How to Be Fashionable in a Hurry - Tips From Project Runway

It doesn't take a long time to look great.

You know the drill: time is short, and an important event is starting in a little under an hour. What to do? In an exclusive eHow interview, Project Runway Season 6 contestant Shirin Askari gives us some pointers for last-minute fashion flair.

A designer from the age of 4, Shirin favors old-school glamor and has put her expertise to use as a tech designer for Fossil. Today, she helps make some sense out of those now-or-never rapid glamor moments for our eHow users!

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Shirin Askari of Project Runway

   Stock your wardrobe with several simple and easy knitwear garments that can be dressed up in a hurry. Knits drape well, are easy to layer and don't require much ironing. Shirin's favorite knit piece is the tank top, which can be layered under a blazer or over a skirt, then trimmed up with eye-catching jewelry. Other functional knit wardrobe pieces include the black cardigan, a jersey-knit tank dress, or sweater dress.

2. Shirin works on a garment.

   Pack small if you have to do a quick change between work and an evening event. "A pair of heels in a bold color or a fun accessory can always work," Shirin says, rather than bringing a whole new ensemble. If you're absent-minded, pre-pack a pair of heels and accessories in an overnight bag and leave it in the trunk of the car.

3. Favor classic pieces rather than super-trendy if stuck doing some last-minute shopping. You'll get more value from your purchase, plus it's more likely that the new apparel will get future use. Shirin points out, "You can keep the really trendy things in cheaper pieces and accessories because that will save you tons of money."

4. 2009 Paige Kaitlyn. / Creative Commons

   Use makeup not only to add color, but to freshen. To do this, "put a little white or silver shadow or liner on the bottom inside the lashline; it will make your eyes pop and look more awake. Also, a bold lip color like a perfect red can do the trick, and make you look sexy and confident." For quick cleansing, tuck a bottle of cleanser/toner into your emergency glam bag, along with a small container of moisturizer, if desired.

5. To pack for a spur-of-the-moment weekend trip, keep your bag light and full of easy-to-coordinate separates. What is in Shirin's perfect weekend bag? "A pair of dark jeans, a couple shirts, a fun scarf, a black dress that can go from day to night with the right shoe and accessories. It's all in how you mix and match...just have fun with it. It's fashion, not brain surgery."

Tips & Warnings

• If you only have the time (or money) to make one little change, another good option is a scarf. Depending on the size, color and fabrication, a scarf can completely change the feel of an outfit.

• When adding more makeup for evening wear, be careful that you don't overdo it. Makeup absorbs body oils and darkens slightly with wear, and can easily become overpowering if applied too heavily.

• To add fresh perfume on top of a morning application, spray once into the air and walk through the cloud. Don't apply the same amount as in the beginning of the day, because you'll smell too pungent.

Resources

• Fashion's Night on TV: Project Runway, Thursdays on Lifetime TV
• Official Online Store: Shirin Askari