SocialStylists.com wrapped up our first Social Look Contest this week.
We are excited to announce the winners:
First Place – Closetology ($250 Gift Certificate to Shopbop)
Second Place – Shoe Slut ($100 Gift Certificiate to Zappos)
Third Place – Laney ($25 Gift Certificate to Ulta)

Day Look from Closetology

So here’s a short summary of the standouts and the lessons –

Style isn’t buying a pre-made outfit. It is about adding different pieces to create a look or a mood, not just a “set.” The sales assistant having style is wonderful, but you need to create you own fashion identity by blending items from your own closet. Laney showed us this with taking the LBB and changing the look for day or night.

Unexpected pairings can have a big impact. When you stick to the anticpated, there isn’t much interest. Having something a little off balance grabs your attention. We loved the pairing of pearls with the biker-studded clutch on Shoe Slut’s night look.

Night Look from Closetology

Takes some risks. One of Closetology’s standouts was pairing textured cream tights with an open-toed shoe. It goes against the standard “rules” but looks fantastic. Also, she didn’t play it safe when choosing to match the tuxedo blazer with the oxford shoes. An easy option would have been to add a pair of pumps and say “Voila, evening.” She opted to go with the very fashion forward shoe instead and create the evening look through feminine details.

All of the winning looks had something in common: the masculine/feminine balance or the tough/soft balance. Overly feminine seems sugary sweet while too much masculine just seems rough. Today’s best looks strike a balance between the two.

Developing individual style takes time. But creating your own looks will give you confidence to go into your closet even when rushed and come out looking (and feeling) spectacular. Keep Styling!