much better ways of wearing a crop top.

The only exception to the leggings and crop top combination would be if you wore a loose layer over it, such as a kimono robe, chambray shirt or knitted cardigan. You can also wear an oversized jacket. Speaking of oversized jackets…

5) Sporty jackets

There are a few outerwear pieces that fall under this category, which include letterman and bomber jackets, windbreakers and raincoats, you get the drift. Instead of sporty jackets, you want go for outerwear that maybe you wouldn’t normally pair with leggings, such as a leather jacket, or perhaps an oversized denim jacket. Blazers are also an unexpected option, with a long white tank underneath.

Overall, the main thing to remember is that if you look like you’re going to the gym even though you’re not actually going to work out, then you gotta make a couple of adjustments. Nothing major, as you can see from our list, but just a switch of your top or shoes can make all the difference in the world.

You’ve got your favorite sundress on with some new wedges, an adorable bow headband and a few gold bangles. Now all you have to do is pick the right handbag. Hmm. Do you go for red bucket purse, that sparkly gold cross-body, or a standard black tote?

The handbag might be one of the more difficult decisions when it comes to styling your outfit. Although shoes arguably are the most important element in an ensemble, your options of footwear are not as limited by your clothes as it would be for your handbag.

To help you figure out the right outfit and bag combo, we thought we’d look to the stars (figuratively), taking a closer look at the handbag style choices by Selena Gomez.

(INSTAGRAM // selenagomez)

With several of her latest Insta snaps featuring outfits complete with a handbag, we thought that the “Back to You” singer, PUMA brand ambassador and 13 Reasons Why series producer would be the perfect celebrity to help you with your accessorizing needs.

For starters…

1. Determine the purpose of your bag

It’s pretty clear what kind of value a handbag has on our ensemble, adding a stylistic element to your look as well as carrying the stuff you need to go about your day. But what I mean by purpose is more specific—what do you need to put in your bag? Are you heading to the office and need to bring your laptop? Use a tailored messenger bag. Only need a little bag to carry your phone, credit card and lipstick? Grab a cute cross-body purse. Thinking of going shopping after brunch with the ladies? Go with the tote.

2. Consider the color

There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to the color of your handbag. Often, people will choose one that matches the dominant hue in the outfit, but a bag is a great way to introduce a pop of color, or at least bring out one of the less prevalent shades on your clothes.

If you are going to wear some kind of print on your body, you’re best going with a solid colored bag, preferably matching it with one of the less frequent colors on your print (or going with a bright pop of color if the print is in black and white or other neutrals). For example, an outfit featuring this Boho asymmetrical printed maxi skirt would do great with a navy blue purse.

If you feel like using a more eccentric handbag, keep the rest of your outfit simple. For Selena, an all black outfit should be offset with a purse that has a combination of solid-colored parts and prints, which goes seamlessly well with the rest of her ensemble of varying textures. Even though her look is composed of neutrals, the bag she selected is definitely a statement piece.

(INSTAGRAM // selenagomez)

3. Choose an appropriate size

When it comes to casual wear, almost any sized bag works. Some days, a big shoulder bag seems necessary, while others, the essentials all fit in a wallet sized purse. Unless the clutch or cross-body bag has got sparkles, jewels, or generally metallic (thus matches better with occasion wear), you’re free to pick whatever size handbag you want. Excluding work totes, the general rule of thumb is that bigger handbags are, the better they are for casual ensembles. So if you’ve got on our High waist yoga leggings, one option you’ve got is a hobo bag.

To finish her underwear as outerwear look, Selena goes for a mid size tailored leather bag with little rhinestone detailing.

( INSTAGRAM // selenagomez)

4. Be smart about the style

As we’ve touched upon in the third tip, design elements determine the appropriateness of it with your chosen attire. We know that cocktail dresses and gowns like the Sleeveless sequin evening maxi dress are better off with sparkly clutches. Leather bags are quite versatile that they can be paired with your work wardrobe and weekend wear, but in terms of shape, tailored, rectangular shoulder bags are suited for smart casual outfits. Anything more free-form or outside of the conventional work tote shape are best for casual looks. Donning a waist bag over her shoulders, Selena’s bag of choice in this Insta upload shows us that you can definitely play around with how you wear your accessories.

(INSTAGRAM // selenagomez)

5. Match the material

Material is also a factor when picking the right bag. The majority of your bags are probably made of leather, which is one of the few types of bags that can be used across attires. But if you feel like using your crochet purse or perhaps a woven bag, you should reserve either for summery clothing. They’re also great for beach days when you’ve got on a Bohemian floral print one-piece swimsuit, white denim shorts and a floppy hat.

With these tips in mind, you’ll always be choosing the right handbag for your outfit, no matter what outfit you’re wearing.

Every so often, fashion experts will come up with their own set of rules, dictating what is a faux pas, and must-have clothes to look as skinny as they possibly could. But fashion is a form of expression, a freedom in which everyone should have the right to, and while stylists and designers have the knowledge of what fabrics and silhouettes work best, no one knows your own body and fit better than you do.

So while this post does have its own set of fashion do’s and don’ts, it’s not what you’d think. It’s more about what age-old rules to forget, as well as encouraging you how to come to your own sense of style, based on your preferences, and best of all, your comfort.

Don’t fear these commandments, ladies. These are all laid out for you to help you discover a wardrobe that won’t be tainted by what other people’s opinions.

1. Thou shall not dress according to what’s in season

How many times have you heard that florals and pastels are for spring? I find it quite pretty silly that a certain print or color scheme can only be worn in one season of the year. And who came up with the idea that dark hues were suited for the winter? The season is dreary enough, why can’t we brighten it up with a bright red trench or cute pink wellies? Or better yet, why not add a bit of life by adding florals into a winter wardrobe?

Another thing that seems to be restricted to colder weather conditions is leather. With us not having anything cooler than rainy season, that seems rather unfair, doesn’t it? Maybe a leather jacket is a little excessive in 30 degree heat, but a leather biker is perfect for cooler months. Plus, there are other leather (or PU leather) items out on the market, such as Stretchy Faux Leather Leggings.

2. Thou shall not limit flats to casual outfits

Whoever said that we weren’t allowed to be comfortable during formal events is insane. While heels may the obvious choice for gowns, cocktail dresses and other occasionwear can easily be paired with pointed slingback flats, or pretty ballet flats. As we pointed out in a previous post, there are loads of heels that can easily be replaced by flats, all much more comfortable than balancing on stilettos.

3. Thou shall experiment with different sizes

There is absolutely no shame in going a size up and or down. Numbers on your clothes don’t mean anything, and there will be times clothing items will look better when they’re a little bigger. There’s more room to breathe. No one can complain about that.

Also, don’t be afraid to check out the men’s sections of your favorite boutiques. Basics like tees might actually fit better.

4. Thou shall not be afraid of the crop top

There’s a common fear among ladies that don’t have a flat belly, that crop tops are an absolute no-no. The midsection is a problem spot that most of us have, but if there is a way to cover up while still sporting a tiny top. High waist jeans, midi skirt, basically anything with a high waist silhouette will do enough to cover your belly. That way, only a sliver of your midsection will actually be on display. You can even wear an A-line skirt, like the Astar Pleated Midi Skirt, to carve out an hour glass figure.

Besides, if Ashley Graham can do it, so can you.

5. Thou shall cherish vintage style

Despite what experts might claim, nothing really ever goes out of style. Sure, there are periods of time when trends thrive, but fashion has a cyclical nature, so when something revolutionary pops up on the runway, it doesn’t matter if it ends up being short-lived or not, as surely we’ll see it again in the next decade or so.

That being said, don’t reject clothes because they’re “out of date.” If you’re absolutely obsessed with bell bottoms that are still in good condition, there is no reason for you to get rid of them.

6. Thou shall not forget about accessories

Accessories are the finishing touches of your ensemble. If you’re not in the mood to dress up but still want to put some effort into your final look, a handbag, the right shoes, and jewelry or headpieces are the way to go.

How’s that for fashion rules? Over here, we want you to open your mind (and wardrobe) to new possibilities, without having to spend an extravagant amount.

If you look through your wardrobe, you can probably differentiate between the daytime looks to the nighttime outfits. From there, you should be able to pick out an ensemble based on the time you’re heading out. But what if you’ve got a full day planned? When your schedule is jam-packed, what’s a girl supposed to wear?

Some women don’t mind the hassle of multiple outfit changes throughout the day (remember Kim Kardashian’s three wedding dresses when she married Kris Humphries?). But not all of us are that committed to showcasing our clothing collection. In fact, most us probably prefer one outfit that will last us from office hours to the after-hours.

And regardless if you don’t mind changing, it’s not like you even have the time. With the Metro Manila traffic situation getting worse by the day, most of us don’t have the luxury to run back home between work and a dinner date.

Day-to-night ensembles are flexible and lifesavers for all kinds of people, especially those who have to turn their wardrobes inside out before they’re satisfied with their end look. And for the ladies who love fashion but are admittedly lazy, the following pieces are just what you need:

1. A Biker Jacket

A go-to for any night-time events, a motorcycle jacket is also perfect for an edgy twist on an outfit. Don’t feel like being too feminine in your floral dress or LBD? Change it up with a biker jacket and moto boots. Remember, you don’t have to limit yourself to the traditional biker jacket. Find them in various hues, cropped styles and with luxe accents to make them appropriate day and night.

2. A Blazer

Almost anything can be dressed up with a blazer. Think about it. A white t-shirt, skinny jeans, blazer and heels will get you ready for a full schedule. How do you make shorts appropriate for the morning to evening? With a blazer, of course!

3. Cutouts

Sweaters and blouses with cutouts really add that extra oomph to an OOTD. Just be weary of where the holes are located on your top. Cutouts around the neckline accentuate your clavicle and can easily be covered up if you’re in the office. Thus, something like our Off-Shoulder Long Sleeve V-Neck Loose Blouse would work. On the other hand, cutouts on your sides our below your chest are best limited to the evening.

You can also wear a dress with little cutouts at the hem. That way, you won’t worry about showing too much skin while still being playful in your wardrobe choice.

4. Leather Leggings

Got different places to be on the weekend? Leather leggings might seem racy for the day, but pair it with something casual on top, and you’re golden! A cozy knit with our Stretchy Faux Leather Leggings is a great play on textures. If you’ve got a collection of graphic tees, try them on with the leggings. Even those oversized ones will look undeniably cool with some crisp white kicks.

5. A Pencil Skirt

Pencil skirts are not only must-haves for the office. They also double up as evening options, from dinner dates to happy hour. They’re sophisticated and sexy, suited for a variety of occasions. You can choose to be a little daring with our High Waist Bodycon Pencil Midi Skirt. Or if you aren’t a fan of the leather look, a black fitted skirt might be more your style.

6. A Ruffled Blouse

There’s something rather elegant about a little bit of ruffle. A flouncy top is all that you need to transition into the night, whether you’ve paired it with skinny jeans or an A-line skirt. Keep in mind that you’ll want to balance the drama on top with something simple at the bottom. Cropped pants or an A-line skirt will do.

7. A Shift Dress

Truthfully, there aren’t too many dress silhouettes that can last you the entire day. However, one shape you can always rely on is the iconic shift frock. It’s laidback and cute with a bit of sass, perfect for social gatherings and work events. Because of the relaxed silhouette, feel free to experiment with patterns and prints. For instance, the checkered design on the Matty Shift Mini Dress translates well throughout the day.

Got any clothing items that aren’t included in the list? Tell us about your wardrobe pieces that help you transition from day to night.

First meetings can be really nerve-wracking. From your first university seminar to your first day at your new job, you’re always looking to make a good first impression. Any time there’s a possibility of conversing with people you don’t know, such as a networking event or a weekend brunch for a social club of sorts, one of our first concerns is probably what outfit we’re going to wear for the occasion. And the meetup that arguably induces the most anxiety is a first date.

You think the nerves would be over after you finally muster up the courage to ask your crush on a date, but nope. The first date can set the tone for the future dates to come, and your outfit could determine how much you’ll enjoy the date. Wear the wrong shoes or bottoms, and the whole thing could end up in a total disaster. Thus, what ends up happening is you question everything that’s in your wardrobe. “Is this skirt too short? Is this ensemble too formal? Why do I not have any date-appropriate attire? Do I need to go shopping??!”

First things first, you need to relax. A worried mind can affect your fashion choices, and not in a good way. So once you’ve calmed down, take a look at your closet and keep the following in mind:

Prioritize comfort over everything

A high waist bodycon skirt with a crop top is sexy. However, your exposed midsection will probably have you concentrating on dishes and beverages that won’t cause bloating. Your outfit should be the last thing on your mind when you’re on a dinner date. Remember: clothes that flatter don’t necessarily mean form-fitting silhouettes. Besides, there’s no point in dressing up in something that will restrict you in sharing a nice meal with a potential love interest. Black dresses, whether an LBD or a full-length Halter Backless Slim Maxi Dress, is always a reliable option for a sit-down dinner at a nice restaurant.

Be mindful of how much you show off

Unless you’re on the beach, a fashion rule to abide for a first date (and in general) is not to show off too much skin. If you’re showing off your legs, avoid a deep v neckline. If you’re wearing something backless, offset the exposure with jeans or a longer skirt.

Don’t experiment with a new trend

A first date is not a time to try out a new style. As we all know, trends are fleeting and not suited to every person’s personality or body type. Don’t take that risk on a first date. Instead, go for the classics, or any tried-and-true clothing combos with minimal accessories. If the date is casual, skinny jeans and a white tee with gold accessories could be the perfect outfit. A red lip is also another way to dress up your wardrobe basics.

Dress according to your date

A formal midi or maxi dress for dinner at a fancy restaurant? Yes. Shorts and a floral chiffon off-shoulder blouse for an afternoon picnic? Yes. Club attire for a movie and pub crawl? Never. Just like any other occasion, you want to dress accordingly. Sometimes, it is a little difficult to figure out what’s appropriate if the date is meant to be a surprise. Black and white is your best bet in this case. It might also be in your best interest to wear pants or leggings instead of a skirt or dress.

Try going for an effortless look

Save the chignons and sock buns for a soiree. On a first date, you don’t want to look high-maintenance or unapproachable, so let your hair loose and fix the strays or frizz. You can also do a five-minute hairstyle, such as a messy ponytail or a side braid.  In terms of makeup, less is more. The no-makeup makeup style is a good place to start, but not something you always have to follow. Just don’t go heavy handed with your entire face. For example, smoky eyeshadow is best with a nude or subtle lip, while bold lipstick could simply be paired with eyeliner and mascara. As for contouring and blush, the lighter, the better.

As you can see, the key is to not try too hard. At the end of the day, what matters most is the chemistry and connection you two have. A good physical impression is what will attract your date at first, but it’s your personality that will keep that person around.

When everything else in your closet fails, even your trusty jeans, there’s one item you can always rely on. That’s right, your leggings. With your standard black leggings, there are no worries of a muffin top or the inevitable wear-and-tear on the inner thighs of denim. You won’t feel the discomfort of thighs chaffing when walking around in a skirt, and you can move freely without risking runs like with tights. Plus, they almost look like black skinny jeans, except they’re way more comfortable.

All right, so picture yourself getting ready in the morning. You’ve already slipped into your favorite pair. What’s next? Will you go for your shirt dress, or a plain tank with a long cardigan? Or will you throw on a big graphic tee and tie a plaid shirt around your waist for that grunge vibe? How about that one item that’s a cross between a top and a dress? Options are endless with leggings, but something as versatile as these bottoms can at times leave us uninspired, meaning we return to the same formulas of outfits, usually in some form of the leggings + big top combination.

While repeating ensembles is inevitable for most of us, no matter how extensive your wardrobe, going back to those classic combinations too often will take the creativity out of making an outfit. Sure, the chambray shirt, leggings and white canvas shoes together are easy and cute, but it never hurts to mix things up a bit. So skip your usual outfit pairings and refresh your legging style with these ideas:

1) Play with layers

A shirt peeking out under a long-sleeve can be quite bulky if you don’t find the right bottoms to match it with. Reign it all in with some leggings to result in a down-to-earth look that will keep you warm this rainy season. You can also try it with a vest if the weather is too hot for long sleeves. Another thing you can do is put on some combat boots to add a bit of edge to your preppy appearance.

2) Wear it with your minis

As shared in the last post, the appropriate length of skirts and dresses can be tough to gauge at different work settings. So for those pieces that might cause a stir with HR, try pairing them with leggings. And the wonderful thing about this simple trick is it allows to maximize your entire wardrobe for the office!

3) Go for pleather

Go bolder in your leggings by choosing shiny, pleather ones. Less restrictive than leather or pleather pants, something like our Stretchy Faux Leather Skinny Pencil Leggings is best complemented with different textures, such as knit or a print of sorts. They’re also great for creating contrast in monochromatic or all-black outfits.

4) Throw on a blazer

What’s a quick way to dress up those leggings? A blazer, of course! A fitted blazer will instantly add class to a white tee and cotton leggings. It’s less rigid than a pantsuit, and looks ultra chic when worn with a statement necklace or a pop of color. Think vivid hues for your heels or an eye-catching clutch for a classy girls night out.

5) Slip into some boots

Knee-length boots—let alone OTKs—aren’t really that common among Filipinas living in our hot, sweaty tropical country. But if we can wear sweaters in 25-degree weather, why can’t we wear boots? To really let those boots shine, it’s best to wear your leggings as it will streamline your entire ensemble, especially if your shoes aren’t fitted to your calves and knees.  For a more daring look, black thigh-highs and leggings together is very sexy without being revealing.

6) Branch out with patterns

Bored of black or solid-colored leggings? Shop for some patterned ones! Although there are some pretty eccentric ones out there, we could all use a little more fun in our wardrobes. How about some Lee Paisley Leggings that you can match with a beautiful white tunic?

7) Pair it with billowy sleeves

When it comes to leggings, what often looks best with them are loose, longer, or bigger pieces on top. Got a bohemian blouse with big, bell-bottom-like sleeves? Let your top be the star of the show with slimming bottoms, like your leggings.