We all want that magic formula to look and feel our best. That special ingredient that makes an outfit truly shine, turning even basic pieces into a jaw-dropping ensemble.

Well good news! I'm revealing the secret to instantly upgrading your style: leans in, looks around, and whispers Texture!

I know, it sounds almost too basic. But trust me - thoughtfully playing with textures in your looks is guaranteed to elevate your outfits in an instant, without spending a dime! Let's dive into how this style magic works...

What exactly is texture in clothing?

I know you're familiar with the concept of texture—rough, smooth, bumpy, etc. But texture means something a bit more nuanced when it comes to clothing. It's about fabrics that add visual and tactile interest beyond basic flat woven cottons, basic polyesters, and uniform knits. I'm talking cozy cables rather than plain knit, lustrous satins over matte jerseys, nubby bouclés in place of a basic cardigan. See the difference? Texture in fashion is all about picking pieces with extra-special and dimensional fabrics. Ones that add oomph you can both see and feel!

So while a crisp white button down has texture in the technical sense, it doesn't bring the spirit of texture to an outfit. Now a silk button-down with trim, embroidery, and sheen...that's texture! In other words, it's all about the fabric both feeling and looking distinctive.

And the best news is that texture doesn’t have to make things scratchy or uncomfortable. These days you can score cozy cable knits, buttery soft faux leathers and silky smooth satins that feel like heaven. Its a win-win!

Why texture is your new BFF for effortless style

Texture adds two very excellent things to your outfit: eye-catching visual interest and expression of your unique style. Let’s explore what exactly this does for your look.

Eye-catching visual interest

We humans are visual creatures and tend to equate visual complexity with effort and intention. An intricately textured outfit appears thoughtfully curated compared to something simple. Our brains actually perceive busier ensembles with more visual depth and dimension as having an elevated aesthetic. In other words, texture makes your outfit way more visually interesting which automatically amps up the style factor.

I know some of you are skeptics shaking your heads...but hear me out! Think of Times Square with all its bright lights, billboards, and madness versus a quiet dirt road. Which seems more impressive and exciting? It's the same with outfits! A sequin skirt catches the light differently than a cotton one, a bouclé coat has more visual depth than a felt one. Even if you don't personally like busy patterns, our brains see intricacy and think "ooh la la!"

This is especially great news for my neutral loving friends! Texture adds so much visual interest that you don't need loud colors or prints. Pair a coffee-colored ribbed sweater with camel suede trousers for warmth, depth and tons of texture. Top beige jeans with an off-white bouclé jacket. See how it instantly turns a simple neutral outfit into a feast for the eyes while still being subtle? That, my friends, is the power of textured fabrics!

Expression of your unique style

Additionally, different textures project distinct vibes that speak to who you are. For example, smooth leathers or sleek satins may signify an edgy, fiercely chic aesthetic. While cozy cable knits express a relaxed, casual elegance or tactile nubby tweeds feel academic and sophisticated. Metallic meshes and glittering sequins read glamorous and statement-making - you get the idea!

The key is choosing alluring textures that feel authentically you. The textures you gravitate toward send cues about your inner spirit and personal worldview. They hint at what makes you shine without having to say a word. In this way, texture choices become part of creating the visual expression of your unique signature look.

So you see, texture checks two key style boxes: amping up your outfit's visual appeal through interesting details as well as communicating your personal aesthetic. That's what makes it such a useful (and easy!) tool for taking your look to the next level!

Texture also impacts fit - but don’t fret! You’ve got options!

It’s worth noting - texture also influences fit and drape, for better or worse, by drawing eyes wherever you place it. This can be wonderful if it's flaunting what you love. On the other hand, when it's drawing attention to your not so favorite areas, it can make embracing texture hard. For example, closely woven textures like ribbed knits tend to cling and spotlight curves while ultra-smooth silks catch the light to highlight every bump. (And that's through no fault of your figure—it’s just tricky fabric behavior!)

That doesn't mean you need to avoid these rich textures! Simply size up for a more comfortable fit, or seek thicker, more substantial variations of delicate textures. A thick ponte rib knit holds its shape rather than hugs. And silky satins with a lining are able to flow without clinging.

Another trick is to place textures in the areas you wish to flaunt. Lush faux fur framing your collar draws focus to your beautiful face. Or snake print boots leading the eye right to toned calves and knockout ankles. You see, texture lets you take charge of attention. Its eye-catching essence spotlights your favorite features when used intentionally. And that, is an effortless style win!

Now you can fully enjoy the style benefits of texture without the worries over what it spotlights. See? There are always options to have your texture cake and eat it too!

Simple tricks to work texture magic

Armed with the power of texture, here’s how to weave it into your getting-ready routine:

Whipping up texture in your wardrobe

The first step to embracing texture is learning to spot it in your wardrobe. Make it a habit to actively scan for texture as you pull together an outfit. Then every time you get dressed, swap one basic piece for its textured counterpart.

Don't feel you need to go over-the-top on textures right away either. Start subtle till you get the hang of layering them. Trade your trusted cotton tee for one in optic white linen. Ditch leather totes for pretty rattan bags. Swap basic knit sweaters for cozy cable knits. Outfit a shift dress with a cropped cardigan with pom pom trim for some subtle surface interest.

See how easy that is? Just one or two small texture tweaks creates an instantly chicer ensemble.

Accessories are texture test drives

Here’s a style secret that takes the pressure off revamping your entire wardrobe—accessories make excellent texture test drives! They allow you to dip your toe into fresh textures without going full commitment on statement coats or daring dresses.

Accessories like bags, shoes, jewelry and hats provide plenty of room to get tactile. Fuzzy earmuffs for cold days, wooden bangles that clink cheerfully, soft scarves in rich wool bouclé are cozy texture wins. Try a raffia box bag for tropical vibes even in winter or mix up your usual leather straps with acrylic or lucite handbag handles for an unexpected pop.

And don’t forget the small details either! Ankle boots with a faux fur lining peeking out, suede paneling on a favorite handbag, or a watch with snakeskin band are all tiny touches that incorporate lush new textures into beloved accessories.

Mixing textures like a pro

Once you get texture spotting down and have figured out your favorite ones, it’s time for the real fun - mixing and matching them! Aim to create outfits with at least three different textures. This adds visual depth that takes any look to new style heights. We're talking next level combinations like:

• Tweed blazers with silk camis

• Leather skirts with cozy knit tights

• Intricate lace tanks atop smooth leather skinnies

• Baby alpaca crew necks with slick faux patent oxfords.

Once you train your eye, combining textures becomes addictively fun. And it transforms simple pieces into scene-stealing outfits!

See, I told you it was simple texture science! And since it’s winter, suede, faux leather and cable knits abound making it easier than ever. So now is the perfect time to grab your coziest textured sweater, slip into your chic suede booties and get ready to stop traffic with your killer style!

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ABOUT:

I'm a Minneapolis personal stylist on a mission to eradicate outdated style 'rules' so women can unleash themselves in all their beautiful, authentic glory!

I offer personal styling services that empower women to wear what they love by helping them ditch any outdated style rules keeping them stuck, showing them how to dress in a way that embraces their beautiful body and, the key to it all, having fun! I believe in a liberated style approach so there are no style rules, body shapes, seasonal colors or dos and don’ts given out here. Rather, I help my clients tap into what lights them up and dress with the purpose of expressing their authentic selves rather than impressing others.

This is all done through a combination of styling services (including wardrobe edits, shopping trips and styling sessions) available in thoughtfully curated styling packages designed to help clients unleash their true self through the power of style.

When I'm not helping women take back their power style, you can find me reading (about a gazillion books at once), learning the art of pole dancing, making & decorating cakes, binging a random circa 2000's TV show with my hubby, Aaron, while playing with my adorable rescue pup or, of course, shopping! :-)

What Does Personal Style Really Mean?

Personal style is so much more than just the clothing you wear. It's a form of self-expression, a visual representation of your unique identity. Your style choices allow you to share who you are with the world without having to say a word.

“Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak,”

— Rachel Zoe, celebrity stylist

But what's at the core of crafting a style that authentically reflects you? Here's the crucial element: accepting your body exactly as it is right now.

Why Body Acceptance is Key for Unlocking Your Signature Style

How you feel about your body dramatically impacts your clothing choices. Think about how many times you've stopped yourself from wearing the latest trends because you felt you just didn't have the right body. Or changed your outfit countless times because nothing seemed to look good enough. Or saw a gorgeous piece of clothing but didn't even bother trying it on since you assumed you could never quite pull it off.

When you limit options and pass over styles you love simply because you don't like how you look in them, you end up dressing for others, not for yourself.

It's like pretending you love certain hobbies or movies just to impress others - you end up representing a false version of yourself. And when you only wear "slimming" or "safe" styles, you do the same thing.

On the flip side, accepting your body as it is now makes it more likely you'll wear pieces that truly speak to you and represent the real you. And, coincidentally, that's exactly how you develop a signature style that authentically reflects your inner light.

As fashion icon, Iris Apfel, puts it: “If you don't know yourself, you'll never have great style. You'll never really live. To me, the worst fashion faux pas is to look in the mirror, and not see yourself.”

Here are three more ways embracing your body empowers your style:

Choosing Joy Over Judgement

Imagine selecting each outfit from a place of deep joy and self-love because you're no longer constrained by dressing to avoid negative judgment from others. That's the magic of body acceptance—when you wear clothes solely to please yourself versus seeking approval, your style choices become a powerful form of self expression.

Celebrating Your Unique Beauty

When you accept your body, your beauty is no longer defined by fleeting societal standards or trends. Getting dressed becomes less about hiding flaws and more about appreciating what makes you gorgeous just as you are.

This self-love shines through, making every outfit a bold statement of self-assuredness. And confidence is always the best look!

Owning Your Truth

By fully embracing all parts of yourself, you gain the freedom to dress in clothes that reflect your true self. Without the pressure to conform to unrealistic standards, your style choices become a bold way of owning your story and celebrating your body unapologetically.

When you dress from from self-love instead of self-critique, your outfit choices become powerful expressions of your unique identity. By accepting your body, you gain the confidence to wear the styles you adore but once avoided out of fear or doubt. The beautiful result is a signature look that boldly celebrates everything that makes you YOU.

Body Acceptance is a Lifelong Journey

Learning to fully accept your body is not a one-and-done process; it's a continual practice that requires courage, mindfulness, and self-love. But the rewards of breaking free from unrealistic ideals to love yourself completely make the effort so worth it!

Ready to continue this journey while taking your personal style to the next level? Here are two techniques to get you started:

Silence Your Inner Mean Girl

That critical inner voice constantly judging your body can wreak havoc when getting dressed. The next time it whispers, “This dress makes me look huge,” visualize a STOP sign in your mind, then ask yourself:

“What do I love about my body right now?”

Focus on that positive response as you choose your outfit. Keep returning to that mental STOP sign whenever negative thoughts creep in.

"People often say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I say that the most liberating thing about beauty is realizing that you are the beholder."

— Salma Hayak

Defy the Doubts

Next time you want to wear an outfit you absolutely adore, but that nagging inner critic whispers it might be unflattering, go for it anyway. So what if certain clothes supposedly make you look "bigger?" That judgmental voice stems from pressure to conform to unrealistic ideals about shapes, sizes and beauty.

The truth is, those limiting doubts and insecurities do not accurately reflect you or your worth. We all deserve to celebrate our bodies and express ourselves through personal style, not hide away. Wearing something you love sparks joy and confidence from the inside out. When you defy those critical whispers and own your look, you claim your right to define beauty on your own terms.

As Lady Gaga, singer and style icon, once said, "You define beauty yourself. Society doesn't define your beauty."

What Will You Try This Week?

Choosing one small, body-positive action builds your confidence over time. Whether it's silencing your inner critic or defying doubts by rocking your favorite outfit, each step forward makes a difference.

While on this journey, continue seeking inspiration from styles you love. Follow body-positive influencers and surround yourself with affirmations and role models. This helps drown out the negative noise from media and culture.

Embracing your body and owning your signature style is an ongoing process, but you’ve got this! With consistent practice and self-compassion, you will get there.

What small, empowering step will you take today?

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ABOUT:

I'm a Minneapolis personal stylist on a mission to eradicate outdated style 'rules' so women can unleash themselves in all their beautiful, authentic glory!

I offer personal styling services that empower women to wear what they love by helping them ditch any outdated style rules keeping them stuck, showing them how to dress in a way that embraces their beautiful body and, the key to it all, having fun! I believe in a liberated style approach so there are no style rules, body shapes, seasonal colors or dos and don’ts given out here. Rather, I help my clients tap into what lights them up and dress with the purpose of expressing their authentic selves rather than impressing others.

This is all done through a combination of styling services (including wardrobe edits, shopping trips and styling sessions) available in thoughtfully curated styling packages designed to help clients unleash their true self through the power of style.

When I'm not helping women take back their power style, you can find me reading (about a gazillion books at once), learning the art of pole dancing, making & decorating cakes, binging a random circa 2000's TV show with my hubby, Aaron, while playing with my adorable rescue pup or, of course, shopping! :-)

Now, let's talk about another fantastic benefit of accessories - they make your clothes more useful for you, opening up a world of possibilities! With accessories, you can follow your joy and embrace fun, impractical items, knowing they can become wearable for any occasion. They can also change the very purpose of an item, making your wardrobe smarter and more versatile. Plus, on those hectic days when you're juggling multiple activities, accessories help you transition seamlessly from one role to the next.

No more staring at your closet, feeling guilty about those pieces you love but rarely wear. With the power of accessories on your side, your clothes will work smarter and harder for you, injecting fun into your daily style. So, let's dive in and see how this magic unfolds in real life!

Unlock Your Style Freedom with Multi-Purpose Pieces

With the right accessories, you can give an item a whole new purpose. Remember that quirky dress you thought was only suitable for special occasions? Well, hold on to your hat because with an easy belt and some cool sneakers, it's ready for a casual day out with friends.

Take my client, Annelise, for instance. She has this gorgeous dress that she's head over heels for, but it mostly hung in her closet because she didn't have many fancy events to attend. Instead of letting her slip dress gather dust, we used accessories to transform it into a wear-anywhere dress. With some clever styling and the right accessories, she's now rocking this dress for date nights, work meetings, and even casual hangouts!

💡 Pro tip alert! 💡

Without the use of casual accessories like these sneakers and a crossbody bag, the jean jacket would feel out of place. However, by adding a layered necklace and choosing sneakers with a metallic accent detail, the casual accessories are elevated just enough to make sense with the dressy vibe of the slip dress without being overly formal for the occasion.

Transforming the Impractical into Practical

Imagine stumbling upon a fun, cool piece of clothing that you absolutely adore, but you're not sure how often you'll wear it. Don't fret! Thanks to accessories, you can follow your joy and snatch up those impractical yet oh-so-amazing items.

The right accessories can take something that might seem impractical for everyday use and turn it into a practical and versatile addition to your wardrobe. Let me share how I helped my client Karen incorporate her beloved Paige coated joggers into her daily rotation. These pants were initially a bit tricky for her to style, but with the right accessories, they became suitable for everyday wear, even at the office.

Seamless Transitions on Busy Days

Your day no longer revolves solely around going to the office and heading home. It might involve working from home, rushing to a client meeting, grabbing groceries, and cheering on your kid at a soccer match. How do you possibly keep up?! Instead of squeezing in extra time to change outfits, utilize the power of accessories. They make transitioning from one activity to another a breeze. A simple swap of accessories, and you're ready for whatever comes your way.

For example, stretchy work pants and a blouse can easily transition from a work-from-home look to a professional Zoom meeting outfit with a statement necklace and chic earrings. Swap to heels and grab your large work tote as you head out the door, and you're instantly ready for that client meeting. Then, a quick change to ballet flats, a crossbody bag, and a scarf tied around the handle prepares you for errands or the soccer match.

One of my clients, Krista, is a busy realtor whose Saturdays are a whirlwind of various events all over town. With a few extra accessories stowed in her car, she can transition seamlessly from one happening to another, skipping the hassle of heading home in between.

Say farewell to fashion rules that limit your style. With accessories as your trusty companions, you have the power to create endless looks, wear what brings you joy, and express your unique self with confidence! Get ready to revamp your wardrobe, rock your style, and embrace the fashion freedom you deserve in a world where accessories are your secret weapons of style success!

Hey there, style enthusiast! If you enjoyed this post, remember to check out Part 1 and Part 2 of our accessorizing series for even more fabulous tips!

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ABOUT:

I'm a Minneapolis personal stylist on a mission to eradicate outdated style 'rules' so women can unleash themselves in all their beautiful, authentic glory!

I offer personal styling services that empower women to wear what they love by helping them ditch any outdated style rules keeping them stuck, showing them how to dress in a way that embraces their beautiful body and, the key to it all, having fun! I believe in a liberated style approach so there are no style rules, body shapes, seasonal colors or dos and don’ts given out here. Rather, I help my clients tap into what lights them up and dress with the purpose of expressing their authentic selves rather than impressing others.

This is all done through a combination of styling services (including wardrobe edits, shopping trips and styling sessions) available in thoughtfully curated styling packages designed to help clients unleash their true self through the power of style.

When I'm not helping women take back their power style, you can find me reading (about a gazillion books at once), learning the art of pole dancing, making & decorating cakes, binging a random circa 2000's TV show with my hubby, Aaron, while playing with my adorable rescue pup or, of course, shopping! :-)

Unleash Your Wardrobe's Versatility

If you thought accessories were only used for adding a touch of flair to your outfit, get ready to be pleasantly surprised. Accessorizing isn't just about looking fabulous (though, let's be honest, that's a big part of it!). It's all about harnessing your wardrobe's potential, ensuring that your clothes effortlessly adapt to every aspect of your life.

Just like a chameleon can seamlessly blend into different environments, your wardrobe can adapt and evolve to suit various occasions—all thanks to the magic of accessories. They don't just complete an outfit; they transform it into a style masterpiece, tailored to fit different scenarios. Welcome to the world of versatility, where your clothes are ready for any adventure life throws your way!

A Stylish Transformation

Let's talk about those clothing items that seem to be pigeonholed into specific categories. You know, like that loungewear you adore or that dress you save for special occasions. What if I told you that accessories can effortlessly transform these pieces? Suddenly, that cozy loungewear becomes brunch-ready, and that formal dress becomes your go-to for casual outings.

Say goodbye to those days of "I only wear this twice a year" pieces languishing in your closet. With the right accessories, your wardrobe becomes a versatile wonderland, and you're the reigning queen of style adaptability!

Case in Point: The Multi-Function Dress

Let's dive into a real-world example with my client, Emily. As a busy mom with four little tornadoes—oops, I mean kids 😆—Emily found herself holding back from wearing a stunning dress that she believed was solely reserved for date nights. Enter the power of accessorizing!

Breathing New Life into Old Favorites

Another hidden superpower of accessories—reviving your favorite pieces! Accessories have the ability to keep your favorite pieces feeling fresh and new over time. Your go-to clothing item gets new life breathed into it every time you switch up the accessories being paired with it.

Take my client Heidi, for instance. She loves the faux leather leggings I suggested to her. At first, they may seem like they can only be worn with cozy sweaters and booties in cold weather. But appearances can be deceiving! By using accessories, paired with a few styling tricks, the whole outfit can feel new and exciting. Now she can wear these leggings all the time without anyone even realizing she's wearing them again and again!

Your Wardrobe’s BFF for Style Evolution

Now, let's tackle the myth that your changing style means parting with beloved clothing pieces. Not so fast! A simple switch of accessories can make a world of difference, allowing your cherished pieces to evolve seamlessly with your style.

Whether it's adding a statement necklace, swapping out shoes, or incorporating a different handbag, these small changes can make a world of difference in transforming your favorite piece and keeping your style current.

Watch the video below to witness the magic as a single dress transforms from edgy to romantic to glam to classic—all thanks to the incredible magic of accessories!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rachel Michael (@rachelmichaelstyling)

💡 Pro tip alert! 💡

Along the same lines, accessories are also your playground for experimenting with new styles, allowing you to test the waters without committing to an entirely new wardrobe. So next time you feel like your outfits are getting stale, remember that a few well-chosen accessories can work wonders in transforming your look. It's a great way to be more adventurous with your style without breaking the bank!

And there you have it, my friends! The world of accessories can open up a realm of possibilities for your wardrobe, serving as the keys to adaptability, the guardians of freshness, and the enablers of style evolution. So go ahead, embrace the power of accessories, and let your wardrobe shine in all its versatile glory!

Want even more style inspiration? Check out Part 3 for more fabulous accessorizing tips!

In Part 2 of this series, we've only just begun to scratch the surface of the wonders that accessories bring to your style game. In the next segment, we dive even deeper, revealing how accessories can actually enhance the functionality of your outfit, creating a wardrobe that's not only stylish but useful.

Meanwhile, keep accessorizing and embracing your ever-evolving, endlessly stylish self!

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ABOUT:

I'm a Minneapolis personal stylist on a mission to eradicate outdated style 'rules' so women can unleash themselves in all their beautiful, authentic glory!

I offer personal styling services that empower women to wear what they love by helping them ditch any outdated style rules keeping them stuck, showing them how to dress in a way that embraces their beautiful body and, the key to it all, having fun! I believe in a liberated style approach so there are no style rules, body shapes, seasonal colors or dos and don’ts given out here. Rather, I help my clients tap into what lights them up and dress with the purpose of expressing their authentic selves rather than impressing others.

This is all done through a combination of styling services (including wardrobe edits, shopping trips and styling sessions) available in thoughtfully curated styling packages designed to help clients unleash their true self through the power of style.

When I'm not helping women take back their power style, you can find me reading (about a gazillion books at once), learning the art of pole dancing, making & decorating cakes, binging a random circa 2000's TV show with my hubby, Aaron, while playing with my adorable rescue pup or, of course, shopping! :-)

Picture this: You slip on a stunning necklace or add a snazzy belt to your outfit, and boom! With that one magical touch, your outfit goes from "nice" to "OMG, wow!" and your whole look transforms into something extraordinary. That's the beauty of accessorizing—it elevates your style game like no other!

But, accessories aren't just there to make you look stylish. They have a multitude of benefits that go beyond aesthetics. In this three-part blog series, we'll dive into all the incredible benefits of accessorizing. From turning heads with your killer look to unlocking a world of style possibilities, get ready to discover the full power of these fabulous style boosters!

What's the Deal with Accessorizing?

Before we dive into the treasure trove of benefits, let's take a moment to understand this style element and how it enhances our overall look.

So what exactly are accessories? They are non-clothing pieces that add to the attractiveness, versatility, and usefulness of an outfit. While shoes, bags, and jewelry are the traditional accessories we think of, hats, belts, scarves, gloves, sunglasses, and even hair accessories are part of the accessory crew too!

Sometimes, it can be hard to understand what accessorizing actually entails. This definition helps highlight the simplicity - it’s really just about adding non-clothing pieces to what you're wearing. Easy peasy!

Let's Unbox the Benefits!

While it's true that accessories are a great way to elevate your style and turn any outfit into a chic and stylish look, the benefits don't stop there. In this blog series, you'll discover all the hidden superpowers of accessories. Here's a sneak peek of what we'll cover:

Style Booster:

Accessories are a fantastic way to elevate your look and bring instant style to any outfit. A statement necklace can instantly take a basic white tee and jeans combo from casual to chic, while a pair of killer heels can elevate a little black dress to new heights of glamour. Accessories aren't just pretty add-ons; they're total style boosters too!

Plus, when you're rocking a fabulous necklace or killer heels and feeling confident in your stylish self, it can make you feel like you're strutting on a runway wherever you go. And hey, who doesn't want a bit of that fabulous energy?

Versatility Unleashed:

If you picture your closet right now, I'm sure you've got a favorite piece that you adore, but it feels like you wear it way too often. Accessories to the rescue! By mixing and matching accessories, you can give that piece a fresh look every time. Plus, as your style evolves and changes, so can your favorite pieces. They can evolve right along with you thanks to the power of accessories.

Oh, and you know those pieces you save for special occasions? Say goodbye to that! With the right accessories, you can turn any clothing item into an everyday superstar. Hello, versatile wardrobe!

Stylish Utility:

Imagine having a wardrobe that's not just stylish but also super useful. That's where accessories really swoop in like style superheroes! Think about all those fun, quirky pieces you fell head over heels for but wondered how often you'd wear them. Those unique statement pieces can easily be transformed into a go-to look for any day of the week because with accessories, you're the boss!

With the right mix of add-ons, you can transform any outfit to suit your mood, occasion, or style. It's like unlocking a world of possibilities!

For the first part of this three-part series, let’s dive into the power of accessories specifically for enhancing your style. Stay tuned for parts 2 and 3, where you'll learn more valuable tips and tricks to help you master the art of accessorizing. It's going to be an exciting and informative ride!

The Ultimate Style Booster!

If you're wondering how to accessorize and take your look up a notch, here's the secret—elevating your style is all about creating more complex looks, which thankfully is way easier than it sounds.

Complexity is the Key

Before you raise an eyebrow, let me explain what I mean by complexity. It's not about making things harder or more complicated. Nope! (I would never do that to you!) Complexity, in this case, simply means increasing the visual interest of your look.

One way to do this is by adding more pieces to your outfit. When your outfit has more components, it becomes way more visually engaging (and trust me, our brains love that!).

You may be all in on adding more to your outfit but find you quickly hit a roadblock because there's only so much clothing you can physically pile on, an amount that becomes even more limited in the summertime heat. That's where your trusty accessories come in!

You, the Style Pro

Ever wondered how some people seem to always look so stylish? It's because accessories are their best friends! By adding these extra pieces to their outfit, they increase the complexity of the look, which is why you perceive them as someone whose style game is on point.

But hey, now you're in on this little secret too! You can create outfits that are just as complex and interesting as those people who always look put together. All you have to do is add more accessories to your outfit!

Still not convinced about the power of accessories? Check out the before-and-after magic in the pictures below. By adding more pieces, specifically accessories, you can take your outfit from meh to marvelous!

Accessories Go Beyond Style

Looking stylish is fantastic, but there's so much more your accessorizing can do for you! In the next parts of this blog series, we'll dive deeper into the benefits of accessorizing. Not only does it elevate your look, but it also helps make your wardrobe more versatile and functional - like having a magical style toolkit at your disposal!

So, my fabulous friends, get ready to further embrace the world of accessories and unlock the full potential of your style with even more accessory tips, tricks, and benefits in Part 2 and Part 3!

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ABOUT:

I'm a Minneapolis personal stylist on a mission to eradicate outdated style 'rules' so women can unleash themselves in all their beautiful, authentic glory!

I offer personal styling services that empower women to wear what they love by helping them ditch any outdated style rules keeping them stuck, showing them how to dress in a way that embraces their beautiful body and, the key to it all, having fun! I believe in a liberated style approach so there are no style rules, body shapes, seasonal colors or dos and don’ts given out here. Rather, I help my clients tap into what lights them up and dress with the purpose of expressing their authentic selves rather than impressing others.

This is all done through a combination of styling services (including wardrobe edits, shopping trips and styling sessions) available in thoughtfully curated styling packages designed to help clients unleash their true self through the power of style.

When I'm not helping women take back their power style, you can find me reading (about a gazillion books at once), learning the art of pole dancing, making & decorating cakes, binging a random circa 2000's TV show with my hubby, Aaron, while playing with my adorable rescue pup or, of course, shopping! :-)

From glossy magazine covers to social media feeds, you're inundated with images of airbrushed models and influencers showcasing the latest fashion trends. These images create an unrealistic standard of beauty and perpetuate the idea that you must conform to these ideals in order to be accepted and valued.

As a result, you may find yourself constantly striving to meet unattainable standards and locked in a frustrating cycle of chasing fashion trends and continuously purchasing new clothing just to feel somewhat satisfied with your appearance.

But what if the real secret to great style and, more importantly, cultivating true self-acceptance, lies in a different approach? Instead of constantly buying new clothes, it may actually be more beneficial to get rid of the clothes that aren't serving you.

In this blog post, we'll explore the transformative practice of releasing clothes and how it can lead you to a place of self-acceptance and stronger self-love.

Releasing Clothes as a Practice of Self-Acceptance

By letting go of clothes that no longer resonate with you or work for you, you're engaging in an act of self-acceptance. Getting rid of old clothes goes beyond just decluttering your physical space; it means that you're accepting your body, preferences, and styles as they are in the present moment.

And in doing so, you're accepting who you are right now. By releasing these clothes, you're signaling to yourself that who you are in the present is enough - and there's nothing more powerful than that for fostering stronger self-love and self-acceptance!

Here are a few other reasons why clearing out these clothes is so important:

Accepting your body

When you release clothes that no longer fit or flatter your current shape, instead of holding onto clothes that make you feel uncomfortable or self-conscious, you're choosing to embrace your body's unique beauty.

You're accepting and honoring your body as it is right now and recognizing that your worth is not determined by a specific size or shape, but by the love and care you show yourself. Saying goodbye to those tight jeans that squeeze the life out of you and hello to clothes that celebrate your current bod is a big ol' dose of TLC!

Embracing personal style

Releasing clothes allows you to acknowledge and embrace your current personal style without judgment. It's about accepting that your style doesn't have to align with societal norms or trends. For instance, if you you're not into wearing lace or floral patterns, it doesn't make you any less feminine.

By letting go of the styles you don't love, you're affirming that your preferences are valid and that you are a priority when it comes to what you wear. You're allowing your style to be a true expression of your authentic self. It's a way of saying, "I choose to dress for me, not for anyone else."

Defying societal expectations

Releasing clothes that no longer resonate with you is a way of breaking free from the societal pressure to follow every fashion trend. By accepting that you feel your best in skinny jeans or other timeless pieces, you're choosing to define your own style and not succumb to external expectations.

It's about celebrating your individuality and confidently embracing the pieces that make you feel like the best version of yourself, regardless of what's considered "in" at the moment.

Releasing clothes to let idealized versions of yourself go

Clothes play a significant role in shaping your identity and self-expression. They can hold sentimental value, reminding you of special moments or representing a version of yourself that you once were or aspire to be. However, they can also become a source of emotional baggage, holding you back from letting go of the past and fully embracing who you are in the present moment.

It's for this reason that cleaning out clothes that perpetuate these fantasies becomes almost therapeutic in nature. Here are a few other reasons why releasing old clothes is crucial to having a better relationship with yourself now.

Embracing imperfection

Society bombards you with images of perfection at every turn, making it easy to compare yourself to unrealistic standards. Releasing clothes you bought to try and fit in with these unrealistic standards is a powerful way to let go of the idealized versions of yourself that you may have constructed.

In doing so, you can more easily embrace your imperfections and celebrate your unique qualities by acknowledging that perfection is an illusion and that true beauty lies in your authenticity.

Cultivating self-love

Letting go of clothes that don't align with who you are today allows you to develop a deeper sense of self-love. It means acknowledging that you don't need to change or achieve some idealized image to be worthy of love and acceptance.

You can fully embrace and love yourself as you are in this very moment. It's about recognizing your inherent value and treating yourself with kindness, compassion, and respect.

Emotional liberation

Releasing clothes that hold emotional attachments or memories requires courage and vulnerability as each item represents a different version of yourself, whether realized in the past or ideally hoped for in the future. It's hard to let go of those identities that you once hoped to be or wish you still were but it's only when you truly let them go, that you realize how much they held you back and weighed you down.

As you release these items, you free yourself from the weight and emotional baggage they carried, leading to a sense of liberation and newfound lightness, making space for new experiences, new growth, and a fresh chapter in your life.

Releasing clothes that no longer serve you is more than just decluttering your closet; it's a powerful act of self-acceptance and self-love. Through this practice, you accept and honor your body, preferences, and styles as they are, free from judgment and comparison. It's not always an easy journey (which is why having an expert guide can be invaluable), but the reward is immeasurable—a weight lifted off your shoulders, a stronger sense of self-love, and the freedom to embrace your authentic self.

The practice of releasing clothes also extends beyond your own personal journey of self-acceptance. It has the potential to inspire others to do the same and create a ripple effect of positive change. In doing this, you can contribute to a culture that values authenticity and self-expression over conformity.

When you embark on this journey of self-acceptance and empowerment one piece of clothing at a time, you're on your way to embracing who you are, letting go of the idealized versions of yourself, and experiencing the profound joy of living authentically.

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ABOUT:

I'm a Minneapolis personal stylist on a mission to eradicate outdated style 'rules' so women can unleash themselves in all their beautiful, authentic glory!

I offer personal styling services that empower women to wear what they love by helping them ditch any outdated style rules keeping them stuck, showing them how to dress in a way that embraces their beautiful body and, the key to it all, having fun! I believe in a liberated style approach so there are no style rules, body shapes, seasonal colors or dos and don’ts given out here. Rather, I help my clients tap into what lights them up and dress with the purpose of expressing their authentic selves rather than impressing others.

This is all done through a combination of styling services (including wardrobe edits, shopping trips and styling sessions) available in thoughtfully curated styling packages designed to help clients unleash their true self through the power of style.

When I'm not helping women take back their power style, you can find me reading (about a gazillion books at once), learning the art of pole dancing, making & decorating cakes, binging a random circa 2000's TV show with my hubby, Aaron, while playing with my adorable rescue pup or, of course, shopping! :-)

But it's not just about wasting money. Shopping can also take a toll on our emotions, leaving us feeling frustrated, doubtful, and even hating ourselves. I've had clients who blame themselves for not having a sense of style or for not having the "perfect" body, thinking that finding clothes would magically become easier if they lost a few pounds.

But here's the thing: it's not your fault. Seriously, it's not! There are so many reasons struggles with clothes shopping can happen, and none of them are a reflection of your personal shortcomings.

Here are five common reasons why shopping can be tough, along with some tips to help you navigate the retail maze.

Reason #1 Impulse Shopping

We've all been there, right? You spot something that catches your eye, and without even thinking twice, it magically ends up in your cart. Those persuasive marketing tactics employed by retailers, like limited-time offers, flashy displays, and alluring packaging, are designed to tempt you into buying things you don't actually need or want.

But here's a trick to combat this impulse: give yourself a little time to think it over. If you're shopping online, leave the item in your cart for 48 hours before making a decision. Still thinking about it after those two days? Well, then maybe it's worth considering. If you're at a physical store, put it on hold for a day (or even just an hour while you browse other stores). If you're still willing to make the trip back to get it, then it's probably not just an impulsive purchase.

Oh, and here's a pro tip: identify when you're most likely to give in to impulse shopping and plan your response ahead of time. If you're a sucker for a good sale, decide in advance what you want to do when you see a piece on sale. Should you pass it up, ask yourself if you really need it, or put it in the cart for 48 hours? Setting a plan like this will eventually become a habit, making it easier to resist those impulsive buys.

Reason #2: Last-minute desperation

We've all experienced that frantic last-minute shopping frenzy, right? When you're under pressure to find something quickly, you often end up making hasty decisions that don't align with your style or budget. And let's not forget the disappointment of settling for something that isn't exactly what you wanted because popular items or sizes are already sold out.

To avoid this stress-inducing scenario, take a moment to assess your wardrobe and make a list of the items you actually need or want to add. Next time you're getting dressed and an outfit doesn't quite work, pause and ask yourself what's missing. Maybe you need a purse that matches better or darker jeans for a dressier look. By being aware of what you need in the moment, you can plan ahead and avoid those last-minute desperation purchases.

Also, consider going through your calendar every month or quarter to note upcoming occasions and take stock of your outfit options. Do you need a new outfit? If so, schedule some time in your calendar to find it. By planning your outfits in advance, you can avoid those panicked, last-minute purchases that often leave you dissatisfied.

Reason #3: Styling struggles

Trying to put together new items with your existing wardrobe can be a major headache. It's frustrating when nothing seems to work, and it can make getting dressed in the morning a total nightmare. You end up spending more time than necessary trying on different outfits, only to feel like nothing looks quite right. It's a real downer that can leave you feeling discouraged and unhappy with your appearance.

When you keep running into this problem, it can make you second-guess buying a piece of clothing unless you're totally sure you can style it with pieces you already own. And that might mean you pass up great pieces and leave the fitting room empty-handed, time and time again.

To overcome these styling challenges, try seeking inspiration from Google or Pinterest. Look up outfits featuring similar pieces to your new clothes (ie., black peplum top or red skirt outfit) to get some fresh ideas and think outside the box. It can also help you see how your current pieces can complement your new clothing item.

Here’s another pro tip for women’s clothes shopping, don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations in your wardrobe. Try pairing pieces that you wouldn't normally think of wearing together. You'd be surprised at how many great outfits can come from unexpected combinations.

And if you're really struggling, it might be worth considering a personal stylist. We can help you identify pieces that work well with your existing wardrobe and show you how to style them. With our expertise, you'll learn how to mix and match different items to create a variety of looks that suit your personal style. It's like having a fashion guru by your side!

Reason #4: Fit frustrations

Ugh, the frustration of finding clothes that look amazing on the hanger but disappoint you once you try them on. Trust me, you're not alone in this! It's tough to objectively assess your own body and figure out what styles work best for you. On top of that, there's an overwhelming number of clothing options out there, and it's easy to get lost in all the trends and fashion fads. Plus, trends often dictate what's popular, making it tricky to find classic styles.

Eventually, you may find yourself returning poor-fitting clothes with a heavy heart, blaming your body and believing it needs to change before you can successfully find clothes you like. (Which is so not true! Check out this blog post about why finding great fitting clothes is so hard and what you can do about it.)

Here's a little trick to help you out: take a closer look at your favorite fitting pieces in your wardrobe and identify what you love about their fit. Is it the fabric, the cut, the silhouette, or the rise? Make a note of these insights and use them as a guide when shopping for new items.

Also, pay attention to the clothing brands that make your favorite pieces. Different brands have unique aesthetics and approaches to fit and construction. So, if you find a brand that consistently delivers clothes you love, stick with it! You'll have a higher success rate of finding other pieces you adore from the same brand.

Remember, it's crucial to focus on finding pieces that make you feel confident and comfortable, rather than trying to conform to societal expectations. Seek out brands and retailers that prioritize inclusivity and diversity in their sizing and marketing. By doing so, you can support positive change in the clothing industry while staying true to your own unique style.

Reason: #5: Unclear personal style

Ah, the age-old question: "What's my personal style?" Without a clear understanding of your own style, it's challenging to know what types of clothing and accessories will truly fit into your wardrobe. You end up buying pieces based on trends or the suggestions of others (like that overenthusiastic sales person or your bestie with a drastically different style), rather than taking the time to consider how each item aligns with your personal aesthetic.

Moreover, discovering clothing items that truly resonate with your personal style can prove to be a daunting task when you lack clarity on what you're searching for and why. When you don't know what colors, cuts, styles, and details best reflect your individuality and preferences, it becomes a gamble to find something that will genuinely captivate you once you try it on.

To gain clarity on your personal style, start by exploring different styles and experimenting with various outfits. Pay attention to what you like and don't like about each piece, and use that information to refine your personal style.

Oh, and don't forget to check your facial expressions when you look in the mirror. A smile and a glow of happiness are great indicators that you've found something that resonates with your personal style.

If you're still feeling stuck, consider seeking the help of an expert — a personal stylist! We can work with you to identify and refine your unique personal style. We provide guidance on fit, color, and style, so you can make more informed purchasing decisions in the future. With our help, you'll feel confident and empowered when shopping for clothes, knowing that you're making choices that align with your personal style and preferences.

So there you have it! Shopping for clothes doesn't have to be a frustrating and overwhelming experience. By following these women's clothes shopping tips and strategies, you can easily find clothes that match your personal style and preferences, saving time, money, and emotional energy.

Start implementing these tips today to make shopping for clothes a more enjoyable and successful experience! 🥂🛍️🎉

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ABOUT:

I'm a Minneapolis personal stylist on a mission to eradicate outdated style 'rules' so women can unleash themselves in all their beautiful, authentic glory!

I offer personal styling services that empower women to wear what they love by helping them ditch any outdated style rules keeping them stuck, showing them how to dress in a way that embraces their beautiful body and, the key to it all, having fun! I believe in a liberated style approach so there are no style rules, body shapes, seasonal colors or dos and don’ts given out here. Rather, I help my clients tap into what lights them up and dress with the purpose of expressing their authentic selves rather than impressing others.

This is all done through a combination of styling services (including wardrobe edits, shopping trips and styling sessions) available in thoughtfully curated styling packages designed to help clients unleash their true self through the power of style.

When I'm not helping women take back their power style, you can find me reading (about a gazillion books at once), learning the art of pole dancing, making & decorating cakes, binging a random circa 2000's TV show with my hubby, Aaron, while playing with my adorable rescue pup or, of course, shopping! :-)

Five signs that you're craving more fun in your style

1. You feel dowdy and frumpy. You don't know if it's the clothes or you, but nothing seems to make you feel good.

2. You're sick of leggings and tees. They may be comfortable, but they're not exactly exciting.

3. You stress about having no style. You either avoid shopping because you don't know what works for you, or you shop constantly and end up more confused than ever.

4. Your closet overwhelms you. You have so much in there, but you feel like you have nothing to wear.

5. You haven't shopped in forever. You used to love shopping, but now it feels like a chore.

If you find yourself nodding in agreement with any of the statements above, don't fret. It's not your fault that you're feeling this way. The root cause of the issue is not your physical appearance, financial status, or level of expertise. Rather, you may be in a style rut. It simply means that you're lacking a crucial element - enjoyment!

When it comes to personal style, there are no hard and fast rules. It's all about showcasing your unique personality and individuality. You don't need to possess any particular set of skills or have a specific body type to pull off a great look.

The key to achieving a fantastic sense of style and feeling confident in what you wear is not by adhering to strict guidelines, but rather by embracing your creativity, expressing yourself freely and having fun with style.

And let's face it, having fun while doing so makes the whole process much more enjoyable and effortless.

Having fun is the key to breaking out of your style rut

Style is an exceptional creative outlet that allows you to express yourself in a unique way. It's a reliable form of self-expression that you can indulge in every single day. By having fun with your style, you open up your mind to new and exciting creative possibilities.

Great personal style comes from having fun. Enthusiasm and passion are essential ingredients in creating an amazing signature style. When you're having fun and in a playful state of mind, it becomes easier to experiment with unique combinations that truly reflect your personality.

It helps you stop caring what others think. The more you play around with your style, the more you discover about yourself and what makes you feel confident and comfortable. This allows you to let go of inhibitions and embrace your true self, which helps free your mind from self-doubt so you can place less value on the validation of others.

Besides making it easier to break out of a style rut and up your style game, having fun with your style has many other benefits that extend far beyond the clothes you put on.

The true benefits of having more fun with clothes

What you wear sets a positive, confident tone for your day. Getting dressed is an inevitable start to your day. If it makes you feel overwhelmed or frumpy, that's the energy you'll carry into your day. On the other hand, when you feel good about what you're wearing, you exude a sense of self-assurance that radiates from within. This newfound confidence can translate into other areas of your life, such as work or social situations, where you may feel more empowered to take on challenges and assert yourself.

Getting dressed becomes your daily self-care practice. Getting dressed is not just a mundane task that you do every day. By taking a few minutes to put on something that you truly adore, you are actually engaging in an act of self-care. You're showing yourself some love and appreciation, acknowledging the fact that you deserve to feel good and confident in your own skin.

Having fun with your clothes keeps you in touch with yourself. It's a form of self-expression that reminds you that you're more than just a mom or a worker. Your clothing can serve as a reflection of your personality, allowing you to showcase your unique traits and interests. By embracing your individuality through your style, you can feel more authentic and true to yourself, which can lead to greater happiness and fulfillment.

It reenergizes you in other areas of your life. Having fun with your wardrobe can inspire you to have fun in other areas of your life too. By stepping outside of your comfort zone and trying new things, you are broadening your horizons and expanding your creativity. This can inspire you to think more creatively and look for opportunities to have more fun in other areas of your life, such as your hobbies or career.

So how can you break out of your style rut and have more fun?

Here is one simple step you can take to inject some fun into your outfit choices.

Start by getting in the right mindset. Put on some music that makes you happy and dance around as you get dressed. Don't worry about being graceful or perfect - the key is to have fun and let go of any self-consciousness. The more ridiculous and silly you feel, the better! The goal is to get out of your head and start laughing. By getting into a playful state of mind, you'll find it easier to step outside of your comfort zone and experiment with bolder, more exciting pieces.

When you let yourself have a little more fun with what you wear, you'll be surprised how much joy it brings to your life. So what are you waiting for? Get to dancing - there's so much fun to be had!

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ABOUT:

I'm a Minneapolis personal stylist on a mission to eradicate outdated style 'rules' so women can unleash themselves in all their beautiful, authentic glory!

I offer personal styling services that empower women to wear what they love by helping them ditch any outdated style rules keeping them stuck, showing them how to dress in a way that embraces their beautiful body and, the key to it all, having fun! I believe in a liberated style approach so there are no style rules, body shapes, seasonal colors or dos and don’ts given out here. Rather, I help my clients tap into what lights them up and dress with the purpose of expressing their authentic selves rather than impressing others.

This is all done through a combination of styling services (including wardrobe edits, shopping trips and styling sessions) available in thoughtfully curated styling packages designed to help clients unleash their true self through the power of style.

When I'm not helping women take back their power style, you can find me reading (about a gazillion books at once), learning the art of pole dancing, making & decorating cakes, binging a random circa 2000's TV show with my hubby, Aaron, while playing with my adorable rescue pup or, of course, shopping! :-)

Maybe the scale hasn't even changed but you could swear your clothes just aren't fitting the same.

Either way, you're not alone. I have yet to meet a woman who doesn't deal with fluctuating weight.

Being a woman, heck being a human, means you have a body that is literally designed to grow and change throughout your life just as you do. Whether it's from year to year, week to week and sometimes even hour to hour, it's natural and normal for your weight to fluctuate. (If this idea is hard for you to accept, you'll want to check out my recent blog post here.)

Instead of fighting to maintain the same weight and berating yourself when clothes get a little tight, what if you just accepted that your body naturally fluctuates and you purchase clothes with that in mind?

If you're someone who experiences regular weight fluctuation, you can create a wardrobe you love that actually takes into account the reality of a constantly changing body and supports its natural tendency to fluctuate.

From the actual pieces you buy to how you style your look, there are ways you can build a wardrobe that embraces your body, whether it's up 10 pounds, down 10 pounds or just bloated as heck because you couldn't resist that tempting cheese plate at last night's networking event. (No? Just me?)

Here are the four key areas to focus on when it comes to dressing for fluctuating weight.

Know thyself - and thy body

The first key to creating a wardrobe that works with fluctuating weight is to get to know your body by observing how frequently your weight fluctuations happen, where weight loss/gain tends to show up and how much it impacts the fit of your clothes when it does.

For example, if you tend to first notice any change in weight because your pants are either digging into your stomach or starting to fall down throughout the day, your midsection might be where your weight fluctuates and it tends to affect the fit of your bottoms, specifically the waistband, the most.

If it's due to digestive issues this fluctuation could occur daily. If it's thanks to period hormones, it might experience it only monthly. If vacations and holidays affect your weight, then you might fluctuate only a few times a year, however, it's a bigger swing that affects the fit of your clothes more significantly when it does occur.

Armed with this info, you'll know to consider styles that have more stretch and adaptability around the midsection versus, for example, your chest. (Keep in mind, your weight fluctuations can certainly affect more than one area at a time!)

Getting clear on where your weight change happens and whether it's season to season or day to day along with knowing if it's a full size change versus a slight fit change, is key info for successfully putting together a wardrobe that works for your body's natural rhythms.

Invest in adaptable silhouettes

Once you know where weight gain tends to affect you the most, you'll want to invest in pieces that you can adapt and adjust, especially in that area, throughout your ups and downs. Below are a few key pieces to consider.

Dresses

Overall, dresses are the hero of adaptable silhouettes because they can offer such ease and versatility. There are a few silhouettes that are especially helpful when dressing for fluctuating weight.

Wrap dresses

Fully functional wrap dresses (not faux wrap) are fantastic because you can adjust how tightly or loosely you tie the wrap around you. You also can play with how high or low you tie the wrap for comfortable placement around your midsection. If you gain weight in your bust, you can also easily wear a fitted tank top underneath to provide extra coverage in your chest when you're not able to wrap it as tightly around you.

Sheath dress

This dress style can be worn as is and look fabulous for times when your weight is up or down slightly. It can also be layered with a gorgeous blazer, kimono, jean jacket (the possibilities are endless!) for extra coverage when the fit is a little too tight for comfort. When it's feeling a little loose, popping a belt on gives it a tailored fit and adapts it to your current body.

Versatile layers

Layers are a great addition to a weight fluctuation friendly wardrobe since they can be used to add more coverage when you're feeling self conscious. The right pieces can also create a tailored silhouette to keep pieces from looking too sloppy when on the looser side.

One great layering option to have on hand is a killer blazer, either in a structured knit that stretches with you or a boyfriend silhouette that appears perfectly fitted when your weight fluctuates up but also looks intentionally, and stylishly, loose when your weight fluctuates down.

Stretchy jean jackets and vests are another great option for similar reasons.

A statement coat is another great option for throwing on with anything to pull a look together. Buy it slightly oversize and it will see you through a range of sizes without losing an ounce of style!

Loose tees and sweaters

These types of tops are easy to adapt to different weights simply by how you style it and what you pair it with. (We'll get into style tips and tricks more later on in this blog!)

The key is getting a fit that's a little looser so you have some room to grow without clinging or being uncomfortable but can also use that same extra fabric to style it up in ways that create a tighter fit when at a lower weight.

Bottoms with stretch

The COVID-era did one favorable thing in the realm of clothes - it gave us more options with stretch than ever before!

Ponte pants, leggings and stretch denim are the best of the best when it comes to buying bottoms that stretch with you. Ponte pants are a great work alternative to the classic stiff trouser and leggings have gotten a serious makeover and aren't just for athleisure looks anymore. Thanks to fun options like this one from Spanx, you can now rock them for a night out and one size will easily stretch up or down with you over several sizes.

Speaking of stretching with you over a few sizes, some retailers are finally catching up to the demands of real women and producing innovative designs created to span several sizes. Hallelujah, am I right?!

These Good American Always Fits jeans, Universal Standard's pants, and these Roucha pants are designed to fit a size range instead of one specific size. Other companies have created pants with adaptable waists like this Everlane fatigue barrel pant so while it's one specific size, you can adapt the fit based on what's going on with your body any given day.

Have an arsenal of go-to fit hacks

From temporary tailoring to no-sew techniques to fit tools, fit hacks are ways you can adapt your clothes to be a better fit and one of the secrets when dressing for fluctuating weight.

These should be low cost and easy to do in the moment (with the exception of tailoring) such as using fashion tape to keep your button down from gaping at the bust when your chest is fuller than usual.

Waist cinchers and hip huggers are a 3 second solution for nipping in the waist of belted pants and jeans when you're weight is fluctuating down. Another great fit hack is using the ponytail trick or adding an extender to let out the waistline of your jeans when weight is fluctuating up.

To start creating your own list of go-tos, head on over to Pinterest and type in "hacks to make clothes fit better." Save them to a board so you can pull them up whenever you need to adjust your outfit of the day to be a better fit.

Keep in mind that it's usually easier to adjust clothing to fit tighter. You may want to buy clothing that naturally fits well when you're on the high end of your weight fluctuation and use these fit hacks and tools for a tighter fit when you're on the lower end.

Finally, tailoring your clothes isn't a revolutionary tip but it's much more cost effective (especially if it's a favorite of yours!) then buying something new. When buying clothes, look for pieces with extra fabric at the seams. This will allow the piece to be let out, as well as taken in to support your natural weight fluctuations.

Pro-tip: When you get a piece taken in, ask the tailor to leave the seam allowance (instead of trimming it off) so it can be let out again if needed as your weight fluctuates. Yep - you can tailor clothes multiple times!

Use the power of stylizing

These finishing touches not only add extra flair, style and personality to your outfit, they're also a great way to adjust your clothes to accommodate weight ups and downs - a total win-win!

Something as simple as how you tuck your shirt can completely change how your clothes look, whether it's tightening up a too loose top by tucking it all the way in or covering up a bloated tummy with a loose, blousy front-tuck.

Belts are another great option for stylizing a look to create a slimmer fit. Try belting the waist of a sheath dress to give it a more fitted silhouette, slinging it through your belt loops to keep your pants up, or cinching one around a boxy blazer to create a tailored appearance.

Finally, don't underestimate the power of accessories! These are great pieces to invest in because they aren't size/fit related so they're easy to wear whether you're up or down at the moment. You can confidently wear accessories no matter what to always have an outfit that represents you and what you love.

When you create a style you love and that supports the natural rhythms of your body, you're using clothes in one of its most powerful capacities - the ability to be a tool for self-care and self-acceptance so you can fully embrace the beautiful body you live in.

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ABOUT:

I'm a Minneapolis personal stylist on a mission to eradicate outdated style 'rules' so women can unleash themselves in all their beautiful, authentic glory!

I offer personal styling services that empower women to wear what they love by helping them ditch any outdated style rules keeping them stuck, showing them how to dress in a way that embraces their beautiful body and, the key to it all, having fun! I believe in a liberated style approach so there are no style rules, body shapes, seasonal colors or dos and don’ts given out here. Rather, I help my clients tap into what lights them up and dress with the purpose of expressing their authentic selves rather than impressing others.

This is all done through a combination of styling services (including wardrobe edits, shopping trips and styling sessions) available in thoughtfully curated styling packages designed to help clients unleash their true self through the power of style.

When I'm not helping women take back their power style, you can find me reading (about a gazillion books at once), learning the art of pole dancing, making & decorating cakes, binging a random circa 2000's TV show with my hubby, Aaron, while playing with my adorable rescue pup or, of course, shopping! :-)

Or maybe, your experience was less instantaneous and rather a journey of ups and downs over the years you spent expanding your family - watching your body growing, weight fluctuating, shrinking and reshaping itself and cycling through entire wardrobes a result.

“Yep, I'm talking about the ebbs and flows of fluctuating weight and the impact it has on personal style, changing how clothes fit and feel on you from month to month and even day to day. But the most significant impact of all is the effect that fluctuating weight has on how you feel about yourself.”

When you aren't feeling good about yourself, it's really hard to feel good about what you're wearing. So let's change the game right here, right now. It's time to embrace this very normal part of style so that the next time your weight fluctuates, you won't even give it a second thought.

In order to do that, we need to get to the bottom of why there's so much stress, worry and fear attached to the very thought of your body changing.

Let’s ditch this body myth for good!

Let's start with the fact that any perceived weight change on a woman, whether it's a celebrity or a mom at your kids school, is instant fodder for the gossip mill - and it's not exactly pleasant talk!

Pair that with the messaging you're inundated with every day when it comes to your weight. You know what I'm talking about - the subtle, and not so subtle, depiction of how much better life will be when you're iron clad diet and exercise routines mean you never again have to worry about that scary moment of realizing your pants are too tight.

(Psst! Check out this blog post to see more insidious ways societal conditioning around image impacts the way you dress.)

There's a ton of advice out there on how to lose weight, maintain a consistent weight, never bloat again, use clothes to camouflage weight gain and on and on. In other words, you're constantly being bombarded with subliminal messaging that weight fluctuation is a problem that needs to be fixed.

It's no wonder that when your weight does change, it's easy to feel like you've failed somehow.

It then becomes natural to tell yourself that you should be able to maintain a consistent weight. That you shouldn't be indulging so much on vacation that you come back 10 pounds heavier. That if you were 'good' you would stick to your healthy eating plan and not gain any weight over the holidays. That you need to lose every bit of baby weight, never mind that you don't have the time or finances to go back to your pre-baby routines.

In reality, all those thoughts are really just a sneaky way that society gets you to do its dirty work and shame yourself for not matching its ideal. 😡

Let's put a stop to that right now!

Because here's the truth: weight fluctuation is just part of living in a human body - and even more so, for living in a human, female body.

I'll say it again:

As a woman, it's natural and normal for your body to fluctuate!

It's helpful to reflect why so the next time you're tempted to question (aka shame) yourself for fluctuating weight, you can remind yourself that it's all due to a natural, normal reason that means nothing about who you are as a person.

Reasons fluctuating weight happens

Though there are more reasons for this than I could possibly list, these are just a few of the most common reasons of weight fluctuation for women in particular.

Hello hormones!

Hormones can significantly affect the weight, shape and size of your body throughout your life. It starts with puberty, then comes period related bloating, weight gain and loss with pregnancy (not to mention breast feeding!), and on to the metabolism changes that come with peri-menopause and menopause.

And those are just the natural life cycle reasons. Certain chronic conditions can also hugely affect female hormones, which in turn affects many of the systems and functions in your body that manage things like water retention, appetite, metabolism, etc. that in turn affect weight.

Life happens

Life events can have a huge impact on your weight. From something serious like illness and medication side effects to just the normal occurrences of living your life, such as holiday feasts, vacation indulgences and changing seasons, simply living life is bound to impact your body and your weight.

Societal pressure

Women tend to feel more pressured to look a specific way in order to be perceived favorably.

This can lead to feeling the need to take certain actions in order to 'look your best' for special events - have you ever dieted before a vacation because you were going to be seen in a bathing suit? How about trying to get into a certain dress size before a wedding with extended family? Or setting a goal to be back to a certain weight by your high school reunion? This pressure can lead to crash diets followed by weight gain. A.k.a the good ol' yo yo diet cycle - the weight fluctuation og.

All of these examples show how natural weight fluctuation is, whether it's frequent and small, or occasional and drastic. No matter what the cause is, it's not a personal failing and you've done nothing wrong.

You are simply human. Living in a human body. One that is designed to grow and change throughout your life just as you do.

In other words, your body going up and down in weight is normal. Staying perfectly the same weight is actually the only abnormal scenario here.

Now only one question remains - are you ready to curate a wardrobe that supports your body's natural tendency to fluctuate?

Click here for the four key areas you can focus on to build a wardrobe that supports you through fluctuating weight.

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ABOUT:

I'm a Minneapolis personal stylist on a mission to eradicate outdated style 'rules' so women can unleash themselves in all their beautiful, authentic glory!

I offer personal styling services that empower women to wear what they love by helping them ditch any outdated style rules keeping them stuck, showing them how to dress in a way that embraces their beautiful body and, the key to it all, having fun! I believe in a liberated style approach so there are no style rules, body shapes, seasonal colors or dos and don’ts given out here. Rather, I help my clients tap into what lights them up and dress with the purpose of expressing their authentic selves rather than impressing others.

This is all done through a combination of styling services (including wardrobe edits, shopping trips and styling sessions) available in thoughtfully curated styling packages designed to help clients unleash their true self through the power of style.

When I'm not helping women take back their power style, you can find me reading (about a gazillion books at once), learning the art of pole dancing, making & decorating cakes, binging a random circa 2000's TV show with my hubby, Aaron, while playing with my adorable rescue pup or, of course, shopping! :-)

When you Google how to dress for your body type, you'll find all sorts of articles sharing information like:

"Dressing well is about creating balance and dressing proportionately."

"Learning to dress for your body shape can help you choose clothes that flatter your body and highlight your best features."

And, of course, that draws you in - who doesn't want to learn how to find clothes that fit and flatter them, show off their best features and balance their proportions?! It sounds like the perfect solution to your style woes.

But there's one glaring error that's overlooked…

Dressing for your body type is based on a flawed system

Who determined what's considered a 'flattering' look in the first place? Who decided what the best features are on each of these shapes? Who decreed that only balanced proportions look good? Whose advice are you actually following when it comes to dressing for your body shape?

The answer is: society. Or rather, and even more disturbingly, the patriarchal influence on society.

What is considered flattering, proportional and a woman's best features is set by society's ideal body type for women.

In a world of messaging built on the male gaze, the ideal body type is unfortunately not decided by women. (If it was, I'm pretty sure we'd all be walking around proud of our curves, cellulite, stretch marks and loose skin. Just sayin'.)

Yep. The subliminal message is "learn your body shape so you can change it to look how society thinks you should look in order to be considered an attractive female."

If you've ever followed the typical advice of dressing for your body type and found that you liked the way you look, this is why!

It's because you're now closer to the ideal body shape and therefore being received more positively by others in a society that views the hourglass figure as the ideal beauty standard.

The most insidious part of this whole system is how it's universally accepted that changing how you look is the answer, when what really needs changing are society's unrealistic standards.

Let's break it down even more with an example - you've gotta see it to believe it!

Say you're a triangle (also called a pear) body shape, meaning you carry weight in your lower half, your waist is wider than your bust and your shoulders are narrow in comparison to your hips.

The typical advice you'll find for dressing a triangle body shape is:

• Wear pieces on the top half that accentuate your shoulders or bust areas and wear pieces on the bottom half that minimize attention to the lower part of your body.

• Wear tops that draw the eye upward and highlight your waist, neckline and shoulders. (Ie, your best features.)

• The trick to dressing a pear body type is wearing anything that adds to your shoulder and bust area. This adds focus to your upper body to even out the proportions between your top and bottom half.

When you follow this advice and 'even out your proportions,' you've created an illusion with clothes so that your body shape now looks like this:

And, hmm, doesn't that look an awful lot like another body shape that just so happens to be the ideal? 🧐

Well, look at that. Turns out you haven't embraced your shape at all. You've changed it.

Furthermore, why do your fuller booty, hips and thighs need to be minimized? Why can't they be the center of attention and highlighted as your best feature? If you were truly embracing your body, that might be exactly what you want to do!

What dressing for your body shape has actually shown you how to do?

Change your body so you can look how society thinks you should look in order to be considered attractive.

It's such total BS right?!

It's time to take back your power and try a different approach to dressing for your body shape.

How to dress to embrace your natural body shape

Ditch the outdated idea of dressing to flatter your body. 

Fun fact - to flatter means to lavish insincere praise so it's no wonder that dressing to 'flatter' your body shape is based on creating an illusion that doesn't actually exist.

Any compliments you receive won't be based on what your body actually looks like - which just adds fuel to the body shaming fire.

Start dressing to embrace your body.

Embrace means to accept willingly, enthusiastically and completely.

In other words, go ahead and wear whatever the heck you want and allow your body to look exactly the way it naturally looks.

To dip your toe in the water:

Notice the running commentary of body shape advice that goes through your head while you decide what to wear.

Then flash a giant STOP sign in your mind. Once it's clear, replace the dressing for your body shape thoughts with "what am I loving right now?" and let that run through your head as you pick your outfit.

To go all in:

Let the commentary run and experiment with purposely putting something on that you feel makes you look heavier, bigger, (whatever a personal trigger is for you) and then wear it anyway.

You'll probably have a voice shouting in your head that your thighs look huge and you need to change immediately. That's a good time to remind yourself where that voice is coming from and what it's trying to get you to do - change how your natural body looks as if your original shape isn't good enough. Say what now?! Infuriating, right?! 😡

(At this point, I personally find that getting angry at the BS nonsensical rules women have been force fed about our looks usually shuts it up and I can go about my day.)

When you ditch the dressing for your body shape advice once and for all, it unlocks a whole new, level of personal style based on empowerment. You begin dressing to embrace who you are and what you look like so you can let your natural beauty shine.

And doesn't that sound like a much more beautiful, loving and kind way to exist in this world?

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ABOUT:

I'm a Minneapolis personal stylist on a mission to eradicate outdated style 'rules' so women can unleash themselves in all their beautiful, authentic glory!

I offer personal styling services that empower women to wear what they love by helping them ditch any outdated style rules keeping them stuck, showing them how to dress in a way that embraces their beautiful body and, the key to it all, having fun! I believe in a liberated style approach so there are no style rules, body shapes, seasonal colors or dos and don’ts given out here. Rather, I help my clients tap into what lights them up and dress with the purpose of expressing their authentic selves rather than impressing others.

This is all done through a combination of styling services (including wardrobe edits, shopping trips and styling sessions) available in thoughtfully curated styling packages designed to help clients unleash their true self through the power of style.

When I'm not helping women take back their power style, you can find me reading (about a gazillion books at once), learning the art of pole dancing, making & decorating cakes, binging a random circa 2000's TV show with my hubby, Aaron, while playing with my adorable rescue pup or, of course, shopping! :-)

There's just no way you could have walked this much before, especially carting around your laptop, water bottle and coffee, all while balancing precariously in heels, when even a single day at the office in your favorite pre-pandemic heels now seems like absolute torture.

After spending the past three years in fuzzy slippers, can you really blame your poor, innocent footsies for protesting against being crammed back into those oh-so-cute but oh-so-painful stilettos?

And it's not just you!

I'm hearing this across the board from my clients and it comes up at almost every style party too! In other words, the struggle is real and try as you might, your feet just aren't having it any more.

What's a girl who wants to wear heels to do?

Try one of these heel alternatives that are just as professional and chic as the heels you still adore (from a safe, comfy distance, of course!).

Try a low block heel

In a high heel shoe, the heel acts as a vital balancing point. When that point is very thin, like on a stiletto style heel, it creates an unstable surface that's much harder to balance on, requiring you to put more pressure on the ball of your foot to increase stability. More pressure on the ball of the foot, equals more ouchie! (That's a technical term 😆)

In contrast, a block heel has a wide, broad base so more surface area makes contact with the ground, increasing stability and giving you better balance overall, requiring less pressure on the ball of your foot. Pair this increased stability with a low heel height (1-2 inches max) and you get a little lift without sacrificing comfort. Can I get a hallelujah??

This high heel alternative is great if you still love heels and want to get a similar look without sacrificing comfort. Or if you work in an office environment with more traditional/conservative attire where heels are still expected and/or more casual shoe options don't quite work.

Get more examples + links to shop your favorites when you join Stylistas!

Embrace the loafer

In simple terms, a loafer is a shoe that doesn't have laces or any other fastening and is slipped onto the foot.

While there are some high heel spins on the loafer style, generally this is a flat shoe with a minimal heel height anywhere from zero to half an inch. Combine the lack of heel with a toe box that tends to be wider and more forgiving than the typical high heel and the comfort factor is high - as sky high as those stiletto heels gathering dust in your closet!

It was largely sported on Ivy League campuses in years past so it's generally been synonymous with a preppy style. Until now! Thanks to its recent comeback, you can find this casual, comfortable and chic heel alternative in a variety of styles from glam to edgy to feminine. You can even find platform options to give you a little height sans the painful arch of a heel. And even better, it's become a go-to classic for the office making it a great option for business settings in place of a heel.

Get more examples + shoppable links when you join Stylistas!

Choose pointed-toes

Also called a pointy-toe, this style of shoe is characterized by, you guessed it - the shape of the toe! This can apply to any type of shoe but in this instance, you'll apply it to flats (or flat booties) 'cause we're going for comfort!

Flats with this toe style are a great heel alternative for the office because it takes the sleek, sharp toe style that you'd find on a typical stiletto and merges it with the comfort of a ballet flat. Hence why flats with this toe style tend to dress things up more than a round toe (ie, a ballet flat) so whether you're opting for a chic flat or a warm bootie, it's sophisticated vibe can go perfectly with your knock 'em dead power suit.

If pointy-toe styles just aren't your thing, you can also opt for an almond toe flat. This is almost identical but instead of a sharp point at the toe, it's slightly rounded and still provides a chic alternative to your high heels.

Get more examples + shoppable links when you join Stylistas!

Want specific recommendations for each of these heel alternatives with links that you can use to shop the styles you like? Then you'll want to be one of my Stylistas! A.k.a, a special crew of women that receive tips like these + shoppable links to my top recommendations every. single. month. All you have to do is sign up to be on the Stylistas email list and you're in! Go here to learn more and get on the waitlist now!

How to make heels more comfortable

Is your love for heels still going strong but you just wish they could be more stinkin' comfortable?! Right there with you!

For my ride and die heel girls 🙋‍♀️, here are a few quick hacks for getting the most comfort possible out of a heel:

Go a half size up. This gives your feet a little extra room so when they start to swell by the end of the day (and everyone's feet do this!), your little toesies will be less likely to get pinched or squeezed. Worried about your narrow heels slipping out of a bigger size? Add heel grips to the inside back of your shoe to keep them on your feet.

Opt for a platform base. A thicker sole paired with a wider heel base creates way less pressure on the ball of your foot, which equals 10x more comfort. If you love tall heels, you can get the same height minus the painful arch. Bonus points if it has a cushioned insole!

Try an anti-blister stick. If your biggest complaint tends to be blisters rather than pinched toes or achy feet, grab one of these sticks to create a barrier between your skin and the heel, stopping the friction that causes blisters in the first place so hopefully you won’t need a heel alternative.

You know what they say...happy feet, happy meet-ing. These heel alternatives and heel comfort hacks will boost your mood and have your feet doing a little (pain free) happy dance at the end of the day!

Pssst! Did I mention that you can get specific recommendations for each option, including links to shop your favorite styles? Yep, when you're one of my Stylistas! A.k.a, a special crew of women that receive tips like these + shoppable links to my top recommendations every. single. month. All you have to do is sign up to be on the Stylistas email list and you're in!

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ABOUT:

I'm a Minneapolis personal stylist on a mission to eradicate outdated style 'rules' so women can unleash themselves in all their beautiful, authentic glory!

I offer personal styling services that empower women to wear what they love by helping them ditch any outdated style rules keeping them stuck, showing them how to dress in a way that embraces their beautiful body and, the key to it all, having fun! I believe in a liberated style approach so there are no style rules, body shapes, seasonal colors or dos and don’ts given out here. Rather, I help my clients tap into what lights them up and dress with the purpose of expressing their authentic selves rather than impressing others.

This is all done through a combination of styling services (including wardrobe edits, shopping trips and styling sessions) available in thoughtfully curated styling packages designed to help clients unleash their true self through the power of style.

When I'm not helping women take back their power style, you can find me reading (about a gazillion books at once), learning the art of pole dancing, making & decorating cakes, binging a random circa 2000's TV show with my hubby, Aaron, while playing with my adorable rescue pup or, of course, shopping! :-)

And one of the surest ways to do this is through practicing self-care.

Take the chaos of the past few years and add on the recent awakening to the epidemic of burnout that we're facing as a culture, and it's for good reason that self-care has become such a buzz word lately and advice for practicing it can be found everywhere you look.

Yet, there's an incredibly beneficial practice that is often left out of the traditional advice that's rinsed and repeated in every article. I picture this way as an overlooked sidekick that's been hanging around, just waiting to be called forward so she can shine with superhero feats to save you.

No, I don't mean your imaginary friend from childhood - although having someone to talk to regardless of corporeal status is always a win!

I'm talking about your clothes!

What you wear is the most powerful tool you have for regularly practicing self-care and deepening your connection to yourself, which leads to loving yourself more.

It's this very tool that was a vital component to healing my relationship with myself and I've seen it do the same for dozens of my clients since.

I've struggled with body image issues from a young age. In adulthood, I've done years of therapy, read so many self-help books and listened to a gazillion podcasts on the quest to heal my relationship with my body and myself. Despite all of that, I remained stuck in a place of neutrality and couldn't get over the hump into accepting and the idea of actually embracing my body? That seemed even more far-fetched! I often thought - 'pssh, is that even possible? It seems like a unicorn pipe dream influencers use to gain followings.'

It wasn't until I started using clothes as the powerful tool of reconnection to body and self that they are meant to be, that I was able to get unstuck. I went from not thinking negatively about my body (though that's still a win!) to actually thinking nicely about my body. It was the tangible, physical act of dressing myself with love that 'tricked' my brain into seeing myself differently and thinking about myself differently.

If you live in a nudist colony, you can keep scrolling...

Okay now that it's only those of you left who wear clothes, allow me to be captain obvious for a moment and remind you that you. wear. clothes. Every. single. day.

Now think about how often you do other self-care practices. How often do you get a manicure? Or a massage? Or catch up with your girlfriends over happy hour? Or actually get yourself to sit down and meditate?

Don't get me wrong. These traditional self-care practices are great! Yet they can also be expensive, time-consuming and impractical to work into your routine as much as you need or want in order to see the benefit.

Putting on clothes is something you HAVE to do every single day.

You have no choice but to make time for it!

When used as a tool for self-care, it's guaranteed that you'll experience a daily dose of self-acceptance and self-love. Over the course of a year, that's 365 days (in a row!) that you'll have practiced self-care. How often can you say that about meditating?

Stepping back into the Captain Obvious role for a moment, you not only wear clothes every single day, you wear them all. day. long.

That manicure, massage, or happy hour lasts for an hour, maybe two if you're lucky. This act of self-care lasts for 12 hours minimum. That's some serious bang for your buck and way too good of an opportunity to pass by.

At this point, you might be thinking that all sounds nice but "getting dressed is kind of stressful right now and honestly sometimes I like myself less after putting on clothes! How can clothes possibly help me love my self more?!"

I hear you! And that's why I've compiled 5 ways that you can turn clothes into your own personal love letter to your beautiful self.

Try just one, try them all, or add one at a time until you do all of them. There is no right or wrong way, loving yourself is about honoring what will feels best for you!

Put on clothes that fit your beautiful body as it is right now.

When you wear something that's too tight because you refuse to believe you could have gone up a size, you're refusing to accept your body. Beyond that, you're actually telling your body that it's not okay for it to have changed, that it shouldn't have changed. Squeezing it into too tight clothes is not motivating yourself to lose weight, it's punishing yourself for being 'bad' 'lazy' 'sloppy', which is the opposite of loving yourself.

On the flip side, when you wear something that's too big, you're telling yourself the story that you have a body that you need to hide; that there are parts of your body that are shameful or wrong and best covered up so no one, especially you, has to be subjected to see it. Ouch!

By wearing clothes that fit your body in this moment, you're caring for it. You're making sure it's comfortable. You're saying, "I see all of you and I'm not ashamed of you."

You're accepting that you have a human body, which is designed to change and fluctuate because it a normal part of functioning - not a character flaw or failure.

Dressing yourself in clothes that fit is a big ol' beautiful love letter to your body and by extension yourself. One that gets written every morning and is read all day long. And when that's the case, it's pretty much impossible to not fall in love with yourself!

Try this:

Tailoring! Pick a piece that you love but never seems to fit quite right. Take it to a tailor to see if they can take it in or let it out. Clothes should change to fit you, not the other way around. Let yourself really experience what that means with a piece that's tailored to fit you perfectly.

Release any clothes that you don’t love and don’t wear

You've probably heard (quite possibly from me! 😆) that cleaning out your closet has huge benefits, including clearing space, making getting dressed easier and even letting go of emotional baggage. 

That's all true - and there's an even greater benefit then all of that, which rarely gets talked about.

By releasing these clothes, you’re also releasing the idea of how you should look and who you should be in favor of embracing who you are right now. And when you can let these idealized versions of yourself go and accept who you really are that's an enormous act of self-compassion that allows you to love yourself (the real you) even more.

This could look like accepting that you just don’t love floral and that doesn’t mean you’re not feminine. Or accepting that you feel your best in skinny jeans and trusting that you're still cool without following all the trends. 

Try this:

Go to your closet and release three pieces - one piece that you used to love and wear all the time but haven't worn in the past year (or more!); one piece that doesn't fit anymore; and one piece that every time you put it on, you take it right back off.

Wear pieces you love and that put a smile on your face

When you allow yourself to wear pieces you truly love (others' opinions be damned!), you are honoring yourself and your own desires over anyone else. In other words, you're putting yourself first - one of the greatest gifts you can ever give yourself and one of the greatest acts of self love. You're telling yourself what you want matters. That YOU matter.

Even if it's just with your clothes to start, you'd be surprised at how that radiates out to other parts of your life with benefits more far reaching than you could ever imagine.

Try this:

Pick one piece in your closet that makes you smile, that you're excited and happy to wear. Now go ahead and wear it, no matter what! :-)

Treat yourself to higher quality clothes

When you think about the fact that you wear your clothes every single day all day long, it's a great investment to buy clothes that are cut well (meaning they fit better) and feel better on the skin thanks to nicer fabrics, linings, and better stitch placement.

You deserve to roam this earth and move through out your daily life in good, high-quality clothes. I find this one to be especially difficult for moms, who have a hard time justifying spending money on themselves. Is this you? My question for you to consider is why you're willing to spend more money on your child's clothes, who will grow out of that shirt in 6 months anyway, than yourself who will wear it for years? It's okay to love yourself equally as fiercely as you love your children.

Try this:

Start with a piece you wear all the time, like your go-to jeans, and invest in a higher quality version. Wearing $20 jeans? Upgrade to $50 jeans. Wearing $80 jeans? Upgrade to $150 jeans. Even a few higher quality pieces are enough to show self-love.

This looks different for everyone. It could mean upgrading to designer or it could simply mean skipping Target and going to Macy's. Or even thrifting to get those nicer brands within your budget!

Dress to celebrate and highlight what you love

Your relationship with yourself will change when you're your own best friend. And what do besties do? They cheer each other on! When you're cheering yourself on? Now that's self love!

To cheer yourself on, switch from focusing on hiding what you don't like about your body to wearing pieces that draw attention to what you love. This brings the focus to all of the things you love about your body and all the reasons you have to celebrate it.

This shift in where you put your focus on your body, also helps shift your focus overall so that you start noticing the positive more. Not just about yourself but across all areas and situations.

Try this:

Pick one body part you love and dress in a piece that highlights it. Love your eyes? Wear earrings to draw attention to your face or put on a top in a color that makes them pop. Love your strong arms? Wear a halter to play up those muscles or a fitted long sleeve shirt to show off your buff biceps.

Your clothes can do more for you than meet others' expectations - and it's time you start demanding that they do! When you tap into this powerful tool that you use all day long, every single day of your life, you make greater strides toward self-love, self-compassion and self-acceptance than you ever dreamed was possible.

Let your clothes help you on the journey of accepting and loving yourself. Your clothes are ready and waiting to give you the TLC, self-care and love that you desire.

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ABOUT:

I'm a Minneapolis personal stylist on a mission to eradicate outdated style 'rules' so women can unleash themselves in all their beautiful, authentic glory!

I offer personal styling services that empower women to wear what they love by helping them ditch any outdated style rules keeping them stuck, showing them how to dress in a way that embraces their beautiful body and, the key to it all, having fun! I believe in a liberated style approach so there are no style rules, body shapes, seasonal colors or dos and don’ts given out here. Rather, I help my clients tap into what lights them up and dress with the purpose of expressing their authentic selves rather than impressing others.

This is all done through a combination of styling services (including wardrobe edits, shopping trips and styling sessions) available in thoughtfully curated styling packages designed to help clients unleash their true self through the power of style.

When I'm not helping women take back their power style, you can find me reading (about a gazillion books at once), traveling to new and old favorite destinations, binging a random circa 2000's TV show with my hubby, Aaron, playing with my adorable rescue pup or, of course, shopping! :-)

No, this isn't an ol' bait and switch trick. 

You might be surprised that the one thing you can do to make getting dressed in the morning SO MUCH easier has nothing to do with how you style your outfit. 

It doesn't have to do with what you wear at all. 

It has to do with the state of your closet. 

Your closet is the starting point for getting dressed. 

If it's in disarray or overcrowded that gives you a hectic foundation, which leads to a hectic time getting dressed.

Even when your closet is neat and tidy, it can still hamper your best efforts and cause frustration if it's not organized in a way that works for your brain and your lifestyle.

A cleaned out, organized closet isn't just for aesthetics. 

It's one of the most helpful things you can do for yourself to make getting dressed in the morning easier. 

When I'm going through a client's closet, there are three objectives I always keep in mind. 

1. Get rid of clothes to create space

2. Re-organize the layout of clothes for the client's lifestyle

3. Categorize the clothes for easy outfit building

Each of these goals serves a purpose to help achieve the end result that every client desires (and if you're reading this, then I'm guessing it’s one you want too!) - being able to easily get dressed in the morning. No fuss. No drama. And definitely, no marathon try-on session of just about everything you own.

You may need all three or find that one is a priority over the others.

To help you hone in on your main focus, here's a break down of each goal and how it acts as an ‘easy’ button for getting dressed. 

A cleaned out closet creates space to see everything you own so you have more options to choose from.

When you have too many clothes, your brain fights overwhelm by going into default mode and directing you to the same go-to pieces you always wear.

This is how you end up staring into your closet thinking that you have absolutely nothing to wear ('cause by now you're so over those go-to pieces) and need to go shopping. Again.

But the answer isn't adding more, it's paring down to less.

Creating enough space to make everything hanging in your closet visible at a quick glance is the fastest way to alleviate the frustration of feeling like you never have anything to wear. 

It's why many of my clients experience the paradoxical effect of feeling like they have more to wear even though there are less clothes hanging in their closet!

Before

After

With this client, her closet was so overcrowded that she had started hanging pieces on her shoe rack in order to fit everything in. Once we cleared out the pieces she no longer loved or wanted to wear, she gained back an entire rack of dresses that had been in hiding! Not to mention racks of shoes that she had forgotten were an option because she defaulted to wearing the same few pairs of shoes that were easily visible on her closet floor.

A closet organized by lifestyle helps you easily pick an outfit for any occasion because all of your options are in one place.

When you have a system for organizing your clothes that makes sense for your lifestyle, it's synced up to how you're already thinking about your day so choosing what to wear is a breeze. 

Next time you have to go into the office, you can go right to the specific area of your closet that has all your suitable for the office clothes. 

When you have all of your options in one spot (and don't have to wade through cleavage baring date night tops and worn out leggings that are an automatic no), your brain can quickly and easily make a decision. 

Yep, this also means that Starbucks latte you've been dreaming of is so happening - because getting dressed was so easy that you were able to actually head out the door a few minutes early today!

Before

Before

This client had work from home pieces (ie, loungey, wouldn't leave the house in these clothes), uber professional business pieces and everyday clothes all mixed together. After we went through her closet, we dedicated an entire quadrant (on the bottom right) to work from home clothes and moved her rarely worn professional meeting clothes to a new, less accessible spot.

The top two quadrants are dedicated to everyday clothes so when she has happy hour with the girls, date night with the hubby or hosts one of her infamous dinner parties, she doesn't even look at the cozy work from home pieces and instead sees how many fun options she truly has!

A categorized closet allows you to purposefully and easily build your outfit for the day.

When the clothes in your closet are organized by category (ie, sorted by item type then sleeve length and then color), it helps you approach building your outfit in the same way. 

Instead of staring at your closet wondering what to wear, you can start by looking at the section with all of your tops, narrowing in on whether you want a long sleeve top or something short sleeve or sleeveless to wear under a layer. 

Now that you've decided on that floral print, pastel blue sleeveless top, you go next to the section of your closet with layers, honing in on your blazers since you have an important client meeting, and from there focus only on the colors that you know will go with your top.  

Now you head to your jeans section and easily see two dark wash options you have that are perfect for a business casual look. You pick one and voila…you're ready! 

How easy was that?! 

Hint: Way easier than the strategy of "I guess I'll just browse through my closet and see what I have." 

Before

After

The key to this client feeling ease when getting dressing was organizing her tops into categories by sleeveless, short sleeve, long sleeve, sweaters, cardigans, jackets, and finally blazers (shown left to right in the after photo). When she wanted to wear a cardigan that had a thinner fabric, instead of hunting through the whole rack for a sleeveless top that could work under it, she zoomed right in to the section of sleeveless tops. This turned 10 minutes of hunting into 2 minutes of deciding. Easy peasy!

Which benefit(s) would you find most helpful when it comes to easily getting dressed in the morning?

If you find yourself frequently standing in front of your closet and thinking, “I have nothing to wear,” you’ll want to make sure you clean out your closet so you can actually see everything you own. (You have more to wear than you think you do!)

If you find yourself frequently standing in front of your closet and thinking, “I need more work/date night/casual/etc. clothes,” you’ll want to group your clothes by lifestyle so you can see what you specifically have to wear for each occasion.

If you find yourself frequently standing in front of your closet and thinking, “I don’t know what to wear,” you’ll want to categorize your closet so you can make building an outfit as simple as possible.

Find yourself thinking all three? These can easily work with each other and all be incorporated together.

And, of course, if you're a busy gal and the last thing you want to do is spend your free time cleaning out your closet no matter how enticing the benefits make it sound - I get it! 

So go ahead and invite over your style bestie (that's me! 🙋‍♀️) for a Style Edit. With me by your side it will be the most painless, funnest (yes, that's official style terminology), rewarding experience you can give yourself.

Besides a cleaned out, organized closet, you get all the added benefits of:

• finally getting clear on your style

• feeling more confident in your buying decisions going forward

• understanding what doesn't work for you and why

• an organization strategy personalized for your brain and lifestyle

Click the button below and schedule face time with me to chat about the service or if you're ready to go, click here to instantly secure your spot on my schedule! 

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ABOUT:

I'm a Minneapolis personal stylist on a mission to eradicate outdated style 'rules' so women can unleash themselves in all their beautiful, authentic glory!

I offer personal styling services that empower women to wear what they love by helping them ditch any outdated style rules keeping them stuck, showing them how to dress in a way that embraces their beautiful body and, the key to it all, having fun! I believe in a liberated style approach so there are no style rules, body shapes, seasonal colors or dos and don’ts given out here. Rather, I help my clients tap into what lights them up and dress with the purpose of expressing their authentic selves rather than impressing others.

This is all done through a combination of styling services (including wardrobe edits, shopping trips and styling sessions) available in thoughtfully curated styling packages designed to help clients unleash their true self through the power of style.

When I'm not helping women take back their power style, you can find me reading (about a gazillion books at once), traveling to new and old favorite destinations, binging a random circa 2000's TV show with my hubby, Aaron, playing with my adorable rescue pup or, of course, shopping! :-)

It’s easy to go hog wild and before you know it, you’ve added a ton of clothes and accessories to your wardrobe that you realize months later (far past the return date, oops!), you never actually wear.

To combat that the next year, you go the opposite direction and aim to be super strategic by creating a detailed plan and swearing on your first born child that you will only buy what’s on your shopping list. But then you end up not buying anything at all! And the whole experience was a drag on your time and energy without even getting the new clothes excitement as a reward.

It might seem like you’re forced between two options - creating a rigid plan that has you endlessly scrolling to find pieces that perfectly match what’s on your list until you give up from pure frustration or having no plan so you buy all the things and then dealing with the all too familiar icky feeling of buyers remorse that leaves you feeling ashamed and irresponsible.

(Or being so overwhelmed that you avoid Black Friday shopping all together and then stare morosely into your closet every morning for the next month regretting what could’ve been.)

Talk about stress! Something we all need more of that this time of the year - said no human. Ever.

Luckily, there’s another way.

Give yourself the best of both worlds with a general idea of what you want to spend your money on while staying open to new possibilities.

This way you set gentle parameters for yourself that help you be intentional with your money while still having fun.

So what types of pieces are worth braving the chaotic world of Black Friday stores or delving into overwhelming website sales? I’m glad you asked!

Think about getting your WHIT together before you go shopping 😆 In other words, know the key types of pieces to focus on that will give your wardrobe the most bang for its buck when you buy them on sale.

Wishlist pieces

This is just what it sounds like - any pieces you’ve had on your wishlist but held off buying due to the price. These could also be pieces you’ve had on your eye on and it wasn’t necessarily the price itself deterring you, but rather the thought, “is this something I would actually wear enough for the price to be worth it?” In other words, while you love it, do you want to spend that particular amount of money on something you might only wear a few times?

If that sounds familiar, go look those items up, right meow. You might just find that the price is right and now’s your chance to snag them!

Hype pieces

These are pieces that you’ve heard about, read about, or stumbled across on social media (looking at you instagram ads!) and while they intrigue you, and you’ve even seen good reviews, you’re just not sure if all the hype is real - and that makes you wary of spending money on it.

A lot of these pieces will be incredibly discounted for Black Friday to help them gain brand awareness and provide an incentive for shy buyers to give them a try. If there are any hype pieces that you can’t get out of your head, now might be just the time to give into that desire, my friend!

Investment pieces

Clothes and accessories that are made of high-quality materials, have incredible craftsmanship and, because of this, will stand up to the test of time are referred to as investment pieces. Partially because of how long they last and partially because of the generous price tag that goes along with them

Before scouring for deals, take a moment to think about think about what pieces you wear (or use) everyday (ie, your go-to jeans), what pieces take the most abuse and therefore need to be high quality (ie, your overstuffed purse) and what pieces you consider comfort and fit to be a top priority (ie, shoes if you have foot issues).

You may even want to consider those wardrobe necessities where quality makes all the difference but it’s also really annoying to invest in them because it involves spending money on something uber mundane, like socks. It’s not nearly as painful when they’re on sale!

Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales are a great opportunity to upgrade key items in your wardrobe to an investment piece that you’ll still be wearing and loving 5 Black Fridays later.

Want a little extra inspo? Below are a few good types of investment pieces to keep your eye on this Black Friday season.

Trend pieces

Whether it’s actually a new trend or simply new to you, if there’s a style that you’ve been curious about trying, now is the time to explore!

Taking advantage of Black Friday deals is an excellent low risk way to play with new styles that you’re not quite sure you’ll love.

For a little inspo to get you started, below are the top styles my clients are asking for right now.

Bonus Tip!
Many big retailers already have their Black Friday specials going on as you read this. So don’t wait! Hit the shops or websites now to guarantee the best availability of sizes and styles in the pieces you want to buy.

But, of course, remember that some of the most special, unique finds come from small boutiques so be sure to hit your local shops this weekend too and support a small business, or two, or ten!

You’re now ready to go forth and conquer Black Friday and Cyber Monday as an oh-so-savvy shopper. And you know I love a good style find so be sure to share your shopping wins with me over on Instagram @rachelmichaelstyling or hit me up via email at rachel@rachelmichael.com.

All that’s left to say now is - happy shopping!! 🛍💃🏼

PS - Love the shoppable links above? You’re getting a sneak peek into how working with me can make shopping as easy as click, buy, wear and love! Grab some face time with me here to learn how you can have me shop for you just like that!

————

ABOUT:

I'm a Minneapolis personal stylist on a mission to eradicate outdated style 'rules' so women can unleash themselves in all their beautiful, authentic glory!

I offer personal styling services that empower women to wear what they love by helping them ditch any outdated style rules keeping them stuck, showing them how to dress in a way that embraces their beautiful body and, the key to it all, having fun! I believe in a liberated style approach so there are no style rules, body shapes, seasonal colors or dos and don’ts given out here. Rather, I help my clients tap into what lights them up and dress with the purpose of expressing their authentic selves rather than impressing others.

This is all done through a combination of styling services (including wardrobe edits, shopping trips and styling sessions) available in thoughtfully curated styling packages designed to help clients unleash their true self through the power of style.

When I'm not helping women take back their power style, you can find me reading (about a gazillion books at once), traveling to new and old favorite destinations, binging a random circa 2000's TV show with my hubby, Aaron, playing with my adorable rescue pup or, of course, shopping! :-)

When it comes to getting help with your personal style, there are a lot of factors to consider from the type of service you use, to who you work with, to where it all happens along with the exact approach and philosophy of the personal stylist you hire.

With so many decisions going into what type of experience you’ll have and the results you’ll get, you might be wondering, “how can I possibly decide?!”

To make the best decision for you, first take stock of your current style situation, then figure out what your desires are for the style you want to have, and finally, decide what you expect the end result to be after working with a personal stylist.

I’m a big fan of asking yourself questions to get a better understanding of what you want, why you want it and how you want it to happen.

So bust out that paper and pen (that is, if you appreciate the old school feel of a good ol’ ballpoint ink pen scratching across a smooth, high-quality paper - ahh I can hear that sweet, sweet sound now) or simply pull up your go-to notes app. Whatever medium you decide to use, be sure and write down your thoughts in response to the following questions so you can refer back to them throughout your wardrobe help search.

When you know where you’re starting from, you’ll know how far you have to go and that will determine how much style help you’re going to need. Use these questions to assess your current personal style situation.

How many clothes do you have for what you need and how many of those clothes still work for you?
This ties directly to helping you understand how much support you need. You might have a ton of clothes and the majority still work well for you (meaning they fit, they’re in good shape, you love wearing them, etc.) so you don’t need a whole wardrobe overhaul, just a little refresh now that you’re going back into the office again. On the other hand, if you’ve just been promoted to a higher level role but have hardly any clothes that you can wear to work right now, you might need multiple sessions to build up your work wardrobe over time.

What is your current level of style?
Are you a fashionista who is excited for a new perspective? Or has style never been your thing and you have no idea what you’re doing? Maybe you’re somewhere in between! If you’re a fashionista, you might want a super fashion-forward personal stylist to push you outside your comfort zone and take you to the next level. If you feel like you have no style at all, look for a personal stylist who shares easy, doable style tips that resonate with you. You can feel confident they’ll meet you at your current comfort level and be a great teacher along the way!

How much style knowledge do you have?
If you’re generally confident in your style knowledge and skills, there’s just one area that has you feeling stuck or you’re wanting help with a specific situation that you haven’t encountered before, a light style service (such as a mini session or online course) may be all you need to gain traction before taking the reins to continue on your own. However, if you feel totally lost when it comes to your personal style, a step-by-step process with 1:1 support all along the way is going to be how you get the results you want and need.

Now that you know where you’re at currently, you need to know where you want to go from here. Ask yourself these questions to understand what you really want when it comes to your personal style.

What aren’t you loving about your current style?
Maybe you feel like you always wear the same thing and are bored with your style but can’t seem to break out of the rut on your own. Or your body has changed and nothing fits well anymore so you have a limited amount of clothes you can actually wear. Maybe you just got promoted and need more professional attire for your new role and don’t know where to start. Knowing what’s causing you enough stress to seek expert help in the first place is key to finding the best personal stylist for you.

Do you need help in a specific area of your wardrobe?
If you’re all good on professional wear but really struggle to put an outfit together for social outings, that’s a specific style need: You want to have cute options for a busy social life! If you’re casual wear is just fine and daily work attire is no prob but you never know what to wear for important client meetings and work trips, that is your specific area of focus.

Personal stylists have different areas of expertise and you want one who will be the most relevant to your unique style needs.

You could choose an amazing personal stylist who helps CEOs save time while looking fabulous but if you’re a mom who doesn’t work outside of the house, finding your best power suit look will not help you get any closer to a low maintenance easy style that makes it super easy to get dressed every morning.

What do you want a new style to do for you?
This usually goes beyond tangible needs (ie, new clothes that fit) and often it’s actually about how you’ll feel, what you’ll think and what you’ll do with an updated style. You may find yourself really wanting help because you’re tired of feeling frumpy wearing sweatpants all day. This isn’t just about getting out of sweatpants, it might be that what you really want is help reclaiming your polished, put-together self!

Is there a specific event/circumstance that you want help with?
Different personal stylists offer different personal styling services. If you have a specific event and want a personal stylist to help you find a killer look, that may only require a one-time shopping trip. If you’re ready for a whole new look that’s not related to any specific event, you’ll want a comprehensive style package rather than a one time styling service. You want a personal stylist with services that match your needs so when you need a total style overhaul, they offer a package that can get you all the way there!

What style ‘skill’ are you lacking the most? Ie, what part of style frustrates you the most?
Is it not being able to keep an organized closet because you can’t get rid of anything? Is it hard for you to find new pieces to buy because you don’t know what works for you? Or do you find fun, new pieces just fine on your own but then when you get them home, you can’t figure out how to wear them? Maybe it’s all of the above! Once you know this, then you’ll know what you most hope to learn from a personal stylist and can communicate that from the beginning to make sure it’s their area of expertise.

By knowing what you want from a style change, you can now determine what results you want to see. The following questions will help you get clear on what you want your end result to be after working with a personal stylist.

What is the style problem that you most need help solving?
Review your answers above and summarize them to answer this question. For example: I need a whole new wardrobe (how much support) of professional clothes (specific area) that fit and help me feel confident (what you want your style to do) in my new role (specific event) as the director of marketing. I also need to learn how to mix and match my clothes (style knowledge) into cute outfits so I know how to wear everything I own (style knowledge).

What is your desired outcome? ie., in a dream scenario where you got everything you wanted out of working with a personal stylist, what would that look like to you?
Maybe you’d be 100% satisfied if all the shopping was done for you and you saved a bunch of time while still looking fabulous. Maybe you’d have gotten a specific outfit for a specific event that you feel incredibly confident in. Or you learned how to be more confident shopping because you know what works for you and why. Maybe you’re jazzed because everything in your wardrobe finally works together and you know exactly how to wear it all.

Fast forwarding to that dream scenario end result in your mind and knowing what it looks like, helps you find your best service because there’s a big difference in what you’ll find when searching for a personal shopper for busy women vs. event styling services. It also lets you be crystal clear with the stylist from the beginning about what you expect your end result to be when working together.

How much time and money are you willing to invest? And what is your max limit?
It’s worth answering both of these questions. Think back to the dream scenario end result - what would you be willing to spend for being able to go in your closet and know exactly what to wear every morning?

Now that you have what you’re willing to spend, it’s a good idea to also know what your max limit* is. You might be willing to spend $5,000 to have your style problem solved but you physically only have $2,000 saved up and are committed to not building up credit card debt. That limit is important to know and when seeking out a personal stylist, they should be respectful of that as well.

*The cost of new clothes, shoes and accessories are typically not included in the service so remember to account for that!

Bonus check in - updating your style can be fun and exciting but it does require investing time, energy, and effort to make it happen, just like any important change you make. These check-in questions will help you know if you’re truly ready to unleash yourself and take your style to a whole new-level!

How ready are you (really) to change what you wear?
A good litmus test for how ready you are is going to a store and having a sales associate pick an outfit for you. What is that experience like? If you feel extreme resistance/fear or you take the outfit home but end up returning everything, you may not be quite ready for this level of change. (And that’s okay! Click here to see a list of style services and what might be a better option for you to start with.) If you feel a little nervous or anxious to start and then end up loving the new look, that’s a good sign that you’ll get a lot of value out of working with a stylist and are ready to go for it!

How comfortable are you being open-minded and stepping outside of your style comfort zone?
Picture your personal stylist walking into a fitting room with two pieces of clothing that are never something you would pick out on your own and, at an initial glance, you’re not loving them…what would your reaction be? If you’d be curious to know why the stylist pulled them for you and want to try them on to see what they look like, that shows you’re comfortable trying new things and open to a new perspective. In other words, full steam ahead - you are primed and ready to work with a personal stylist!

How willing are you to look at yourself and your body differently? Ie, how deeply ingrained are your limiting beliefs about yourself, your body, and your style?
Are you convinced that only certain things look good on you? Do you constantly brush off compliments about your looks and disregard their validity? Are there certain cuts, colors and silhouettes that you simply refuse to wear because you don’t think you look good in them?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may not be ready to work with a personal stylist. Again, that is absolutely okay. It’s important that you’re ready to see yourself differently in order to get the true benefit from your investment of time, money and energy. If that’s not where you are, I suggest talking with a therapist to resolve any underlying body image issues. A new style can do amazing things for you but if all you see are flaws when you look at your body, I promise you that you will still see those flaws even in new clothes.

If you answered no to the majority of questions above, and you have a generally healthy acceptance of your body, you’ll love exploring new styles with the help of an expert eye!

How much risk are you willing to take to have a personal style you love?
This ‘risk’ could mean feeling uncomfortable. It could mean feeling anxious about investing so much time and money in yourself. You’re taking a leap of faith without being guaranteed any results. Does that feel exciting and a little bit scary? Or just a lot scary? The former means you are ready to go forth and conquer your personal style!

After going through the bonus questions, did you discover that maybe you’re not quite ready to work with a personal stylist? Check out my free Unleash Yourself guide that takes you through my exclusive 5-step method to letting go and wearing what you love. It has journaling prompts, tangible actions and even a confidence boosting playlist to help you set a solid foundation to being exploring a new style.

When you’re clear on these things, you will be able to look at all the different options available and understand which one is the right fit for you.

Once you’ve gotten clear on these questions, it’s time to figure out where to find a personal stylist near you! Look back over your notes at your key words and use those to search. Ex: “personal stylist for weight gain”or “personal stylist for busy executives” or “personal stylist for new moms.”

And, of course, before you leave, go ahead and take a peek at my services - the best personal stylist for you might have been right here all along! ☺️

————

ABOUT:

I'm a Minneapolis personal stylist on a mission to eradicate outdated style 'rules' so women can unleash themselves in all their beautiful, authentic glory!

I offer personal styling services that empower women to wear what they love by helping them ditch any outdated style rules keeping them stuck, showing them how to dress in a way that embraces their beautiful body and, the key to it all, having fun! I believe in a liberated style approach so there are no style rules, body shapes, seasonal colors or dos and don’ts given out here. Rather, I help my clients tap into what lights them up and dress with the purpose of expressing their authentic selves rather than impressing others.

This is all done through a combination of styling services (including wardrobe edits, shopping trips and styling sessions) available in thoughtfully curated styling packages designed to help clients unleash their true self through the power of style.

When I'm not helping women take back their power style, you can find me reading (about a gazillion books at once), traveling to new and old favorite destinations, binging a random circa 2000's TV show with my hubby, Aaron, playing with my adorable rescue pup or, of course, shopping! :-)

One thing all of these components have in common is the focus on style and appearance. In fact, if you do an online search for ‘how to be more stylish,’ the articles that come up are generally about wearing this and not wearing that, what colors to pair together, how to define your personal style, adding more patterns to your outfit, dressing for your body type and on and on.

On the surface this makes sense. If you’re talking about how to have great style, it seems only natural to focus on appearance - how things individually look and how you look in them.

Yet there’s one big component that is frequently talked about but rarely connected back to the role it plays in creating great style - the fit of your clothes.

You’ve been inundated with messages about dressing for your body type and how to look taller, thinner and more proportional. However, this messaging isn’t actually about fit. It’s telling you what cuts and silhouettes you should wear in order to change how you look, not how it fits.

Focusing on how you look in a piece is not actually the same as focusing on how a piece fits you. It’s a vastly different yet hugely important part of loving your style.

Nothing turns heads more and boosts your confidence to new levels like slipping into a great fitting piece of clothing.

If you've ever felt the frustration of trying to find something you like in your size that also fits your booty/arms/bust, whatever that tough to fit area is for you, you also know that it's not an easy task.

So what’s a woman to do? Especially, a woman who has a hard time finding clothes that fit well.

If this resonates with you and you’re thinking, “ohh, that’s why I have a hard time with style because I have a hard time finding things that fit well,” your brain might start jumping in to help and offering up solutions right about now. “Okay, well I can solve that. Tomorrow we start a diet and a new exercise routine!”

You might also start thinking of all the ways you can fit into clothes better. Buy a minimizer bra for your too large (or so you’ve been told) bust. Lift weights to tone up and shrink down your arms. Wear a shaper tank to suck in your tummy.

Whoooaa, hold on brain! Let’s stop right there.

If you’ve followed me for a while or read any of my other blogs, you know I’m so not down for that.

There is never, I repeat NEVER, anything about your body that needs to change. Especially, when it comes to clothes and style.

In sharing this underrated aspect of great style, it is not meant to add to the pressure you’re already feeling every day about what you need to do and how you should be.

Instead, it’s actually freeing when you realize it’s the clothes that are at fault.

As far as society has come in embracing the beauty of unique and individual bodies, the clothing industry has a long way to go to catch up.

Clothes are still made for the masses.

If you don't have the 'ideal' body type (according to the completely made up fit standards set by the clothing industry), looking for a great fitting piece will take a ton of time and effort.

Thankfully, there's an easier way.

Don't try to fit the clothes. Make the clothes fit YOU.

That’s right, I’m talking about the least utilized and most helpful tool in creating great style - tailoring!

Consider this - would you rather go to a dozen stores to try on dozens of jeans or scroll online forever over days and days, ordering and returning, ordering and returning, ordering and returning, (you get the picture) to find the perfect fitting pair of jeans...

…OR would you rather try on a few pairs, take the one with a style you love and simply change it in a couple spots to fit you perfectly?

One costs more money and one costs more time - it's just a matter of which is most valuable to you.

Personally, I choose time every...well, time! (The jeans I’m wearing in th’s blog’s cover photo? Yup, tailored!)

For those of you who would choose time, if you had the luxury of not counting every penny or if you don’t even have the time to have the time to get your pieces tailored, I’ve got you.

Here are a few easy, no-sew tailoring tips for you to try:

• Use a hip hugger. This is a bootylicious girl’s best friend. It cinches in the waist of pants and jeans within a few seconds so you can go about your day confident that there will be no battle with sagging or accidental crack showing. It doesn’t look the prettiest though so save this hack for a day when you’re wearing a longer top or jacket to cover the back waistband.

• Iron-on adhesive tape to the rescue. Hem your own sleeves, pants, dresses and skirts in minutes. Place the tape where you want it to go and press heat on the garment to activate it. Ta da! You’ve just altered the hemline, no sewing required. (Don’t have a traditional iron? The straightening iron you use on your hair can work in a pinch!)

• Fashion tape is a girl’s best friend. It comes in a variety of styles from hem tape to strips to dots. Great for shortening sleeve and pant hems, preventing a button down shirt from gaping at the bust, holding a top in place so it doesn’t slip and show your bra, and so much more!

Now that you’ve got the game-changing secret to great style - an impeccable fit - and you know that fit happens through changing your clothes, not your body, you can go forth and conquer all your style dreams!

———

ABOUT:

I'm a Minneapolis personal stylist on a mission to eradicate outdated style 'rules' so women can unleash themselves in all their beautiful, authentic glory!

I offer personal styling services that empower women to wear what they love by helping them ditch any outdated style rules keeping them stuck, showing them how to dress in a way that embraces their beautiful body and, the key to it all, having fun! I believe in a liberated style approach so there are no style rules, body shapes, seasonal colors or dos and don’ts given out here. Rather, I help my clients tap into what lights them up and dress with the purpose of expressing their authentic selves rather than impressing others.

This is all done through a combination of styling services (including wardrobe edits, shopping trips and styling sessions) available in thoughtfully curated styling packages designed to help clients unleash their true self through the power of style.

When I'm not helping women take back their power style, you can find me reading (about a gazillion books at once), traveling to new and old favorite destinations, binging a random circa 2000's TV show with my hubby, Aaron, playing with my adorable rescue pup or, of course, shopping! :-)

Picture this: It’s morning time. You’re standing in front of your closet, trying to decide what to wear for the day.

You keeping coming up empty and the only thing your oh-so-helpful brain can come up with is the thought, “ugh, I have nothing to wear.”

You're feeling the pressure because you have about negative 30 seconds before your kid comes barging in to demand something.

“Come oooon,” you think to yourself. “Just pick something already and be done with it!”

You reach for the first thing your eyes land on and pull it off the rack. Only to hold it up, think of why you can't or don't want to wear it today and put it back with a heavy sigh.

“I have no idea what to wear. Why is this so freakin’ hard?!”

Oops, here comes your kid - you are officially out of time!

You quickly grab the same jeans you always wear and one of the many tees in your closet, shove them on and head into your day, feeling less than thrilled about your final look.

Raise your hand if you’ve been here before…🙋‍♀️

Alright my fellow hand raisers, what I'm about to share will change the game for you when it comes to getting dressed.

And it's so simple! In fact, the hardest part is remembering to do it - but that's why they invented post-its right?!

The next time you’re standing in front of your closet, aimlessly browsing through all of your clothes and trying to put together an outfit you actually want to wear, pause for a moment.

Take a deep breath in and out to clear out your mind and soothe your frazzled nerves.

Then think to yourself this very powerful thought, “I know exactly what to wear.”

Repeat it to yourself as you take a second look at your closet and begin scanning your clothes once again.

Take a few more deep breaths as you settle into this feeling of knowing, repeating the thought so it continues to loop through your brain.

Before you know it, you'll have a great outfit in hand and be heading into your day with a smile on your face.

Why does this work?

Because your brain loves you. It's always looking out for you - and one of the ways it does that is by always seeking to prove you right.

If your thoughts in the morning center on “I have no idea what to wear” and “this is so freaking hard,” your brain makes it so.

It's going to do whatever it can to prove that you're right. In this case, that means freezing any outfit ideas, skipping over potential options and finding a million reasons why the clothes you have won't work.

This sucks when you're having unhelpful thoughts but it's an awesome super power when you want to make something happen.

When you tell your brain, “I know exactly what to wear,” it immediately goes to work in your favor.

Use this simple hack when it comes to getting dressed in the morning and you’ll start to see big results in your style. 

Even better, you might start defaulting to this in other areas of your life as well. Starting to do things differently with your style, an area of your life that seems more approachable and doable, can actually lead to big changes that ripple through the rest of your life. 

Stressful project at work that you have no idea how you’re going to get done by the deadline? Now you know how to get your brain working for you. You can turn your super power on by thinking, “I know exactly what to do here.” 

Got into an argument with your partner and feeling at a loss as to how to bridge the hurt and rebuild that connection? Instead of withdrawing or ruminating on the argument just hoping you’ll think of a solution, take that pause and think, “I know exactly what to do here.” 

You’ll begin to notice that not just style, but also life is so much better when you’re working with your brain and not against it.

Of course, as with all brain hacks and behavior changes, it might take a little time before it’s smooth sailing. The more you say this when you get dressed, the more quickly and easily it will turn into the truth. 

However, the key here isn’t necessarily being consistent. It’s actually being persistent.

You may not remember to do this every single day, and that’s okay! Can you remember to do it at all? Even after going a week and forgetting about it? 

That counts. That counts for a lot more than you give it credit for. Change happens one incremental step at a time so as long as you keep stepping, you’ll keep seeing progress.

If you want style, and life, to be easier, it starts with the smarter not harder approach by using the most powerful tool that you were born with - your beautiful, brilliant brain.

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Would you love more hacks like this to cut through the overwhelm so you can wake up excited to get dressed? This is exactly what you can expect during our work together.

Every step of the way, you're learning how to work with your brain and not against it with strategies that shift your way of thinking so style becomes easier.

Click below to schedule your free style strategy session with me so we can come up with your personalized style game plan!

ABOUT:

I'm a Minneapolis personal stylist on a mission to eradicate outdated style 'rules' so women can unleash themselves in all their beautiful, authentic glory!

I offer personal styling services that empower women to wear what they love by helping them ditch any outdated style rules keeping them stuck, showing them how to dress in a way that embraces their beautiful body and, the key to it all, having fun! I believe in a liberated style approach so there are no style rules, body shapes, seasonal colors or dos and don’ts given out here. Rather, I help my clients tap into what lights them up and dress with the purpose of expressing their authentic selves rather than impressing others.

This is all done through a combination of styling services (including wardrobe edits, shopping trips and styling sessions) available in thoughtfully curated styling packages designed to help clients unleash their true self through the power of style.

When I'm not helping women take back their power style, you can find me reading (about a gazillion books at once), traveling to new and old favorite destinations, binging a random circa 2000's TV show with my hubby, Aaron, playing with my adorable rescue pup or, of course, shopping! :-)

And from there on, the thoughts just keep coming, “I mean, don't I deserve a little comfort and relaxation for working so hard? I should just stay in my comfy clothes today as a little treat. Plus, putting on clothes and make up is SO MUCH WORK and I'm so tired today.” 

I feel ya. I've been there. 

Being a stylist doesn't make me immune to the enticing comforts of staying in sweatpants all day. (I don't think anyone has that superpower!) 

However, I also know that wearing sweatpants all day can actually impact your mood and productivity.

As shared in a Forbes article, Dr. Karen Pine, professor of psychology at the University of Hertfordshire and fashion psychologist said, “When we put on an item of clothing it is common for the wearer to adopt the characteristics associated with that garment. A lot of clothing has symbolic meaning for us, whether it's 'professional work attire' or 'relaxing weekend wear', so when we put it on we prime the brain to behave in ways consistent with that meaning."

Essentially, what you wear impacts you based on the symbolic meaning you have attached to those clothes.

This is why putting on your shoes is a great hack for instantly boosting productivity when you work from home.

Think about the last time you wore shoes - was it to kick back, relax and watch TV? Probably not! And how often do you take off your shoes and walk around in your socks or slippers all day while working in-person at the office? I’m guessing not very often!

Any time you put on shoes, it’s because you have something to do and somewhere to go. Your sub-conscious has attached this symbolic meaning to shoes and wearing them will trigger your brain that’s it time to work.

On the flip side, slipping into that cozy comfy lounge sweater that you normally only wear to binge watch Netflix on Sundays can cause you to feel even more tired, more unmotivated, and have you performing at a lower level than normal when you decide to ‘treat’ yourself and wear it while working from home.

This is why on the days you’re feeling tired and unmotivated it’s even more important to get dressed for the day.

Sure, no one on your Zoom call is going to see that you’re wearing those baggy, stained sweatpants (unless you have to stand up to get something off the printer - oops!) but getting dressed for your day isn’t just about how you look - it’s also about how you feel.

You can change your mood, energy levels and productivity by using this powerful yet simple tool at your disposal. To do this, get dressed with the intent of how want to feel that day and not how you actually feel that morning.

Once you’ve done this a few times and experienced the benefits for yourself, the knowledge that putting on that bright top in your closet will help you feel happier or wearing that soft sweater will give you a sense of calm when it's much needed is a powerful motivator to go ahead and get out of those sweats.

Still finding it hard to get dressed, even with knowing how powerful it can be?

Give these three tips a try on days you need a little extra motivation when it comes to getting dressed in the AM:  

Give new clothes a test run

This is a great opportunity to try out new clothes and see if you’re fidgeting, if it feels uncomfortable in any way and how it works with other pieces in your closet. I.e., are these pants high waisted enough that you feel comfortable wearing it with a shorter top? Now you’ll know before you run out the door instead of discovering halfway into your day that you can't stop tugging your shirt down because you feel so dang uncomfortable.

This little trick works especially well with shoes. You know how you need to “break in” some pairs a bit? Better to do it at home than while standing in the boardroom giving a presentation with aching feet! Plus, you get the bonus of improved productivity at the same time. Win-win!

Make it a contest with yourself to see how wacky you can get

If no one is seeing you today, it's the perfect time to get a little wild and crazy. Hot pink heels with brown leather pants and a crazy geo pattern tee? Sure, why the heck not?! A glittery silver unitard - give that a go! Thinking through these possibilities can make you excited to get in there and get creative. Excitement and having something to look forward to can be a powerful motivator!

Sometimes, you just need to buy something new. 

If you’re feeling really uninspired and unmotivated to get dressed, buy something new. It can be a gorgeous, budget-friendly blouse from Target that you pick up while grocery shopping or a rad new expensive and beautiful piece from your favorite online store. 
 
Even just getting a new pair of earrings or bold lipstick shade could be enough to get you imagining all the pieces you can wear it with and increase your excitement for getting dressed tomorrow. There’s a reason they call it retail therapy!

Getting dressed isn’t just about having somewhere to go. It’s about mentally and physically preparing to have the type of day you want to have.

If a down day starts with a down mood, it usually stays that way. By dressing for your day and feeling confident and beautiful, the things that go wrong (and they will, because there is no such thing as a 100% perfect day) won’t be a big deal at all! Shrug it off your pretty shoulders, because you’ve got this!

With these tips, you can start your day feeling motivated and ready to take on the world!

———

ABOUT:

I'm a Minneapolis personal stylist on a mission to eradicate outdated style 'rules' so women can unleash themselves in all their beautiful, authentic glory!

I offer personal styling services that empower women to wear what they love by helping them ditch any outdated style rules keeping them stuck, showing them how to dress in a way that embraces their beautiful body and, the key to it all, having fun! I believe in a liberated style approach so there are no style rules, body shapes, seasonal colors or dos and don’ts given out here. Rather, I help my clients tap into what lights them up and dress with the purpose of expressing their authentic selves rather than impressing others.

This is all done through a combination of styling services (including wardrobe edits, shopping trips and styling sessions) available in thoughtfully curated styling packages designed to help clients unleash their true self through the power of style.

When I'm not helping women take back their power style, you can find me reading (about a gazillion books at once), traveling to new and old favorite destinations, binging a random circa 2000's TV show with my hubby, Aaron, playing with my adorable rescue pup or, of course, shopping! :-)

I do know that it has a trillion benefits and that you should all make this a part of your annual routine. Yearly isn’t so bad, right? You can do anything once a year!

While there are a lot of little reasons and excuses to stay away from your closet, check out these BIG benefits that will have you wanting to dive right in!

That “ahhhhh” feeling of incredible peace

The one that descends on you anytime you enter into a clean organized space. It’s no wonder the Marie Kondo craze took off like crazy and everyone is tidying up their lives. Within the chaos that we all experience on a daily basis, there is a huge relief in being surrounded by a space that is clear of clutter and chaos. A space that is so peaceful and serene, it instantly brightens your mood.

Your closet is no different. And since you interact with your closet every day – we all have to get dressed! – a well-organized, beautifully decluttered closet lets you start your morning in peace.

Instead of frantically searching through piles in a drawer or digging into crowded hangers, you can simply step in, spot what you want to wear and be on your way. Taking that sense of ease with you, even if it only lasts for a few seconds beyond your closet, can boost your mood for the day.

Surrounding yourself with what you love

When you clear out the pieces you haven’t worn in years, things that make you feel frumpy, and especially those too small “just in case” pants, it frees you. These pieces have been holding space in your closet and your mind because every time you look in your closet, it sparks a negative thought: “Ugh, look at this mess, I’m such a slob.” “I’m too big for that, and that, and that…I’ll never loose all this weight.” And so on.

Yes, I’m getting a bit philosophical up in here but it’s true and it’s worth mentioning.

Every time you look at that too-small dress that reminds you of your “skinny” days you’re disrespecting where you’re at now. And where you’re at now is beautiful. Life lesson side note – it’s always beautiful because your clothing size has nothing to do with who you are.

You get to have fun with your clothes again!

Removing all the pieces from your closet that you feel “meh” about means you can no longer retreat to your security blanket every day. It sounds scary at first, but you’ll quickly realize how thrilling it is!

Sure, that old hoodie with torn-out pockets feels great when you want to hide from the world. But you were meant to shine, not to hide! The world deserves to see how fabulous you are!

Go on and grab that wild pattern top that you only wear on your most confident days – and then watch today turn into that day. You don’t have to wait around for a confident day. You can make it happen by wearing what you love! Give yourself the first push and get rid of pieces that don’t do beautiful you justice.

So what exactly should you get rid of when spring cleaning your closet?

Anything you don’t love. If it’s ill-fitting, makes you feel uncomfortable for any physical or mental reason, or you just have no reason to wear it anymore (lives change!), it’s time to let it go.

Give your closet some breathing room and this will give you some breathing room, too.

If you have clothing with stains or tears, ask yourself how long they’ve been there. I’m sure you’ve been meaning to work on that stain or take those pants to be mended, but if you haven’t done it by now, when will you?

Chances are if you didn’t have time before, you won’t have time in the future. And they will just sit in your closet taking up space because you can’t wear them. Let them go.

Shoes…there are so many things to say about shoes! Start with the shoes that hurt your feet. There is no reason for that! How can you enjoy your day if your feet are screaming at you? Sure, they’re cute, but there are plenty of cute shoes out there that won’t hurt you. Your feet and your back will thank you!

Next, the ones with the scuffs, soles that are separating from the uppers (we’ve all had a pair at some point!), boots with broken zippers, and finally, anything you haven’t worn in years.

You can even take it a step further and pare it down to a few favorite pairs of athletic shoes, a few favorite pairs of dress shoes, etc. depending on your lifestyle, but letting go of the unwearables is the most important part!

Once your closet is all cleaned out, you’ll have a huge feeling of peace and serenity, and getting dressed will actually be fun again. If you donate what you don’t love and doesn’t fit anymore, you’re helping others, too! It’s a win-win for you and for someone else.

Need help spring cleaning your closet? Let me know! We can go through the process together! 

———

ABOUT:

I'm a Minneapolis personal stylist on a mission to eradicate outdated style 'rules' so women can unleash themselves in all their beautiful, authentic glory!

I offer personal styling services that empower women to wear what they love by helping them ditch any outdated style rules keeping them stuck, showing them how to dress in a way that embraces their beautiful body and, the key to it all, having fun! I believe in a liberated style approach so there are no style rules, body shapes, seasonal colors or dos and don’ts given out here. Rather, I help my clients tap into what lights them up and dress with the purpose of expressing their authentic selves rather than impressing others.

This is all done through a combination of styling services (including wardrobe edits, shopping trips and styling sessions) available in thoughtfully curated styling packages designed to help clients unleash their true self through the power of style.

When I'm not helping women take back their power style, you can find me reading (about a gazillion books at once), learning the art of pole dancing, making & decorating cakes, binging a random circa 2000's TV show with my hubby, Aaron, while playing with my adorable rescue pup or, of course, shopping! :-)