styling tip

We're putting an end to ever having to utter the phrase "I have nothing to wear!" — one one-minute makeover tip at a time. Truthfully, it only takes a moment to refresh your style, like, for instance, with a touch of metallics. For today's little lesson, we're looking to high-impact shine to transform your everyday ensembles — and yes, we're talking about your daytime look, too. It's easier than you think. Just take a cue from this street-style crew, and read on for all of our editors' tips.

• Start simple. If you fear the potency of metallic shimmer, look to one great piece in an understated silhouette. A metallic knit is a great jumping-off point to amp up black skinny jeans (as evidenced by our style-savvy street styler). This is also a look you could easily wear during the day with flats or ankle boots, then out with heels. And, speaking of heels, metallic footwear happens to be a huge trend this season, as well as a pretty safe place to start experimenting with small doses of gold and silver.
• As you feel more comfortable with high-wattage metallics, feel free to mix and match gold, silver, pewter, and gunmetal shades. The trick to making it work is balancing all the shine with more grounded textures, like a woven knit or wool.
• Remember that metallic pieces are already bold, so don't overdo it (especially for day) with sexy silhouettes. Gold- or mercurial-hued pieces will feel the most sophisticated in classic silhouettes, like suiting, trousers, or tailored tops. They'll also be the pieces you'll be able to keep and rewear year after year.

Sources: IMAXtree, Getty, and Lookbook.nu

We firmly believe that it takes only a minute to change your look with the right ingredients and a fresh set of eyes. Today, we're helping refresh your wardrobe with one easy styling trick and a piece you likely already have in your closet. The arrival of Fall and Winter usually means we bury our Summer maxi dresses and skirts, but we're all about taking them out of hiding to well, maximize, their potential with a few seasonal layers. Just take a cue from the style setters below: making the most of your maxi is just about giving it a Fall feel.

• The first thing to know — it doesn't matter what color or what fabric your maxi is. Even if you're working with a sheer finish or a creamy white hue, you can give your dress or skirt a more apropos seasonal twist with the other pieces you add in. For instance, if you have a sheer maxi or one with a slit, layer it up underneath with tights for added warmth.
• The most essential part of this look is how you top it off. Because the skirt and dress can feel floaty and at odds with the weather, anchor it with weightier, warmer pieces up top. Try a leather jacket and a cashmere pullover to offset the bottom half. If your dress has a slit, make it more daytime appropriate with a covered up jacket or a sophisticated blazer. Truthfully, these maxis work like a blank canvas, style them up with sweaters, furry vests, and heavier coats to shape them into unexpectedly seasonal outfits.
• Think of your footwear as the key to taking the look from day to night. Your footwear plays a crucial role in setting the tone for this look — with a flat, biker boot, this look becomes casual and daytime-accessible; with a heeled boot you can walk the line from day to night; and with a sexier ankle-strap you give the look a night-out feel.

Source: Adam Katz Sinding, Lookbook.nu, and ppfgirl

Today's wardrobe refresh lets you have your slouchy sweater and a more defined shape, too. That's to say, we're getting a hold (rather, a cinch) on these chunkier Fall layers before they consume us. You don't need to break the bank to follow suit — all that's required for this mini overhaul is some strategic belt, plus topper, action. Take it from these seasoned style setters: giving your look an extra dose of definition is a cinch.

• The first thing you should know about giving your oversize sweater the belt treatment — it inevitably leads to a new take on proportions. Whether you pair this waist-enhancing accent with jeans on bottom or a slim-cut pencil skirt, it draws your eye to three, instead of two, shapely points: the torso, the waist, and the legs.
• If you're wearing a printed or supertextured sweater, we'd go for a thicker, wider belt to offset the dynamic pattern. A skinnier version may not break up the intrigue or your shape the way you'd want it to.
• Think of this one-minute makeover styling trick as another way to colorblock. We think this is the perfect excuse to play with Fall's color palette, while still injecting that same formula of waist-defining edge. And how? Just add your belt as the finishing touch. Our current combo to try out: camel + burgundy + metallic skinny belt.

The sporty vibe first got its stylish overhaul via Isabel Marant's pumped-up kicks and Rag & Bone's slick tuxedo-meets-racer stripe trousers. Now, it's more than a little evident that the athletic aesthetic has taken a turn for the outright academic. Welcome to the "new school" of sporty, where classic letterman jackets get the polished treatment, baseball caps aren't just for playing ball (and bad hair days), and preppy argyle prints prove perfect for low-key crewneck sweatshirts.

But don't take our word for it, look to our latest crop of style setters for easy OMM (that's code for one-minute makeover, of course) inspiration. The thing is, you don't have to invest in a new set of clothes to achieve a similar brand of too-cool-for-school. In fact, we think it's worth a little journey to the back of your closet — and into your high school styling archives — to nail this look. Interest piqued? Keep reading for our 60-second makeover tips, and perhaps some extra credit, too.

What is it about leopard print that always looks instantly fabulous? No matter how you wear it, the pattern always manages to look cool and edgy — and it's one of the easiest ways to spice up your Fall ensemble. As you can see from these chic street stylers, leopard print can be donned in small or large doses, so whether you play it safe with a scarf or clutch, or go all out in a printed coat or top, there's really no wrong way to rock these spots.

• To achieve a laid-back leopard look, adjust your thinking: once you start to consider leopard print as a neutral, it will be infinitely easy to inject it into your current wardrobe. Start mixing your leopard pieces like you would anything else — a leopard scarf with a striped tee, spotted heels with floral pants, etc. It will look cool, hip, and totally effortless.
• A high-impact way to make your leopard print pieces feel fresh for Fall is to put them against a basic color palette. We love the look of an LBD topped with a leopard coat, and conversely, a leopard-print dress looks sleek and modern with a pair of red shoes or cinched at the waist with an emerald-hued belt.
• One of our favorites ways to get a jolt of leopard in a pinch is with a pair of printed shoes. A chic pair of flats — like Gap's Calf Hair Ballet Flats ($50) — is a simple way to get in on the trend, and makes a t-shirt and jeans look infinitely cooler.

For more ways to amp up your look in one minute, just click here.

Photos courtesy of Greg Kessler, diamondsforbreakfast, anyelinacloset

The Spring 2012 runways were awash with striking hues of mint green — and after perusing the Fab Community, it looks like you guys are getting in on the trend, too. Designers like Tory Burch, Vera Wang, and Rodarte all showed a fresh seafoam shade, offering a pretty, unexpected new hue to play around with for the season. We love how these street stylers have put their own spin on mint, and we can all agree it's a perfect look for Spring. See below for some of our editors' tips on how to inject a minty fresh burst to your look.

• Obviously adding a dash of mint will perk up any of your neutral basics, but don't be afraid to pair the cool hue with another bright, like yellow, pink, or orange.
• Keep in mind that mint (like all brights) will draw instant attention to the part of your body you're wearing it on. Want to highlight your legs? Go for a pair of skinny mint pants or pencil skirt. If you'd rather keep the focus on your face, opt for a pretty mint-hued sweater or silky blouse.
• Don't underestimate the power of accessories. If you're feeling timid about trying the mint trend, just pick up a seafoam-colored clutch, statement necklace, or pretty pair of flats.

Photos courtesy of ppfgirl, Smileforstyle, and StefaniSterjovski

As we transition from chunky Winter layers to lighter Spring iterations, it's the optimal time to mix things up literally. And the best part? There's no shopping spree required — a quick trip to the back of your closet will suffice. This week's wardrobe revamp pairs the slick with the laid-back; the bottom line is to keep the material mashup fresh and funky. Amp up your mix-and-match quotient with a little jean-inspired styling trick: wear your denim and leather together.

• By juxtaposing your tried-and-true denim jacket with super luxe pieces, you're creating a diversified textural effect. Jean material exudes a casual vibe, while leather maintains a classic cool look, no matter what. It's an easy way of striking an effortless balance between dressed up and not trying too hard.
• How many ways can you style this duo? Let us count the ways. From a leather-and-khaki trench coat to a jean jacket-leather sheath combo, we love that there's flexibility in pairing the two materials together. For a totally on-point Spring look, pair a chambray button-up with a leather pleated skirt. It's ladylike, edgy, and can be worn from day-to-night.
• To ensure you're ready for whatever Spring temps are thrown your way, layer your leather and denim accordingly. A leather jacket will add just the right amount of chic factor to a jean ensemble on chillier days, but once the warmer weather hits, a sweet leather pencil skirt and denim topper will provide the perfect climate-friendly ensemble.

Photos courtesy of Brunetteblogging, Gm2239, and Postgradchic

After perusing the Fab community, it was evident that many of you are feeling the pleated skirt trend this season. Consider it your new go-to piece: whether you opt for supershort, calf-length, or full-on maxi, a pleated skirt is a great transitional look regardless of your age or height and always manages to look pretty and ladylike, no matter what you pair it with. See below for some editors' tips on how to master the pleated skirt trend.

• The best thing about a pleated skirt is its ability to be worn day or night — you can make it office-appropriate with a silk blouse, blazer, and pointy-toe pumps, then amp things up for evening with a leather jacket and hot pair of heels.
• Concerned about color choice? If you're more of a classic, no-fuss kind of girl, stick to a pleated skirt in a go-with-everything shade like white, cream, or black — this will look totally timeless and make it easy for you to jazz it up with a printed blouse or colorful accessories. If you're into brighter hues, you can go for a skirt in a fun color like hot pink, teal, or yellow — just make sure you temper the bold shade with a neutral top.
• Don't be afraid to rock your pleats with a striped tee (stripes are pretty much a neutral, as far as we're concerned) — even though the lines may be going in different directions, it'll result in an effortless, I-just-threw-this-on Parisian look. In the same vein, a pleated skirt with ballerina flats looks très chic as well.

Photos courtesy of Adoretoadorn, Halliekw, and Nusophisticate

What better way to keep your outfits fresh than a quick peek to the back of your closet? No shopping spree necessary. Chances are, you've been harboring some hidden wardrobe treasures, just begging to be added to your Spring '12 lineup. To kick-start the reinvention process, we've called upon our savvy community and expert fashion editors to breathe new life into the stylish wares we already own. This one-minute makeover is quick, budget-friendly, and packs a bold punch: boast your brightest prints.

• Rule of thumb this Spring? The bolder, the better. After seeing wildly fun versions on the runways of Erdem, Prabal Gurung, Peter Som, and Jason Wu, we know that a great graphic print is versatile. Style a colorful floral blouse paired with a slick leather skirt for a more evening feel or go daytime polish in cropped kaleidoscope-hued pants with a casual button-up.
• Because these prints are louder than most, feel free to play around with the pattern dynamic. Translation: mix-and-match. Try florals with stripes, bright graphics with polka dots, or all of the above — we think the vibrancy effect gives ample opportunity for experimentation in the more off-the-cuff style combination department.
• For the girlie girl fashionista, pair Peter Pan-collared blouses, lace texture, and sweet accessories for a feminine juxtaposition. For the tougher style setter, try a leather moto-inspired jacket, a leopard-print skinny belt, and retro Converse for an edgier approach.

Photos courtesy of MimisMuneca, CBLadyàlamode, and TheFancyTeacup

We're constantly looking to reinvent the way in which we style our most beloved items of clothing — that is, without having to endure the consequences of a costly shopping spree. By combing through the arsenal of chic Fab community looks and tapping into our editors' fashion prowess, we've whipped up an easy way to soup up your wardrobe with just a quick trip to the back of your closet. Today, let's go bold and vibrant: mix-and-match cool color combos.

• The best part about colorblocking is, hands down, its endless potential for fun, playful, and totally unexpected color matchups. This may be a good time to brush up on the ol' color wheel. Some of our favorite complementary pairings are: minty green with bright tangerine, deep violet with saffron yellow, and neon pink with crimson red.
• Use these color combos to emphasize your shape and your strong knowledge of silhouette proportions. We love seeing contrasted hues against a long-short hem or in the mix of soft vs. hard structural edges.
• To execute this look, it takes almost no effort at all. Find your favorite colorful pieces and pair 'em up. The effect is striking, but super simple to achieve. Whether it's a colorblocked sweater-and-jeans combo or a sweet juxtaposition of a bold dress over opaque tights, it's a zippy way to spice up a look.

Photos courtesy of Smileforstyle, BrittandWhit, and Erikets