Show your true colours
It may sound very logical, but just to be thorough: choose colours that suit you. If you're warm-toned (you tan quickly, you have dark blond or light brown hair), then colours like yellow, brown, green or red are ideal. If you look somewhat cooler (you have dark or grey hair and a paler skin), then blue suits you well. Once you've found your colour, apply it in your wardrobe, without overdoing it of course. This lets you vary endlessly and avoid a bad buy.
Fit it
Certain garments only suit a certain build. Do you have sturdy calves? Then opt for pleated trousers with narrow legs. Broader shoulders? Then take a tailored jacket. Short and stocky? Take a fitted coat, with a hem along your hips. Tall and slim build? Take a blazer that falls over your buttocks and is slim at your waist. The sooner you learn this, the fewer mistakes you make
Stock up
Once you've found trousers that suit you and are also comfortable to wear? Buy several of them or in several colours. You'll regret it if, six months later, you're walking around with a worn-out crotch and your ideal trousers are suddenly out of the collection.
Trends are temporary, style is forever
If catwalk trends make it to the shop at all, it takes an average of three years. In short: don't overdo it by fully adopting a trend. Do you really like that bird print so much? Then do it subtly and combine it with classic items.
Classics are classics for a reason
White sneakers, slim jeans, a good white shirt: some clothing is timeless because it simply looks good on everyone. Spend your money on classics that suit your build and stock your wardrobe accordingly.
Less is more
Less is always better. A simple outfit supplemented with a few strong, high-quality accessories that you actually use, does wonders. Go for a timeless watch and a stylish leather briefcase.
Choose your key piece
Whether it's a stylish blue blazer, that perfect white shirt that suits you so perfectly that you have to fend off potential partners, or those jeans that give you the legs of David Beckham. Use these items as often as you possibly can. After all, James Dean also got away with his white T-shirt.