A quick guide to looking put-together without overthinking it, proving that great style is less about what you spend and more about understanding a few simple principles that actually work

I used to think dressing well meant following trends or spending money I didn't have on designer labels.

Then I moved to Venice Beach, where I watched people pull off incredible style with thrifted band tees and worn-in denim. That's when it clicked: good style isn't about what you wear, it's about how you wear it.

These days, I spend most of my time in coffee shops around LA, and I've noticed something. The people who look the most put-together aren't necessarily wearing the most expensive clothes. They've just figured out a few quiet rules that make everything work better.

Here are ten style principles that changed how I think about getting dressed.

1) Fit matters more than brand

A $30 shirt that fits properly will always look better than a $300 one that doesn't. This seems obvious, but I spent years ignoring it.

The problem is that most of us buy clothes based on how they look on the hanger, not on our actual bodies. We grab our usual size without trying anything on, then wonder why nothing feels quite right.

Here's what I learned: when something fits well, you forget you're wearing it. No tugging at sleeves. No adjusting waistbands. Just comfort and confidence.

Take your clothes to a tailor if they're close but not quite there. It costs less than you think and transforms everything.

2) Build around neutrals

My closet used to be a chaotic collection of graphic tees from my music blogging days. Every shirt screamed for attention. Getting dressed felt exhausting.

Now I keep most things neutral: blacks, grays, whites, navy, olive. It sounds boring until you realize it makes everything easier.

With a neutral foundation, you can throw on almost anything and it works. That vintage band tee I can't part with? It actually stands out now instead of competing with everything else.

Plus, neutral clothes tend to last longer in your wardrobe. They don't scream a specific year or trend.

3) Invest in what touches your skin

Quality underwear, socks, and basic tees make a bigger difference than you'd expect. You feel it all day, every day.

I learned this after going vegan eight years ago and becoming more conscious about materials. I started paying attention to what my clothes were made from, not just whether they contained animal products.

Cotton, linen, and quality synthetics feel different against your skin than cheap fabrics. They breathe better. They last longer. They make you want to get dressed in the morning.

You don't need to replace everything at once. Just upgrade gradually, starting with whatever you wear most often.

Read Also: Bishop Michael Wanderi Reveals Artists Memorial Kesha In Honour Of Betty Bayo

4) One statement piece is enough

When I'm photographing around LA, I notice that the best-dressed people usually have one thing that catches your eye. A great jacket. Interesting shoes. A bold accessory.

The rest stays simple.

This is harder than it sounds because we want everything to be special. But when everything competes for attention, nothing wins.

Pick one piece to be the star. Let everything else support it.

5) Pay attention to proportions

This one took me forever to understand. It's not just about whether something fits, but how it relates to everything else you're wearing.

Slim pants look better with a slightly looser top. Wide-leg trousers work with a more fitted shirt. Oversized everything just looks sloppy.

The rule isn't strict, but there should be some balance. If the top half is loose, the bottom half should be more fitted, and vice versa.

I started noticing this in the way my partner dresses. They instinctively balance proportions in a way that just works, even though they'd never studied "style rules."

6) Shoes make or break everything

You can wear the perfect outfit, but if your shoes are beat up or don't match the vibe, the whole thing falls apart.

I'm not saying you need expensive shoes. I'm saying your shoes should be clean, in good condition, and appropriate for what you're wearing.

White sneakers work with almost everything if they're actually white, not gray from months of wear. Leather shoes should be conditioned occasionally. That's it.

The detail people notice most after your face? Your shoes.

7) Learn your colors

Not everyone looks good in every color. This isn't about rules, it's about observation.

Stand in front of a mirror and hold different colored shirts up to your face. Some will make you look washed out. Others will make your skin look healthier, your eyes brighter.

Those are your colors.

I spent years wearing black because it felt safe, but I actually look better in navy and olive. My partner pointed this out one morning, and now I can't unsee it.

Once you know what works, shopping becomes easier. You stop buying things that look good on the hanger but terrible on you.

8) Dress for your actual life

I have a friend from my music blogging days who owns beautiful suits. He works from home. He never wears them.

Meanwhile, I practically live in comfortable pants and simple shirts because I'm writing in coffee shops or walking around with my camera. That's my actual life.

Your wardrobe should reflect what you actually do, not who you imagine you might become someday.

If you're not wearing something, either it doesn't fit your life or it doesn't fit your body. Either way, it's taking up space.

9) The power of a uniform

Some of the best-dressed people I know wear basically the same thing every day. Not literally identical, but a consistent formula.

Steve Jobs had his black turtleneck. My grandmother, who raised four kids on a teacher's salary, always wore simple dresses with a cardigan and the same pearl earrings. She looked elegant every single day without thinking about it.

Having a formula doesn't mean being boring. It means you've figured out what works and you're not wasting energy reinventing it every morning.

Mine is usually dark jeans, a neutral tee or button-up, and clean sneakers. Simple. Consistent. Easy.

10) Confidence is the outfit

I've mentioned this before, but it bears repeating: the way you carry yourself matters more than what you're wearing.

You can follow every rule perfectly, but if you're constantly adjusting your clothes or second-guessing your choices, people notice that instead. Conversely, someone who feels comfortable in what they're wearing radiates something that no amount of expensive clothing can buy.

Wear what makes you feel like yourself. Stand up straight. Stop apologizing for your choices.

That's the real style upgrade.

Good style isn't about following fashion or spending money you don't have. It's about understanding a few basic principles and then forgetting about them.

The goal isn't to look like everyone else or to chase some impossible standard. It's to feel comfortable, confident, and like yourself.

Start with one or two of these principles. See what changes. The rest will follow.