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!
Three things happen when you’re trying on clothing. I’ve observed this in every closet I’ve been in. It’s about trying on pieces that you own, worn familiarly, or styled in a new way together, or with new potential purchases mixed in:
You put something on, and it works for you. There’s a sliding scale of what it means to “work,” which also depends on your preferences and the moment in which you’re trying it on. You can love it instantaneously on one end of the spectrum while being pleased with it on another. The pleased approach is sometimes undervalued when getting dressed.
You put something on it, and it’s a hard no. Not you, got to take it off immediately. This is absurd; this is entertainingly laughable. Nada. No. Get it off! Filed into the “no” folder for the next time you see something of the liking.
You put something on, and you pause. You’re looking in the mirror, and you’re uncertain of what to think. Part of you is curious enough to keep looking at yourself in the mirror. It surprises you; it’s unexpected, it’s intriguing. This isn’t something utterly outside of the box, but it’s nudged you just beyond your wardrobe whereabouts while still ensuring that you’re close enough to jump back into the comfort should you need to.
Number three is where you cultivate your personal style.
What matters is the context for where you’ll wear that outfit. And your willingness to discover yourself a little more within that context through the clothing that made you pause when you put it on.
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Knits Are Out
Asked & Answered
The leaves are falling, and there was snow dusting in parts of Colorado this past week. That means sweaters are officially out!
I need these reminders personally because my sweater-wearing lines get blurred ;) Not really, but really I wear cashmere in the summer, too. This isn’t about a specific sweater; it’s about the tools that are sure to keep your sweaters and knitwear as fresh as can be this season:
Sweater Shaver - My go-to tool is this battery-operated one, and the one photographed above is rechargeable. Both are equally excellent and get the job done of shaving pilled mountain ranges. One is aesthetically sleeker than the other (and more expensive).
Cedar Flowers - Keep the riff-raff away from your precious knits with cedar. These flowers hook onto hangers and do well when tucked into the shelves and drawers of folded sweaters.
Wool & Cashmere Shampoo - Avoid taking your knits to the dry cleaners, especially after regular wear. Hand-washing and very delicate cycles on the washer with this shampoo can handle most of what you need with your assortment (always check the care label). Be sure to lay flat and smooth out to dry.
Pro tip - If your knit is looking a little crumpled after it dries, hit it with a low-heat iron to smooth out the fold marks. The iron helps to freshen any unruly fuzzies, too.
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What People Are Saying
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3 More Things
Shoe service: The boots are breaking out for the season! Before you dig into those soles, maybe it’s time to send them in for a repair or refresh. Text & ship to Cobbler Concierge (my go-to cobbler service based in NYC that services across the US). Get 10% off 3 or more pairs of shoes & free outbound and inbound ground shipping - you must enter this code in the notes or via text when submitting your order: LKSandCC // Need more convincing - watch this for a before and after.
Stuck in a clothing conundrum? Here are 3 quick questions to ask yourself when getting dressed.
The tote that’s making a splash: I’ve had multiples of them for decades, and they’re a staple in my closet. If you’ve seen me out and about or in your closet, this color combo (size Medium) is usually in tow.
