My Style Mantra: Shop, Tailor, Preserve!

• My three style pillars are shop, tailor, and preserve:
  • Shop for smart, functional classics (like a tailored jacket or trench) and choose pieces that fit and flatter your body instead of sticking to trends. Shopping can be a process of trial and error, so make sure to try on clothes before buying.
  • Never underestimate the power of a skillful tailor! Look for clothes that fit the largest parts of your body and then tailor them down for a perfect fit. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to find a tailor, so ask your stylish friends for recommendations. If you know someone who is always dressed impeccably, chances are they have a great tailor.
  • Caring for your clothing investments is essential. Preserve your quality pieces and keep them looking their best for longer wear. Regularly using a color-safe laundry booster like OxiClean® Versatile Stain Remover will keep your whites looking their best without fading colors and is a must-have for your fashion arsenal.

Learn How to Layer

• When temperatures fluctuate between seasons, layer your clothes so you can take off and put on items as you choose. To layer correctly, choose clothes that are lightweight and fit close to the body, so you don’t add extra bulk. For instance, you can layer by starting with a tank top, adding a button down shirt, a lightweight sweater or vest, a structured jacket, and then an overcoat. At the end of each season, make sure to clean your clothing properly-- to avoid set in stains and prevent moth holes-- and then store away to maximize closet space for new items.

Stains are the Enemy of Good Style

• A stain can ruin your look, no matter how put together your clothes are. Keep your wardrobe in check by pre-treating stains before putting them in the wash. Using a laundry pretreater like OxiClean Max Force™ will help break up stains before they set in. For really tough stains, it may be necessary to soak your garment. A mixture of water and OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover can save a favorite piece, and because it is chlorine-free, it is safe to use on whites and colorfast colors.

Give the Dry Cleaners a Break

• Save money on your dry cleaning bill by taking care of your washables yourself. While you should pay attention to “dry clean only” labels, don’t be afraid to throw your favorite washables, like crisp cotton shirts and dark wash denim, in the laundry to lift out stains and keep colors from fading. You can also safely hand wash sweaters in the sink with the help of a color-safe stain remover like OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover.

Extend Your Style Secrets to the Home

• Your home should be a reflection of you at your best and a way to express your personal style. Invigorate your home with color, shape, and texture. When decorating, choose paint or fabric colors that flatter you, just as you would when shopping for clothing. To keep your fabrics, carpets, and upholstered furniture in top shape, make sure to have a color-safe stain remover on hand for food spills and pet messes.

Upgrade Your Entertaining

• When entertaining, think about simple, inexpensive ways to upgrade your décor. Using white or off white cloth napkins is a chic and eco-friendly alternative to buying paper napkins. I always keep a multipurpose cleaner like OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover in my stain emergency kit to tackle wine, coffee, or food stains on linens after party guests have left.

About Clinton Kelly
Clinton Kelly is a fashion consultant and media personality best known for his warm humor and straightforward style advice on TLC’s top-rated show, What Not to Wear. Since 2003 he has appeared in nearly 250 hour-long episodes of the series, in addition to several specials for TLC including Fashioning a Home with Clinton Kelly, Mind Your Manners and Redo My Spouse.

He is also the best-selling author of Freakin’ Fabulous: How to Dress, Speak, Behave, Eat, Drink, Entertain, Decorate and Generally Be Better Than Everyone Else (Simon Spotlight Entertainment, 2008). He previously co-authored Dress Your Best, the Complete Guide to Finding the Style That’s Right for Your Body.

Prior to becoming co-host of What Not to Wear in 2003, Kelly honed his fashion sensibilities and expertise while working as a magazine editor in New York City. He has been a contributing editor at Marie Claire, deputy editor at Mademoiselle and executive editor of DNR, a well-respected weekly magazine for the men’s fashion and retail trade.

He has appeared on The Today Show, The View, ABC’s Nightline, The CBS Early Show, The Tyra Banks Show, among others. He has either written for or been interviewed by InStyle, Real Simple, O, Men’s Health, Redbook, The New York Times and The Chicago Tribune.