Welcome to Style / Substance, a weekly newsletter about personal style and confidence, the business and psychology of fashion, with features on outfit ideas, styling tips, product, and brand recommendations - all to make your life easier and to ensure you present your best self. Subscribe here, follow me on Instagram at @LauraKSawyier, + subscribe to my YouTube channel here. Thank you!
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Wishing a happy and sweet new year to those who celebrate! 🍯🍏
I attended a meeting recently at St. Louis City SC’s CITYPARK. It was an informative and energizing meeting that Greater St. Louis Inc. held, where their CEO, Jason Hall, spoke about being in a new season of life, how we’re exiting the post-World War II era and moving into a new one, ergo, what happens after major global events.
I couldn’t agree more. These comments resonated with me because I often think about the seasons of life both personally and from a work point of view. Between the grand and high-altitude (like global events: pandemics) and those that are small yet important (like the sun coming up a little later in the morning these days).
For my clients, that could mean starting a new job/role or retirement. Getting the kids back to school and everyone into manageable routines. A new season of being empty-nesters for the first time or the last kid is off, starting life as a young adult. It could be divorce. A new relationship. Loss. Family celebrations like marriage or growing families of all sorts. Body changes. Hair changes. Or shifts in personal growth or perspectives. The desire to achieve more goals. It’s all over the map.
Seasons of life may also mean there is no change but rather a steady busyness or selective prioritizing for a period of time. Head down, get it all done, and hopefully add in some time for yourself. Sometimes, this is the only choice.
Life transitions pull you into a space that’s new and uncertain. With that comes resistance and acceptance - it’s complicated. One chapter closes, and a new one begins. A desire to affect change is based on wanting to shed something and enhance who someone is. A chance for some reinvention, big or small, or somewhere in between.
Transitions and change are where my styling work often intersects with people’s lives and routines. It’s this shifting time when most will likely pick up the phone and text or email me. For something new. And that’s not always new clothes. It’s often a new perspective on their existing clothing or how they can make the most of what is in their closets. Often, it’s how they can show up for and as themselves with intention, and authenticity and do it with convenience (aka, as quickly as possible).
Though this meeting I attended at CITYPARK had everything to do with sports and the economy in St. Louis, I couldn’t help but think about this period of reinvention and a change in both the actual summer to fall season, the start of a new year, back to school, and the grander season of life we’re all living in and through.
As I watched the sun rise over the stadium's eastern side and flood sunlight across the seats and pitch, all I could think was: what a great way to start the day and the season.
Know someone who would enjoy this newsletter? Fashion is for all. Spread the love and share with them by clicking the link below.
🌟 One For All
A lot can get done in an hour. At The Only Facial, you’ll receive a multi-step routine focusing on you, achievable within 60 minutes. The Signature Facial consists of several steps customized to your unique skin type and concerns: Cleanse, Brows, Dermaplaning, Microdermabrasion, Chemical Peel/Enzyme Exfoliation, Massage, Extractions, LED Light Therapy, Microcurrent/High Frequency, Treatment Mask, and Hydration/SPF.
Prep your skin for fall with a deep clean, hydration, and glow!
The Only Facial currently operates four locations in Saint Louis: Clayton, University City, Des Peres, and St. Charles.
*This is a partnership post.
🛍️ This + That
Style focus: The woven sneaker with personality to transition you into the fall season. Wear with skinny or kick crop jeans, a classic white t-shirt tucked in, with a blazer or bomber jacket. Or, wear them with a midi dress for a comfortable elevated ‘fit. Look to the coloring or metallics in the shoes to add a dash more of it in another accessory, like a crossbody bag or earrings. Both styles have more colorways available when you click through to shop.
SHOP these styles —
[Left] Dolce Vita Dolen Sneaker + [Right] Chloé Nama Sneaker
Fit notes: Take your normal size in both sneakers. For the Chloé’s, if you’re a half-size, then size up.
PS. This is a new shopping recommendation section. If there’s something you’re eyeing or determining your options, reply to this email; I will include it in the This + That section next time!
3️⃣ More Things
💨 Fresh new dry — My new blowdryer is a winner for a handful of reasons… beyond the fact that it’s slightly compact and easy to maneuver, and its strong blowdry power (think fast), the cool setting is the coolest I’ve ever used in a personal dryer, which makes all the difference in the protection and appearance of my aggressively dyed (my choice) blonde, thin hair.
Receive 15% off when you shop through my Flagship shop (30-day, free returns) — price drop already applied. **The discounted promotion on this blowdryer ends tonight (9/15 at 11:59pm ET). Get it while it’s hot. And cold.
📲 Shop @SawyierStyle — Follow along my new shop & style IG page.
✨ Time for a new hole? I’m going early to Adam Foster’s piercing party on 9/28 (details below) and getting a new piercing! STL friends, join me if you’re interested or if you want to hang out (no new piercings are required to attend). Here’s the rundown on pricing:
First piercing is complimentary.
Second piercing is $30 OR complimentary with a purchase of a pair of earrings.
