From 'universally flattering' dresses to forbidden pants: An expert’s guide to timeless fashion.

Welcome to the Nothing To Wear Edit, where each week we curate the best picks from the topic we spoke about on the podcast. Listen to the full episode here:

Building a timeless wardrobe takes time and patience — not to mention, it requires us to ditch the habit of buying into every trend we see online.

Of course, trends are fun. No one can deny the excitement that comes with buying a mesh top with neon green and yellow swirls on it. But ask yourself: are you really going to be wearing this in five years?

Chances are, you won't take a second look at it in five months.

Alongside graduating from high school, nabbing our first proper job and getting excited over vacuum cleaners, one telltale sign of maturity is when we overhaul our wardrobe to include more classic and refined pieces.

It's worth mentioning, however, that the terms 'classic' and 'refined' mean something different to everyone. Maybe to you, that mesh top with neon green and yellow swirls is timeless. If that's the case, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

On a recent episode of Nothing To Wear, host Leigh Campbell was joined by The Style Insider's Leonie Barlow. 

Boasting more than 250,000 subscribers on YouTube, Leonie knows fashion. Having spent the last 20 years as an editor for publications like She, The Australian Women's Weekly and Fashion Quarterly, Leonie has insider knowledge — and is exactly the type of person I would turn to for style advice.

She's also no stranger to Nothing To Wear, and in a recent episode, she offered her best tips and tricks for building a well-rounded wardrobe.

Let's get into it.

Leonie Barlow. Image: Instagram/@thestyleinsider. 

Ditch the capri pants.

"There's one pair of pants that I have a problem with, regardless of age. It’s pants that cut you mid-calf — otherwise known as capri pants. In terms of illusion dressing and figure-flattering styling, what I always try and avoid is having a hemline cutting you at your widest part. That's essentially where capri pants cut you, and for most of us, that's not flattering. There are other options that look far better, like longer-line shorts or Bermuda pants."

Look for a shorter inseam.

"The inseam matters because it dictates the fit of the pants, and when we try on baggy pants that have a longer inseam, they're really comfy because they don't actually fit you properly. It's not flattering, so if you're going for a wide-leg pant, look for a shorter inseam and roomier leg, so they're comfortable yet well-fitting at the same time."

You can wear oversized, but make sure the proportions are right.

"Oversized is great but you do have to be careful the older you get, because it can look like you rummaged through your husband or boyfriend's wardrobe. You can still wear oversized pieces, like a blazer for example, but the outfit underneath should be fitted. It's all about managing your proportions. As we get older, we tend to look for clothes that hide ourselves as opposed to appreciating the fact that we have womanly curves, and regardless of your size and shape, it's still important to show that off."

Wrap dresses are flattering on everyone.

"I'm a huge fan of wrap dresses because they fit your body. So you're going to wrap that dress to fit you perfectly. For me, I always think a wrap dress is universally flattering, there's no one that can't wear them. If you've got a fuller bust, you might want to wear a camisole underneath, but it's completely up to you."

Accessories can help modernise your look.

"Accessories are something that can make or break an outfit, and it's a really easy way to update a look. Little things like swapping out chunky beaded necklaces for finer pieces can help elevate an outfit and propel you into a modern look."

Wear colours that make you look and feel good.

"Colours are really important. When I wear something that's a great colour for me, I feel great and people respond to me better. There are some colours, however, that are easier to wear than others. For example pastel colours wash people out, they also skew a bit girlie and can look a little jarring as you get older. If you're afraid of colour, go into a store that sells plenty of vibrant pieces and hold the colours up to your face to see which one flatters you most. It's all about how you feel when you look at yourself in that colour."

Styling is all about balance.

"Proportions are a massive topic, but to summarise, it's all about creating an outfit that has a certain amount of balance. If something is too bottom heavy — like wide-leg pants or jeans — don't pair a chunky boot with them. Opt for something that's the opposite like a finer toe boot. Opposites attract."

Bougie & budget.

On Nothing to Wear, Leigh and Leonie shared their favourite timeless bougie and budget items that will go the distance.

Bougie.

Sussan Shacket, $99.95

Issey Miyake Prism Tote Bag, $650.

Budget.

River Island Petite High Rise Relaxed Straight Leg Jeans, $88.

Decjuba Mesh Ballet Flat, $69.95.

Want more help with your wardrobe? We got you! Have a read of the latest fashion tips here:

• 8 instant ways to stop your outfit ageing you, according to The Style Insider.
• How to sort every item in your closet, according to professional wardrobe organisers.
• We've figured out which handbag style suits you best, according to your star sign.
• 'I'm a personal stylist and these are the 6 questions I ask myself every time I go shopping.'

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Feature image: Instagram/thestyleinsider.