Fashion expert and Project Runway mentor and fellow Washingtonian Tim Gunn reveals his rules to dress by, opens up about his style philosophy, and offers tips for wearing chic, classic wardrobe staples, in the September issue of REDBOOK, which hits newsstands on August 24.

Tim Gunn: “I’m not a fashion stylist, I’m a fashion therapist.”

On Michelle Obama: “I don’t have the adequate words to tell people how fabulous I think Michelle Obama is. I love that she understands how to dress for her size and shape, she wears patterns and prints well, and she wears clothes that are accessible to most women. Also, she’s not afraid of jewelry or accessories.”

Tim’s rules to dress by:
1. Silhouette: “When getting dressed, think of your body as a series of thirds; the worst thing you can do is cut yourself in half. Pair a top that ends at your waist (one third) with long pants (two thirds), or wear a knee-length dress that goes no longer than the bottom of your kneecap.”

2. Proportion: “If you have something loose and blousy on top, whatever you wear below should be sleek and well fitted to serve as a counterpoint, and vice versa.”

3. Fit: “Most women wear clothes that are too big – that’s the comfort trap. Women don’t want to feel constrained, but I say, if you want to dress to feel as though you never got out of bed, then don’t.”