You Know You’re Stylish If You Follow These 19 Rules
If you’ve spent any time doom-scrolling fashion content on Instagram or TikTok lately, you’ll be well-acquainted with the viral ‘you know you’re stylish if…’ lists. So we couldn’t resist putting our own spin on the trend, and have enlisted our Contributing Fashion & Lifestyle Editor, Astrid Carter, to share what she thinks makes for impeccable style. From the enduring chic of jeans-and-loafers to why the secret designer bag will always trump a big, loud monogram, here’s what’s on her list…
You know you’re stylish if…
1. You have a signature makeup look
There is something so cool about being fiercely loyal to a signature makeup look. Whether it’s a smoky eye even in the daytime or a velvety red lip paired with something super low-key, it feels very French fashion editor. The trick is to pick one or the other – never both at once.
Whether it’s a smoky eye even in the daytime or a velvety red lip paired with something super low-key, it feels very French fashion editor.
2. You subscribe to the “Wrong Shoe Theory”
Unexpected but intentional elements always catch my eye, and the “Wrong Shoe Theory” does this perfectly. A pointed-toe boot under track pants, a ballet flat with baggy jeans, or a loafer with a sexy slip dress – perfection. It’s confidence in the unexpected choice that screams, “I know my style.”
3. You wear maximalist jewellery with minimalist looks (and vice versa)
I love the contrast of clean lines – like a crisp white shirt or a black bandeau neckline – juxtaposed with huge statement earrings. Similarly, a simple summer slip dress with a chunky arm stack and rings on every finger. The rule works on the flip side, too: if your outfit is big, bold, and eclectic, dainty jewels offer a sense of balance. It’s these details that make a look feel finished.
4. You choose accessories with personality
The devil is in the details. Coco Chanel famously advised taking one thing off before leaving the house, but I’m going against the grain here. I love a brooch thrifted from an antiques market, a fun bag that prioritises style over practicality, or a cute hair accessory that adds a finishing flourish. The devil is in the details when it comes to accessorising, bringing charm, personality and a conversation starter.
5. You prioritise impeccable tailoring
Cut is everything. The foundation of a great wardrobe lies in pieces like tailored trousers or a structured blazer. The break of a hem or the sharp line of a shoulder can completely transform an outfit.
6. Jeans and loafers are your go-to
There’s a time and place for trainers (especially when you need comfort), but if straight-leg denim, socks, and loafers are your off-duty uniform, you’re indefinitely chic.
There’s a time and place for trainers, but if straight-leg denim, socks, and loafers are your off-duty uniform, you’re indefinitely chic.
7. You wear things you’ve had for years, if not decades
Even as a fashion editor, I know we shouldn’t be shopping more, but shopping smarter. A capsule wardrobe isn’t just about mundane basics; it’s a curated edit of things you love simply because they reflect who you are. If you’re still wearing pieces you bought a decade ago, you truly know your style.
No shade to those who dream of a big designer monogram, but a beautifully crafted bag that holds its own without a recognisable logo is… chef’s kiss.
8. You embrace the “no-logo” bag
No shade to those who dream of a big designer monogram, but a beautifully crafted bag that holds its own without a recognisable logo is… chef’s kiss.
9. You wear a suit just because
There is nothing cooler than a woman who wears a full suit in the daytime, just because she can.
10. You make vintage look modern
It’s a thrill to find vintage pieces with a story, but the real skill is working them into your existing wardrobe so they feel modern and cool rather than like a costume.
11. Everything is a mix of high, low, thrifted, and vintage
The most scene-stealing outfits are a mix: your grandma’s vintage coat, a blouse you found at Topshop ten years ago, a luxury investment piece, and a local charity shop find.
12. You’re a snob when it comes to basics
By snob, I don’t mean you have to spend a fortune – just invest wisely within your budget. I love COS and ARKET for tees and foundations that actually last. For knitwear, always prioritise natural fabrics. If you look after these pieces, they will look after you for years.
13. You have no problem shopping in the men’s department
My favourite fashion rule is that there are no rules. Shop the men’s section, play with sizes, and ignore the labels. Men’s departments often have cooler accessories too (I love a man’s neckerchief), better loose tailoring, and knitwear with a much more interesting, oversized fit.
14. You only wear black sunnies
You can tap into every sunglasses trend out there, but a pair of classic black sunglasses – like Ray-Ban Wayfarers – will literally go with everything you own.
You can tap into every sunglasses trend out there, but a pair of classic black sunglasses will literally go with everything you own.
15. Your coat is the entire outfit
We’re often told to buy practical coats in dark tones or classic fits, but there is nothing more striking than when the coat is the look. A billowing mass of print, a PVC fur-trimmed mac, or a structural shape in a pop of red is always a yes from me.
16. All your evening looks are black or white
Monochromatic evening wear is incredibly chic. White feels daringly impractical especailly if you have a dinner date in the diary, and black carries an air of timeless, after-hours elegance.
17. You choose design over trends
There’s nothing wrong with playing with trends for inspiration, but choosing only the ones that actually work for your body and your life is what makes you look self-assured.
18. You dress with intentional nonchalance
It’s a contradiction in terms, but the chicest look is the one that looks like you didn’t try too hard. That’s not to say we should all be subscribing to a minimalist aesthetic or that elusive capsule wardrobe everyone always talks about, but dressing with an air of ‘I just threw this on’ always feels chic.
19. You love what you’re wearing
Above all, if you’re wearing something you love and feel good in, that is the ultimate style flex.
