Looking to update your wardrobe? Here are some styling tips from Stephanie Dods and SM Woman

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SM Woman has everything you need to elevate your look—model, mum and interior designer Stephanie Dods shows you how

Levelling up your wardrobe can sometimes feel like a difficult endeavour. There’s a lot to consider, from style, colour and texture. But for mum, model and interior designer Stephanie Dods, it’s all about knowing your everyday essentials and buying with intention. Last March 11, women of character and refinement gathered at SM Makati’s Prestige lounge for an intimate styling workshop

“SM is such an iconic retail destination in the Philippines, so being able to collaborate with them feels very special,” Dods shares. “For me, the collaboration is about showing how versatile fashion can be and how people can build looks that feel elevated but still wearable in everyday life.”

SM Woman’s versatile offerings allow them to cater to women of all lifestyles, empowering them to freely express themselves and empower them through fashion

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AboveStephanie Dods shares her personal styling tips (Photo: courtesy of SM Woman)
AboveGuests browse through the SM Woman collection (Photo: courtesy of SM Woman)

“I think fashion is really important,” Dods says during the workshop. “The way you dress and present yourself really says a lot about you. And for me, it really sets the tone for the day.”

A capsule wardrobe is a collection of pieces that can mix and mesh well with each other, rather than buying individual pairings. A thoughtful curation can go a long way in creating multiple outfits from just a handful of items, cutting down time in picking out what to wear in the morning. Owning a lot of pieces doesn’t necessarily mean that they’ll match

“Capsule wardrobes solve that problem,” Dods explains, “and one of the ways it does that is through colour.”

AboveSM Woman offers versatile pieces for everyday wear (Photo: courtesy of SM Woman)

Neutrals will be your bread and butter—the blacks, greys, whites, beiges and browns. “Some people might say neutrals are boring,” Dods remarks, “but they’re more timeless and versatile. [They’re] really going to be the foundation of your wardrobe

She recommends something to wear often to serve as the foundation of your wardrobe. These are your workhorse pieces: a good pair of denim, black or beige pants. She also suggests layering pieces for an effortless touch: a cardigan, a button-up shirt, outerwear and your basic T-shirt and tank tops

But to make any outfit really pop, Dods suggests a “hero piece,” something unique that can serve as the centre of attention to your entire outfit: a beautiful jacket, an avant-garde top, a dress or even a co-ord set

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Next, Dods draws on her previous experience in interior design. “[It] really taught me about proportion, balance and restraint,” Dods shares. “In interiors, you learn that not every element needs to compete for attention, and I approach dressing in a similar way.”

“I tend to think about an outfit almost like a room—there’s structure, texture and one focal point. Sometimes it’s a silhouette, sometimes it’s a detail or accessory. But overall, I like things to feel cohesive and considered rather than overly styled.”

Here, the “60-30-10” rule comes into play. “60 per cent is going to be one colour, 30 per cent is going to be the other,” she explains. “The remaining 10 per cent is going to be your accent. Sounds easy, right?”

Dods cautions against using too many colours at once; select two main colours and accent them with accessories. “I’ve got black, brown bags and black, brown belts,” she demonstrates. “It all works so easily together.”

AboveWhether you’re an outdoors person or a homebody, dress for your lifestyle (Photo: courtesy of SM Woman)

A monochromatic outfit is a timeless, elegant choice. “It makes the body look really tall, it’s lengthening,” Dods explains. “But just to make it a little more interesting, I like to break it up, either by texture or with accessories.” Her outfit demonstrates this principle fully. She sports a black tweed jacket over a plain white top, with black pants and heels. “The jacket has a little bit of texture to it, with some silver hardware.

Though there are plenty of ways to style yourself, these staple pieces are plenty to either start up your wardrobe or reinforce it. “When something fits really well,” Dods muses, “It automatically looks more polished, more intentional. You just need to focus on your proportions.”

As a mom, Dods often finds herself running. She seldom wears dresses, and instead gravitates towards denim pieces and pants—something she can easily move in. This, she explains, is how it should be. “Your wardrobe should reflect your lifestyle, not the other way around.”

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