You know the drill: Roll your shoulders back, point your feet, angle your elbows outward, and ask to have your photo snapped from a low shooting point (it adds four inches to your height). However, creating the ‘S’ curve or pivoting one leg out to the side is not so ideal in every type of situation. Luckily, you really don’t have to be born photogenic to take flattering snaps. Sometimes, it just boils down to finding the right camera-ready pieces.
We may not all have cameras shooting us 24/7 (some would actually call that a blessing), but that doesn’t mean we can’t dress the part, right? Whether it’s a trusted pair of white lace-ups or a ’90s style denim jacket, these style mavens are armed with a multitude of styling tips on well-curated items that magically flatter silhouettes and naturally stand out in photos.
Mari Jasmine
The tables have turned. Skinny, booty-hugging jeans are no longer of the moment. Billowy and seemingly effortless culottes now reign supreme as they keep things fresh with various types of fabrics and prints. If you’re afraid of the added volume, see how Mari tucks a relaxed cotton turtleneck into the waistband of her tailored culottes and sharpened her silhouette with a long, eggplant-colored coat, just to balance out the proportions. Culottes should hit your mid-calf. That being said, if you wish to elongate your stature a bit more, sleek platforms or thick-heeled creepers (if you’re feeling particularly rad) are the way to go.
Georgina Wilson
Whether you’re off sailing across Repulse Bay like Georgina is or hosting a beach cocktail party, there is nothing more chic and heat-proof than an airy LWD (as in, little white dress). She serves up major flair as she minimally, yet effectively pairs her eyelet number with subtle accessories like neutral cap-toe grandma shoes and black oversized lenses. This milky-hued frock could go from day to night in a millisecond by swiping on a bold accent lip and strapping your gams into a pair of printed booties instead of the usual heels. With that, you can easily become the coolest kid on the block.
Bea Soriano-Dee
Who says you can’t layer during the summer? Those fickle cool-to-balmy afternoons call for practical, non-suffocating outerwear. A lightweight duster, perfect for draping over a T-shirt and jeans or sundresses, would rightfully do the job. Opt for one with clean lines to get away with the casual appeal of a denim jacket without the grunge. A rose quartz colored turtleneck? Check! Jeweled loafers? Double check! Bea’s ensemble may be alluring and ladylike enough but it’s the blush, lightweight topper that brings it off the charts.
Liz Uy
Keeping up with the eclectic energy of the Big Apple, Liz strides across the streetstyle-studded streets as she matches with NYFW-buggy BJ Pascual in a ’90s remix oversized Tommy Jeans denim jacket. A jean jacket, specifically the boyfriend variety, is an ideal investment, just like its bottom counterparts: it pairs well with everything, it endures years of wear, and it respects your bank’s limit. Plus, those pockets will sure come in handy for those subway tickets, memory cards, and small knick-knacks.
Rissa Mananquil-Trillo
Last year was when ladies started replacing their trophy heels for white sneakers and this year, there have been no signs of this trend fading away, thanks to Insta-girls Kendall Jenner, Cara Delevinge, and Gigi Hadid. If you’re just dabbling with this trend just now, no worries! Move into the realm of snow-hued kicks by pairing them with sleek leather jeans, knitted skirts, and (almost) anything in your wardrobe—look sporty and polished at the same time like Rissa does. The option is yours. Go minimalist with a symmetric monochrome look or add informal swag to a smartly tailored suit.
Sarah Lahbati-Gutierrez
As much as we are gearing towards LWDs, let’s get real: tall, black outfits are a wardrobe mainstay that we are guilty of excessively repurposing for whatever agenda or occasion. There’s nothing more flattering and easier to pull off than an all-black ensemble, but Sarah’s begs to prove that it is so not basic. A chameleon piece, the LBD is flexible when it comes to dressing up and down—if you choose to welcome the ’90s, add an unexpected choker or neck wrap and sleek mules (that are less Manolo and more Chloé) for a fashionable punch.
Lovi Poe
Ditch your cheesy festival wares and channel your inner wild child by choosing a deep V-top, which is not really the safest choice when it comes to vigorously rocking out but it does the job of elongating your torso—and you just can’t go wrong with that. Lovi donned a rib cage-baring tank layered over a ’70s hippie husk pendant for a hint of rock ‘n’ roll in the Goodvybes Fest last weekend. Just a friendly tip: Keep extra-strong body glue and tape on hand or just opt for one with mesh panels to avoid unintended nip-slips!