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6 Conservative Fashion Tips to Be on Trend, But Not over the Top

WARNING: Nuclear-orange jeans and peacock-inspired box clutches may not be right for everyone. Dizziness, shortness of breath, and naked-in-public level anxiety may be experienced by individuals who even think about certain trends, let alone consider (gasp!) wearing them.

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If this sounds like you — hesitancy or downright avoidance of certain styles because you’re more “beige” than “bold”—have no fear.

No fear, you say? Have you seen the Tang-inspired tangerine lips this season?

Yes.

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Have you seen the fluorescent tops?

How could you not?

Oh, wonderful conservative fashionista, I hear you. And we’re serious — have no fear. You can enjoy the latest fashion showstoppers without sacrificing your classically comfortable look.

Style tips for conservative fashionistas

The key? Dabble, don’t dive, into the world of color, mismatched prints, and glam. Here are six bright ideas for incorporating today’s trends into your subdued style:

1. Accessorize instead

Whether the color of the season is magenta, tangerine, gold green, or baby blue, wearing it from head to toe can leave you feeling a little silly. So don’t do it!

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Break up your on-trend color choices up by accessorizing. Or, if the color du jour is bright enough to be in the neon family, only wear it as an accessory. A coral ring, for example, might suit you better than coral pants. Or, wear a palm leaf bracelet instead of a palm leaf maxi dress.

2. Nail it

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Take the vibrant color of the season and wear it on your nails. Don’t let the thought of purple nails (or tangerine or neon green) give you anxiety, either. If wild hues feel like too much, go for bold tips or choose a muted shade related to the on-trend color. Go for lilac instead of purple, for example.

3. Go small or go home

You can implement hair trends on a mini basis. When side braids are mega hot, braid a small section of your hair. When hot pink hair is having its time in the sun, ask your stylist for a red glaze. Or, even better, use wash-out color so there’s no commitment. You can employ the same “baby steps” approach with other hair trends.

4. Stay classic with sun protection

So sunglasses can be a low commitment way to dabble in trends — if you buy cheap ones. The thing is, quality sunglasses protect your eyes from sun damage. And you don’t want to cheap out on that.

So skip whatever’s trending in sunglasses and stick with classic styles. Trendy sunglasses tend to be ostentatious — and ostentatious has a very short lifespan.

Choose a good pair of aviators that offer UVA and UVB protection. Aviators never go out of style, so you can afford to spend more on a decent pair.

5. If you’ve got It, flaunt It

You’ve heard it before: Play up your favorite feature. It’s easier to feel more at ease with certain trends when you use them to showcase a part of you that already makes you uber comfortable and confident.

Say you love your long neck. Rather than just expose your neck with your usual pony, add a small floral clip in that general area, or wear elegant shoulder-grazing earrings.

6. Be bold — but tell no one

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After all of this, if trying few bold accessories or wearing red pumps in public still renders you uneasy, we still say: have no fear. Explore a trend or two . . . privately. Buy that lime and fuchsia bra and wear it during that next meeting or Mother’s Day brunch. Only you and your favorite solid chiffon blouse will know what you’re up to.

Or, slip into heels with leopard-print lining that only your footsies will see. Hmmm. Perhaps that lime scarf isn’t far behind. Sure, you may never choose to rock a metallic snakeskin clutch or strut your stuff in three-inch wedges. But I’m confident that incorporating smaller aspects of otherwise bigger trends will still keep you looking like your amazing self, while still allowing you to stay well within your comfortably conservative fashion zone. Heads will still turn.

And who knows…some of your choices may even make your beige hues a little green with envy.

Amanda

Wednesday 16th of May 2012

I actually own a navy blue one-piece, and now I know what to wear with it! Thanks!

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