Shake up your summer style instead, by using these real-life dress-up ideas as beach-to-date outfit inspo.

Slip into Something Slinky

For a night of salsa dancing, wave goodbye to your plain white tee and short-shorts;  and say hello to an asymmetrical cotton black dress.

This indispensable wardrobe staple does double duty to cover your swimwear and act as a flirty and feminine frock. Since your black dress is understated, swipe on a bold red lip and two coats of black mascara.

Add a Little Glitz to the Mix

It’s true: A sexy bikini or fashionable one-piece is a stylish summer showstopper on its own.  But a floaty rayon or silk dress transforms your swimwear into something chic and subtly sexy.

To go from poolside to dinner, slip your feet into strappy leather slip-ons; drape your neck in a silver pendant necklace, and then coat your lips with a complementary pink or coral sherbet-y hue.

Nautical Know-How

Nothing says summer like a classic red-and-white striped bateau-neck tee paired with white shorts.

For a summer picnic at your neighborhood park — or an afternoon jaunt on a fancy-schmancy yacht —  anchor these maritime solids with a gold pendant necklace and red and blue bangles. Tie everything together with blue or red espadrilles and a cream canvas tote.

Maximize Your Maxi Dress

Whether you are lunching poolside or hitting the movies after an afternoon swim, A long, gauzy maxi dress always looks chic as a topper.

In a tropical locale, wear bright or floral patterns for total femme fatale chicness. Or, for a rooftop brunch date in the city, default to a sophisticated white or black rayon spaghetti strapped dress – which will always look fresh.

Take a Walk on the Wild Side

For a daytime walk along the Santa Monica Pier, or a nighttime stroll along Collins Avenue in Miami, layer a pair of denim overall shorts over a hot pink or yellow neon bikini.

To add an edgy vibe, accent your denim and neon combo with an embossed leather clutch, a multi-colored statement necklace and a pair of suede, nude-colored wedges.

So Long, Sarong

No, tying a sarong over your one-piece won’t gain you any first date style points. For an unexpected ocean-to-shore outfit, a floral romper is the perfect pareo alternative.

For a lunch date, choose a short length that’ll cover your bottom, but won’t cling to your legs. Add a hint of glam to this outfit with a pair of sky-high sandals and oversized tortoise-shell sunnies.

Cover-Up with With a Classic

You do own a pair of denim cutoff shorts, right?

Sure, they’re super cozy and comfy, but you can give your Daisy Dukes more polish by teaming them with a long-sleeved, long-sleeved black fringed top, a pair of dark strappy flats and a cross-body crossbody bag.

To avoid looking beach-bound, team your denim and fringe with silver bangles on your wrist and a dramatic lip and eye look.

Resources

• The Zoe Report: How to Be a Brazilian Bombshell
• StyleCaster: 10 Swimsuit Cover-Ups That’ll Look Stylish off The the BeachLauren Messiah: How to Create a Beach-to-Street Look Outfit
• Who What Wear: 7 Cute Looks to Take You from From the Beach to Happy Hour
• Fashionising: From the beach Beach to the street: Street — 11 outfit ideas

The post 7 Date-Worthy Bathing Suit Cover-Up Ideas to Help You Hide & Go Chic appeared first on Free Fashion Tips for Women | On Dressing Well.

To up your activewear game, try on these practical and #OOTD-worthy finds that’ll help you look cool and feel great.

Run and Rock an Eye-Catching Print

Whether you are prepping for a marathon or a sprint, the right gear can make the difference on your path to the finish line.

A supportive black sports bra and printed black-and-white mid-length leggings set the stage for a fashionable workout.

Perk up your prints with stylish sneakers, headbands and other athletic extras in red, purple or yellow.

Be Best-Dressed for Your Asanas

Your fave black-and-pink, color-blocked tights are comfy and chic enough for a brisk walk to the neighborhood studio and a 60-minute yoga session.

Pair this stretchy and functional legwear with a breathable, quick-dry mesh tank and a sports bra for a still, centered and Zen workout.

Riding Fabulous and Flirty

For your indoor spinning session, you’ll want to look stylish and not schlumpy.

A pair of cycling shorts or tight leggings that taper at the ankles will keep your gear from getting caught in the stationary bike’s spokes and chains.

A sports bra in a bright hue and a tight graphic tank are eye-catching touches that strike the perfect balance between sporty and flirty.

Elevate Your Ballet Basics

For your weekly barre class, skip your traditional ballet garb – say, a black leotard and pink tights – for a modern twist on the classics.

Slip into a short-sleeved, coral-colored leotard and cover it with a gray printed tank.

Petite knitted shorts or a timeless, paper-thin ballerina skirt up the chic ante and provide ample coverage for your hips and thighs.

Kick It Up a Notch

Shake up your kickboxing session with striking and stylish shades that pack a punch.

Team printed leggings with a fitted racerback tank and colorful kicks featuring vibrant hues, such as aqua blue, Kelly green or canary yellow.

After your workout session, hide your sweaty scalp and shield your tresses from the sun with a sporty hat.

Step Things Up in Style

Since you’re not Sweatin’ to the Oldies when you attend your high-energy hip-hop or Zumba fitness class, you’ll need a sporty ensemble that combines high function and cool fashion.

Step out in style – and channel your inner Beyoncé or Shakira — with a graphic-art tee, supportive bra, cotton shorts and printed sneakers in a neon hue.

Hitting the Gym: What Not to Wear

It’s true: If you need motivation, the right workout gear will help you get moving in the morning.

But wearing the wrong outfit can cause skin irritation — or worse, trap in residual sweat that’ll weigh down your clothes during the workout. The trick?

Skip these fitness fashion offenders: 100 percent cotton tees, baggy cotton sweatpants, and skimpy thong underwear. Instead, choose slim-fitting athletic apparel that features breathable, sweat-wicking and durable fabrics instead.

Resources:

• Huffington Post: Cute Workout Clothes That Will Actually Make You Want to Hit The Gym. Seriously
• Refinery 29: 10 Awesome Celeb Gym Looks — & How to Copy Them
• Glamour: Cute Workout Clothes to Solve Your Fitness Fashion Woes
• Who What Wear: 6 Gym Outfits That’ll Actually Make You Want to Work Out

The post Cute Workout Outfit Ideas: 7 Instagram-Worthy Ways to Look Cute at the Gym appeared first on Free Fashion Tips for Women | On Dressing Well.

Whether you choose rubber wellies or a rain-proof parka to fight the April or May showers, you can still look good in the rain with these expert tips.

Choose a raincoat that flatters your figure.

A raincoat with an A-line shape skims over large hips and thighs without clinging.  To add a little style to your raincoat, buy a coat that has a printed or colorful inside lining.

Want to look good on a rainy day?

Buy rainboots that complement the colors of your raincoat or rain hat.  For example: If you wear a black raincoat, pair your trench-coat raingear with a hounds-tooth print rain boots.

The most important rain tips for fashionable women is to always choose stylish raincoats and rainboots that complement your personality and your personal style.

The post Stylish Raincoats and Rainboots: Look Good On a Rainy Day appeared first on Free Fashion Tips for Women | On Dressing Well.

Darling, if you want to unleash your inner sophisticate, wear a crisp women’s tuxedo jacket.

Popularized in 1966 with the introduction of Yves Saint Laurent’s “Le Smoking” suit, tuxedo jackets are powerful by day and elegant by night.

Whether you wear your tuxedo jacket with ballet flats and jeans or with a pencil skirt for dressier occasions, this versatile fashion fixture is an essential item in the modern woman’s wardrobe.

For your tuxedo jacket…Focus on fit.

If you are investing in an amazing made-to-measure jacket, precise measurements are essential.  But the jacket should not fit like a man’s blazer.

According to the fashion experts at WhoWhatWear, a tuxedo jacket’s fit is longer in the body and sleeves than a traditional blazer. Your women’s tuxedo jacket should fit close to your body, hug your frame and skim your curves perfectly.

Look for tuxedo jackets with modern details.

Purchase a jacket with a structured collar or decorative buttons.

Update the classic tuxedo with satin lapels in a contrasting color.  Or choose a tuxedo jacket in a color other than basic black

Pair your tuxedo jacket with denim.

Dress down your tuxedo jacket with dark skinny jeans and a button down shirt. Wear a festive pair of Cowboy boots, to upgrade your tuxedo look from cosmopolitan to Western.

Dress up your tuxedo jacket with accessories.

Throw on your best bejeweled bib necklace and a silk tank to give your jacket a new personality during the daytime. Add sparkle to a black tuxedo jacket with a silver clutch purse, gold strappy sandals and shoulder-duster earrings.

Place a flower pin on the lapel to unleash your inner Marlene Dietrich.

Wear your tuxedo jacket over a dress.

Lower the volume of a printed dress with a bold blue tuxedo jacket and nude leather flats for the office. For evening events, wear the jacket with a sheath dress in a solid color to keep the silhouette elegant and simple.

Final Women’s Tuxedo Jacket and Blazer Tips:

• To ride the menswear trend in women’s fashion, add a crisp white shirt and black skinny pants to your tuxedo jacket.
• If you are tall, you’ve won the style lottery. You can wear a double-breasted tuxedo jacket.
• A lacy camisole peeking through your jacket is tres, tres sexy.
• Rolling up the sleeves of a tuxedo jacket makes your overall look less formal and more casual.
• Avoid severe-looking jackets with large shoulder pads or tails added to the bottom of jacket. You want your overall tuxedo jacket to remain classic, not clownish.

The post The Womens Tuxedo Jacket: How to Wear Menswear Blazers With Style appeared first on Free Fashion Tips for Women | On Dressing Well.

But did you know that ballet flats for women became fashionable long before Audrey Hepburn paired them with black skinny jeans in the movie Funny Face?

While these fierce flats were popular in 16th century France for men, when Marie Antoinette marched to the guillotine in high-heels, French women declared, “Bring back our flats!”

Whether you choose a pair of Repetto or Lanvin leather slip-ins or a patent leather pair of Tory Burch or Chanel flats, you can slip on a little style and Parisian chic for work and weekend. here’s how:

1 – Mind your fashion rules. Proper proportion matters.

Ballet flats look best with long sweeping maxi skirts and pencil skirts too. When wearing pants, choose ankle-length or cropped trousers instead of palazzo pants and boot-cut jeans. For work, pair your flats with a pencil skirt and a dress with a full or A-line skirt.

2- Style rules. How to mix and match your ballet flats.

Consider your tan and black flats as a neutral shoe that will temper brightly-colored pants and flowing maxi skirts. To kick your chic skimmers up a notch, pair them with cuffed boyfriend jeans, a white tee and a motorcycle jacket.

For chic women looking to add a little Parisian style into their daily wardrobe, buy these sleek and chic shoes and wear them on occasions that demand a little something  slinky and sophisticated without slipping into a pair of sky-high 6-inch stilettos.

The post Ballet Flats 101: How to Wear This Chic French Shoe Staple appeared first on Free Fashion Tips for Women | On Dressing Well.

From touching the fabric and checking the hang of the garment to examining the seams for imperfections, here’s how to spot a cheap woman’s suit like a Hollywood stylist on a mission to find the perfect outfit for her A-list client.

Step 1 -Turn the suit inside out to reveal the seams and the linings of the garment

If the suit is lined in silk shantung or raw silk, you have scored an expensive women’s suit. If the seams appear to be sewn perfectly, then your suit has been touched by a sewing machine, and not from the precise hands of a couturier or seamstress.

Step 2- Examine the zippers, buttons and buttonholes on the suit

Zippers mechanisms will slide easily. An expensive woman’s suit will also have buttons made from mother of pearl or other exotic shells, instead of buttons made from resin or plastic.

The buttonholes of a cheap woman’s suit will not be hand sewn, but will have jagged seams and appear to be uneven upon close inspection.

Step 3- Get to know your suiting fabric

Scrunch up the fabric to determine its ability to wrinkle. An expensive woman’s suit can withstand wrinkles (unless it is made of linen) and easily bounce back into shape after crumpling it.

Cheap and inexpensive fabrics will be coarse to the touch, feel rough on the skin and are prone to wrinkle quite easily.

So, avoid any woolen or polyester fabrics with high sheen.

Step 4 -Review the hems and stitching of your dress suit

A suitable hem will be double-stitched and virtually invisible from the outside of the suit. Seams should be straight as an arrow, and free from puckering, pulling and bunching. Stitching should be uniform and even, not jagged or sewn sloppily.

Step 5 – Make sure that your pants or skirt fits perfectly

The perfect pants length should hang straight from the waist to the top of the instep. For work, your skirt should skim the top of the knee. To make sure that your pants or skirt aren’t too short, walk around in the shoes you wear most to check the length.

If you see the outline of your pockets through your pants or skirt, it means the garment it too tight. Go up one size to get the best fit.

Final Tips & Tricks to Buying a Woman’s Suit

1. Expensive suit linings are often made of silk.
2. A cheap suit will often be devoid of a lining, and the material is so thin, that if it is held up to the light, one can see through the fabric.
3. A proper suit lining will be sewn straight to not interfere with the drape of the garment.
4. A fancy designer label can help you determine the quality of a woman’s suit. However, what is most important when evaluating a cheap suit versus a well-made item is determining how the suit was made.

The post How to Buy a Women’s Suit That Looks Expensive and Not Cheap! appeared first on Free Fashion Tips for Women | On Dressing Well.

Dear On Dressing Well,

I’ve been invited to a wedding in Italy on June 17th. It begins at noon and ends at 8pm. Is it appropriate to wear a black cocktail dress?

Ahhh the dreaded wedding attire question is now elevated to international Italian waters.

And if you want to be la bella figura, you will need expert fashion tips to look your best.

Because you are traveling to the land of Armani, Versace, and Roberto Cavalli, a modern and well-dressed fashionista wants to observe the Italian wedding traditions without compromising her sense of style.

Here’s how to dress well for an Italian wedding:

• Steer clear of black and white attire. According to My Italian Wedding, you should avoid wearing black or white as a wedding guest in Italy. In fact, wearing black clothing signifies death and morning. And just like American weddings, white or off-white dresses are reserved for the bride only. But pastel colored hues, look beautiful on wedding guest without stealing the spotlight from the bride-to-be.
• Choose dark blue or dark brown as an alternative color. As a curvy girl, I believe in the power of dark colors. They hide a multitude of sins and always look chic. So if you must choose a darker hue, wear a dress made of silk or jersey to flatter your figure and beat the summer heat.
• Consider the time of day. A  noon wedding is still considered a morning affair. A black cocktail dress, although elegant and chic, is not the best color option for a morning or noon wedding. Choose a tea-length dress or a skirted suit in a flattering shape for an elegant Italian wedding.
• Infuse elegance into your accessories. Italian fashion from Prada and Missoni to Ferragamo and Ferre celebrates bold colors and fine details. If you are afraid of becoming a fashion don”t, wear a large cocktail ring, a sparkling gold or silver clutch or a pair of shoulder-duster earrings with your wedding attire.
• Plan for the heat. A June wedding in Italy will be warm and possibly hot.  To prevent from melting, wear breathable fabrics like silk, cotton or linen for a midday wedding in the sweltering Italian heat.
• Add a shawl for the religious ceremony. If your dress is strapless or has thin spaghetti straps, wrap a thin pashmina scarf, bolero jacket or silk shrug over your dress. As a wedding ceremony is a sacred event in traditional Italian families, you want to dress respectfully and appropriately.  But, once you arrive to the reception space, remove your wrap to reveal your bare shoulders and arms freely.
• Wear comfortable, but stylish shoes. Before you reach for your Guiseppe Zanottis or your Manolo Blahnik 115-millimeter heels, think about the length of the wedding day. From 12 noon to 8pm you’ll be standing, sitting and dancing intermittently. Choose a comfortable dress shoe that won’t hurt your feet or cramp your wedding style.

With these fashion rules, you’ll be the best-dressed wedding guest in Italy, choose elegant wedding attire and blend in to the festivities without being invisible or overlooked.

The post Women’s Fashion Questions: Can I Wear Black to an Italian Wedding? appeared first on Free Fashion Tips for Women | On Dressing Well.

If you desire to add a little “oh la la” to your current wardrobe, read on for some French clothing vocabulary and European frock history.

Learn how to not only dress well internationally but speak women’s French designer fashion fluently.

French clothing is not only legendary in its artistry but is also inherently chic.

With a rich design history filled with notable fashion giants like Guy Laroche, Coco Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Lanvin and Balmain, French clothing has been loved and admired by fashion collectors and connoisseurs since the fashionable reign of Louis XIV.

Although many French clothing designers and couturiers fall prey to the strains of economic hardship (like my beloved Christian Lacroix) many French clothing companies still live on after the deaths of their legendary creators.

Designer French Clothing History

French king Louis XIV is the originator of upscale French luxury goods and French apparel.

According to the Fashion Encyclopedia, in the late 1600s to the early 1700s, King Louis created a powerful clothing industry producing ribbons, silk and other luxury textiles.

By ceasing the import of goods and fabrics into France, while simultaneously increasing the export of luxury French clothing to all of Europe, the world’s consumption of French clothes increased in European countries.

Notable Moments in French Clothing Design and Marketing

In the early 1670’s Jean Donneau de Vise created the first French fashion press to market French clothing outside of France

• 1910, Coco Chanel opened her first shop on Rue Cambon.
• Christian Dior created the “New Look” in 1947.
• Fashion magazine Elle was founded in1945
• Hubert Givenchy opened his salon in 1952.
• Yves Saint Laurent created a line of ready to wear or “prêt-à-porter” in 1966.
• In the 1970s and 1980’s Thierry Mugler, Christian Lacroix and Jean-Paul Gautier developed new French fashion trends for the luxury and designer clothing industry.

Designer French Clothing Vocabulary

Thanks to Thoughtco.com’s French Language Library, here are a few French clothing vocabulary words for women. Enjoy!

1. un manteau  – coat
2. un blouson – jacket
3. un anorak  – ski jacket
4. un tee-shirt – T-shirt
5. un pantalon –  pants
6. un maillot (de bain) –  bathing suit
7. des chaussettes – (f) socks
8. des chaussures – (f) shoes
9. des tennis (m) – sneakers
10. un pyjama pajamas

21st Century French clothing History

In the 21st century, French clothing is featured in designer fashion shows and magazines around the world.

However, in the 1600s the French fashion press advertised the styles of clothing worn by members of the royal court of France to increase the export of French clothing to the global fashion audience.

Along with Milan, London and Tokyo, Paris is considered a premier city for fashion design and innovation.

Many famous French design houses: Lanvin, Chanel, Balmain, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Mainbocher, Yves Saint Laurent, Guy Laroche, crafted iconic apparel  sold in upscale department stores and vintage boutiques worldwide.

Types of French Clothing

There are three major types of French clothing sold worldwide: French lingerie, prêt-à-porter (“ready to wear”), and Haute couture.

In fact, haute couture is a legally protected French term that refers to hand-sewn designer apparel made by French couturiers.

With exquisite designs that range from the 10,000 dollars to 200,000 dollars or more, only less than 200 women around the world wear couture.

French clothing fashion tip: Only garments made by clothiers designated by the Fédération française de la couture are allowed to call their fashion designs couture.

Unlike their American fashion-obsessed counterparts, French women have a very different approach to building a wardrobe.

French women rarely buy their clothing on sale and consider their jewelry, clothing and handbags to be investment items to pass onto the next generation.

Rather than fill their closets with half-priced wardrobe items that are cheaply made, the French purchase a few pieces of well-made clothing that tends to be more expensive, but will last for decades instead of one season only.

With this quick lesson on French fashion, your can reveal your own fashionable joie de vivre and can let your own inner French girl discover her own passion for fine designer women’s clothes…and the good life.

The post Speak French Designer Clothing Fluently: Add a Little Oh La La to Your Wardrobe appeared first on Free Fashion Tips for Women | On Dressing Well.

Finding the proper wedding attire for guests of the bride or groom is often a fashion conundrum.

You want to be the envy of your stylish gaggle of girlfriends in the latest designer frock, but you do not want to upstage the blushing bride on her wedding day intentionally.

Here’s how to answer the dreaded and age-old question, “What should women wear to a wedding?”

If the wedding requires “Formal White Tie” wedding attire

Break out your ball gown and dust off your jewel-encrusted Giuseppe Zanottis; you are going to an evening wedding party. What is the wedding attire fashion code?

Think White House Dinner with the President and Mrs. O.

A woman should wear a gown that is floor length to formal evening wedding. No need to wear white gloves, (unless you are just fabulous) but your best accessories, smoky-eyed featured makeup and diamond jewelry should make an appearance at this formal wedding reception.
But remember: No tea length or short dresses allowed.

• What about the fellas? Men will wear tuxedos with white tie and often tails.

If the wedding requires “Black Tie” wedding attire

Black tie wedding attire indicates that the wedding will remain formal but Cinderella-ball gown dresses are not required.

A woman will have to wear a dress that grazes the floor or is at least mid-calf length.

Glitz and glamour is not optional at a black tie wedding, so pump up the volume with an amazing cocktail dress adorned with sparkle and shine and killer evening shoes.

If you need more clues as to what wedding attire is perfect for the Black Tie wedding, tune into the Oscars and Emmys for style hints.

• What about the fellas? Men will wear dark tuxedos with bow ties or standard-length ties with a Windsor knot.

If the wedding requires “Formal or Black Tie Optional” wedding attire

When you read the words ‘Formal or Black Tie Optional” the bride is telling you that the evening wedding is dressy but a floor-length sequined gown is optional.

Female wedding guests of the bride and groom should wear long dresses but choose a dress that is a step above your favorite “paint-the-town-red” cocktail dress.

• What about the fellas? Just like the Black Tie wedding attire mentioned above: Men will wear dark tuxedos with bow ties or standard-length ties with a Windsor knot.

If the wedding requires “Dressy Casual or Semiformal” wedding attire

Dressy casual or Semiformal wedding attire allows the wedding guest more sartorial options.

You can wear a riveting, but not too revealing, cocktail dress for an evening wedding or a bold floral strapless ensemble–paired with a magnificent colored straw dress hat–for a summer morning wedding.

No flat sandals or ballet flats allowed at a semiformal or dressy casual wedding reception (even if it lasts long into the wee hours) only your best shoes, strappy sandals and glam pumps will do.

• What about the fellas? Finally, men are released from the grasp of the boring dark tuxedo for their wedding attire. However, a suit and a tie are still required wedding wardrobe options for men.

If the wedding requires “Casual” wedding attire for women

Casual wedding attire gives the well-dress woman a plethora of fashion possibilities. To prevent wearing the wrong dress or pantsuit, ask yourself three questions:

• What would the bride wear if she were a wedding guest?
• What dress or outfit do I usually select for special events and weddings?
• What is the location and time of the event?

By answering these three questions, you will always be appropriate whether the wedding is on the beach in Jamaica or in the backyard of your Grandparents’ grand estate.

If you still need fashion tips, a simple knee-length black dress in a sumptuous fabric, or a classic linen shift or sheath in silk or wool crepe for spring or summer is always appropriate and elegant.

Still clueless? (Think first impression attire for a first date or the introductory meeting with your man’s parents.)

• What about the fellas? Casual wedding attire for men includes a pair of dress pants and a casual shirt or a dark or light colored suit without the tie.

Because wedding invitations have cryptic code words like” Black Tie Optional” and” Dressy Casual” the well-dressed woman needs a fashion cheat sheet to determine what to wear to a wedding.

Before you grab your plastic AMEX to shop for the perfect dress for wedding guests this season, use this wedding attire guide to get gorgeous…whether you are poised to catch the bridal bouquet or not.

The post Wedding Attire for Women: What to Wear to A Wedding appeared first on Free Fashion Tips for Women | On Dressing Well.

On one hand, I consider a fresh coat of brightly colored polish the little black dress for your nails. But on the other hand… chipped nails are the enemy of dressing well.

Perfectly polished nails not only say that you are well dressed, but will get you one-step closer to head-to-toe gorgeousness.

If you dread the sight of chipped polish and fading nail color, use these tips to make your nail polish last longer and dress  your nails beautifully.

Step 1 -Make your nail polish last longer with quality nail polish.

Nail polish formulations are not equal.

Up the nail polish ante and buy the 8-dollar polish instead of the one-dollar cheapo at the drugstore.

Drugstore nail polish is not off-limits, but Essie and OPI are two nail polish brands that manicure divas depend on regularly.

Step 2 -Apply fresh nail polish to your nails.

Nail polish expires one year from the time you first open your bottle of beauty. But if you polish your nails often or keep it sequestered in your medicine cabinet, your polish may dry out sooner.

To make your nail polish last longer, use a fresh bottle of nail paint that does not stick to the brush in thick clumps and blobs of ooey gooey polish.

Step 3 -Remove the oils from your nail bed with white vinegar.

After a fresh wash of your nails and hands to clean your nail beds, dip your fingers in white vinegar to remove any traces of natural oils.

The nail polish will adhere to your nails when there are no traces of oil, dirt or soap. The white vinegar is a little smelly, but any oils left on your nails will prevent the nail polish from sticking…and chipping.

Step 4 – Apply nail polish like a professional manicurist.

Prep your nails with a base coat, before applying your color. Use a steady hand to apply your nail polish to the nail bed.

Starting in the middle of the nail, apply small thin layers of polish to the nails. Do not apply more than three coats of polish color to your nails.

Step 5 – Apply a top coat to your nails to seal the nail polish.

The top coat is the most important step to make your nail polish last longer. Brush the top coat at the base of the nail and extend it over the edge of the nail. Apply it slightly under the tip to prevent chipping.

Need to select the best nail color for your hands? When in doubt, choose red. In comparison to other shades, red nail polish flatters a perfect nail shape best.

Step 6 -Dry your nails completely.

Your nails may seem to be dry after 15 minutes, but don’t be fooled by the touch test.

Plan to keep your nails free from touching car keys, typing text messages on your Blackberry and putting on jewelry for at least one hour.

Two more tips to make your nail polish last longer:

• To speed up the drying time, after 30 minutes of air-drying, submerge your nails into a basin filled with ice-cold water for 30 seconds.
• Apply one swipe of topcoat every morning to extend the life of your manicure until your next pampering session.

You’ve now learned how to extend the life of your manicure, make your nail polish last longer and keep your fingers well-dressed and ready for a close-up.

The post Dress and Polish Your Nails: Tips to Make your Nail Polish Last Longer appeared first on Free Fashion Tips for Women | On Dressing Well.