14 DAY TRIAL // Dannii Minogue, singer, television star, fashion designer and expectant mom, has not always been in a position to afford all the glamorous items she now has. There was a time, she recalls in a piece running in the Daily Mail, when she could only wear sister Kylie’s hand-me-downs, which is when she also learned how to spruce up an outfit so that it became infused with her personal style.
Accessories are essential for that, Dannii explains, stressing that mastering the art of accessorizing can make the difference between a plain outfit and an outstanding one, while also allowing for the same outfit to be worn on different occasions. As regards her unique style, she’s somewhat at an advantage, she confesses, because she knows how to use a sewing machine, therefore she can alter a regular item the way she sees fit. Still, her biggest secret remains dressing as she feels like and not giving in to trends, but, at the same time, trying not to get stuck in the past either.
“I like keeping things simple and chic, and aim to look ladylike. If you look at whose style has stayed popular over the years – Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren – it was all about not overdoing it or being trend-driven. I will add some trendy items to my wardrobe, but I prefer classic or investment buys. As a child, I never had new clothes; it was always hand-me-downs from Kylie or my brother Brendan. I’m now writing my autobiography and, looking back, I remember learning my love of fashion and design from my grandmother,” Dannii says.
Investing in good-quality pieces is highly recommendable. Another tip the star would offer women around the world is never to buy items that are not suited to their personality style, no matter how much or little they cost. For instance, she has a straw hat she bought in Ibiza for no more than 11 Euro and that she continues to wear, even after so many years because she feels it suits her perfectly. Speaking of which, hats are good investments as well because they spice up a rather plain outfit, while also serving a more practical purpose: of hiding bad hair.
“I love hats. They’re a good way of finishing off an outfit, but they’re even better for bad hair days. I’m shocking at doing my own hair. I have to fly regularly between Sydney and Melbourne and the UK, so when you’ve slept for 24 hours and can’t do much with hair products, a trilby like this with flower detailing works great. I picked up this tip from Joan Collins,” Dannii admits. For more style tips from the X Factor judge, including on how to look absolutely dashing in maternity clothes, please refer here.