And Now, I am Just Like You

When I started Stylempower over 8 years ago, I found that many entrepreneurs were telling their stories from the side of overcoming obstacles to become a success. For example, a business coach who was trying multiple practices to no avail finally hits on the magic formula and is now super successful, teaching all of their clients what they had learned in their journey.

I could never tell this type of story because fashion has always been, my hobby, my passion, and something that came easily for me. That is until now...

For the first time, I feel I can truly put myself in the shoes of my clients. I think it was the perfect storm of the pandemic and a new fashion cycle (that has been brewing for a few years, that I choose to ignore).

And now when I open my closet, I too have nothing to wear.

Let me explain a bit more. Starting with the fashion cycle. Recently I have not been liking many of the trends for my personal style and therefore I have not been partaking of them. (Here is my article "What I am not buying for Spring".

For quite a few years now we have been hearing that skinny jeans are out. But skinny jeans were still the majority of jeans in the stores and people were still wearing them, a lot. As I have discussed my personal distaste for high waist straight leg (HWSL) jeans, (and you should totally wear them if you like them) I have chosen to ignore flashing signs in front of me.

*Then I purchased a pair of platform cameo clogs for fall and found that my straight-leg jeans were not working with them. It was this and the continual showing of looser pants (flashing signs getting brighter and more frequent) that I realized I need a jeans overhaul.

Now don't get me wrong, I am keeping my straight-leg jeans because they do serve a purpose in my wardrobe, but I needed new jeans. I solved my problem with flares. I invested in a few new options which look cute with the clogs, and are much more flattering on me than those HWSL jeans.

Let's talk tops, shall we? For years I had so many fun print blouses which I loved to wear and many were one-off samples that I had designed. I think the same thing happened. The fashion cycle has turned to puffed sleeves and the lack of purchasing much in the past two years during the pandemic has rendered many of my blouse silhouettes looking dated.

And then there are my blazers. I was never one to wear a classically shaped work blazer. I did have a nice assortment of unique styled blazers that were so interesting that they were just cool and did not go in or out of style and I enjoyed wearing them for many years. However, as I pulled them down from my closet this fall, I looked at the shape of the sleeves and sent about 8 of them to the thrift shop.

So yes this is all about me, but I hope you can relate to my fashion struggles because now I can surely relate to yours.

Oh, wait there is more.

* TIP - New clothing silhouettes may require an update in accessories and vice versa. In this case, my clogs needed a new pant shape. But sometimes new accessories or silhouettes can transform your older clothes into looking really current.

Me in one of my old jackets that is timeless not in a classic way, but in a so cool way. This one I kept.

The pandemic made it worse. For the last two years, I have been shopping at a minimum. I have never personally needed a closet rejuvenation…until now.

In the past, I would buy a new item here and get rid of an old item there. And so it was a nice cycle of continually updating my wardrobe.

However, now and even before the pandemic, there are fewer places to shop, I used to enjoy stopping into stores, seeing what they have, and picking up something if I liked it. I have become more of an online shopper. And of course, I provide this service under Nordstrom, so online shopping has become my new normal.

And another thing about the pandemic is the working from home thing, I need effortless casual clothing. Effortless casual is not my authentic style. I can easily make cute outfits for my customers and inspiration boards with this kind of clothing, but these are not items I generally wear.

So my new challenge is to create a wardrobe of effortless casual pieces that feel authentic to me. The flared jeans and platform clogs are a start. And I really hope to be going back to more opportunities where I can wear more dressed-up items that give me joy and represent the true me.

So when my customers feel bad that they don't like turtlenecks, are allergic to wool, have a wide foot, or whatever their needs may be, they apologize for being picky. I can honestly say, no apology is necessary. We all have our dressing challenges and preferences and I can help you work around them.

In the meantime, as I search for current pieces that are on-trend, unique, affordable, and express my personal tastes to update my wardrobe, I am here for you, understand your style, and can help you do the same. 

Please reach out so that I can help you.