Once upon a time we turned to the pages of fashion magazines and the red carpet looks of celebrities for wardrobe inspiration.
Now social media has brought along hundreds of fashion blogs, style vloggers, and Instagram accounts claiming to have unlocked the secrets to style.
With so much contradictory information floating online, model Ortenzia Borre wanted to bring old-school fashion rules back into the mainstream.
From choosing the perfect shoe to why you should never wear white shorts, the former mentor for Australian etiquette queen June Dally-Watkins has unveiled her must-have tips in the new book What Women Need.
In her new book, What Women Need, model and TV journalist Ortenzia Borre has revealed the perfect shoe, the most universally flattering cut, and why you should never wear white shorts
![When it comes to picking the perfect blouse, Ortenzia always believes that V-neck looks best, and even better when you accessorize with a long necklace](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/12/05/06/46FF30F300000578-5146241-When_it_comes_to_picking_the_perfect_blouse_Ortenzia_always_beli-a-13_1512456121880.jpg)
When it comes to picking the perfect blouse, Ortenzia always believes that V-neck looks best, and even better when you accessorize with a long necklace
Ortenzia is a huge proponent of a monochrome ensemble, noting how it is ‘instantly flattering’ because it elongates every woman’s body.
One of her classic staples is a black pant, which she recommends pairing with matching shoes so as to create a ‘continuous long vertical line’.
‘Wearing shoes that avoid showing skin between the pant and shoe will have an even better effect,’ she added.
This is one of the reasons why Ortenzia doesn’t have a single item in her wardrobe with horizontal stripes.
‘While vertical stripes elongate the body, horizontal stripes add unnecessary width to the midsection – which should be the slimmest part,’ she said.
‘If you really want to wear horizontal stripes, then only ever wear tops with horizontal stripes on them.’
![One of Ortenzia's classic staples is a black pant, which she recommends pairing with matching shoes so as to create a 'continuous long vertical line'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/12/05/06/46FF310700000578-5146241-One_of_Ortenzia_s_classic_staples_is_a_black_pant_which_she_reco-a-14_1512456121899.jpg)
One of Ortenzia’s classic staples is a black pant, which she recommends pairing with matching shoes so as to create a ‘continuous long vertical line’
![The model's go-to shoe is always a nude pump, which Ortenzia said has the double bonus of matching every outfit and lengthening the leg. She advises selecting a shoe with a pointed toe](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/12/05/06/46FF339400000578-5146241-The_model_s_go_to_shoe_is_always_a_nude_pump_which_Ortenzia_said-a-15_1512456121961.jpg)
The model’s go-to shoe is always a nude pump, which Ortenzia said has the double bonus of matching every outfit and lengthening the leg. She advises selecting a shoe with a pointed toe
Ortenzia recommends pairing such tops with a blazer or jacket – which she notes should finish at the hip – to break the ‘full lines running across the body’.
The model also advises minimising or avoiding patterns entirely as they can cause the same effect.
And while crop tops may be one of the summer’s hottest trends, Ortenzia isn’t a fan of ‘boxy clothing’.
‘Instead of lengthening your body vertically, boxy clothing creates horizontal lines that cut up and shorten your body,’ she said.
But that doesn’t mean you have to avoid clothes that show off a bit of skin.
When it comes to picking the perfect blouse, Ortenzia always believes that V-neck looks best, and even better when you accessorize with a long necklace.
![Ortenzia is a huge proponent of monochrome, noting how it is 'instantly flattering' because it elongates every woman's body](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/12/05/06/46FF563600000578-5146241-Ortenzia_is_a_huge_proponent_of_monochrome_noting_how_it_is_inst-a-16_1512456122082.jpg)
Ortenzia is a huge proponent of monochrome, noting how it is ‘instantly flattering’ because it elongates every woman’s body
![The model also advises minimising or avoiding patterns entirely as they break up the elongating line along the body that a monochromatic ensemble creates](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/12/05/06/46FF339E00000578-5146241-The_model_also_advises_minimising_or_avoiding_patterns_entirely_-a-18_1512456122367.jpg)
The model also advises minimising or avoiding patterns entirely as they break up the elongating line along the body that a monochromatic ensemble creates
‘A V-necked garment draws attention to the slimmest part of the body, which is the waist,’ she said.
‘This is a one-size-fits-all fashion item that works wonders by drawing two lines from the shoulders into one slim point’.
She also notes that it’s important to avoid repeating the shape of your face with the neckline of your top or dress.
‘For example, a round face looks rounder in a round-necked top and a square jaw is emphasised by a square neckline,’ she noted.
The model’s go-to shoe is always a nude pump, which Ortenzia said has the double bonus of matching every outfit and elongating your pins.
She suggests selecting a pointy toe pump, which ‘lengthens the leg line by bringing the end of the leg to a narrow point’.
And the former TV journalist advises skipping shoes with an ankle strap, which cuts off that line and will make your legs look shorter.
Everyone loves sporting a crisp white outfit in the summer, but Ortenzia recommends avoiding the colour when it comes to shorts.
‘White shorts can come with difficulties at time,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.
![At the end of the day, Ortenzia (pictured with her mother) believes its all about focusing on the old school classic dressing techniques that will make you feel good](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/12/05/06/46FF2D3500000578-5146241-At_the_end_of_the_day_Ortenzia_pictured_with_her_mother_believes-a-17_1512456122312.jpg)
At the end of the day, Ortenzia (pictured with her mother) believes its all about focusing on the old school classic dressing techniques that will make you feel good
‘When a woman wears white shorts, they’re often not worn exactly the way they should be worn. They’re not fitted properly, or the fabric of the white isn’t as good.’
‘A lot of them are see-through, and women often aren’t wearing the right underwear. If you’re sweating, it will show. It’s challenging sometimes.’
‘But I think that if a woman loves her white shorts, let her wear her white shorts!’
At the end of the day, Ortenzia believes its all about focusing on the old school classic dressing techniques that will make you feel good.
‘I really wanted to write this book because I felt the information is something you won’t come across these days,’ she said.
‘It’s traditional, it’s classic, and it doesn’t go out of style. It’s like a great Chanel suit – it’s never going to go out of fashion.’