Last month, a reader sent me an email asking how she can change the way her man dresses up (see the Q&A in this month's "Fashion Insider"). She wanted to convince him to look more polished and less ordinary. It reminded me of another girl who wanted to do the same—me! I'm not saying my boyfriend dresses bad, but I just can't help giving him my two cents' worth on his outfits.

I know he has the style potential to improve his look, and he openly hears me out. I really love styling his outfits (especially since I love menswear myself) and how he calls me his own personal stylist. I feel lucky because he loves the idea of me helping and picking out his wardrobe, to the point that he refuses to shop for anything without my stamp of approval—the true sign that he trusts my taste.

I guess the most important thing here is openness. It will be easier to convince your boyfriend or husband to check out new styles if he is willing to try them out for himself, without you having to argue or fight over something as simple as fashion. Also, it's important for you not to force him into buying or wearing certain trendy items, especially if it's not his style at all. Learn to compromise between his personal preferences and what you want him to wear. The boyfriend, for instance, will never wear skinny jeans, cropped trousers and shorts, carrot or harem pants, and other styles that are bordering on too fasyon, so I steer clear of those. Sometimes I wish he were trendier, but I know it's not his style. He is every bit the casual dresser, so I just try to improve on that.

I've never forced him to buy or wear anything. I always make suggestions, but if he refuses or is iffy about wearing a trend, it's okay with me. What's important to me is that he looks presentable, polished, and comfortable—with a hint of trendiness, if he can pull it off. I guess sometimes he feels a sense of pressure since his girlfriend's a stylist; there's that need to dress the part of an associate fashion editor's boyfriend.

But even if you ask him, he'll say I don't oblige him to look anything he isn't. Besides, isn't that one of the most general and important things to remember in any relationship—to accept the other person no matter what, including whether or not he's stylish? I guess it just comes with my fashion territory here in Cosmo. I'm just thankful that he's always appreciative of my tips.

So on your next shopping trip with your man, don't forget the two important things that apply to just about any issue in every relationship: openness and compromise. Just enjoy it and have fun! The boyfriend and I always do!

If you have any fashion question for yourself or for your man, just drop a comment here! Until next month, Cosmo chicas!

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