Welcome to Style / Substance, a bi-weekly newsletter about personal style and confidence, the business and psychology of fashion, with features on outfit ideas, product, and brand recommendations - all to make your life easier and to ensure you present your best self. You can subscribe here and follow me on Instagram at @LauraKSawyier + subscribe to my YouTube channel here. Thank you!
“We learn who we are in practice, not in theory.”
David Epstein writes this in his book, Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World. I love this quote (and the book) for many reasons but will focus on this quote in the context of your personal style range.
The question that often arises when I work with clients is, “how would you describe my style?”
Have you thought about this before? Right now, what are three words that come to mind that describe your style at this very moment?
It’s common to put yourself into boxes. But boxes have walls and aren’t very fluid. They’re safe and secure, they keep things in, but don’t leave room for you to bend, move, and adapt. You are constantly bending, moving, and adapting.
Your personal style is, too. Let’s break down the boxes and instead look at personal style as a venn diagram. You can be five (or more) aesthetics if that’s who you are. As long as they feel true to you, then own it. Yes, we all want clarity, but clarity doesn't have to come at the expense of your personal expression. Stifling and over-simplifying your look solely to seek outward affirmation can leave you feeling stuck or even defeated. Instead, clarity can mean deep understanding and confidence in your personalized choices.
Does this seem like a lot of work trying to figure out your style archetype? It is and it isn’t. You learn by practice. By trying something new, experimenting, observing, and recording. The sampling periods of experience and exposure (e.g., making a clothing choice in the morning) are integral to learning more about yourself. This includes making fashion faux pas and also going out on a limb and trying something new.
Just like your style is different from the person next to you, my style is not your style. Each one of my client’s styles is different from all of the others. Each of us has our own range of style that’s multi-dimensional, and specific. No two are alike.
Rather than looking at it from a need for an end target, instead, consider it as this venn diagram constantly moving and evolving… all in practice.
I’ll leave you with one other David Epstein quote as you think about your style range: “Our work preferences and our life preferences do not stay the same, because we do not stay the same.”
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Florals for Fall…
On a recent trip to NYC, Mestiza invited me to style out their Fall Fashion Week collection and to discuss my approach to styling a diverse range of clients, charitable work (Mestiza & I are both Pink Ribbon Girls supporters), and favorite fashion hacks! You can read the interview here.
For my clients and friends who love florals, this brand speaks your love language. From PJs (worn as pants ;)) to scarves as tops, and styling out heritage pieces for a transitional fall look, there’s power when wearing the flower.
🛍 Get 15% off your order at Mestiza with code: LAURA15
*Disclosure: This is a #partnership and I earn a commission on sales, but at no cost to you. I work with brands I fully endorse and would recommend to my clients and community.
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3 More Things
Want to wear a vest? A humble hero piece that adds a sense of simplistic style and androgyny, and they are cropping up everywhere this season. Here’s how to style it + shop high/low assortment of waistcoats.
For the high-heel wearers: Decide which of these three heights works best for you. Shop classic, comfortable, and elegant styles from my fave pumps brand here - keep your normal size :)
Your new beauty BFF: These complexion drops go everywhere with me and are especially handy for that 2 o’clock touch-up! Hydrating, brightening, lightweight, covers red spots and blemishes, clean, vegan, cruelty-free, and has a wide range of palettes.
Happy autumn!
