Most casual ensembles have an androgynous look to them. They are composed of pieces that both men and women can wear, such as pants, T-shirts, sweaters, jackets, or cardigans.
But, if you are looking to make your style unquestionably feminine, you can still use the same items. Here are eight ways to fem up the casual, unisex pieces in your wardrobe.
1. Cinch it in the waist
For those T-shirts and cardigans that are comfortably loose around your body, the easiest ways to take away their boxy appearance is by tucking them neatly into a form-fitting skirt or belting them around the waist.
Doing this will highlight your waist and feminine figure. At the same time, this style trick can create a more polished look and slimmer silhouette.
2. Roll up or cuff sleeves
Again, for the stylish shirts that you have, small tweaks here and there can make a whole world of difference to their silhouette. If you want to bring attention to your long and elegant arms, do roll up the cuffs of your shirt.
For instance, if you have those hip men’s Afro shirts that you usually like to pair with jeans and trousers, follow tip number one and make the shirt even more feminine by cuffing the sleeves.
3. Accessorize heavily when you wear denim or chambray shirts
Denim or chambray shirts were often referred to as men’s utilitarian shirts, but a lot of women love wearing them because they have this effortlessly sexy feel to them. But, if you want such shirts to look more classy than sexy, the best thing to do is to accessorize them.
Wear a brooch, or a cluster of brooches and pins to give the shirt a stylish, contrasting elegant touch. Or, wear strings of pearls, gold hoop earrings, and pop up the collar. These accessories will not only make the shirt more feminine but glamorous, as well.
4. Smoothen your tucks
The way you tuck your shirts can also make your outfits more feminine. A clean tuck is the best way to go because this can emphasize a woman’s figure. This goes against the popular messy tuck trend these days, which actually works to hide a multitude of sins.
For a feminine and sophisticated look, make your tucks smooth and tight, especially for slightly loose tops. This shouldn’t be too difficult to do if you pair your tops with high-waisted skirts and pants.
5. Throw in florals
Floral-printed clothing items scream feminine, and you can easily pair them with neutral-colored and casual pieces. Here’s one quick styling trick to make a casual attire more dainty and lovely: tie a small floral scarf around your neck. Do the French scarf tie, which is slightly snug around the neck.
‘Want to go full steam for the chic French girl look? Finish everything off with bright red lipstick and a pair of stylish designer sunglasses.
6. Pair loose pullovers with a pleated midi skirt
When it comes to charming and dainty clothing, pleated midi skirts are definitely high up the list. The even lovelier thing about them is they can pair up nicely with even the most un-dressy pieces in your wardrobe such as comfortable pullovers — with or without a hood.
If the pullover is slightly big on you, tuck the front into your skirt or wear a shoulder bag across your body for a more delicate silhouette. Complete the look with a pair of point flats or elegant mules, and carefully selected jewelry.
7. Create a cropped cut for your loose tops
The main issue with loose tops is they conceal the curves of a woman’s body. But, as already discussed above, there are ways to outwork the boxy and almost masculine silhouette such items of clothing create. Another one is by creating a cropped cut for these pieces.
This does not mean taking out your scissors and cutting your shirts. What you need to do is gather the hem of the top and tie it right at the waist. There are different ways of tying a loose shirt: the front knot, the side knot, the wraparound knot, and others. These will alter the shape, fit, and length of your top and bring attention to the curve of your waist.
8. Wear feminine footwear
You can be wearing the typical shirt and jeans ensemble, but look quite feminine if you wear stylish high heels, bright ballet flats, chic and sleek mules, or strappy sandals.
Here’s the thing, women’s footwear styles do not just add a pop of color to a fashion ensemble, but they alter the way you move, as well. High heels, especially, can prompt you to improve your posture and walk in a more ladylike manner.
The tips shared above are easy to implement — you may not even need to buy new items. So, start with these to help you smoothly transition your style into a more feminine one.
Author Bio
Ethiopian-born and Dubai-based fashion designer Feiruza Mudessir discovered her curiosity to mix the traditional with contemporary at a young age, and this has become the trademark of her designs for Finchitua today. With her unique style standpoint, she served the VIP Color Forecast Panel 2017 for Al Jazeera Paints Company and VIP Color Forecast Panel 2019 for Asian Paints Berger. Ms. Mudessir is a shortlisted nominee for the prestigious Fashion Scout London 2018.
