When talking about fashion with a capital “F” there are no rules. Hence designers push themselves to innovate, magazines test the limits of taste, and celebrities step out on the red carpet in some very grandiose ensembles. The “sky’s the limit” approach to fashion is what makes it a fun to follow as an art form. But, for everyday life, most of us can use some guidelines and advice on how to dress, i.e. rules to live by. Here are a few standard, basic strategies for being stylish in your everyday life.

#1. Dress to flatter your figure. Or, in other words, accentuate your assets and downplay the parts of your silhouette you’re less than comfortable with. Needless to say, this is a very personal and subjective recommendation. Take an honest assessment of your figure and try to be objective, yet kind to yourself. Some may say you have great legs, but you may not be comfortable showing them off, which is fine. Whatever flatters should also be comfortable and fit into your lifestyle.

#2. Not all trends are created equal. Seasonal trends are there to enhance your personal style, not be the basis of it. Some trends are easier to pull off than others. It’s about picking trends that you can work into your current wardrobe without a lot of effort. For example, every year there’s a new take on sweaters for fall, and it seems for this year off-the-shoulder knitwear and distressed pullovers are making the rounds. These are flattering and practical for some, but not for most. Some trends, like colors, are fairly universal, while others are best left for the style blogs and fashion mags.

#3. Invest in the classics. These are those timeless pieces you’ll wear year after year, that can be styled in a variety of ways. For me, that’s a clean black blazer. I’ll wear this for work at least once a week, wear it over a dress for going out, and it works as a lightweight jacket on cool, but not cold, autumn mornings. Ideally, your investment should be a staple piece in your wardrobe, but again, the details are on a case-by-case basis. It could be your classic investment piece is a suit or dress you’ll wear once or twice a year for big events. Or, it’s a great pair of jeans you wear all weekend long. The point is to find what works for you, and get a quality version of that garment to last a long time.

#4. Have ready-to-go outfits. Whether for work, for travel, for church, or for going out, it’s always a good idea to have an outfit clean, pressed, and ready to throw on when you’re in a time crunch. I like to keep a white button-down wrinkle free and protected in a garment bag hanging in my closet, in case of emergencies. The same goes for V-neck black t-shirts. I keep them rolled, as opposed to folded, to make sure they stay fresh for when I need to grab and go in the mornings. Again, the specifics are what will best serve you and your lifestyle.

#5. A good foundation is key. This means having the proper undergarments and shapewear to enhance a flattering look and make an outfit appear more polished. As we edge closer to winter, it’s time to take stock of your tights, camisoles, leggings, and other cold-weather layering pieces. Make an inventory of what needs to be laundered, replaced, or upgraded. Check for holes, runs, stains, pilling, and odors. Ideally, your bottom layer should be just as presentable as your top layer, even if you’re the only one who sees it.

#6. Life is too short for bad shoes. If your shoes are killing your feet, get rid of them! With cold weather on the way, shoes that aren’t making the grade, both in style and function, have no place in your closet. A great pair of comfortable shoes that are also stylish is another opportunity to shop around and invest in quality boots, loafers, kicks, and heels.

This piece should probably be titled “Style Rules to Live By” since none of these tips are really about fashion. But “fashion” has a good ring to it, no? Jokes aside, I hope these tips help guide you in having good, thoughtful style that is both fun (like fashion) and functional.