I didn’t mean for August to be a wardrobe edit focus but that seems to be the unplanned theme for the month!

It actually makes sense given that we are starting to transition slowly from Summer into Fall and you may be doing a bit of a closet cleanse as you rotate out seasonal pieces.

In case you want to catch up:

• Why we need to date our clothes more

• Saying goodbye to the clothes I loved before

After spending a lot of time in clients’ closets, I start to see themes on what I call “wardrobe blindspots” — the recurring patterns that are like a hidden gap that can be hard to see when you are in the driver’s seat.

It’s like having tunnel vision. You are opening up the same wardrobe everyday, seeing the same clothes, wearing the same outfits on autopilot, shopping for the same things etc.

And it’s one of my favorite things to help uncover for clients because it helps them come to an “A-ha!” moment.

And once you see it, you can’t unsee it, and that is the type of tangible clarity that actually helps move the needle for you in terms of what you buy and how you get dressed.

I write about my top 10 wardrobe blindspots here.

There’s so many ways these blindspots come to life when it comes to an idea I call “Depth vs Breadth”.

Read more about this framework here but in a nutshell:

• Depth = provides variety within a single type of product

• Breadth = provides variety across a range of products

In my past life designing and building apparel collections, if we wanted consumers to continue to buy from our brands, we needed to iterate on our best sellers and what was working. The risk was that if we leaned too far into this “expand on our best sellers” strategy (depth), our clients could get bored with our limited offering as things would start to look and feel the same. However, if we tried to offer too much newness (breadth) and differentiate from our brand DNA (ie: trends vs our authentic style), we risked the potential to confuse our clients and lose sales.

The same concept applies to our closets. We want to expand on our “best sellers”, or continue to buy things that we love but not to the point that it leads to more of the same and boredom. And we want to inject breadth in a way that feels strategic and still feels true to who we are so we aren’t buying impulsively or confusing ourselves when we try to get dressed.

The easiest way to identify where you have too much of depth (ie: too much of one thing) is to spot where you have multiples of the same item:

• a favorite sweater in three different stripes

• a go-to pant in a handful of colors

• the same tank style in a range of solids

Taking the high neck tank example —

There’s nothing wrong with a high neck tank. It has great coverage, you can wear a normal bra with it, it’s a great everyday basic.

If you are someone who prefers a high neck like this and find that it’s the only silhouette that works really well for you, then all good!! I’m not saying to not wear them!

BUT if you are like my clients who owned one and have now just somehow acquired these by the handful and it’s the only tank you have in your closet, keep reading :)

The problem isn’t that you own too many of these (I mean, if I were doing a session with you, I’d say to edit to the colors you reach for the most!). It’s that if it’s the only type of tank you own, it has to pull all the levers for your lifestyle.

Taking my casual-to-dressy format and using very basic styling so you can just focus on the tank:

We’re going to keep the high neck tank for your everyday but also introduce a different neckline and a different fabrication.

So if you have too much of the same thing, think about expanding your breadth before buying another iteration of the same so you have different levers available to reflect how you actually want to get dressed for different activities going on in your life.

Subscribe now

Here are some other client examples focused on specific types of clothing I commonly see.

I love these examples as they’ve brought a lot of clarity for my clients so I hope they can help you as well if you are trying to troubleshoot within your own wardrobes.

This can also be a really helpful insight before you start buying for Fall because clarity is the best shopping companion you can have!

1. You own too much of one thing because you lack a point-of-view

You all know how much I love a white tee so let’s use it for this example.

I own many white tees but the key difference is that I know what each tee does for me in my wardrobe. Each one creates a different point-of-view.

When I work with my clients, we usually edit things out that either lack a point-of-view within the design (I’m looking at you, shapeless neckline) or that don’t have a strong reason for being. Or, they have one version that they love but the rest are “just ok”.

It usually comes down to the fact that they are almost right…

I like the sleeves but it’s not the right length.

I like the fit but the fabric doesn’t feel good.

I like everything but how the neck fits.

I don’t really care how much you own as long as you have a point-of-view around those pieces and a reason for being. Meaning, you know how you want to wear them and in what situations they come in handy.

And that point-of-view only has to make sense to you, no one else.

Own with conviction!!

2. You feel influenced by your surroundings

I have a fun repeat client who is based in London and we just get together for Office Hours sessions where we audit her wardrobe for the season, review new purchases, and style pieces she already owns.

When I asked what she wore recently that she felt really good in, it was: a tuxedo shirt, black denim, a slingback, and a Sophie Buhai pouch she got after our last session.

That’s enough of a visual to tell me how she wants to feel and be seen in her clothes and that really helps guide me as I help edit and style her wardrobe.

In that same session, these were some of the pieces we edited out:

As she showed me pieces, she shared this feeling of “It’s so nice but I don’t know why I never wear it!”

Individually, there’s nothing wrong with the pieces but through the editing process, we uncovered a consistent pattern: She doesn’t like overly romantic or feminine pieces.

In the tuxedo shirt outfit, there’s hints of femininity (the silk pouch, the sexy kitten heel, the slim jean). In these pieces that we were reviewing, the femininity was very on-the-nose with the lace and crochet.

Or the pieces felt too proper in a way, such as the white and black lady cardigan or the silk halter, which in a solid would have been fine, but in a polka dot felt too ladylike.

And in talking through the edit pile, these purchases were a result of having lived in London for a long time. They were more a reflection of her surroundings (what the women at her children’s school were wearing, what her husband’s work peers and wives were wearing, what the local stores were carrying) vs a reflection of what she felt like herself in.

And that’s the thing — context matters but only in relation to yourself and how you want to feel.

Some items that were swapped out and you can see, it’s a completely different vibe than what we edited out. That “letting go” process can make room for things that feel more authentically you.

This example of dressing to fit into your environment while staying true to yourself always brings up two specific visuals in my mind:

It’s totally normal to adopt certain styles or ideas based on your surroundings but it’s also ok to dress in a way that doesn’t fit the norm of everyone around you!

Below the paywall, more blindspot examples from real client wardrobes:

• prioritizing the brand before the fit

• the trouble that comes with owning too much of one kind of pant

• having breadth but it lacks variety

• bread(th) without the butter that holds it all together!

Read more

Hi Readers,

Last week, I shared my tips on spotting out green flags and red flags within our purchase history and our existing wardrobes.

I’ve been reflecting a lot on my own style as I finally have my full wardrobe all under one roof for the first time in a very long while.

When we first packed up our belongings in LA back in 2022, I edited some of my wardrobe but I boxed up the majority as we planned to road trip across the country and assumed we’d be in our new forever place within 6-9 months.

I figured it would be easier to see where we landed and decide what still felt relevant based on my new surroundings.

Fast forward to four years later and a lot has changed.

We moved from always sunny California to the four seasons of the Northeast.

I left my 9-5 salary position at a company I had been with for almost a decade, which involved a lot of travel. We spent years living in different towns and cities and overseas. I started my styling business and created this newsletter.

So it’s only natural that I let go of the things that no longer serve me.

The core of my style hasn’t changed so much in those four years but it has evolved.

And it’s evolved enough to where some of the things I thought I’d keep forever no longer resonate with me.

That’s the thing about our style and our wardrobes. I think it’s a myth to have a “forever wardrobe” — a wardrobe that has clarity is constantly getting edited and updated and refined over time.

There will always be pieces that stay with you forever — family heirlooms, elusive finds, rare vintage finds, the perfectly tailored gems, those pieces that have nostalgic memories associated with it.

But as we evolve, our style will too so the idea of a forever wardrobe will always be a moving goal post.

My quick and somewhat painless way I edited my wardrobe as I unpacked:

1. I created sections in a room based on these categories: Keep, Alter/Dry Clean, Donate, Sell, Revisit

2. Anything that wasn’t an immediate yes was an immediate try-on to see how I felt in it. It doesn’t matter if I used to feel good in it, it matters how I feel now.

   1. Donate/Sell piles = anything that didn’t fit me anymore, or made me feel “just ok”

   2. Alterations pile = anything that didn’t fit me the way I wanted anymore but I still loved

   3. Anything that I was still iffy on = more outfit try-ons to see if it was the piece that was the issue, or if it was just that I needed to tweak the styling to make it feel like current me

3. Revisit pile - There are some pieces I am just not ready to let go of yet so those go in a bin and put into a separate place outside of my main closet. Our wardrobes are precious real estate - having things in there that you can’t wear right now just clouds your ability to make decisions when getting dressed.

   1. Revisits get looked at again in 1-3 months time. Some of these end up becoming an “archive” in my wardrobe. (An old habit I’ve had since I first started working with clothes. I will hold onto some things for reference whether it’s for color, construction/design details, or back in the day to use for styling a shoot) but most usually get edited out after some more time has passed and my initial nostalgia wears off!

If you want a detailed process of how I do a larger wardrobe edit, I break it all down for you here.

As for what I do with the edits?

If something was vintage or an independent designer, I will sometimes sell it on my own or drop off at a local vintage shop for someone else to discover.

While I’d love to resell all my things on my own, I just don’t have the time.

I have a very big running list of things I need to get done for the house in addition to a busy calendar so I try to offload lower ROI tasks like consigning.

So the ease of convenience with The RealReal is a major deciding factor for me.

I like that they send a free shipping label so I can just fill up a box and ship it out once I’m ready.

Getting it quickly out of the house just helps free up so much mental space than having pieces sit in the closet!

For The RealReal consignment, these are the types of products I tend to prioritize based on my own experience as they sell faster and have more favorable earnings. I think it’s because they are the categories that people rotate in and out more frequently and buyers don’t have to worry about fit as much:

• Shoes - I luckily have a very average 7.5 to size 8 size (first to sell which is also why it’s the category I look at the most frequently for myself because they are gone quick!)

• Sunglasses - This is a sleeper category. I go through phases with sunglasses so I’ve consigned a lot of my older ones and they sell very fast.

• Handbags - It seems like there’s been a significant shift in buying secondhand over new for this category so it seems people are always searching for any and all bags.

New consignors receive a credit of $100 for their first order. I personally like to choose my consignment sales as credits so I can apply directly to my wishlist items.

To All The Clothes I Loved Before

Here are some of the pieces I plan to send off to The RealReal and the reasons why I’m deciding to edit them out of my closet.

We often hold an emotional (or sunken cost) attachment to our clothes so as silly as it sounds, I find it’s really helpful to reflect and thank each item for being a part of my style journey before letting them go.

Celine Bam Bam Heels

Years In Closet: Original over 8 years (these over 5 years)

Why I Fell In Love With It: The tubular leather strap, the ankle design, the minimal colorblocking, the silver heel!! Plus they are still the most practical heel I own. It’s like a 2 1/2” heel height so I could walk in them all day and the ankle strap helps it feel so secure. They made the most boring outfits feel so interesting. This was one of my most worn shoes when flying back and forth from LA to SF for work. I could literally wear them all day running through the airport and all around the office with zero problems.

Why I’m Letting It Go: I broke my own rule which is to never buy the same thing in multiple colors….and I bought it twice. 😬

I owned the black ones and wore them so often that I had to get them resoled and repaired multiple times so when I found them again on resale for a great price, I figured I’d stock up (do as I say, not as I do!!). Looking back, that was definitely a scarcity moment and as my lifestyle has changed, I’m not wearing heels as often so I know I don’t truly need a backup. These were actually the one item I knew right away that I was going to edit even when they were sitting in storage.

Proenza Schouler Tote

Years In Closet: 4 years

Why I Fell In Love With It: I bought this the first year that we moved out of LA. I only had a handful of bags with me in our suitcases (which I know sounds ridiculous but if you know me, you know I love my bag options!!). I ended up commuting to California more often for work in that first year and I only had my Celine tote that could fit a laptop so I got this one. I loved the interesting modern shape and the unexpected color. The leather is so light so it’s a nice option when you have a lot of things to carry.

Why I’m Letting It Go: I just don’t need it as I’m not traveling as frequently for work anymore. It served me well for the years I needed it but I have other bags I know I’ll reach for more so it’s off to get the love it deserves!

Nike x Sacai Sneakers

Years In Closet: 6 years (purchased from The RealReal)

Why I Fell In Love With It: I don’t wear a lot of sneakers but when I do, they are either very basic (black, white, or navy) or they have loads of personality. No in-between! I loved the shape — they added a bit of height so I went through a major phase where I would wear them with all my dresses. The colors are not very me but I felt like they would add a fun color pop to my otherwise neutral outfits.

Why I’m Letting It Go: These were definitely a wildcard purchase for me and looking back, a bit aspirational. I did get good use out of them but I think I would have worn them even more if I just got in a neutral. I also just don’t feel like myself in a really chunky sneaker. I tried them on with a few outfits and while I think they are still really cool, it just isn’t me.

Ok, now onto a couple pieces that I need your help with!

I’m pretty sure I know my answers but I also think it’s fun to hear from you all so cast your votes!

Balenciaga Leather Jacket

Years In Closet: Over 12 years

Why I fell in love with it: It was the ultimate fashion girl item of the 2000s.

This was the very early years of Instagram so fashion content wasn’t as easily accessible. I loved looking at archives of fashion publications online and Tommy Ton, The Sartorialist, The Fashion Spot, and Tumblr were my bookmarks.

I loved a leather jacket but this was THE leather jacket of my dreams. The beautifully soft leather, the boxy cut, the minimal hardware.

My current Thoughts: I still love the item and feel good when I put it on. It’s one of those non-neutral neutrals that just works with everything. And it’s, in my opinion, an archival worthy piece from a very specific era of both the brand but also my style journey. My only hesitation is that the fit is more shrunken than I’d like. Will I want this type of fit again in my future style? Am I holding onto a past version of self or nostalgia by keeping this piece? I don’t know…help!

Celine Trapeze Bag

Years In Closet: Over 7 years

Why I Fell In Love With It: I splurged on this bag (purchased secondhand) when I had received a promotion. I had my trusty oversized Celine cabas bag that was my true first work bag but there was something about the croc texture and the structured design that just made me feel so…professional? Like I had finally made it!

My Current Thoughts: I don’t really know if I want to let it go…yet!

I had it in storage for a long time and I’ve since made other bag purchases so I don’t really need this one. But I still love it. And even if I don’t use it often right now, it’s a piece I can see myself still wearing. I also loved wearing this bag with very casual denim shorts so I think there could be nice tension with my now more casual lifestyle.

It’s funny because shoes and bags are one of the first things I’ll edit (I hold less of an attachment than to clothes) but they are also the categories where if I feel some hesitation, I’ll end up holding onto for a bit longer as they don’t take up a lot of space. I’ll most likely wait until the Fall to take it on a few dates before deciding.

In addition, I’m selling a handful of other pieces due to a combination of fit and lifestyle and a few jeans that no longer fit me. My rule of thumb for denim:

• If I still like the wash and silhouette but the size isn’t exactly right, I’ll put in my revisit bin. My weight fluctuates so I usually hold onto denim that’s one size up or down than what I currently wear.

• If I don’t love the silhouette or wash anymore, I’ll edit. Denim is one category I know I can always find a better version of.

Here are some of the pieces I have on my The RealReal wishlist for the site credit I earn from these consignments:

And because I am always looking for more classic pieces to add (and apparently can’t get enough of black)…

I also curated a little roundup of some of my other picks inspired by pieces within my own closet. Pieces that I get asked about that I never have links for because they are older or harder to find!

I hope you enjoyed reading! If you need help with editing decisions, you can always find me in our chat.

See you next week!

xx,

Angie

My husband and I celebrated our 11 year wedding anniversary last month.

When people would ask me how I knew he was “the one”, I describe it as this feeling of grounding comfort. Like we’ve known each other forever.

There were no games. No back and forth questioning. No trying to change myself to become the version I wanted him to see.

Equally …

Read more

Hi Readers,

Welcome to the August issue of the Monthly High-Five!

5 Things I’m Loving

August is an interesting month to be shopping for clients.

We aren’t quite finished with Summer yet but also can’t wrap our heads around Fall.

This is the month I try to shift the focus away from really seasonal pieces into wear-now options that can transition from peak Summer into Fall because the goal is that anything you are adding to your wardrobe right now can continue to live and be a part of your wardrobe beyond specific months.

Here are some of the references that inspired my picks for the month -

4 Ways To Style

As always, I like to repeat some of the same pieces throughout so you can get some ideas for how to restyle in new ways, whether it’s one of these pieces or something similar that you might already have in your closet.

Subscribe now

3 Things I Think You’ll Love

Sharing some things I’ve been gifted recently that I think you might love! I’m not obligated to post these and I will only ever share things that I truly enjoy and would repurchase on my own or that I think you’ll enjoy too.

• A lightweight and durable everyday tote - Sometimes you just need a really practical bag but I find most are not cute so I use my old designer totes but they aren’t the most practical for schlepping things around town. I love how nondescript this bag is, in a good way. It would make a great mom tote. Or gym bag. Or commuter/travel bag.

• I got this a couple months back but haven’t shared it until now. I like to live with the items for some time to see if I want to recommend them. If you know me, you know I’m a bag lady and will have at least 2-3 bags on me at all times. I’ve used this a lot to move things back and forth from our Airbnbs to our house, quick trips to the city, and for local days where I need to carry a lot of things. It comes in multiple sizes but mine is the larger weekender one. I also love the navy/black combo!

• Spa day in a bottle - I actually got gifted this oil which I gave to my mom and she said it was her favorite oil she’s used so I decided to try some of their other products. This essence is so luxurious to me. I love the clean sea smell and it’s just been a lovely way to start and end my days. It’s light and dries quickly and the pearl peptide leaves a really nice glowy glow on your skin so it’s been perfect for the days I don’t wear makeup (which is often). It’s labeled as an essence-toner-serum but I find it works nicely as a primer too. Honestly, I’ve just reapplied in between my day when I need a little spa moment!

• Knix Underwear - Ok, I might be late to this idea but if you haven’t tried these yet, just trust me. I actually first learned of this brand when my sister bought me some and to say it was life changing is an understatement. I was gifted another pair so I welcomed the chance to restock my undergarment drawer. It’s a very practical but important purchase!!

2 Styling Updates

Just a quick update on what months I’m booking now for my services:

• Office Hours 1 Hour Sessions - I have a couple spots open for August for anyone that has some styling or wardrobe challenges or questions they’d love support with.

• Style Renew & Style Reset services - I have spots open in Sept for my Style Renew service (doing more with what you already own) and late Sept/Oct for my Style Reset (signature transformational service).

• If you need help navigating which service is best for you, or just want to see if we’d be a good fit, you can book a free call with me here - would love to meet you! And if you are curious about what it’s like to work together, you can see the BTS of my client stories here!

1 Quote I’m Resonating With

See you next week!

xx,

Angie

Hi Readers,

I’m in your inboxes a day early this week!

Sale season is here and whenever it comes around, I always get questions in my DMs from followers and clients about what I would buy so I’m going to try and help you navigate it, The Found Journal way!

Two of the most common habits I see when it comes to r…

Read more

I’ve been in a bit of a repetitive style rut. In a good way.

It’s interesting to see the things you grab when you have 5 seconds to get dressed — on the days you can’t be bothered, or when you have to throw something on so you can quickly move on with your day. It’s a great way to understand what you actually like to wear when you aren’t overthinking it.

It’s when those outfits don’t actually feel good on you anymore that it becomes a problem, but otherwise, outfit repeating is the best!!

July has been filled with jumping between unboxing our things, client work and virtual sessions, a lot of errands, and working on small house projects and renovations with our contractors which means I’ve been needing outfits that can help me move quickly and that can withstand a little bit of home improvement dust.

The outfits I have been relying on all month are simple: Shorts + Some Kind Of Top

That’s it! No overly complicated outfit formula required.

I was trying to figure out why I can go super simple with outfits when I wear shorts and still feel good. I never feel like I need to add much else and I think it comes down to:

• Proportions - There is something about showing more leg, or showing different proportions of leg, that just feel chill and interesting to me. More on Summer proportions here!

• Low-Effort, High-Impact - I think shorts might be my accessory of the clothing world. It takes up such small visual real estate that it makes it easy to style (or not style). And similar to a fun bag or a cool shoe, low visual real estate = lower risk so you can just have fun with it!

My summer shorts requirements:

• Pull-on waist: It could be an elastic or a drawstring, just no buttons or zippers! We want ease!!

• I love either a crisp white (quickest way to expedite your chic) or jet black as it can help make a casual look feel really modern. Otherwise, the world is your oyster. Have fun with color or print. With lace or sequins. With a micro short or a bermuda.

• If it’s a classic short length, I prefer tapered at the leg or a side vent for maximum air flow.

• Leg shape - I think this is important. It needs to have a bit of a flare or an angle so it feels carefree, not frumpy. I don’t love a super straight hem unless its a boxer short.

• Pockets are ideal as I’m wearing these for dog walks and then out the door for other things so I’m usually putting things in my pocket in lieu of carrying a bag

ps - If it’s been too hot to think and you need some other Summer dressing ideas that aren’t shorts, Anna’s recent roundup is filled with fresh inspo!!

Here’s how I’ve been wearing my favorite shorts depending on how much time I had and how much effort I wanted to put in. (Which was very little this month)

Based on what I hear from clients, I think we can sometimes overthink our outfits, especially on days where you have a million other things to do. Maybe they don’t feel styled enough or “interesting” enough.

I hope this shows that you don’t always need all the bells and whistles to create interesting outfits.

Sometimes, it’s just about one category you feel good in that’s easy for you to wear and knowing the levers to adjust to your day and the vibe you want. I love a good short but the same concepts can be applied to a denim short, a trouser short, a pull-on pant or a skirt…

Most of the shorts I have are old but I’ve linked what’s still available and I’ll also include a roundup at the end of my favorite shorts.

Tier 1 - The literal “I need to get dressed in 5 minutes” outfit

Grab a trusty top and the shorts you want to wear and go. That’s it!

Social media is great at providing so much good inspiration but I also feel like it can be misleading because we don’t ever see the mundane outfits.

The “in-between” outfits. The weekend errand outfits. The at-home outfits.

There’s plenty of us wearing non-styled outfits in our everyday lives and my July has been full of them.

Outfit 1 - I love these COS shorts so much. So many of you have told me you tracked them down and they have been one of your favorite pieces this Summer. They are such an easy outfit maker and somehow the heavy weight of the satin almost makes it cooler for hot days? I have a pair of the Doen lace shorts but I find I don’t reach for them as often because while they look great, they are almost so light that they stick to me every chance they get.

Outfit 2 - A graphic tee and sporty short is a classic Summer combo. I like how the green of my shorts don’t exactly match the color combo of the tee but they draw from a similar color story. If we think of color as less about what matches and more about what has synergy, our options opens up. Sometimes even the smallest tweak like rolling the cuff of a tee makes all the difference on super casual days.

Outfit 3 - What I wore to a 4th of July pool hang at a friends house. I am the only person to not care that it’s the 4th of July but somehow accidentally (or subconsciously) manage to leave the house wearing red, white, and blue. My Havaianas always give me a color pop when I need it!

Tier 2 - The “I feel like I need to add something” outfit

That “something” is usually going to be tension. If it’s too hot to layer or you don’t want to overcomplicate it, lean on your accessories:

• Jewelry - I haven’t unpacked all of my jewelry yet so I just have some of my favorites with me but I love a bit of sparkle up against a super casual outfit. There’s something so interesting about a row of sparkles next to a lived-in, weathered piece. Or something really architectural against a very classic or minimal look. Use jewelry to create balance or contrast when you need it. A really simple outfit? Add a cool ear cuff for an understated statement. An oversized fit? A structured cuff to bring definition. A neutral outfit? A fun beaded necklace.

• Bags - They can add texture, color, or shape and help you play with proportions. When going super casual, the bag choice can be the outfit maker. These outfits would have felt too one-note if I chose a regular canvas tote.

• Shoes - A feminine ballet flat, a masculine loafer or boat shoe, a contrast color…one of the easiest ways to add tension to a look.

Also, referring back to this old post from two years ago where I wrote about Zoe Kravitz’s “in-between” outfit formula, I think I do the same without thinking about it by adding in two elements that help the casual looks feel more put together. One element usually doesn’t feel like enough so having that second element feels easy enough to incorporate AND is usually what makes a difference.

Outfit 1 - Same outfit from Tier 1 but I wanted to add some easy tension. Low effort lived-in tee and shorts with higher effort-but it’s actually easy-sparkly necklace and swapping flip flops for satin ballet flats to play with sporty/polished and masculine/feminine. My mesh bag for texture and a bit of tonal color.

Outfit 2 - An old graphic tee and my mesh bag comes in handy again here for subtle color and texture. I love a worn-in tee or super casual look with a bit of sparkles.

Outfit 3 - Basically a combo of the tee and shorts from the other outfits. Using a structured stripe tote and a pendant necklace (my higher effort pieces) to help me feel a bit more put together for leaving the house. Brown/Black/White is a forever combo for me that helps an outfit feel more modern in a subtle way.

Alternatively, I also just wear with my favorite button downs. I like the proportions of an oversized shirt with a shorter short. You can do the same with a slouchy long sleeve tee. Or a cardigan as a top.

Outfit 1 - A sheer shirt to play with textural contrast to the satin shorts. Brown/Black/White combo appears again. It creates a really modern and soothing feel even in very casual outfits!

Outfit 2 - My comfort zone. Wore this for a day of virtual meetings and house appointments. Outfit was very casual and one-note so I just wore my jelly t-strap sandals to give a bit of tension and texture.

Outfit 3 - Same shorts but swapped for a different shirt. I grabbed my house flip flops to run out the house for errands and I took a photo because I loved the color combo of the peach/green/pink. It just made me happy!

Tier 3 - “Shoot, I need to get dressed for dinner” outfit

Remember, we aren’t overthinking it!

No need to start all over and tear apart your entire closet just to put a dinner/social outfit together.

Just wear what you wore earlier but unbutton a couple extra buttons (because “going out tops” are overrated), swap into a sexier shoe, switch to an evening bag.

Personal style isn’t about reinventing the wheel - it’s about repeating and iterating what you already know and love.

Outfit 1 - Brown/White/Black combo makes an appearance again!! Kept my row of sparkles and added a pop of color, or “acidity” as my friend Rachel likes to call it which I think is the best description for that tangy color pop.

Outfit 2 - Same but slightly different. Feeling at ease with your style is about knowing what works and feeling comfortable enough to repeat it. Old favorite button down with a pair of silk shorts. I love blue and black together - feels unexpected but also timeless at the same time! I like the t-strap sandals as they are a great evening option when you want something casual but a bit more sleek.

You know what I’m going to say - add a blazer!

I actually wore this for a day of meetings but I would also easily wear this for nights!

Maybe swap into a kitten heel or add some jewelry but otherwise, I wouldn’t change a thing to go from daytime to a dinner out.

Now for some shorts links - neutrals! color! Ring 3! Mens section! TRR finds!

Read more

One of the questions I often get asked is how I “manage” my wardrobe and what I do to refine my style over time.

It’s something I help my clients with all the time — uploading their wardrobes, adding new purchases, creating look books — but it’s actually something I don’t spend a lot of time on for myself. Even before becoming a stylist, I always just ebbed and flowed without any systems in place. (Note that systems are different than strategy!)

I don’t have an Indyx or any kind of digital wardrobe (though that would have been nice had I known my things would be in 3+ places for the past few years!) , no organized Pinterest boards, no look books where I create outfits for myself…just a folder of screenshots and my outfit selfies.

It’s funny because I actually never took outfit selfies until I started to seriously think about writing this newsletter and becoming a stylist and I realized, “I need some content!” but it’s actually a really helpful tool that I keep going back to as I evolve my style.

So much of what we we consume these days are focused on the present performative moment — the “It” new pieces or brands, the new styling tricks to try, and whatever the cool girls are wearing now — but none of this really matters if you don’t know what you want from your own style.

What actually helps your style is understanding the through lines and context behind the outfits that were (ie: the past)

It’s the same reason designers and stylists reference archives - there is something to be understood and learned from the things that have already been created. There’s history and meaning that gives you context.

Without that, the rest is just noise.

Which is why one of the things I always encourage clients to do is take outfit selfies for reference.

There’s so many great benefits to this - to help you get dressed on the days you have no clue what to wear, to inspire yourself with outfits you felt great in, to have a point of reference as you evolve their style over time.

Think of it like your own personal archive!

I was thinking about all of this as I was unpacking from our move. We packed our things in LA thinking we would unpack everything within 6 months and those 6 months turned into four years(?!) so seeing the things I had boxed up took me down memory lane.

So, I scrolled through ~4 years of outfit selfies and here’s what I’ve learned about my style — the good, the bad, the question marks.

(The rest of my camera roll consists of dog photos, client photos, random nature scenes, and food pics I never post but take like a professional.)

I hope this exercise can show you that you don’t need all the tools and systems to get some quick clarity on your style. Sometimes you just need to stop focusing so much on the present and look at the past to help tell your style story.

The good outfits help you refine your style language — what you feel most comfortable in, what you aspire to, what you emotionally connect with. They connect what sometimes feels like an impromptu choice into bigger themes that inform what authentic dressing means for you.

The bad outfits often bring more clarity than the good ones in my opinion. And no good style comes without bad outfits.

Those times you wear an outfit and just feel off but can’t quite put your finger on what it is? There’s themes there too if you take the time to look.

The purchases you continue to buy even though you rarely reach for them? That’s the building blocks of becoming a more intentional observer vs a consumer - the noticeable shift from a dopamine-rushed “I want that” or “I’m going to buy it because it looks cute on her” to a calm and grounding “I love it but it’s not for me”.

The fun part of your style journey is figuring out the nuances of your style — what you like vs what you dislike, what you feel best in vs what feels like a costume. The nuance is what can take years and years to uncover. It’s the sticky middle that can be so fun to figure out and it doesn’t happen overnight.

Remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint!

Subscribe now

First, the things I feel REALLY GOOD about when it comes to my style!

1. I Feel The Best In White

When I look at these outfits compared to others, I can sense the difference even now just looking at photos. It’s a feeling of strength and a sense of calm at the same time. White can feel sharp and relaxed so it inherently has that interesting tension built in that speaks to my style language:

• Modern (sharp)

• Lived-In (relaxed)

• Unexpected

You know how I always say don’t be precious with your white clothes? I think it’s because I clearly have had years of practice getting them dirty or stained that I must have built up a tolerance! Life is too short not to wear what you want to wear :)

Also, a Tide pen helps.

This is also the essence behind what I mean when I say the best way to find your style is through repetition and iteration.

Figuring out what feels like you and then continuing to come back to it. That’s how you hone your style. Whether it’s something as bold as a statement piece, or something as simple as just liking white outfits!

It’s like starting a new hobby or a workout. You have to put the reps in until it no longer feels new and uncomfortable. Through enough repetition of outfits, you’ll get more comfortable with it to where it just feels like a second skin.

White As A Signature

2. If It Can’t Be White, Then Tonal Feels Just Right

All black, shades of denim, tonal shades, monochrome…

I always say tonal and monochrome is the quickest way to expedite your chic and I find I reach for this type of dressing because it just helps me get ready quickly while still making me feel good.

I also like this for my clients because there’s something for everyone:

• If you want minimal or modern, shades of Black, White, Navy, or Grey are an easy way to do this

• If you love color, shades of red, blues, greens (really anything!)

• If you prefer to be more casual, shades of denim or khaki or olive

• If you want interest or texture, similar shades but in silk, leather, or embellishment

Focusing on tones, not specific colors

3. One Good Dress Is All You Need

I tend to find one great dress and stick to it. Repeating as often as I want. Dress it up, dress it down. Wear it on a weekday, wear it on a trip. Wear it in the city, wear it in the country. Wear it in the evenings, wear it to a wedding.

It’s not that I don’t have more than just these dresses but I don’t feel the need to rely on a new dress to feel “ready” for something on my calendar. You start thinking less about what everyone else is wearing, or getting stuck on a dress code, once you find a dress you feel great in!

Dress for your vibe, not the location.

4. The Same With Prints

You’ve heard me say this before but prints are an emotional buy. Meaning that you need to really resonate with it in order to not get sick of it after a year. (Unless it’s a vintage or graphic tee, which I think no one can ever get sick of!)

Similar to dresses, prints can feel like a default purchase to make your wardrobe more fun and interesting but without that emotional resonance, it’s something that I see people get sick of faster than neutrals. It’s a common blindspot and one of the most common thing I edit out of clients’ closets.

The same goes for “classic” prints. If you love a stripe or dot, find one good one and repeat it vs filling your closet with variations and then feeling like you never want to wear your favorite print again!

And if you need a refresher on the idea of depth (more of the same) vs breadth (variety), check it out here!

Read more

Life is life-ing right now!

We just moved into our (almost) ready home this past weekend and it was chaotic to say the least and there’s still a lot of work to do but it’s an amazing feeling to finally have a place to officially call home.

This newsletter is inspired by this pair of Donni. pants that just arrived at my doorstep yesterday. As al…

Read more

Hi Readers,

Welcome to the Summer edition of Ask Angie Anything!

Every season or so, I open up the community chat for paid subscribers to ask me anything they want help with.

Here’s what we’ll cover today and I go over these in detail so I hope it helps!

• Quality & Purchasing Decisions

  • brands that are good quality (without costing the world!)

  • how to determine if a brand/product is worth the hype (ie: Substack darlings that might make you feel like you are missing out if you don’t buy it)

• Style & Fit

  • What to look for in denim jackets

  • Wider foot shoe options

  • What to look for in denim (ie: how to choose a pair/know if a pair are too big or intentionally big)

  • Oversized blazers for Petites

• Styling & Proportions

  • How to make supportive shoes look more cohesive with outfits

  • Summer slip dress styling

  • Button up shirt styling tutorial

  • How to style relaxed clothes without looking frumpy/messy

Read more

What I love about Summer is how carefree it is.

The sun is out, everyone is thriving in their Summer glow, there’s trips to look forward to (and for the lucky few, Summer Fridays) and there’s a freedom in the air and in how we dress.

My two Summer vibes are either: Very minimal and simple…style I like to call “barely there” OR loaded up with c…

Read more

Hello Readers,

I’ve always believed in fashion and style as a holistic and intuitive medium of self-expression.

Style isn’t just about the clothes you wear. It’s about the person you want to represent to the world — your thoughts, emotions, values, and beliefs.

Your outfit has the ability to send a clear message the moment you walk in the door before even …

Read more

Thanks for tuning in. Angie Uh wrote an incredibly primer on white jeans (—sorry to embarrass you, but it’s true -Rach), and I think it’s an area where we all have questions and dream of getting it right.

So we did a lunch time video. I tried on 5 pairs of white jeans and Angie gave a really helpful, really specific pointers on what to notice, styling and more.

Read more

Hi Readers,

Welcome to the June issue of the Monthly High-Five!

5 Things I’m Loving

I’ve been doing a lot of client shopping lately and it’s been so fun to live vicariously through my clients (a trip to Paris, a holiday in Portugal, upcoming wedding season, a new job promotion to name a few!). My clients are great at building a list of everything they need to buy for trips but I always try to ground back to…”but would you wear this in your everyday too?”

Why is it that shopping for our aspirational life can be so much easier than shopping for our everyday life?!

So here’s some pieces that remind me of some new-ish and old pieces I find myself reaching for in the Summer.

4 Ways To Style

This month’s picks are a bit of a random mix so here are just some ways I’m thinking about styling these!

As always, I like to repeat some of the same pieces throughout so you can get some ideas for how to restyle in new ways whether it’s one of these pieces or something similar that you might already have in your closet.

TOP + BAG + NECKLACE:

Styling Notes:

Look 1 // I like how the print of this top reads more like texture than a true pattern. I love the Burgundy paired back to Olive to ground it in an unexpected way. I also think it’s fun to play with tonality through a low-risk item like a sandal.

Look 2// Simplicity always wins. One of those tops that has enough detail that you can just throw on with your favorite everyday shorts and still feel interesting and put together!

Styling Notes:

Look 3// My failsafe casual evening look is a pair of great denim, a little bit of heel, and an interesting bag. The structured clutch and strappy heel balance out the bohemian vibe of the jean and I like pairing with a piece of jewelry that has a bit of movement to it.

Look 4// Whenever you have a really casual piece and you want to dress it up, balance with more formal or tailored pieces like the blazer, trouser, and elevated shoe. Neutrals don’t need to be boring - I love how the cream/burgundy/brown/green all work together to create a dimensional look.

SPORTY SHORTS:

(styling in a couple of other colors but you can take the same concept and apply regardless of which color you get!)

Styling Notes:

Look 1// I love a graphic tee with any type of non-solid pant (stripe, track, pattern). It just always works! The blues are different but still work because they are within the same color family. Whenever an outfit feels a bit simple, I layer in texture through accessories just to add that unexpected interest.

Look 2// We all have a great sweatshirt and this feels like such an easy everyday pairing. Wear for school drop off, for a morning coffee run, for a casual lunch. Similar to look 1, adding texture through the bag and even doing a colored sunglass vs a solid lens can keep the outfit from feeling too flat.

Look 3// The reason I love this shirt is specifically the color. It’s the perfect shade of blue that works with everything and I love it with black because it softens the edge. You could always go more minimal with a black sandal but it’s Summer so have fun with your shoe!

Look 4// Yes, we can take a sporty short and make it feel elevated enough for dinner! Keep the base tonal so it feels more refined and layer in some structure to balance out the chill. I styled with a sandal but a strappy kitten heel would be so cute too!

Subscribe now

3 Other Sporty Shorts!

A few more options I have seen and saved because I just love them!

Additional Ideas!

I purchased the COS track shorts linked above but unfortunately they are now almost sold out. usually pull the links 2-3 weeks before the newsletter goes out but with all the ongoing sales, it’s hard to know what will sell out in advance.

Anyway, they are amazing. It’s just a rayon so it doesn’t feel as precious as silk but the fabric weight is luxurious — so heavy and substantial which I love. Also comes in a gorgeous brown.

For reference, I’m 5’4” and got the 6. The waistband is a bit more snug as it’s a wider band with a lot of recovery but I don’t mind. Inseam is about 2 1/2” so similar to the Gap shorts.

I always try on 3-5 outfits to make sure any new purchase will actually get worn once it lands in my closet. That I can style with pieces I already own with ease and have them feel like me. If I love the outfits, I know it’s a winner. If I have to style out different options until I land on one that “works” for me, I know it’s probably not the one.

Styling Notes:

I plan to wear these more casually so I style out my usual check list for outfits:

• an everyday tee (If you can’t make something work with a tee, you probably just don’t like the item as much as you think you do!)

• an old favorite (One of the best ways to get comfortable wearing new purchases is to wear with old pieces. I find it helps ground new pieces back to you and feels more lived-in than if you were wearing new purchases head-to-toe.)

• a dressed up version (I style this way mainly because I travel a lot so I want options that can take me from day-to-night. Love a sporty short with a blazer and I think a sandal would work but I tried with a ballet flat to create a bit of tension and loved!)

• You could definitely dress down and make more sporty with a sneaker (I only have my beat up Nikes with me so I didn’t try styling this way) or dress up with a little kitten heel.

2 Quick Styling Updates

We are heading into peak summer and schedules are getting busy! Just want to share an update on where I’m at for working with new clients:

• Office Hours (1 Hour Sessions) + Style Renew Service (where we maximize the most of what you already have + shop for key gaps): Now booking July. I have a few spots left for 1 hours and 1 last spot for the Style Renew so if you have upcoming travel/outfit/wardrobe needs for Summer, reach out!

• Style Reset (my end-to-end style transformation service): Now booking August/September.

• I’m always available to hop on a call to see which service is best and make sure we are a good fit to work together. You can find time here and I hope to meet you!

1 Quote I’m Resonating With

Thank you for reading! Whether it’s your first time or your 100th, I’m grateful for your readership and support. See you next week!

xx,

Angie

Before we dive in, I had to share the rib tank and mesh tote (also here with free shipping/returns if you are in the US) I featured in May’s High-Five.

They are both so good and such easy low-effort high-impact outfit makers which I’m always on the hunt for.

Both arrived last night and I immediately wore it today.

Review of the tank further be…

Read more

Denim is always a hot topic in client sessions because I think most of us are a “jeans and tee” kinda girl at heart.

And denim is a category that is so simple, yet if you don’t have the right fit, it can really make or break how you feel in an outfit.

As the temps get warmer, what is it about white denim in particular that feels so…elusive?

They can’t be too tight, too flared, too short, too heavily detailed, too stiff, and definitely not (too) stretchy.

Not to mention the other details outside of the actual garment…

They can’t look too preppy, too stuffy, too boring, and what if they get dirty?!

So we’re going to talk about why that is, what to look for, and the ways you can style them.

But first, a bit of history on white jeans.

I think the history is interesting context because our experiences and influences may inform the way we think about white denim for ourselves.

When a client tells me that they can never find a good pair of white jeans, I ask them to show me what they have so I can help troubleshoot because it’s never the body that’s the issue. It’s the execution.

9 out of 10 times, you are most likely just looking for the wrong thing!

The good news: You don’t need to spend a lot on white denim.

If we are looking for something that snatches your waist and lifts your butt, we might need to focus more on that premium denim with a perfect engineered fit.

But with white denim? We are looking more for that ease, the soft slouch, the lived-in quality which can actually be easily achieved as long as you know what you are looking for.

Everything else is an easy alteration!

So - if you don’t love your white jeans, these may be some of the reasons why the jeans you currently have don’t feel “cool” enough and what you can look for instead!

Subscribe now

1. They Are Too Short

I’m ok with a slightly cropped white jean, especially if it’s a straight or tapered leg.

But you want to be mindful of where it hits — too short and it looks unintentional and like a mistake. Having a super cropped length will also break up the long visual of your bottom half which we need to create balanced proportions.

2. They Are Too Tight

I don’t have many rules when it comes to clothes but the one rule I do have: Almost always size up in white denim. At minimum, one size, especially in a straight leg. If you really want that intentionally slouchy look from all those inspiration images you saved, going up two sizes usually does the trick!

Ease = all about looking and feeling comfortable, not restricted

It’s not about buying the most expensive pair. It’s about executing any pair to look cool and intentional. And that can be as easy as just choosing a different size than you are used to.

Remember, buy for the fit, not for the size!

*Caveat - Look at the brand’s fit intent. If it’s intentionally designed to be low slung, baggy, or wider through the hips and leg, you can usually go with your true size. Everything else, size up.

**You can always try the Mens dept for a looser, longer fit of white denim. Like these for a classic option. They will have a longer J stitch and rise which can create that straighter, low slung visual around the hip area.

3. They Are Too Stretchy

There is a certain time and place for stretch jeans - I like a clean stretch dark denim in a wide leg or flare for the office and a light wash blue stretch denim is great if you want that everyday look that still offers a comfort fit as you move throughout your day.

But white denim is not a place for stretch (IMO) because it does the opposite of what makes white denim so great, which is creating that relaxed ease.

Not to mention it shows everything.

And if you need to do a stretch denim for whatever reason, opt for a wider leg shape so there’s more intentional ease built in throughout. Or, I also don’t mind an ecru wash as it helps the stretch denim feel more lived-in vs an optic white. It can also give you a bit of that 70s vintage feel in more flared silhouettes.

An old pair of stretch ecru denim I love is from AYR (I think the style is called “The Must” and they still pop up sometimes on secondhand sites). They stopped producing it but it’s still one of my favorites and I think a good example of what I look for if doing stretch in a white/cream shade — wider leg, lived-in wash, and sized up 2 sizes so it feels more relaxed.

4. They Are Too Frayed (or distressed)

Some design details just visually date more than others and this is one of them for me.

Unless you have a really beachy, boho vibe, skip or edit out any fraying or distressed details.

5. They Feel Too Precious

This is not a fit or design problem, it’s a comfort level problem.

Easiest fix? Increase your exposure to it!

Regardless if it’s a pair of white jeans or a white silk blouse, the more you wear it, the less friction you create between you and the garment.

Less friction = more ease (like habit building, the more you do it, the easier it becomes!)

It’s just about removing the barrier and self-imposed guardrails when you get dressed!

You are always hearing “Don’t save your nice things for a special day”…but it can be easier said than done. I think white denim is one of the lower stakes “precious” garments we can wear.

Why?

• You can find an inexpensive pair - Everyone from Gap and Uniqlo to secondhand stores carry them.

• They are made almost entirely of 100% cotton which is one of the most durable natural fibers produced.

• They are easy care - throw them in the wash and fully dry them as many times as you want. They will survive I promise!

And some tips if you are stain-prone like me:

• Carry a Tide pen. This has saved me on countless occasions with everything from red wine to kimchi to pizza sauce. Just apply it to the stain as soon as it happens to lift the stain. I do this all the time when I travel and even if I can’t wash my jeans right away, the stains always come out.

• Add a little bleach. You can include a tiny bit into your wash if doing all whites or a trick I learned from my mom is to get a q-tip and soak it in a bit of bleach. Lightly brush it onto the stain and let it sit for no more than 5 minutes (the more delicate the fabric, the less time the bleach should sit on it). And then throw in the wash like you normally do. Works every time. (Don’t do this on delicates!)

• Be ok with the imperfections. Remember, patina is what makes our clothes feel personal. Let your white denim be a sign of a life well-lived. Let it breathe and move with you. The imperfection is what actually makes it perfect!

Ok, now onto some styling ideas!

What I personally love about white denim is the restraint that comes with it.

It’s not the type of clothing that requires you to put in a lot of effort.

And when it gets hot and our schedules get busy, that’s exactly the type of piece I’m reaching for in the Summer.

Note that these are specifically denim looks but you can easily apply with a white cotton trouser, a white linen pant, whatever you have!

Read more

One of my goals as a stylist is to help my clients (and you!) maximize their wardrobes — styling pieces in new ways, filling in the gaps so you can create a range of new options with just one piece, and troubleshooting outfits so that they become something you always want to wear vs never want to reach for.

My other goal is to help you become …

Read more

Hi Readers,

Welcome to the May issue of the Monthly High-Five and to 2 years of The Found Journal!

Thank you for being here, for trusting and supporting my work, and helping to build this community together 🫶

We made the drive back up to New York this weekend and it’s nice to be back just in time for the start of the Spring bloom. There’s a nice buzz in the air as everyone starts to welcome the sound of birds, the smell of fresh cut grass, and the start of warmer days ahead. Little sparkles in daily life that I took for granted sometimes living in California where we were spoiled with good weather year round.

The month will be focused on finishing up renovations at our new home so that we can hopefully move in by next month (!!).

I’m excited for my husband, Ollie, and I to finally have a place we can truly call home after 4 years of nomadic life. Writing these newsletters and creating content from house to house, airbnb to airbnb, and on the road and at the airports for the past two years has finally caught up to me now that I have a permanent sight in my view. I’ve been feeling a bit of chaotic unrest the last few months so I’m looking forward to the fresh energy and creativity that can bloom from being in a grounded space. Here’s to new beginnings!

5 Things I’m Loving

It’s actually still quite cold on the east coast so we’ll be inching our way towards warmer weather styling soon. Here’s some new pieces I’ve pulled for clients or that I have on my wishlist that I can’t get out of my head.

4 Ways To Style

Here’s some ways I’d think about styling them across end uses!

As always, I like to repeat some of the same pieces throughout so you can get some ideas for how to restyle in new ways whether it’s one of these pieces or something similar that you might already have in your closet.

Subscribe now

3 Pieces I Can’t Stop Wearing

If you know me, you know I go through phases of wearing and re-wearing the same pieces for weeks at a time. I like to do this because: 1) It reduces decision fatigue when I’m really busy 2) It forces me to get creative to remix and restyle 3) It allows me to rotate different pieces throughout the season so I wear more of what I have.

This past month I’ve been running around all over the place so I’ve been relying on easy and comfortable pieces that I can just restyle in quick ways.

Frank & Eileen Shirt (wearing size S) - This was gifted by the brand and I was a bit hesitant to accept as I wasn’t sure if it would execute IRL but once trying it on, it’s actually quite genius. It’s like a button down cardigan but in a t-shirt quality and weight. If you feel like you are always searching for good everyday staples that aren’t super basic, this is worth trying. I chose the cotton jersey but they also do a sweatshirt weight.

DL1961 Jeans - I feel like this is a sleeper denim brand but it has deep roots in denim. Family-owned factories and sustainability-led with circularity design initiatives. I was familiar with the brand from my last company as their denim were some of our best sellers in that it just seemed to fit so many different types of women. It personally didn’t fit my style back then but I feel like they’ve really tried to modernize the offering in recent years. My first pair were these from last year and it’s my only mid-wash jean I own. My wash is sold out but this is same style which I got in the longer 31” inseam (I’m 5’4”) as I wanted it to hit more full length and less barrel-like. They are the ones I reach for when I’m in the “want to be comfy but still want to wear jeans” mood (along with my Roucha pair) ie: when I’m bloated or on my period!

The brand asked me to try out some of their new denim so I chose these and they are SO soft as it’s blended with tencel. Super lightweight and washed down so it’s a great option if you want something really comfy that doesn’t feel heavy in warmer weather. It’s also been a great WFH jean as they feel loungey. Also, a similar option in that perfect shade of pink I’ve been loving!!

Anyway, they are just an easy everyday denim I’ve been leaning on.

Kallmeyer Tee - This is the first stripe I’ve owned in probably 20 years aside from button downs. I saw this in the store and was drawn to the creamy color which helped it feel a bit more womenswear, less juniors section if you know what I mean!! And I love the super subtle red embroidered logo just to give it a little pop. I’m a sucker for things that only the wearer can really see or feel. I wanted it to fit quite straight as I originally envisioned wearing it with mini shorts but if you want really slouchy and oversized, I’d size up. It’s been great for WFH days, to dress down more tailored pieces, and as a layering tool.

2 Things I’m Excited To Rewear

I’m excited to be reunited with the rest of my wardrobe soon. Part of it was packed up last May, the other half has been in storage since 2022(!!). There’s a lot of pieces I really miss and can’t wait to rewear. And I’m sure a lot of pieces I forgot I had…!

I think it could be a fun and helpful topic for a future newsletter once I get to unpacking everything. Some things I’m thinking about:

• learnings from what I kept and what I let go of (I didn’t do a huge edit when we first moved from LA because I thought I’d have the chance to unpack 6 months later, not 4 years later…)

• closet tour (I get asked about this often. No idea what it would be of but thinking I could try a live?)

• styling session (this has been on my list but I wanted to wait until I have my full wardrobe with me!)

Here’s two other pieces that I can’t wait to wear again that are still available…

A good non-basic jean

I’ve owned mine for years and have turned so many friends and clients onto these. They just have that cool, unexpected vintage-like feel and I always feel great in them. Runs big so size down once for a fit like mine.

This Leset Niko Set (Top + Bottom; wearing size S in both)

It’s actually not a set but they offer matching pieces. I don’t usually buy sets unless I know I can wear both the top and bottom a ton of ways individually. This set is as easy as it goes and whenever I share it, other people always message me to tell me how much they love theirs too.

Super airy and lightweight, the perfect shade of soft brown that looks good on everyone, and just the right amount of sheerness. I love wearing the bottoms as a coverup with a bathing suit in the Summer. Otherwise, I wear a skin-colored boy short, longer oversized tops, or something around the waist for extra coverage.

Note: It says ‘dry clean only’ as ramie is a very delicate fabric. I tested washing it and it was fine but you do have to be attentive. I hand washed cold very gently, got the water out and laid flat so the fabric doesn’t crinkle and once it got a bit dry, I steamed it out so it wouldn’t shrink up.

1 Quote I’m Resonating With

Thank you for reading! Whether it’s your first time or your 100th, I’m grateful for your readership and support. See you next week!

xx,

Angie

Hi Readers,

We are concluding our April workwear month with your travel-related workwear questions, specifically around packability and versatile travel capsules.

I’ve shared my backstory before but in case you are newer to The Found Journal: Before I became a stylist, I had a…

Read more

I’m back with part II of the Spring Workwear AMA from our chat.

Catch up on Part I here!

Today we’ll cover:

• Office dressing for hot weather climates

• Color! - Last week, I shared how to make neutrals more interesting. This week, we’ll explore how to incorporate color into workwear outfits in a wearable way. I’ll share easy color formulas and combinations presented in three tiers (beginners to advanced!)

• Additional try-ons and styling from workwear brands requested like Me & Em, Toteme, and Argent will be sprinkled throughout!

Note that this newsletter is running long so I’m going to add a Part III next week focused on the requested workwear travel & packing!

Subscribe now

HOT WEATHER DRESSING

Reader Questions:

“professional options that look polished in hot (and humid) places - Orlando, NOLA, Texas, LA - that don’t read as “summer clothes”

“Professional office dressing (e.g. law) for warm weather where it’s hot outside and cold in the AC inside but you can’t wear sleeveless tops.”

Read more

Something I think we’ve all been noticing for awhile is the shift in how we think about workwear.

Similar to how we lived in athleisure and had to learn how to get dressed again coming out of the pandemic - but then there was a noticeable shift in how we got dressed again - we no longer need to think of workwear as a boring black suit and white button down.

Work place environments and dress codes have relaxed. Even if you go in 5 days a week, or you are in a more professional environment like law or finance, there’s less rigidity.

My clients that come to me needing help with updating their workwear all share the same feeling: They want to look and feel professional but they also want to feel creative and interesting and have a POV.

They’ve spent their time trying to build the “suitable” workwear wardrobe but it doesn’t actually feel enjoyable. It feels monotonous.

And while the outfits are perfectly fine for their workplace environments, it’s disconnected from who they are as an individual.

I’m here to show you that you can show your personality while also reflecting your position. The two can happily coexist!

So, I want to explore less about “what does my workwear wardrobe need?” and more about “what do I want my workwear to do for me and what levers can support that?”

Because at some point, it’s no longer a question of knowing how to dress for work to meet the level of appropriateness or filling the foundational gaps. It’s knowing how you want to dress for work.

There’s a difference. It’s a simple, but powerful, shift that moves you out of dressing the way you think you should be dressed and not feeling like yourself and into operating from a place of clarity. It creates agency.

Agency to clearly communicate who you are, how you choose to show up, and the level at which you operate.

I’ve personally never worked in a corporate environment but I work with many clients that do. I’ve been in fashion my entire career and operated in very relaxed dress codes. They were all very “you do you” vibes - which I think is actually a benefit here because I can hopefully offer a fresh perspective!

However, I thought I’d bring in some support because I do think it’s so helpful to hear from women actually “walking the walk” on their daily commutes.

I’ve enlisted the help of some writers whose newsletters incorporate a lot of workwear dressing. I’ll introduce them below to share their credentials and they’ll be sharing their tips and favorite pieces throughout the newsletter for us!

• Libby Mccurrach of “You Look Great”

  • Why I love her - Libby’s newsletters are lighthearted and fun and I love how she has a timeless look to her style while still incorporating loads of personality in a subtle, authentic way. Need office retreat/conference outfit ideas? Right this way!

  • Favorite workwear piece: “Sézane max shirt and the J.Crew Etienne shirt which is very similar (I have it in both white and blue)”

    

• Meighan Grady of “I Think It’s Brave”

  • Why I love her - She writes (among other things that are brave!) a weekly corporate office outfit diary series. Relatable, approachable, and real life inspiration!

  • Favorite workwear piece: “I must admit, it can be tough and take time to find hero pieces for work. I like a vest for warmer weather, and there are so many good options on the market right now. I am personally incorporating this yellow one from Me+Em.”

    

• Lindsay Sword of “Fashion Soup”

  • Why I love her - Lindsay’s newsletters are part retail insider knowledge-part real world dressing moments and everything in-between, including menswear. I love her mix of masculine-feminine and she’s a fellow blazer aficionado. Fashion soup indeed!!

  • Favorite workwear piece: “For workwear denim, I always lean into a clean wide-leg trouser shape like these (love a white trouser jean for the summer) or these.”

    

I pulled together the most requested topics from paid subscribers and will be breaking it up across two newsletters.

This week:

• how to make neutrals feel less boring and basic

• non-wide leg trouser options

• black trouser alternatives

• alternatives to the white oxford (ie: polished workwear tops)

• comfy shoes!! (what actually will carry you through 10K+ steps a day)

Next week:

• color!! (how to incorporate color in a non-typical way + links)

• how to dress for hot weather climates

• travel clothes (what to wear that doesn’t wrinkle like crazy, how to pack to cover different activities/formalities)

• additional try-ons (further reviews on sizing and quality for requested workwear brands like Me +Em, Toteme, and Argent)

A note about the styling:

I don’t own much of true workwear clothes based on my lifestyle so I’m doing something a bit different this time — I pulled a bunch of pieces to try-on for you as I know seeing something on body can be more helpful than just a product link. A handful of pieces were gifted but the majority were purchased on my own for this newsletter so that I could give you a better visual of how to interpret a piece into real life. Also, I styled with the same shoes and accessories since I don’t have a lot of options with me so I’ve noted additional styling tips for these!

This is just my own thought process and POV on how I would go about styling for different types of environments and budgets, whether for myself or for a client.

Similar to how I style my product highlights for the monthly high-five, I wanted to style the same pieces across the spectrum for three different intents:

• CASUAL - The relaxed lever. For those who WFH but want to still get dressed in a way that helps you feel productive. Or, maybe you work in a very casual office place but you still want to put in some effort. This is also a great lever if you are someone on the other end of the spectrum but want to wear your workwear in more casual ways outside the office to maximize it.

• CREATIVE - The “personality” lever. Think of this as the in-between space within the spectrum where you want to feel chill but polished. Use different levers to dial it back down to ‘casual’ or dial it up to ‘corporate’.

• CORPORATE - The most formal lever. It doesn’t mean you need to work in a corporate setting (I just couldn’t think of another word that started with a “C”!). Whether this is your full 9-5 environment or maybe you are mainly casual but 1-2x/year you have to be in a corporate setting or speak at a conference. If some of the looks or pieces feel too corporate, dial it down and inject some of the casual or creative aspects.

  • As this is the most formal lever, I kept in mind the following:

    • Traditional pieces (whether in cut, fit, fabric, and/or color)

    • modest coverage and styling

    • a level of “sharpness” and strength in both the pieces and the styling

Let’s dive in!

Subscribe now

NEUTRALS DON’T NEED TO BE BORING AND SAD

1. Black and Navy clothing can signal authority and trust in a workplace setting but if you are wearing these colors in an expected, traditional way, it can actually make you feel like the opposite.

You know me, I’ll always love a neutral so here’s what I think about if I’m styling traditional colors like Black or Navy:

• Create a strong POV through intentional shapes (defined shoulders and waists, a sharp shoe, full length pants for visual impact)

• Introduce a more modern interpretation of a traditional piece like a blazer or trouser

• We want to avoid one-note dressing here and that goes for fabrications too. If you are doing a solid wool jacket solid wool pants, the outfit is going to fall flat. There’s no interest in texture or dimension so incorporate through mixing of fabrics (silk with cashmere, lace with wool etc) or by adding color/pattern/texture/hardware from layering or accessories.

• Play with a sharper contrast through shoes or accessories to signal boldness

What I styled:

• Mango Crop Blazer - I actually was hoping to get this one but I’m still on the waitlist so I pulled this Mango one instead and honestly, it’s pretty great for the price point. It’s got a good weight that feels substantial but not bulky and I love the fit. (I’m holding out for the Almada version but if I kept this, I’d swap the buttons out!)

• Toteme Pants - Ok, if you only get one work pant this season, let it be this one (white version here). It is beautifully cut and constructed (l’m a sucker for a clean finished seam), it’s black but definitely not sad, AND it’s an interesting cut. I still love a wide leg but I think whenever the pendulum swings too far, we naturally gravitate towards a different silhouette which is why some of us may be craving a straight leg trouser.

Other black and navy modern blazer jackets -

Other black and navy trousers (focused on non-wide leg; colorful options coming next week!) -

2. If you want to wear a neutral for Spring, may I suggest shades of White and Cream or Khaki?

If you have been too scared of the lighter colors because they can get dirty, just remember you can always wash it! And I bring a Tide pen with me everywhere :)

Similar to the black and navy blazers above, I like a white/cream piece to have a more modern or unexpected cut so it feels fresh vs too formal or traditional. And playing with this color in seasonal fabrics like a linen or cotton blend help it feel more lived-in and less precious.

Showing two examples below…I also am obsessed with the cut of this with the matching trouser (sold out in most sizes but there’s a lucky M!).

What I styled: J. Crew Gramercy Linen Margeaux Lady Jacket

(wearing size 6)

Quick note on white trousers - I pulled almost 10 options to try and find a pair that were lined or not see-through and…it was hard. I looked at options from Toteme and Rohè and down to Tuckernuck and Banana Republic.

I wanted to find a pair similar to my Wardrobe NYC ones (these are the same ones but with a tuxedo stripe) which are 100% wool, fully lined in cotton.

Unfortunately most brands either don’t line white pants or the sites fail to accurately describe it (ie: the description will share that its fully lined but it’s actually only a pocket lining). These Vince cotton ones are great if you are looking for a business casual option. Or, I’d go for something denser where you don’t have to worry about anything showing through. And if you have a casual dress code, I’d go more intentionally sheer like my Tibi ones!

What I Styled: Zara linen blazer

(wearing size S; also love this color - 100% linen is a fabrication that I don’t really spend a lot for unless I’m looking for a very specific dense structured piece. Otherwise, I prefer a blend that provides a more luxe feel)

3. Lastly, I’m loving a cool grey.

I love a light grey in wool as it has a really beautiful melange texture to it, feels light for the season but still professional, and feels unexpected in a sea of black and navy.

Many of you liked this Toteme blazer shown in my last newsletter. I pulled it for the workwear newsletter but didn’t realize how quickly it would sell out :(

I think I found a good alternative so including it below but also check TRR as I usually see blazers from this brand pop up.

THE PENCIL SKIRT

Want something polished like a trouser and comfortable and light to wear for warmer months? Let me re-introduce you to the pencil skirt.

I know what you are thinking…

A few styling notes:

• Fit - I prefer a lower slung fit so it feels subtly feminine and sexy to the wearer and this will work across above knee/below knee lengths. If you need to do a high waist, then choose an option that’s longer and hits around the midi length to elongate the frame and help it from feeling like a 2015 pencil skirt.

• Shoes - I feel like this is important! Any open toe shoe will work here (sandal, slide, strappy kitten heel) or a sharper slingback/pump (more corporate/formal). Avoid anything rounded or any flat shoes as it will look and feel frumpy. If you need to do a closed toe flat shoe, maybeeeee something pointed and sharp like this but I’d do with a longer midi length. I’m not opposed to a slim sneaker or loafer with a midi pencil and a strappy tank for a casual look but the key is to show more skin elsewhere for balance.

What I Styled: The Frankie Shop Midi Skirt

(Wearing size M so it sits lower. Love the weight and it has a bit of stretch so it feels easy to walk and move in. I also like the front slit as it feels more versatile to wear casually.)

I also think a tailored pencil skirt in black feels like a great alternative to the traditional black trouser for Spring/Summer -

Read more