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. You can subscribe here and, follow me on Instagram at @LauraKSawyier, + subscribe to my YouTube channel here. Thank you!
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⏱ Top Timepieces for 2023
I asked my friend Sam Foxman, entrepreneur and watch geek, to be a guest author on this newsletter. He is a well-versed and passionate horologist. I hope you enjoy his round-up as much as I do!
Summer is around the corner. Arms, legs, shoulders (…and sometimes entire bodies) make their debut to drink in the sun. Alas, this doesn’t mean that your wrists should be bare! Here is a quick guide for the 2023 top eight timepieces for men, women, and any stylish person ranked from least expensive to splurge-worthy:
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Read / Watch / Listen
📚 Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business by Danny Meyer - “The ABCD strategy—always be collecting dots, to always be connecting dots.” This is one of his golden rules, which I also stand by in life and business. This book is for business owners and professionals alike. It’s also really for anyone who appreciates a hospitable experience while learning how to show up as your best self every day.
📺 “Pants! No F***ing Dresses” - The Diplomat on Netflix. I binged it last weekend with my husband, Mark. We couldn’t get enough between the absurd and glorified moments sensationalizing diplomacy of Kate Wyler (Kerry Russell), the U.S. ambassador to the U.K., to the shrewd remarks of the politicos and bureaucrats. The best part, IMO, is the explicit use of clothing as a tool in media and politics and the emphasis placed on female leaders looking “the part,” along with some defiance in attire. There’s almost as much fashion talk as there is negotiating.
🎧 Let's Go Girls - I was obsessed with Shania Twain as a tween (still am), and she's back on rotation on my Spotify playlist. Having recently watched her documentary, "Not Just a Girl" (from 2022 — bonus watch rec), I'm reminded of how her songs have inspired me and many others, like this liberating hit, and that sometimes you should get up during your day and dance.
3️⃣ More Things
👔 Tuck & Roll: Here’s how to wear the oversized shirt this spring. Plus, shop my favorite high-low styles.
😎 Sun’s out, skin’s out: Though I apply sunscreen year-round, this is a good time to reload on your unseen skin protection. Toss it in your bag and take it all over for ready reapplication.
🫦 Kiss, Kiss! I’m always searching for a subtle lip gloss (gentle on the color with a great shine). There are times that bold red reigns, but this time of year, especially, it’s light and goopy — this is the one.