Don’t get me wrong - there are fun things in stores. But in general, I’m less inspired by individual pieces & more inspired by how people put them together. And especially on social media, it feels like a lot of people are creating the same looks - neutrals combined with neutrals without any overt interest or personality. And even with upcoming fall trends - so far I’ve mostly heard about burgundy & brown & plaid & suede & animal print. And my question is: Aren’t these around every fall?

Since true personal style is less about one cool piece & more about how you wear it - this month’s style challenge is about testing the edges of your comfort zone & seeing what happens.

But before I go into the challenge, I wanted to mention something that came up in the VIP subscriber survey I shared last month. First - if you’d still like to influence the direction of what I share in the paid VIP posts & provide feedback, take the survey at this link. But second - I heard from a few readers (who only view these posts in email) that they aren’t sure how to access past posts.

As a VIP subscriber, you can click this link at any time to get access to ALL of my posts. So you might want to bookmark this page, so you can scroll through past posts to read all the VIP Style Challenges & check out all the VIP Look Books. Because the last thing I want is for you to hunt through old emails when this page has it all.

And with that being said, let’s get to this month’s challenge…

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And to be honest - there might be some overlap with other tips I’ve shared this season (& even what I’ve shared in past summers). Because as I often say - while style trends come & go, good style advice is timeless. And since I’ve gathered a bunch of ideas together in this post, you might want to save these hacks for next summer, too.

But before I continue, I have a quick favor to ask - in the form of a 5 question survey. Much of what I share in Style Mail is based on what I’m doing with my clients - but I’d love to hear from you. So, please respond to the questions about what you like (& what you may not), what you would add (or remove) & what else you’d like to hear about.

And one question I’d love more insight into is what’s kept you from upgrading to Style Mail VIP? My paid subscribers allow me the time to write Style Mail in general & it would be super helpful for me to better understand any obstacles to subscribing.

A quick 5 question survey

(If you’re already a Style Mail VIP, please take the survey that I shared last week that was created specifically for you.)

✍️ Style Scoop

This article contains many photos, so it may be cut off in your email. Click ‘view entire message’ at the bottom if you don’t see the entire article.

1 - Ditch the self-belt from a dress (or jumpsuit) & switch to a regular belt (leather, suede, fabric, woven, metal, etc.). It instantly elevates your look & it’s another opportunity to express yourself through accessories. And while you’re at it - snip off those pesky thread loops that hold the self-belt to the dress.

2 - Wear a sweater over a dress to make it look like a skirt. This is great for cool evenings or blasting air conditioning or just when you want a different look. And it’s a simple way to transition your dress into early fall.

3 - Layer a tank under a shirtdress (or button-front romper) for a different look. You can do a contrasting color or print or even texture to add interest.

4 - Wear a shirtdress as a light jacket/duster. This works best with simple silhouettes & dresses that unbutton all the way. It’s another way to get more mileage out of what’s you already own (& it’s useful on vacation when you want to pack less, too!).

5 - Dresses are great ‘one & done’ outfits - but have you tried a matching set? Matching tops & bottoms give you more versatility (& they can be an easier fit). And they’re perfect as the foundation of a mix/match trip wardrobe. Check out this article to see how I styled two different matched sets.

6 - Texture always adds interest, especially in neutrals. So if you’re not into bright colors or busy prints, try texture - like gauze, seersucker, eyelet, lace & crochet.

7 - Always make sure your skirts & dresses work with flat sandals (so you’re not stuck with something that only works with a high heel or wedge). And also pay attention if dresses/skirts are an annoying length - where you’re always picking them up to get in/out of the car, up from a chair, etc. Remember - you have control over the length.

8 - Leave the rubber flip-flops at the pool & the gym shower. Go for a leather, suede or fabric sandal to add interest (especially when you’re wearing less clothes).

9 - If you have a hard time with flip-flops & open back sandals, look for styles that have a strap around the back (or even an ankle strap). They hold your feet more securely & then your feet need to do less work to keep them on.

10 - Metallic sandals are a go-with-anything neutral. Stick with a shade similar in tone to your skin (for less contrast) if you want to extend your leg line with skirts, shorts & dresses. I’ve had a long-standing love affair with metallic accessories - here are more reasons why.

11 - Raffia/straw accessories scream summer. The same white t & jeans outfit feels spring/fall with a solid leather bag & flats - but it feels super summery with a raffia bag or shoes.

12 - A print accessory can add significant interest to your summer outfits (especially if you mostly wear solids). Find one in colors that match the majority of your wardrobe & they’ll work with a bunch of summer looks. Don’t believe me? Read this article.

13 - Use a lightweight button down shirt as a third piece over a t or tank - both for coverage & warmth when going from hot outside to air conditioned inside. And it’s a simple way to play with layers in warm weather.

14 - Try any top that buttons down the front as a third piece. It can be a button down shirt (like I just mentioned) or a top that works as a cardigan. It’s another layering strategy that’s both practical & adds dimension.

15 - Skip technical coverups over your swimsuit & wear something you already have - like a lightweight cardigan or shirt dress or elastic waist pants or a button-down shirt.

16 - Open weave fabrics are your summertime friend when you don’t want to show skin. Lace, eyelet, crochet, etc. all let air through while giving you the coverage you want.

17 - Shorten a pair of pants/jeans to make them shorts. This can be a redundant pair or something that’s damaged or the pants that have always been an odd length. Especially if you’re particular about the length of your shorts - you can get exactly the length you want.

18 - Pair non-summery colors with white, especially if you think your favorite colors don’t work in warm weather. White lightens them up & provides a nice contrast that other neutrals don’t. Here are a few more reasons why I love white in summer.

19 - Make all-black outfits feel less heavy by showing some skin. Skip the black high-necked, long sleeve maxi dress in favor of something with a lower neckline or sleeveless or a shorter length. Or stay covered, but pick open-weave fabrics like crochet, eyelet & lace.

20 - If it’s still summer weather, but you want to start channeling fall - shift your neutrals. Instead of wearing summery colors with white, pair them with more subdued options like camel, olive, navy & grey.

Which one of these hacks is new to you? Which will you use first? Drop a comment to let me know.

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☝️ One more thing

Okay, I lied - two more things 😉

First - if you have the ability to donate to political campaigns, Oath Vote is a platform that funnels your donation to where it’s most effective. Certain campaigns are fully funded & extra $ won’t make a difference - but other campaigns need immediate help. Oath Vote empowers donors to give more strategically by making data-driven recommendations about where your dollars have maximum impact. You can donate by issue, by state or based on trusted recommendations.

Second - if you know of a female, Democratic, liberal candidate who wants style guidance for her campaign, I’d like to offer her a free consultation. She can email me directly at paul@urbsuburbstyle.com & tell her to mention that she’s responding to my offer from Style Mail.

Let’s Work Together!

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Then I played around with titles. Like ‘5 style practices that are worth the energy’. And ‘5 style hacks worth your time’. I even thought about ‘5 style mistakes you never want to make’ (but that felt negative, so it was a ‘no’). But then I came up with ‘5 style habits that you’ll never regret’. Because it encompasses exactly what I wanted - 5 things that you can start doing today, that will have an immediate effect on your style. And you’ll get better & better at them after you do them for a while.

So, check out my suggestions & feel free to comment with anything you’d add. Although now I’m wondering if I should do ‘5 things worth spending money on’ - even as a quick Instagram post? 🤔

✍️ Style Scoop

1️⃣ Pick out your outfit the night before

This is always a controversial one, because some people are totally into this, while others say that they’ll never do it. The ideal is taking a few minutes in the evening to select your entire outfit for the next day - head to toe, including accessories (I even grab my underwear). And this makes the next day easier for a variety of reasons - it removes a decision from hectic mornings, you’re not making sleepy outfit choices & you don’t (at the last minute) realize that the pants you wanted to wear are in the hamper. But, like I said, I often get pushback on this. So, here’s how you can do it in degrees:

• Pick out your top, bottom (& jacket if necessary) - but leave the shoes & jewelry decisions for the morning.

• Select one item you want to wear tomorrow, to hit the ground running in a small way.

• On Sunday night, create a few outfits that you can wear during the week - this gives you flexibility to decide which one you’ll wear each morning.

• Save this for high-visibility days (like when you have a work presentation) or dressy social occasions or other days when a little pre-work will really pay off.

2️⃣ Create a running shopping list

I know I said that I don’t want to be negative - but in this case, the negative proves the point. Because when you don’t have a shopping list, you may buy something just because it’s cute. But then you get it home & you don’t know how to wear it. Or you have no idea what to wear it with. Or you realize that it doesn’t make sense for your daily life.

The process of creating a shopping list can delineate wants vs. needs. And it can also help you prioritize based on function, season, upcoming events, etc. So, you don’t accidentally spend money on another cute top when what you really need is a new pair of sneakers. And I know this may sound crazy - but sometimes, putting something on a list can get it out of your system (so to speak), when you might have otherwise just bought it on impulse.

You can also look at your list & think through how you’ll wear something - specifically where you’ll wear it, how often you’ll wear it & what you’ll wear it with. If you’re not sure how to write a shopping list (or you could use a refresher), read this.

3️⃣ Repeat outfits that you love

There’s a weird notion, specifically in social media world, that you shouldn’t repeat your outfits. I don’t know if it comes from celebrity culture, (where they borrow clothes & therefore are rarely photographed in the same outfit twice). But for us regular people, repeating outfits is a solid style strategy. Because if you liked an outfit once, you’ll like it again - right? And here are the best things about repeating outfits:

• You don’t need to pick out your outfit the night before - but you do need to remember it or record it in some way (which is why regularly taking selfies is a great style habit & now I’m wondering why I didn’t include it on this list…).

• You can improve the outfit. Especially when you liked most of the outfit, but your shoes hurt by the end of the day. Or you wish you had grabbed bigger earrings. Or you needed a heavier jacket.

• You can tweak the outfit. The same outfit you wore with sneakers on the weekend gets elevated for the office with loafers. Or you can keep everything the same, but grab a graphic t instead of a simple sweater to change the vibe.

4️⃣ Read care & fiber content labels

This probably sounds like a no-brainer - but I’ve been in a lot of closets. And I’ve seen many cases where reading a care label would have been a really good idea, for a couple of specific reasons.

First - you need to care for your clothes properly. And you’ll almost never go wrong by following the washing instructions. Especially when it guides you to hang or lay flat to dry (as opposed to putting in the dryer). Or when it says to wash in the delicate cycle. And when you’re shopping - you should know what you’re signing up for. If you want an easy-care wardrobe, don’t buy ‘dry clean only’ or hand wash items. Read the label & only choose pieces that you’re willing to care for properly.

Second - when it’s possible, prioritize natural fibers in your wardrobe. And go for 100% of a fiber when you can (like 100% cotton or 100% wool). This isn’t a fail-safe cure for all wardrobe woes, but natural fibers usually perform better than synthetics over the long run. And if you can’t find 100%, look for a majority of natural fibers & try to avoid more than 2-3 different fibers in one garment (especially sweaters).

5️⃣ Ignore other people’s opinions

Remember that you are getting dressed for you, not for anyone else’s approval. Because as the saying goes - opinions are like a-holes, everyone has one (especially on the internet). And as I often say - why would you accept criticism from someone you wouldn’t accept advice from? Yes, your aunt may be well-intentioned when she says, “is that what they’re wearing now?” But unless you were willing to ask Aunt Sadie about upcoming fall trends, you probably shouldn’t use her as a barometer of current style.

If you’re not super confident in your own opinions on your style, you can get better at it. As a starting point, I suggest taking outfit selfies & creating an outfit journal - read this paid post for more about how selfies & a journal can help to evolve your style & establish your own style voice.

Is there another style habit that you’d add to this list? Leave a comment - or comment with a question about any of these.

Leave a comment

☝️ One more thing

This Democracy on the go post is from a couple of weeks ago - so if I counted right, there are 81 days left until the midterm elections. And you may be someone who never really thought about midterm elections before. But this time, it’s crucial - since it will determine the balance of power in Congress. And it can start the process of reversing some of the damage that’s been done to this country.

But voting isn’t enough. We all need to take an active role in this election. So, I want to challenge you to do more than you normally would at election time.

I recently heard about the idea of using your time, your treasure or your talent. So, think about which one(s) you’ll use. Utilize the above post for ideas (or come up with your own). And then please leave a comment to share what you’re doing - because you might just give someone an idea & motivate them to do a little bit more.

Leave a comment

Let’s Work Together!

I’m currently booked through the end of the year - but I’ve opened my waitlist for clients to get started in the new year. Feel free to reach out if you’d like to chat about working together & schedule a no-obligation consultation.

MY NEW CLIENT FRAMEWORK

WHAT MY CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY

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So, I am literally begging you to ignore all the ‘it’s almost fall’ hype that’s coming your way. And scroll by the ‘how to start dressing for fall right now’ posts. And avoid wishing for wool & flannel & cashmere & leather. Because it’s going to be hot for many more weeks - so you might as well figure out how to still enjoy your linen & gauze & cotton & seersucker.

But I do understand the desire for a change. Because (depending on where you live), it may have been hot for a long time. Or it may be hotter than it normally is. And you’ve lost all motivation to figure out cute, summery outfits. So, I think now is the best time to keep things easy & breezy. Which is why I’m sharing about a certain client this month.

👀📖 The August Look Book

‘Faye’ is a great example of easy, breezy style. We’ve been working together for just about 8 years & her style has remained consistent & straightforward. I quickly shared about Faye last month - but in case you missed it, here are the basic tenets of her style:

• She loves color & texture as the main points of interest.

• Solids are her preference - but she’ll play with prints in accessories. And stripes are an exception.

• She likes simple shapes without much fuss or frill.

• Easy-to-assemble outfits are the priority - a top & bottom, jacket when needed, intentional shoe choices & a cute piece of jewelry (and avoid tucking in tops as much as possible).

And this is why I’m sharing Faye’s look book right now. Because I create outfits for her that are easy to put together (but with deliberate choices). And once you look at the outfits, you’ll see that they’re all very straightforward - but you’ll always find some combination of color, texture & print (plus a little shine with accessories) that keep it interesting. So, they are perfect examples for you to use as inspiration for easy, breezy summer outfits.

So, especially if you’re feeling uninspired for your back-half-of-summer style, check out Faye’s look book. And I almost forgot to mention - because Faye prefers uncomplicated outfits & summer outfits have less layers, I created over 60 outfits for this look book (as opposed to the usual 30+). And (as always) I’ve linked most of her newest pieces - so if you find something you like, just scroll to the end of the look book for the page with all the links to buy.

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• I’ve created challenges around repeating pieces from your wardrobe & deliberately not repeating pieces.

• I’ve asked you to wear things that you’ve been avoiding & to rethink the seasonality of things.

• I recommended that you dress up when you don’t have to & find inspiration in a new place.

• In the spring of last year (over a couple of months), I guided you through analyzing what you wear & why you wear it.

But this month, I want to challenge you in a different way. And motivate you to explore things that you might have never tried.

First, a quick reminder before I share the August Style Challenge - as a paid-subscriber, you have access to all the style challenges at any time! So, if you’re feeling uninspired, look back at a few & use them to challenge yourself.

And if you’re not a paid subscriber - I share a ‘style challenge’ every month with a simple prompt that motivates you to rethink how you get dressed. It can be anything from literal ideas around creating outfits or mindset shifts to re-approach your style. It’s monthly inspiration & is a super helpful way to perk up your style.

Ok - let’s chat about this month’s style challenge…

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So, I have a quick disclaimer: if you support the practices of the current administration, feel free to unsubscribe from my emails. Because guess what? Style does not exist in a vacuum. And I will continue to share resources & strategies to defend democracy & support marginalized groups. And if that bothers you - too bad. Because I’d rather be surrounded by a community of like-minded people who care about others than stay silent to keep my follower count high. And now that I’ve gotten that out of the way…

I was contemplating what to share in this post & I realized that last year I said the same thing as I’m about to say right now. Things feel really hard. The news is overwhelming, anxiety levels are sky high & we’re in a timeline where we trust Taco Bell more than the FDA (that last part is specific to this year). So, something needs to feel easy, right? So, I wanted to offer a few ideas to make getting dressed easier - in the form of easy summer style strategies.

So, grab a cup of tea (or iced tea if it’s really hot out) & take a look at these articles for summer style hacks, easy summer outfit ideas & how to feel good in your outfits even if you don’t like summer style.

🗒️ Style Notes

There are a bunch of things that I’m always asked in the summer - like, “what shoes should I wear?” Or “why is my outfit boring?” Here are 5 questions that come up every summer, along with 5 easy answers.

5 easy summer style hacks

Summer style is supposed to be easy & breezy, right? But what if it doesn’t come all that easy to you? Don’t worry - here are 5 easy summer outfits (that you can probably pull together with what’s in your closet).

The 5 easiest summer outfits

If you just don’t like summer style, you’re not alone. You can still enjoy warm weather outfits - but first, you need to figure out what you specifically don’t like. Here are 5 reasons why you may not like summer style (plus what you can do about it).

"I don't like summer style"

Images (top to bottom) from Josh Rakower, Julia Kicova & Tamara Bellis on Unsplash

💡 Client Spotlight

To keep with the theme of ‘easy’, I wanted to quickly chat about a client who has an easy style, ‘Faye’. Faye & I have worked together for about 8 years & her style has stayed pretty consistent. She gravitates to solids over prints (although she always likes a good stripe). She loves color & texture. She has a small collection of jewelry. She prefers easy-to-assemble outfits without anything fussy. She doesn’t like to have too many choices & appreciates adding a limited number of pieces to her closet at a time. And she loves her white jeans in the summer.

Since Faye loves color, I use that as a main point of interest in many of her summer outfits (usually paired with white). When I’m not using color, I focus on texture to add interest. And I sprinkle in prints (often in her shoes) for a little added spark.

And there are two reasons that I chose to share about Faye this month. First, because she proves that summer style can be easy - so don’t overthink it. Figure out what you like best & go for it.

Second, I’ll be sharing Faye’s latest look book in August in my Style Mail VIP paid subscription. As I mentioned, I’ve been with Faye for 8 years - and just last week, I created over 60 summer outfits for her (to integrate purchases from a recent shopping trip). So, if you want to see examples of easy summer style & you’re not already a Style Mail VIP - now is a great time to sign up. Because you’ll not only get fun & easy summer outfit ideas - you’ll get links to all of her recent purchases (so if you see something you like, you can grab it!).

As a paid subscriber, you get a client look book every month with 30+ outfits (or more, like the 60+ I’ll be sharing in August). Plus you get immediate access to all the look books in the archive. And you also get links to my stylist-approved picks, a monthly challenge to expand your style & more (click here to read all about the benefits of being a paid subscriber).

Tap the button to upgrade to Style Mail VIP. For less than the price of 2 lattes/month (or 2 moderately priced tops/year), you’ll get next level style motivation & inspiration delivered right to your inbox.

Subscribe now

☝️ One more thing

The midterm elections are close! So, Indivisible has started their midterm election program, aka ‘Hands Off Our Vote.’ As per their website:

“Hands Off Our Vote is Indivisible’s national program to ensure all eligible voters get to cast their ballot, and that those ballots get counted. We’ll help you be ready to respond to any attacks, and we’ll shine a light on the bad actors threatening our basic constitutional rights.”

Click here to learn more & sign up to get notified of deadlines, threats to voting, rapid response movements & more.

P.S. If you’re not familiar with Indivisible, it’s a nationwide movement of everyday people organizing in all 50 states to work against this administration & create a democracy that functions for all of us.

Let’s Work Together!

MY NEW CLIENT FRAMEWORK

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CONTACT ME

I have many clients who tell me that what they like doesn’t work for their regular, everyday lives. That they prefer to be super casual - but they need to elevate for the office, social functions, etc. Or the exact opposite - that they like to dress up more, but they don’t have the opportunity to. And that’s why they have a hard time getting dressed on a regular basis.

But here’s the deal - you can create outfits that make sense for your regular Monday-Friday at the office & driving the kids around & running errands no matter your style. You just need to delve a little deeper into why you like what you like (and then translate it appropriately). Which is what I did for the client in this month’s look book.

👀📖 The July Look Book

Many of my clients are new(ish) moms. And by ‘new(ish)’, I mean that they have kids under 1 and/or up to 5 years old - and their lives are completely different from before they had kids. Their home lives are different, their work life has possibly shifted, their priorities have changed & their bodies are often different. And they need to learn how to dress more casually, with a high priority of comfort & function that works for chasing around toddlers. But they still want to feel like they’re getting dressed on purpose. Which is when I met ‘Kayla’.

Kayla was 8 months postpartum when we first connected. And she was stuck in a leggings & t-shirt rut. As we chatted about her style, we discovered that she really likes getting dressed up. She loves dresses & cute shoes & is excited when she gets to wear them. But as she said, “It’s the everyday getting dressed that I struggle with. I don’t like looking like a slob at preschool pick-up.” So, we needed to figure out what she really liked about her dresses & cute shoes & translate that into what works for hanging out with her new baby & a pre-schooler.

So, we drilled down to the characteristics of her favorite styles. We looked at the colors & prints that she loves. The fabrics & textures that she prefers. The details that she likes on clothes. And how she enjoys putting outfits together. And I translated all this into more casual pieces that meet the priorities of comfort & function for a stay-at-home mom.

And then I created a series of easy, intentional, kid-friendly outfits (that are more pulled together than a t-shirt & leggings) - including t-shirts with interest paired with shorts & sandals. And nicer tops with shorts & pants for school meetings (or when she wants to feel more pulled together on a Tuesday). And some elevated casual options for seeing friends & date nights (because those things still happen).

I got a quick note from Kayla after she checked out her look book. It said:

“Wow!…You absolutely nailed it! I absolutely love it all. It is such a relief to have a closet full of clothes that not only I like but can easily put together.”

I used some key summer style strategies (that I always depend on) to keep Kayla’s outfits interesting. So, as you check out this look book, pay attention to how I utilized color, pattern, texture, shine, light layers & purposeful accessories to make fun summer outfits.

There are over 40 outfits in this look book, combining Kayla’s new pieces with what was already in her closet. And don’t forget to scroll to the end, where you’ll find links to a bunch of her newest styles (so if you see something you like, you can click through to buy it).

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You don’t ‘win’ at packing by simply fitting everything in a carry-on (because you can pack just as poorly no matter how much you bring). You win when you wear everything you packed & you didn’t feel like you were missing anything.

I believe that the same rules of style apply whether you’re at home or on vacation - you’re not just getting dressed to not be naked. And you’re not just getting dressed based on how your clothes function. You’re getting dressed in clothes that you love, that make sense for what you’re doing. And so that (ideally) your outside reflects your inside. And sometimes that can’t all fit in a carry-on.

Now, before you comment with lost luggage horror stories & how to fold shirts into tiny origami balls - I’m not saying that carry-on luggage is bad. I’m saying that by focusing on the least amount of items, you may very likely lose the joy of dressing for vacation - so there needs to be a balance. Sometimes that fits in a carry-on & sometimes it doesn’t. And yes, there are guidelines to follow no matter how long you’re going away (like never packing something in checked luggage that you’d be super sad to lose).

Rather than focus on how many pieces you’re packing - I prefer to focus on packing the right items. So, I wanted to share a handful of basic principles that I follow myself (and recommend to my clients) when packing for any length trip.

✍️ Style Scoop

Don’t get me wrong - I will never recommend packing excessively. And especially if you’re changing locations on vacation, you need to be very aware of how heavy your bags are. So, versatility & functionality will always be important. But you can still have fun with your wardrobe, because fun & functionality can coexist in your trip wardrobe (I actually believe that’s the sweet spot of personal style).

So, here are 5 packing principles that can help you feel great on your summer vacation (without any packing regret).

1 - Choose a tight color palette

Mixing & matching is a high priority if you want to pack less, but have more outfits. So, you need a tight color palette - but this doesn’t mean a suitcase full of neutrals. A useful guideline is picking a couple of neutrals & 1-2 pops of color (in this case, I’m defining ‘color’ as non-neutrals). But if you love color, you can pick one neutral plus one main color & add a pop color (or two) - it’s really up to you. And I suggest that you start with the pieces that make the most sense for your trip. This might be a few pairs of shorts or your favorite linen pants or the only sandals that make sense for your agenda.

BONUS TIP: If you love prints, build your color palette around a favorite print piece. Pull colors out of the print to select different items & then continue to build outfits that make sense with this palette.

2 - Stick with the same color

This is actually a tip I don’t think I’ve ever shared before (and I’ve shared a lot of packing advice over the years) - but I use it myself & with clients all the time. And it’s very helpful for summer trips.

Stick with the same color for some key pieces. If you’re packing both flats & heels, bring options in the same color. For example - if you’re bringing black flat sandals, bring your black wedges. That way, they both work with the same outfits & allow you to choose based on your mood & schedule (and your feet). And the same idea goes for bottoms - if you’re bringing cute black shorts, also bring black pants (so you can wear the same tops with either/both).

3 - Focus on packable fabrics

You may love your crisp, 100% linen pants at home. But if you don’t love steaming them before dinner, they may not be the best option for your tropical vacation.

My favorite warm weather fabrics are gauze, seersucker, light cottons (not poplin) & tencel-type fabrics. If I have the choice, I prioritize knit & sweater fabrics over wovens. And you can even find some linen-blends & cotton-blends that are more wrinkle resistant. And regardless of the fabrics you choose - prints & textured fabrics will always show less wrinkles than simple solids.

BONUS TIP: I don’t know about you, but I refuse to spend my vacation worrying about wrinkles. So, all I do is hang everything up as soon as we get in the room & put select pieces in the bathroom while I’m taking a shower. And if I’m still a little wrinkled, that’s life (if you’re on a trip where other people are on vacation, I guarantee you won’t be the only one with a horizontal pants crease).

4 - Bring the least shoes/jackets that you can

Shoes & jackets are your heaviest pieces. So, unless you’re trying to work out while lifting your suitcase, there’s no reason to make it heavier.

For a warm weather trip, you should be able to get away with one light jacket that works over most of your outfits. This can be the piece that you throw on for coverage in the sun & later in the day for cool evenings - so it should be a versatile choice. And my general guideline for shoes is 2 daytime options (to switch off), 1 evening shoe (if needed) & then 1 activity shoe, like a hiking sneaker (only if it’s on your agenda).

5 - Plan & take pictures of your outfits

This is a short but important tip. If you’re a ‘throw a bunch of stuff in my suitcase & hope for the best’ kind of packer - that strategy probably hasn’t served you well. So, it’s time to plan out your outfits. Figure out how many daytime outfits you need & how many nights you’ll most likely change clothes for dinner, etc. Then pack accordingly. And then take pics, so you don’t need to strain your brain trying to remember what you planned to wear with your crochet sweater.

BONUS TIP: A formula I often use (and how I taught my kids to pack) is to divide the number of days you’re away in half & bring that many bottoms (since you’ll wear each twice). Then choose 2 tops for each bottom. Next - figure out how many nights you’ll change for dinner & select half as many outfits (since you’ll wear each nighttime outfit twice). I find this ideal for warm weather week-ish trips where you have no access to laundry - since daytime tops may be too sweaty to wear again. But nighttime options can easily be worn twice.

Okay, so I have to ask - are you typically a carry-on person? Or can you rarely fit all your clothes in a carry-on? Answer the poll to let me know. And I’m also curious (so leave a comment) if you think you’re a great packer, if you could do better & if you have any packing horror stories 😉

Leave a comment

☝️ One more thing

I just signed up with Defiance.org. The headline on the website is: Donald Trump is destroying democracy. Millions are asking, “What can I do?” So we built a club to fight back.

As per a CBS news article: <Co-founder> Taylor told CBS News, “There are many organizations and a million efforts, but there has not been a clearinghouse for people who regularly seek ways to engage. This is a ‘Google’ for defiance, where people can go to see their options to push back lawfully, peacefully and defiantly.”

My favorite podcast, The Daily Beans, has partnered with Defiance.org to offer a 3-month free membership for Daily Beans listeners.

And even if you’re don’t follow the podcast, you can take advantage of the 3-month free trial at this link. So, you can decide if Defiance.org is for you - before you commit to a membership. For additional info, click here to find out more about Defiance.org (including its founders, details on membership, etc.).

Let’s Work Together!

MY NEW CLIENT FRAMEWORK

WHAT MY CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY

CONTACT ME

Since our kids have been out of school, we (as a family) take our big vacation in the fall. The prices are sometimes friendlier, the possibility of unbearably hot weather is minimized & we’re not traveling in peak vacation season. But even though I know I have a wonderful vacation coming up in a few months - I still get vacation envy when I see (what feels like) everyone in tropical locations & sitting on beaches & strolling through cute cobblestone streets in the sunshine.

So, while I don’t have a real solution (outside of taking extra time off work & finding some more $) to vacation envy, I do have an idea to embrace some of that vacation energy while you’re at home. Which is the basis of this month’s style challenge…

Read more

And if you’re more the latter, I totally get it - because summer style stress is a real thing. When you’re just wearing a top, shorts & sandals - the decision of which top, shorts & sandals becomes more important. Then there’s the discomfort that may accompany showing more skin. And when it’s hot, it seems even exponentially more challenging to feel stylish & comfortable at the same time.

The good news is that you can feel stylish with your outfits in the summer (without overheating or showing more of your body than you want to). But, it does take some intention. So, as a paid subscriber bonus, here are a bunch of resources to help you navigate the warm weather in style. A few of these topics overlap - because while the questions are different, many of the answers are the same. And you may see a few of these articles in free Style Mail posts over the next couple months - but you don’t have to wait to start the season in style.

Check out 8 of my favorite articles that help demystify summer style…

Read more

But after 13+ years as a full-time personal wardrobe stylist (has it really been that long?), I can confidently say that there are things that almost every female client has found super useful in her summer wardrobe. These things are definitely not must-haves - because I don’t believe in must-haves (especially when they’re shared on social media with a link). But I do believe in certain categories of items that have helped my clients create more functional, versatile & enjoyable summer wardrobes.

So, that’s why I put ‘need’ in quotes in the title of this article. Because I want to share these categories - but without any pressure. And with no intention of creating style FOMO. And even with these ‘needs’ - one or two of them may not be for you (because not everyone loves dresses in the summer). But I can say that they have worked for 95% of my clients, including clients that I’ve helped create summer wardrobes this year.

Also - this entire article isn’t about what you may ‘need’. Because there are also things that other people may say you need in the summer - but which I think you can easily skip. So, I’ve included some of them too, along with a few style ‘rules’ that you can break this (and every) summer.

🗒️ Style Notes

Summer trends come & summer trends go. But you know what’s always around? Timeless styles that fill a clear need in the summertime. Here are a handful of things that work for my clients every single summer.

5 things my clients need every summer

You can probably tell that I don’t like the ‘summer must-have’ lists that come out every year. Because if you follow them all, your list gets pretty long. So, check out a few things that you don’t actually need (& what you can do instead).

3 things you don't need this summer

Rules were made to be broken, right? Especially style rules. Because style is personal. And you don’t have to do (or wear) what everyone else is doing (or wearing). Here are four style rules that you can break & still feel great all season.

4 style rules to break in summer

💡 Client Spotlight

I work with clients who love clothes (and just need help filling the gaps & creating outfits). I work with clients who like clothes (but they’re not sure how to develop a style that feels right for them). And I work with clients who aren’t really into clothes at all (but they realize they could dress better). ‘Kelly’ was one of the last ones.

For Kelly, clothes were utilitarian. She is self-admittedly not creative & had no idea what worked together or what worked for her body. But she did know that she wasn’t feeling good in her outfits. And that she rarely felt intentional, appropriate & pulled together.

Kelly was actually fine with what she wore to her workplace, so we didn’t focus on that. She wanted to focus on casual social occasions - like meeting friends for walks, coffee or lunch. Or going out to dinner with her family. She wanted to feel dressed up, but not too dressed up. And above all else, she wanted to feel comfortable. Here’s a quote from her pre-work: “I love being comfortable. My lifestyle is very casual, so my outfits should probably be the same - but I really want comfortable & casual to also equal SUPER CUTE.”

And she was at a point in her life (recent empty-nester) that she had the time & resources to finally tackle her style. So, we did.

Kelly sent me a quick email after she wore some of her outfits. It said, “I’ve worn my new outfits three times now & I feel so much more confident & get so many compliments. Thank you!!” And I absolutely love hearing this. Because as I tell my clients (and say a lot on social media) - it’s about the clothes, but it’s not about the clothes. It’s about how the clothes make you feel.

Where are you on the spectrum of how you feel about clothes? Do you love clothes? Do you like them (but they’re a little challenging)? Or are they more utilitarian (or even a ‘necessary evil’) for you? I’m super curious - so leave a comment to let me know.

Leave a comment

If you want to see more of the outfits I create for my clients, now is a great time to become a Style Mail VIP. Especially if you’re feeling a little blah about your summer style - you’ll start receiving a client look book every month with 30+ outfits PLUS immediate access to all the look books in the archive. And as a paid subscriber, you also get links to my stylist-approved picks, a monthly challenge to expand your style & more (click here to read all about the benefits of being a paid subscriber).

Tap the button to upgrade to Style Mail VIP. You’ll get next level style motivation & inspiration for less than the price of 2 lattes/month or 2 moderately priced tops/year (that you probably didn’t need, anyway).

Subscribe now

☝️ One more thing

I’m going to keep it short & sweet (since Substack is saying my article is too long, as usual). It’s close to the end of LGBTQ+ Pride month. And regardless of what anyone says regarding, “why do we need Pride month?” - we need it more than we have for years.

The trans community is being used as a scapegoat & attacked for no reason. Anti-LGBTQ+ legislation is on the rise, with more than 75 anti-LGBTQ+ bills signed into law this year (more than doubling last year’s number, which was previously the worst year on record). The HRC (Human Rights Coalition) has declared a national state of emergency for LGBTQ+ people in the United States for the very first time.

As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I’m asking for our allies to get active. And to get loud all year round. The above post from Democracyonthego on Instagram shows what you can do on a daily basis. And check out HRC for how you can get more involved.

Let’s Work Together!

MY NEW CLIENT FRAMEWORK

WHAT MY CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY

CONTACT ME

Right now you may be thinking, “really?” Because you can’t wear as many layers in the summer. Your favorite colors feel more fall/winter. Your go-to pieces are too heavy for warm weather. And you prefer to be covered up. But I’ll say it again - your style does not need to change in the summer. But it does need to adapt.

If you love layers - shift to lightweight layers. If your favorite colors don’t feel right - find them in thinner fabrics & pair them with white. If you love certain silhouettes - get them in warm weather weights.

So, to prove this, I’m sharing a look book from a client that I’ve talked about before. So you can see how her style remains consistent from winter to summer - we’ve just reinterpreted it for the season.

👀📖 The June Look Book

‘Penelope’ started out as an Instagram follower & became a client last fall. And one of her main challenges was that she was stuck - stuck in shopping from the same places, buying the same pieces & wearing them the same way. So, we filled the gaps in her fall/winter wardrobe & I created over 30 cold-weather outfits for her (click here to read more about Penelope & check out her fall/winter look book).

In the spring, Penelope reached out to ask for help with her summer wardrobe. Because she realized that she hadn’t really fleshed out a cohesive warm/hot weather wardrobe. What she had was a bit redundant (lots of long shirt & white jeans outfits). And with an upcoming summer vacation - she wanted to figure it out.

So, we shopped (a little more than last time because she had more gaps). And then I created over 40 outfits for everything from casual vacation looks to nice dinner outfits & smart business casual outfits. And we kept her style consistent: a foundation in classic shapes & neutral colors; mostly solids, with a little print & generous doses of texture; along with a clear nod to modern & current ideas.

And since Penelope has the same summer style challenges as many of my clients, you’ll see solutions to many common warm-weather dilemmas:

• How to keep outfits interesting when you’re wearing less clothes.

• What to wear when it’s hot, but you don’t like to show your arms (or legs above the knee).

• How to make fall-ish colors feel summer-appropriate.

• What to wear over summer outfits in frigid air-conditioning.

• Which tops to put with skirts (especially when you don’t want to tuck in).

• How to play with monochromatic outfits in the summer.

• How to layer when it’s hot.

Hit the below button to check out Penelope’s summer look book (plus links to many of her new pieces). And check out the notes in the outfits for even more summer style tips.

Read more

Sustainable & slow fashion are two different concepts, but they intermix & intertwine. As a general distinction - sustainable fashion is more about reducing the environmental impact of the fashion industry. While slow fashion is more about minimizing waste with a focus on longevity & durability (essentially the antithesis of fast fashion). And they both support the overarching anti-capitalist goal of decreasing the demand for new clothes.

At this point in the conversation, people often get overwhelmed. And you may wonder what you can do (as one consumer) to impact the global fashion industry. First, you can be aware of the brands you shop & their stance on sustainability. But that might feel overwhelming, too. Because you may not have the time or knowledge to research every brand you shop from. Which is why I’m focusing on something different in this article.

I’m focusing on simple steps that you can take every single day to minimize the impact of your wardrobe on the environment. And stop creating a constant need for new clothes.

✍️ Style Scoop

Many of the ideas around sustainable & slow fashion are rooted in a few basic principles: make good decisions about what you buy, work with what you have & be nice to your clothes so that they last longer. And while a lot of these suggestions may seem like simplistic style no-brainers - I can guarantee you (after having been in hundreds of closets) that these are new news to a lot of people. So, check out these hacks (that all come from conversations with my clients) & let me know what you’re already doing vs. what’s new news to you.

1 - Wear what you own. The most common knee-jerk reaction to having a hard time getting dressed is shopping. So, the next time you have the urge to shop - take that energy & spend some time in your closet.

2 - Look for inspiration (so you don’t get bored). If you just took my advice to spend time in your closet - but you have no idea what to do - look for style inspiration. And get into the habit of doing it regularly.

3 - Shop with intent. ← Those are three words that I could write a book about. But the general idea is creating a running list of needs, so that you’re shopping to fill gaps in your wardrobe (and not just grabbing things that catch your eye).

4 - Focus on versatility (no ‘one hit wonders’). If you’ve been around here for a while, you already know that you should be able to wear everything in your closet at least three different ways. If you can’t - don’t buy it. If you already own it - refer to point number 2.

5 - Buy what you love, not just what’s ‘okay’. At some point, you’ve probably tried on something & thought, “it’s just okay” - and bought it anyway. So it might be time to raise your standards. Think about a piece in your closet that you love - that’s a ‘10’. Everything you contemplate buying won’t necessarily be a ‘10’, but it should at least be a ‘7’ (regarding versatility, fit, function, how big a smile it gives you, etc.).

6 - Borrow/rent for special occasions. I can’t tell you how many special occasion dresses I’ve seen in clients’ closets that have been worn just once (or twice). So, when these occasions come up, how about renting or borrowing from a friend?

7 - Borrow/rent for other short term needs. You may have thought, “I already do that” with point 6 - but did you rent or borrow clothes when you needed maternity sizes? Or when you were losing weight? Or for vacation? You can take advantage of rental services (or your friends) when you need clothes for a cruise or when your size is in transition, too.

8 - Care for your clothes. ← This is another book-worthy topic. But the general idea is to treat your clothes like you can’t easily get replacements. Because yes, you can tap your phone twice & a new summer dress shows up at your door - but is that really a good thing?

9 - Treat stains instead of washing the whole garment. When you get a spot on your t-shirt, it’s so easy to throw the t-shirt in the hamper. But two things happen when you do that: the stain sets & you’re washing the whole t-shirt. So instead, treat the stain as soon as you can.

10 - Mend as soon as needed. A small rip easily becomes a big tear when you ignore it. And a loose button becomes a lost button. Dealing with little things right away keeps them from becoming bigger things later.

11 - Hang up your clothes when you get home (as opposed to throwing them on a chair). This minimizes the need to iron your work pants before you wear them next (which is wear & tear on the garment). And if there are odors, hanging will let the garment air out (so you don’t feel like you need to wash it as often).

12 - Wash only when necessary. I often shop for new clothes with my clients & I want these clothes to last a long time. So, especially when I recognize that my client could be nicer to their clothes, we talk about clothing care (which is why I’ve devoted a few points to it). Like understanding that the process of washing & drying clothes adds wear & tear - so only wash clothes when they need it, not when treating a stain or airing them out is enough.

13 - Wash in cold water. Cold water is much nicer to your clothes than hot water (and it cleans clothes just as well). Cold water minimizes shrinking & fading. And it uses less energy. So, only use hot when it’s absolutely necessary.

14 - Hang dry as much as possible. The dryer specifically puts a lot of wear & tear on your clothes & can cause shrinkage. While hanging dry extends the lifespan of your clothes (and it’s better for the environment, too).

15 - Don’t overcrowd the load. It might seem intuitive to stuff a bunch of clothes into the washer or dryer to use less energy - but then your clothes don’t get as clean & they come out wrinkled (and you might be tempted to wash them again). And remove your clothes from the washer/dryer as soon as the cycle is finished, to minimize wrinkles, too.

16 - Give your clothes space. I just mentioned space in the washer/dryer - but now I’m talking about space in your closet. If your clothes are crammed in your closet, they can’t breathe & they’re always wrinkled. Which means odors from a dirty item can transfer to a clean item. And no one actually likes ironing, right?

17 - Be nice to your shoes. When I see shoes in a pile at someone’s front door, it gives me a ‘style ick’. Because dark shoes can stain light shoes & what’s on the bottom of one gets on the top of another. So, store your shoes properly - and treat stains/damages as soon as they happen.

18 - Understand the power of accessories. I work with many clients who love clothes, but they don’t utilize accessories to help them enjoy the clothes that are in their closets. So, when you’re bored with an outfit, play with accessories! Accessories are less dependent on size - so if your weight shifts, you don’t need to get a bunch of new ones. And they’re an easy ‘borrow from a friend’ item (like a dressy bag to wear to a cocktail party).

19 - Think about restyling. ← This conversation probably brings up the most intense “I never would have thought of that” responses from clients. But when I tell a client to shorten a long gown (that she’s only worn once) to midi-length, she suddenly has a dress to wear to multiple weddings. Or when I show a client how her top (with an unrepairable rip in the sleeve) looks without the sleeves, she has a new summer blouse. So, don’t get stuck in what something already is - instead, try to think about what it could be.

20 - Tailor your clothes. This may seem like a no-brainer, but in practice, many people treat it like a huge obstacle. Yes, it takes time & money - but it typically takes less time & money to take in the waist & hem your pants (than constantly looking for a better fit off the rack). And it’s also a more sustainable option to buying something new when you lose a few pounds or decide you’re never wearing heels again.

BONUS - Create outfits instead of shopping. I know I touched on this in the very first point, but trying to create outfits with what you already own (instead of shopping) will always be more beneficial. You may realize you didn’t need something new. Or you may discover exactly what you need, so you’re shopping much more intentionally.

Were any of these ideas new to you? Do you have a sustainable/slow fashion style hack to add? Leave a comment so we can all learn from each other!

Leave a comment

☝️ One more thing

Little Blue Cart is an online business directory designed to connect conscious consumers with progressive, values-driven businesses. If you’re looking to support businesses that align with your values, Little Blue Cart is a great place to start.

And since it’s Pride month, Little Blue Cart has created a directory of over 350 LGTBQ+-owned small businesses. So, you can discover businesses & brands to support this month & all year. Because supporting the LGBTQ+ community isn’t just about slapping a rainbow on a logo - it’s a year-round practice that puts money in the hands of people who are being targeted by this administration.

Let’s Work Together!

I’m currently accepting clients to add to my fall waitlist! So, if you want to make 2026 the year that you finally become intentional with your style & start feeling great in clothes, read about my framework & what my clients have to say at the buttons below. And contact me to get the process started.

MY NEW CLIENT FRAMEWORK

WHAT MY CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY

CONTACT ME

And I have a few favorite parts of my job. If you ask other people, they might think my favorite part would be shopping (it’s not my favorite - but yes, it is fun). But my favorite parts are more when I see a shift in a client. Or I show them something they hadn’t thought of before. And specifically when I show them how to create outfits from what was already in their closet & they say, “I would have never put that together, but I love it.” Especially when it’s with a piece that they only wear one way.

So, I wanted this month’s challenge to motivate you to wear more pieces in your closet more than one way…

Read more

You know what I mean, right? Like when you’re looking at the heels you keep for ‘fancy occasions’ (that you never actually wear because they’re too high). Or the statement sleeve top you though was so cute (but the cuffs keep falling in your food). Or the white pants that you were sure would fit when you lose 5 pounds (but they didn’t). And you get so frustrated that you never want to clean out your closet again.

I had this exact conversion with a client a few days ago. And the good news is that you’re not alone (they say misery loves company, right?). And more good news is that cleaning out your closet doesn’t need to feel like a scary, monstrous task. Because here’s the secret to making it easier (that you may not want to hear) - do it more often. Yes, I just said that the solution is doing it more often.

I clean out my closet twice a year - I call it a ‘seasonal swap’. I just did it last weekend - and the main reason is accessibility. The weather is getting warmer (finally) & summer-like temperatures are on the horizon. So, I moved all my heaviest sweaters out of my closet & into storage (aka a suitcase in the garage). And I moved my short sleeve sweaters & shirts to where I could more easily see & reach them. I moved flannel shirts & wool pants to the hard-to-reach corner of my closet & pulled shorts forward. And since I touch a good portion of my clothes through this process, I try on a lot & decide what still deserves space in my closet (I let go of about ten tops & two shorts this time). And the best thing about this is that for the next 6 months, I know that everything fits & is in good condition & I can grab it whenever I want.

Right now, you may be thinking, “that’s good for you Paul. But you’re a stylist.” And my answer to that is: I have the same challenges & concerns that everyone else has. But I have practice talking people through them, so I actually tell myself the same things I tell my clients (these are some of my closet clean out mantras). And I also have a couple of main strategies that I give my clients when they’re going through their closets on their own:

• Do it in chunks - especially if going through your closet all at once feels totally overwhelming. You can decide to just go through tops one day, jackets another day, etc. Or you can set a timer for 45 minutes & see how far you get (then take a ten minute break & see if you’re up for another 45).

• Create wardrobe purgatory - if you have a hard time making decisions or the idea of getting rid of things feels like too much. Just decide that certain pieces will move out of your closet for now & put them away from where you get dressed (like underbed boxes or the guestroom closet). Then, if you haven’t gone to find them in a couple of months - you don’t even remember you own them & you can really let them go.

So, if you’re ready to clean out your closet (but want it to feel less overwhelming), read more of the strategies that I’ve used with my clients.

🗒️ Style Notes

What happens when you want to clean out your closet, but you don’t want to do a complete overhaul? Here are three ways that you can clean out your closet - without doing a big closet clean out.

3 gentle ways to clean your closet

My clients often need a guidance on what to get rid of from their closets. Because we all have pieces that we’re holding on to, even though we’re not wearing them. So, here are five things that you can let go.

5 things to toss from your closet

When you’re really doing a full closet clean out, you want to make sure you do it right. So, here are five steps that I take with my clients (that you don’t want to skip) to make sure it’s an efficient & productive process.

5 closet steps you don't want to skip

💡 Client Spotlight

Since I’ve been a personal wardrobe stylist, I’ve spent a good portion of my time with women at two transition points in life. I’ve worked with many new moms with kids from newborn to 5 years old - because their priorities, lifestyles & work lives have changed (in addition to dealing with different bodies). And I’ve worked with many moms who are (or are about to be) empty nesters - because they’re getting more of their own lives back & want to show up more intentionally.

But in the past few years, I’ve had more clients at a different transition point in life - shifting into retirement. Which comes with its own challenges - generally a more casual lifestyle, more free time & sometimes navigating life as a newly single person. Which is exactly the stage ‘Margaret’ was in.

Margaret had been retired for 10 years (after a 40 year career in healthcare) & her husband had passed the year prior. She decided that at this point in her life, she was going to treat herself. And finally feel good in clothes. She spends a lot of time with her friends - out to lunch most days, weekly dinners & occasional parties. And (in her words) she was tired of feeling like the ‘frumpy friend’ & wanted to stop dressing like a 12 year old boy (in shorts & polos).

One of Margaret’s high priorities was still feeling like herself & not feeling overdressed or ‘frou frou’ (again, her words ☺️). So, we went through my 4 step framework (defining her style, a closet audit, personal shopping & personal styling) to create a style & outfits that work for days spent running errands, casual lunches & nicer dinners.

Two things that Margaret told me specifically stand out. After we worked on her fall/winter wardrobe & she saw her look book, she sent me a note that said, “I feel like a princess. Thanks so much for all you did for me.” And as I was creating spring/summer outfits at her house a few weeks ago, she saw one of them & said, “that’s so me!”

If you like hearing about my clients’ style journeys & seeing their outfits, you should become a Style Mail VIP. As a VIP, you get a client look book every month with 30+ outfits, links to many of the items in the look book & many more paid-subscriber benefits (click here to read all about it). And once you subscribe, you get immediate access to the entire paid-subscriber archive!

Subscribe now

Tap the button to upgrade to Style Mail VIP. You’ll get next level style motivation & inspiration for less than the price of 2 lattes/month or 2 moderately priced tops/year (that you probably didn’t need, anyway).

☝️ One more thing

Only about 2/3 of eligible voters voted in the 2024 election - which means that 1/3 did not vote (about 36% of the voting-eligible population didn’t vote, according to US News & World Report). And while we can talk until we’re blue in the face (see what I did there?) to convince people on the other side - I think our energy is better spent communicating with the one out of three people who didn’t vote. Which is why I recommend Vote Forward.

Vote Forward enables grassroots volunteers to play a leading role in testing & scaling innovative, high-impact tactics that encourage fellow Americans to vote. Some of their campaigns are non-partisan, focused on mobilizing potential voters in historically marginalized communities - such as people of color, women & young voters. And other campaigns are designed to encourage likely-Democratic voters to turn out in strategic states & districts (this is paragraph paraphrased from their website).

I’ve worked with Vote Forward on their letter-writing campaigns to encourage eligible voters to register & vote. Vote Forward provides all the guidance, so it’s easy - and the letter-writing campaigns are perfect for introverts (like me).

They don’t have any current campaigns - but I’m sure they’ll soon be ramping up for the midterms. So, click here to register & be notified about their next campaign.

Let’s Work Together!

MY NEW CLIENT FRAMEWORK

WHAT MY CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY

CONTACT ME

As I often say, life evolves & your style needs to evolve with it. And typically, changing your style is what lags behind. Because when you’re dealing with life changes, life is the priority. And you don’t necessarily realize the need to update your style until you’re already deep into it. Like my clients who get a job in a very casual office & suddenly realize that their old 9-5 wardrobe doesn’t feel right. Or my clients who are growing a family & find themselves shifting from date nights on the town to playgroups at the park.

I also think dealing with change is different when it’s chosen versus when it’s forced upon you. Like when you get a new job you want - versus getting a new job because you were laid off from your old one. Or exercising to change your body - versus dealing with body changes as you age. Voluntarily leaving your comfort zone is one thing - but it’s totally different when you didn’t choose to.

Getting back to clothes - famous fashion photographer Bill Cunningham once said, "fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life." And when things change & your armor no longer makes sense, you can feel out of sorts. Which is why many clients reach out to me - including the client whose look book I’m sharing this month…

👀📖 The May Look Book

‘Kelsey’ didn’t actually reach out to me to update her style - she initially reached out for her husband. I accomplished my full framework with her husband last fall - and after she saw the results, she was inspired to do it herself. And like many of my clients, she is going through some changes.

She’s in what’s called the ‘sandwich generation’ with kids still at home (heading to college soon) & taking care of her mom who lives nearby. Kelsey felt like she had a handle on style at other times in her life. But now, on the cusp of being an empty-nester, combined with family priorities, work, etc. - style fell by the wayside. She defaulted to an easy, casual uniform that didn’t feel very good (or in any way intentional). And she just wanted to feel excited about clothes again.

Kelsey was also dealing with body changes - hormonal changes, surprise weight gain & shifts in her shape. So, the clothes that used to feel right didn’t feel right anymore. And just going up a size in the same styles didn’t work, either.

When we were in her closet, it was evident that she wasn’t thrilled with anything she had. Her more interesting & fun pieces were the ones she was getting rid of - they either no longer fit or they were worn out. And what was left essentially underwhelmed her. And it didn’t express any of her vivacious personality.

I’m happy to say that when we shopped, we found a bunch of pieces that Kelsey was excited about. And we created a concise spring/summer wardrobe (with many pieces that span the seasons) for everyday casual work & family time, meeting friends for lunch & date nights with her husband - plus a dress for her son’s upcoming graduation!

Check out Kelsey’s look book to see all the outfits I created for her - and don’t forget that as a Style Mail VIP, you have access to all the look books from the past 1.5 years. So you can get late spring style inspiration from Kelsey’s look book & also from the look books I shared at this time last year.

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The clothes in your closet may not align with the lifestyle you have right now - or the body you have right now - or just who you are right now. Or you may have gotten into some habits that aren’t supporting the creation & maintenance of a wardrobe that works for your life & makes you feel good.

The good news is that it’s totally fixable. And you can have a closet filled with clothes that go together & you actually look forward to wearing. So, let’s explore what the real problems are (and what you can do about it).

✍️ Style Scoop

As a wardrobe stylist, I have physically (and virtually) been in hundreds of clients’ closets. And while each client has unique aspects of their style, there are commonalities as to why they’re having problems getting dressed. And even when you have a closet full of clothes - they may not be the right clothes. Or you may be missing pieces to finish off outfits. Or something else. So, here are five common problems, plus some straightforward solutions.

PROBLEM: You have items, not outfits

I could also call this the ‘I bought it because it was cute’ challenge. Because it’s an easy trap to fall into, right? You walk into a store & see a top in a fun print. You try it on & really like it - so you buy it. But then, two months later, it’s still sitting in your closet with the tags on. Because you don’t know what to wear it with. So, how can you fix this?

You need to shop with intention. Because, even if you are shopping for cute tops - you need to think about what you’re wearing on the bottom. And which jacket, shoes, etc. complete the outfit. So that the cute top works with what’s already in your closet.

Before you shop - create a focused list (if you have no idea where to start, here’s how to write a shopping list). And after you shop - set aside time to create outfits once you get home (or within the return timeframe). Because if you buy something that you can’t create an outfit with, it might not be a wise purchase. And if you’re dealing with something that’s already in your closet (and have no idea how to wear it) - look for inspiration & how other people are wearing it.

PROBLEM: You have a ‘wishful wardrobe’

A ‘wishful wardrobe’ is when you have a bunch of clothes in your closet that reflect the life you wish you had (or the life you used to have). Or the body you wish you had (or used to have). And you’re keeping or shopping for clothes that don’t make sense for who you are right now.

You might be thinking, “I don’t do that.” But if you continually shop for clothes for girls nights out (which only happen a couple times a year) & ignore clothes for your business casual office - you may have a wishful wardrobe. Or if your closet is full of clothes that will fit ‘when I lose ten pounds’ - you may have a wishful wardrobe.

The solution is simple: ground yourself in the reality of your day to day lifestyle. Whether it’s working from home or heading into the office or driving the kids to & from soccer practice - build a wardrobe that makes you feel good for these occasions (because yes, you can have great style no matter how casual your lifestyle). And if you have clothes in your closet that don’t fit - remember that you deserve to feel great in clothes at any size (if your size has shifted, check out some quick tips to help you get dressed).

PROBLEM: You’re shopping, not styling

Think about how much time you devote to shopping. From driving to the store to looking around to trying things on to getting checked out & driving home. Or even just scrolling online & clicking through store emails & tapping links in influencers’ stories. (And I’m not even mentioning the time it takes to do returns.) Now think about what would happen if you spent the same amount of time in your closet, creating outfits from what you already own?

If you’re more comfortable adding things to your wardrobe than coming up with outfit ideas, you’re not alone. But if you have a closet full of clothes, you’re making the problem worse. And you may end up being overwhelmed by your own wardrobe - and then just wearing a small subset of what’s in there. If you’ve never dedicated time to creating outfits, read this post for multiple ways to do it.

PROBLEM: Your life evolved (but your wardrobe hasn’t caught up)

If I had to name the most common reason clients reach out to me - it’s this one. Your life has changed, but your closet still reflects what you used to do & who you were five years ago. You may have suits from when you worked in a dressy office (but suits make no sense for your job now). Or your dresses are all from before you had kids. Or you moved to a different part of the country & what you used to wear just doesn’t feel appropriate anymore. Or you’ve changed sizes. So, it’s time to align your style with your lifestyle & body - the same way you’d do it if you had a wishful wardrobe. And this doesn’t necessarily mean buying a bunch of new clothes - you may be able to rethink how you wear certain pieces. Here are a few examples.

PROBLEM: You’re not listening to your gut

The ‘I have a closet full of clothes, but nothing to wear’ dilemma may arise because you’re taking shopping & styling cues from other people - and you can’t create an outfit that feels authentic. And we all want that, “this is so me!” feeling, right?

Shopping has become too easy (in my opinion). You can tap your phone three times & new clothes show up at your door. And there are tons of people on social media telling you what you should wear. So, now more than ever, it takes effort to be intentional with your style. And be sure that you’re listening to your own inner voice regarding what feels good - and not just abiding by what your favorite influencer or your friends are wearing.

If you’re not feeling like your outfits reflect the true you - it’s time to look for some inspiration. And explore different style ideas, to narrow down what makes you feel good. Click here for an exercise I give my clients to get inspired for their style.

Do any of these problems feel familiar? Do you think these solutions can help you better enjoy what’s in your closet? Drop a comment to let me know.

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☝️ One more thing

If you’re looking for options to work against this administration, check out Red, Wine & Blue. Red, Wine & Blue is a national community of over half a million diverse suburban women working together to defeat extremism, one friend at a time. They train & connect women from across the country of all political backgrounds – including many who have never been political before – to get sh*t done & have fun along the way. If you’re curious about the Red, Wine & Blue 2026 priorities, check them out here.

Red, Wine & Blue shares multiple ways to take action, including in person & virtual events. If you’re reading this post on the day I shared it - you can take part in a virtual event tonight (as described in the above graphic). Sign up here for tonight’s social bank & check out their events page to discover what’s happening near you.

And if you’re not sure Red, Wine & Blue is for you, scroll to the bottom of this page to join their email list. They’ll send you a survey so you’ll only get emails on the topics you want & you can take it from there.

Let’s Work Together!

Guess what? I just opened my fall waitlist! I’m currently booked through the summer, but I’m accepting new clients to get started in early fall. So, if you still want to make 2026 the year you become intentional with your style & start feeling great in clothes, read about my framework & what my clients have to say at the buttons below. And contact me to get the process started.

MY NEW CLIENT FRAMEWORK

WHAT MY CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY

CONTACT ME

And if you’ve been around for a while, I hope you already know how grateful I am that you’re here. My 1-1 clients are the core of my business - but I’m thrilled to have a platform where I can reach more people than I can work with individually. And provide guidance to shift clothes from an obstacle into something that actually makes a difference in your life. Whether you use style to reach career goals - or be more active socially - or just feel better about what you see in the mirror.

In addition to motivation & inspiration - I like to challenge you. Because (like I mentioned last week) I’d rather give you the tools to develop your style & create outfits that you love, rather than just give you outfits to copy.

And these monthly style challenges are specifically designed in this vein. As part of the paid VIP subscription, I share a style challenge each month - to make you rethink how you get dressed. And explore your style in different ways. And get more use from what’s already in your closet.

So, if you’re already a Style Mail VIP - check out this month’s style challenge below. And if you’re not already a VIP - maybe it’s time to check it out. (Read this for more information on what’s included in the VIP subscription.) Because Style Mail VIP is a great fit if you’re bored with what’s in your closet. Or if you’re looking to evolve your style. Or if you just want to stop the buy/purge cycle & be more intentional with what you purchase & how you utilize what you have.

Read more

No, you didn’t click on the wrong link. Yes, you saw this image in an article earlier this month. (Here’s the early April article if you have no idea what I’m talking about.) The image is an Instagram story poll from a few weeks ago - and I shared it to help me choose the topic for my last free article on styling underutilized pieces. But then I realized that it (kind of) also helped to decide what I’m sharing today.

And I say ‘kind of’ because even though today’s post does include spring outfit strategies - it doesn’t include outfits that I’m telling you to copy. Because I don’t think that’s how you develop your personal style. I’d rather give you tools & guidance to create outfits that you love & that feel authentic & relevant to your lifestyle.

This is actually why the ‘copy this Pinterest outfit’ trend on Instagram irks me. I’m not saying that copying an outfit never works - it’s actually a great way to get started & explore different types of style. But what I prefer (and what I do for my one-on-one clients) is that you create outfits that express your unique style perspective. And these may be similar to outfits you’ve seen - but they still include something that’s distinctly ‘you’.

So, here are some concrete outfit strategies that can help you this spring (and most any time of year, actually). One demonstrates the power of accessories. One is a new take on an old outfit strategy. And the last one shows methods that I use with clients to create new outfits with what’s already in their closets.

🗒️ Style Notes

Can you change your outfit without changing your clothes? The short answer is ‘yes’. And the long answer is all about accessories - because the right accessories can shift your outfit from understated to visible, from ladylike to boho & more.

Change your look with accessories

Have you heard of ‘sandwich outfits’? No, they’re not what you wear to lunch - they’re a method of using the same color at the top & bottom of your outfit for balance. But I came up with a different ‘sandwich’ idea that doesn’t use color.

A different sandwich outfit strategy

Do you want to create new outfit ideas with what’s already in your closet? But you don’t know where to start? This is how I do it with my clients - and it doesn’t require looking up outfit inspiration on Pinterest or figuring out your ‘style words’.

Create outfits with what you already own

💡 Client Spotlight

Speaking of creating new outfit ideas with what you already own - this was the priority for a recent client. ‘Petra’ has an amazing wardrobe filled with great pieces, but she wasn’t enjoying them as much as she could. Here’s what she wrote in her initial email to me:

“I have a lot of nice clothes, but in some cases I’m not sure how to put things together as well as I could. I have nice things that I don’t wear because I don’t know what to do with them. I generally dress pretty well, but I don’t feel like my outfits are totally pulled together. I need that final layer of accessories and just a little something more.”

So, even though I typically shop with new clients - Petra didn’t need a shopping trip. She needed to explore what was already in her closet & maximize what she already owned. Petra was also at a transition point in her life, as a recent empty nester & becoming more visible in her business - so this was a great time for her to reapproach how she gets dressed.

As we worked together, I did identify a few needs (simple tops for layering, cute & comfortable flats), but she shopped for these on her own. And then I created fully accessorized outfits for her, so that getting dressed shifted from ‘I could do better’ to ‘I feel great!’ I got a quick note from Petra after I showed her an outfit with her pink sequin skirt & stonewashed denim jacket (bottom row, second from the left in the above image):

“I’m going out for dinner with girlfriends tonight. I never would have been brave enough to wear this skirt on a night that wasn’t New Year’s Eve. Thanks for that!”

If you like hearing about my clients’ style journeys & seeing their outfits, you should become a Style Mail VIP. As a VIP, you get a client look book every month with 30+ outfits, links to many of the items in the look book & many more paid-subscriber benefits (click here to read all about it). And once you subscribe, you get immediate access to the entire paid-subscriber archive!

Subscribe now

Tap the button to upgrade to Style Mail VIP. You’ll get next level style motivation & inspiration for less than the price of 2 lattes/month or 2 moderately priced tops/year (that you probably didn’t need, anyway).

☝️ One more thing

May 1st is International Workers Day & it’s also the day of a scheduled general strike - referred to as ‘May Day Strong’. It’s a coordinated effort by activists, unions & community groups to stage a ‘no work, no school, no shopping’ event. It aims to challenge the current administration's policies - including immigration enforcement, support for specific foreign conflicts & economic policies. You can get more information at Maydaystrong.org & this link from Indivisible.

And if you can’t skip work, you can still participate. Don’t shop (or at least shop small & avoid corporate owned businesses). Facilitate other people’s participation by providing support (rides to rallies, childcare, etc.). Donate to local mutual aid groups. And simply talk about it & share posts like this & this on social media to spread the word.

Let’s Work Together!

MY NEW CLIENT FRAMEWORK

WHAT MY CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY

CONTACT ME