Notes on Styling | 46 | Playing with the 'how & when' we assign to our clothes.
..incl Spring outfit-building tips & a client's outfit map to help Ѷ
Hello my lovelies,
One thing I have learnt through styling is how we like to assign ‘how & when’ to our clothes. I understand it, it does make things easy in a way. This shirt with these trousers = Spring casual (like below).
Particular leggings and a particular jumper = are never to be seen in public ☺
It can be these fixed ideas that kind of freeze-dry our brain into ‘one way’ only. By playing with the item, we are rebranding it in unexpected ways and this can bring a real shift in how you feel about not only the item but getting dressed day to day. It gives confidence.
No buying involved. Just an openness to play with what you have. The clearer the picture you have in your mind of how you like your clothes to feel (using your Style Words), the easier it is to experiment.
It’s probably not best to go all in on the odds and ends we wear for pure comfort (those ‘particular leggings + particular jumper ☺) but for the pieces you genuinely like to wear, those are the items to try it with.
I do it with my clients on our first session together at their wardrobe doors. It sews the first seed towards seeing what’s possible, what we have to carry forward that we love. Items that can be our Style Builders & Creators (more on these below). It starts with having a fresh perspective on things and an openness to give a little exploration a go.
So, thinking about it, yes, I’ve always been a bit obsessed as a personal stylist on -
Style Builders & Creators
I’ve always been obsessed with how you can take one Item and create so many different iterations. The same item can work for different style directions and different body shapes. With some styling tweaks, it can create an outfit that has a different look and feel. Once you are tuned into your Style Words, each piece adds too or takes away from the feeling you are creating around that first item.
Style Builders are core pieces that work hard for your style because they can be styled in so many ways. The best ones will be the perfect fit for your body shape and so give you utter comfort and therefore the confidence to play with. Creators are the items that build the look, and bring it in one direction or another, one feeling or another.
Exploring with Clients
This week, I am at this point with a couple of clients. We are beginning to choose some core Style Builders and Style Creators to bring our new look into focus and to play with all the particular Elements.
(The truth of our style work always comes through in the clothes - do you really want to be creative day to day? Is that particular colour you love translating for you in an outfit?).
It is an exercise in being focused on all the key parts (shape, colour direction, style words) - the boxes that need to be ticked for an item to become a Style Builder or Style Creator in our wardrobe.
For one particular client Doreen, (who’s allowed me to share bits from her Journey) we have:
Apple Body Shape
Warm Tonal Colour Direction (More Light but Exploring rich Jewel Tones also).
Style Elements - Wood & Fire - Casual with Fun, Colour & Creativity.
Our Styling Focus is on outfits that have an ease but with intention, polish & fun. our Words are EFFORTLESS, ELEVATED & FUN.
A little look at Doreen’s Outfit Map, helps to see how one great Style Builder can bring so much choice to Doreen’s wardrobe.
I’ve linked all the pieces on the outfit map below - all new Spring items (it’s going to be a great season!).
I also love that with a great Style Builder like these trousers, if you love the look but a ‘Creator’ item from the look is sold or maybe doesn’t feel perfect, you can swap it when you do see the one that speaks to you. Creators are moving parts to be played with!
As we get into the new season, a first good step for your wardrobe would be to identify some of your ‘own’ Style Builders & Creators. Take them out and away from everything else and have some fun with them. See how they feel different to other things and maybe hang them separately for a week or two to see how many outfits you can create and how this helps you.
Have fun with it and reach out with thoughts, ideas and questions in the comments below or on email anytime (hi@juliecobbe.ie).
Have a great week!
Julie x
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🤭 I’m glad you asked, to check. I’d be mortified if you thought I was just being so rude 🫣
I love this distinction between Style Builders and Style Creators…it’s so useful to see how the BS needs to fulfil the requirements of body shape/colouring, but that you have more leeway to be creative outside the box with the SC section.