Stylist Stories: Do You Have to Sacrifice Comfort for Style?
I had so much fun styling one of my clients this week, I had to share! She has such a vibrant energy and a contagious enthusiasm to clear out the clutter and update her look. I couldn’t wait to get started!
When I first met this client, she was in a rut we all have found ourselves in at one time or another - sacrificing style for comfort. Well no more! You can have a polished, pulled-together look that doesn’t pull, bind, or pinch. Here is how we did it:
Step 1: Upgrade rumpled jersey cardigans with knit jackets that have the structure and polish of a blazer/jacket, but wear like a cardigan. Love a knit moto-style jacket!
Step 2: Replace Crocs and orthopedic-soled shoes with something equally comfortable but more flattering and stylish. Enter Rothy’s knit flats with a pointy toe and Rockport ankle boots with that yummy memory foam. Buh-bye Crocs!
Step 3: Look for separates with give/stretch that add more depth to your look. Our client loved her jersey maxi and midi dresses, but they a.) didn’t provide enough shape and b.) didn’t have the polished feel we wanted for her. I knew we could do better in clothing that was just as comfortable…and we did. We suggested creating some work and casual looks around a pair of slim, cigarette pants with stretch. These automatically updated her look and created a slimmer, more streamlined silhouette.
Step 4: Tuck that blouse in even if you don’t love your midsection. My client — like many, many women I work with — always left her blouse out because she didn’t want to draw attention to her midsection. Pair the blouse with a dark pant that has weight to the fabric, tuck, and then blouse. This blousing with the dark pant camouflages any lumps or bumps, takes weight off your look, and gives you a waistline. Voila!
My client was thrilled with the results. She has been messaging me about how easy it is to get dressed, the compliments she is receiving, AND how comfortable she is in her new clothing.