First, you have to keep in mind that in the fashion business, small can be enough. If you like following celebrity fashion trends, keep in mind that celebrities often overdo trends for maximum photo impact. This, however, won't be guaranteed to work for you on a day-to-day basis. If you really like getting the latest trends, do be careful to avoid wearing more than two trends at the same, or else you're going to look more like a fashion victim than someone in style.

Trust your gut instinct. Sometimes we just forget what our fashion instinct keeps telling us. Stop doing this and listen for a change. When your gut feeling tells you that a trend is too young for you, then you're probably right.

Sometimes you can go ahead and dress out of your age group. Go with how fashion makes you feel about yourself. Even if you're over 45 and you still feel comfortable and look great in a short skirt, then go ahead. The same goes for younger women who feel like wearing pantsuits, even if they're only 21 or 22. The important thing here is that you look and feel good in what you're wearing.

Black is always beautiful. Using black always makes the wearer look more sophisticated; it also makes your outfit look more flattering and expensive. This is especially true for the ever-popular little black dress, which just looks good no matter if you're at the Captain's Table on a cruise ship or attending your high school reunion. Look for details that flatter your shape and make you look even better, such as a strapless number to show off your flawless shoulders, or an hourglass fit to accentuate your figure.

Consider the shelf life of trends you are following. Fashion trends, sometimes referred to as fads, are notoriously fickle. Always keep in mind that fads are just what they're called ? fads. You've probably experienced more than a dozen so-called ?hottest things? yourself. If there's one thing you ought to know about fashion, it's that it is a very unpredictable industry. Hot handbags, pants, jackets, skirts, scarves, etc. are quickly tossed aside once new ones come along. What to do? Well, there's absolutely nothing wrong with experimenting in ?must-have? items, but but remember that they'll only be hot for a short time.

Never pick fashion over your professional image. Sure, there may be times when ultra-short skirts, see-through blouses, extra-tight dresses, plunging necklines, and high slits will look great, but sexy doesn't cut it for 9 to 5. Ever.. Some fashion magazines will even tout these looks as sexy and feminine, but they won't ever work wonders for your professional life. It doesn't matter what your work or career is; never wear them to work, period.