The wearing versus styling reels are trending on IG and TikTok for good reason. Styling is essential to creating an effortless look. Unfortunately, it requires effort and seems to mystify a lot of women. Can you relate? A closet full of beautiful pieces and no idea how to put any of it together? This week we're breaking down my top tips on how to style an outfit like a stylist.

The success of a styled outfit comes down to your inclusion of texture, color, shape, accessories and final touches. Let's break them down:

Textures - this is how the garment feels and the appearance of the fabric makeup. Examples are leather, tweed, satin, cable knit sweater, even denim. Mixing textures in a look gives it dimension and visual interest. Simply draping a wool sweater over your shoulders is an easy way to add texture.

Color - This spring we're going to see fresh new takes on color pairings. This is actually something we're going to cover in my Style the Season Masterclass! Whether you're dressing in monochrome, contrasting colors, tone on tone, or even just a pop of color, an interesting and coordinated color story creates a styled look.

Shape - Your outerwear is an easy way to add a different shape to your look. A tailored blazer over a simple tee adds structure and polish while an embellished bomber jacket offers a different shape and a completely different vibe. Layering also helps to alter the shape of a look. You can also consider harmonizing the shapes of your garment or print and your accessory shapes. A polka dot print long sleeve dress, chunky round bangles and an oversized round stud create such beautiful harmony. Can you picture it?

Accessories - They are the sprinkles of a sundae! They are what transforms individual garments to a finished look. They add visual interest, can sell an interesting color story, and can say a lot about your personal style. Do you follow me on IG? I just announced an exciting new addition to my personal shopping sessions that involves accessories!

Finishing touches - This is the last thing you do before you finish getting dressed. Examples are tucking in your shirt, cuffing your sleeves or pants, popping a collar and buttoning buttons. Pushing up your sleeves is a great finishing touch and also shows off your wrists which often creates a flattering silhouette.

This week I've designed 5 looks demonstrating the difference between wearing and styling. Check them out here.