Ukrainian designer and stylist André Tan, in a fresh breakdown for the Styler project (RBC-Ukraine), listed five quick styling maneuvers that allow you to "refresh" long-worn items without spending time on shopping. According to him, a modern look often depends not on how new the items are, but on the angle from which you look at them: it is enough to tuck in a shirt in a new way, emphasize the waist, roll up the sleeves, change your bag, or add one expressive accessory. Below is a breakdown of each trick with practical details.
Trick 1: Asymmetrical Shirt Tucking
The first and, perhaps, the least noticeable trick at first glance is the way you tuck in your shirt. Tan advises not to tuck it fully into the waistband of your pants or skirt: instead, you can tuck in only the front part or just one edge of the garment. This move gives the look a slight carefree feel and makes it less formal. Moreover, asymmetrical tucking visually emphasizes the waist and creates the illusion of longer legs — this looks especially advantageous when pairing a shirt with jeans, classic trousers, or a skirt.
Trick 2: A Belt as an Accent, Not Just for Holding
The second quick way to make a look more polished is to use a belt. Even simple jeans, trousers, or a dress come to life in a new way if the waist is emphasized with a properly chosen accessory. At the same time, the designer emphasizes: you should not limit yourself to the belt's purely functional role. It can become a full-fledged accent of the look — drawing attention with an interesting buckle, an unusual texture, or a contrasting color. Such a detail makes even a basic outfit more "coherent" without the need to add many other accessories.
Trick 3: Roll Up the Sleeves, But Without Exaggeration
Another trick that takes literally a few seconds is to roll up the sleeves of a shirt, jacket, or any other long-sleeved garment. Exposed wrists, according to Tan, make the look lighter and more dynamic. However, it is important not to overdo it: sleeves rolled up too high and too tightly look unnatural. The optimal option is two or three neat but slightly casual rolls. It is precisely this ease that helps the outfit look more modern and avoids the impression of excessive effort.
Trick 4: A Bag Does More Than It Seems
The fourth point may seem minor, but it is often accessories that have a significant impact on the overall impression of a look. Tan advises paying attention to the bag: one ill-chosen model can make even a well-matched outfit look less current, while a properly chosen accessory completely changes the picture. Instead of a shapeless everyday bag, the designer suggests trying a baguette-style bag, a soft clutch, or a bright bag. At the same time, there is no need to change all your clothes — sometimes one new accent is enough.
Trick 5: One Noticeable Accent — and Only One
The last trick is to add one expressive detail to the look: chunky earrings, a large brooch, a bright scarf, an unusual necklace, or another noticeable accessory. An important rule applies here: there should be only one accent. If you wear large earrings, a noticeable necklace, a bright scarf, and a chunky brooch all at once, the look risks becoming overloaded. Therefore, Tan advises choosing one detail that will draw attention and complement the outfit, rather than compete with it.
Contradictory Data
In open sources, similar breakdowns of André Tan's tricks appear with different dates: in Obozrevatel.com materials, such advice is tied to "autumn 2023," while in a Unian.net publication — to spring 2025. The current Styler (RBC-Ukraine) breakdown contains no tie to a specific season and is presented as a universal set of styling tricks. Thus, the discrepancy concerns not the advice itself, but the time frame in which the material was presented in different publications; in essence, the listed tricks remain unchanged and do not depend on the season.
The Main Takeaway: Style Is Not About New Things
The conclusion of the designer's position is that a stylish wardrobe does not necessarily mean constantly buying new clothes. Often it is enough to look at familiar items from a different angle: tuck in a shirt in a new way, emphasize the waist with a belt, roll up the sleeves, change your bag, or add one expressive accessory. According to Tan, refreshing a familiar look does not require spending a lot of time or money — sometimes five minutes and a few simple styling maneuvers are enough for items that have been sitting in the wardrobe for a long time to come to life in a new way.
