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wardrobe advice

how to plan your fall wardrobe

how to plan your fall wardrobe


Fall wardrobe planning? I know, I know, here in the midwest, we have at least another month of hot weather to endure. The thing about planning though, is that it takes time - it's hard to be mindful in a hurry. The planning time doesn't need to necessarily be active either, once you get started, you can let it marinate for a while. Taking the time to do this means that you can avoid getting caught up in trends that don't make sense for your life or that you don't even *like*!   

how to plan your fall wardrobe



I've already started thinking about my fall wardrobe, not least because this fall will be different than previous years for so many reasons. As I was doing the planning, I thought I would just document it in a worksheet for all of you to use as well. This is how I usually plan, and if I do say so myself, I usually have what I need and don't over- or underbuy. 

Sound like something you need? 

Let me know how it goes!

how to buy clothes when your weight fluctuates

how to buy clothes when your weight fluctuates

I think it’s a pretty rare human woman whose weight doesn’t fluctuate. If not over the course of a month, certainly over the course of a life. It would be unnatural for it not to. A question I get a lot is how we we can choose and purchase clothes knowing that these fluctuations will occur. I’ve had my share of physical changes over the last 6 years and I’ve found a few pieces along the way that, while not good for the whole 50-pound swing I’ve experienced, are certainly good for a 5-10 pound fluctuation.

clothes for weight fluctuations

Madewell Danny jeans

These jeans apparently have “magic pockets” and while I question the validity of that claim, there’s definitely something special going on here. These are the only pair of jeans I’ve owned since March. It’s possible to only own ONE pair of jeans!

mindful closet blog: what to wear when your weight fluctuates

AG Farrah High Rise

Speaking of magic, I call these my magic jeans because they have fit me at multiple different sizes. Case in point, this photo was taken at least four years ago.

mindful closet: virtual personal stylist

Elastic waists have come a long way since my granny wore them in her nursing home.  I’ve loved this Madewell pair that look polished yet are so comfy (similar option here, ethical version here). While technically not an ethically made clothing item, these pants are an example of an article of clothing that has been used enough to have justified its purchase.

mindful closet: virtual stylist

A more recent elastic waist purchase, these from Me & Arrow, via St. Louis store Shop Descendent.

If you click through some of these links and are turned off by the prices, remember that there are always ways to do designer or ethical fashion on a budget. All of the Madewell jeans I’ve purchased over the last couple of years have been secondhand through Poshmark.

Do you have any pieces that have stayed in your wardrobe throughout wardrobe fluctuations?

P.S. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which may generate income for mindful closet. To see even more of my picks for flexible clothing, go here.

still haven't found what i'm looking for

still haven't found what i'm looking for

Unlike in past jobs, now there's only one thing that keeps me up at night. And that's whether stores will have the items my clients need. I can find almost anything online, but when you need things within a few hours at one physical location, I always get anxious until I get in there and start finding pieces. I don't have control over what’s there. Almost always, my fears are unfounded and I find what we need. Except for last week, when I didn’t. Come on stores, where are the fun printed three-quarter sleeve poly blend blouses for my active chiropractor mom client? 

saint louis personal stylist - mindful basics

I was feeling terrible, but in the end, we did find the perfect dark high-waisted denim (on sale now for a great price!), the perfect long-sleeved white tee, and the perfect go over anything jacket. Not too bad and then we’ll both keep our eyes out for that blouse.  (this post contains affiliate links)

mindful shopping basics - st. louis personal stylist

why should I hire a personal stylist instead of doing stitch fix?

why should I hire a personal stylist instead of doing stitch fix?

How a subscription clothing service can help you

Often people ask my opinion about subscription box services like Stitch Fix or Trunk Club for adding to their wardrobe. Overall, it's a positive thing that people are realizing the need for, and searching for, someone or something to help them with their clothes. It's brought the phrase “virtual personal stylist" and “virtual stylist” into the mainstream lexicon. In case you've been living under a rock for the last few years, a subscription clothing service is a website that will mail you a box of clothing at set intervals, based on a questionnaire you take, your Pinterest boards, or other preferences. You can keep some or none or all of the clothes. A lot of my friends and a few of my clients use them. For some, it'll be great, others will try it for a time and then come to me anyway.   

Why you should hire a personal stylist instead of using Stitch Fix

Here's what Stitch Fix can't do: it can't help you clean out your closet. It can’t help you define your style. It can't tell you how to deal with the well-meaning gifts of mother-in-laws. Stitch Fix can't tell you how to let go of limiting beliefs about dressing your unique body shape. A box can't take your emergency calls or texts or suggest something to wear from your closet for a specific event - a couple of weeks ago, I had a client text me that she got invited to a cocktail event last minute. She thought she should make a last minute run to Nordstrom Rack. I calmed her down and sent a few new looks I created from her digital lookbook. She didn't have to buy anything and felt great at the event.

If you do try a subscription service for online styling, watch out for a few things. Box services are taking advantage of the fact that when you get something in your home, you will allow it to stay just because it's there. Be picky. Try to imagine whether you would really buy this if you were in a store yourself. Often, the quality to price ratio is very off - meaning you're paying a lot for poor quality items. Keep in mind that although you're not technically paying a fee for styling, it's often built in here. Be wary of the "keep it all, pay less" discount - you will be paying some amount for items you really don't need or want that will eventually clutter your closet.  

Try it out. If it works, that's awesome! If you need more than that, check out how we can work together. All of the mindful closet one-on-one services can be done remotely via video calls.

What has been your experience? Have you tried a subscription clothing service?

P.S. Not sure about the cost of working with a personal stylist? Book an affordable mini-session here and see what it’s like to get one of your style issues resolved in an hour.

P.P.S. Can I be snarky for juuust one minute? I really hate the Le Tote advertising slogan "Always have something new to wear". Is that really what we're aspiring to these days? A constant desire for new and exciting? Not very mindful or sustainable and a pretty bad philosophy for life - to always be looking for the next best thing.

how to wear ankle boots

how to wear ankle boots

 

 

 

client lookbook

client lookbook

Just for fun, a summer lookbook I put together for a client recently:

st louis personal stylist
st louis personal stylist
st louis personal stylist
st louis personal stylist

As always, there are many more combinations to be made, but only so much time...

why mindful closet?

why mindful closet?