Category: Style Spotlight!

Style Spotlight! Cecily

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This week’s style spotlight highlights one of my best friends, and conveniently, my next door neighbor. Aside from being a domestic maven, Cecily consistently inspires me to play with color and pattern. She also inspires me to look a little fancier. She has a way with clothing that feels both very adult and very fun at the same time. She’s by far one of the best shopping buddies, because she has the same joy of looking at pretty things that I do. It’s a good yin yang relationship as well: she pushes me to be a bit thriftier and I push her to just buy the thing she likes.

Cecily’s wardrobe is full of vibrant, flowy clothing that brings life into any room. I really love how each item always has interesting details – a cutout in the back of a plain shirt, a polka dot pattern that’s actually boats, or gold detailing on all the buttons and snaps. She also successfully layers cardigans over button down shirts which I’ve been trying to do forever but never quite get right. It’s a skill of hers that I’ve always envied. Even on days where she hasn’t put much effort in, she still manages to look polished (another enviable trait). Cecily’s style is proof that comfortable doesn’t have to mean bland or casual.

Tell us a bit about yourself: I live in West Seattle with my beloved within sight of the sea and I love it!! Sitting on my deck looking at the ocean with a cold beverage and a book is one of my favorite ways to relax. I love reading mysteries and fantasy stories and I usually average about 9 books a month….  
Cooking and eating are my favorite hobbies – I especially like cooking Chinese & Italian food, and baking bread. I also make a mean cocktail.  Lately I’ve gotten back into sewing, which I hope will help take my style to new heights as I learn to make things that I can’t necessarily find or afford in a store! Me & my sweetheart love to travel, we try to take an international trip and a domestic trip every year. Obviously eating is my favorite thing to do on vacation!! I don’t have grand goals or anything – My aspiration in life is to be happy and live peacefully 🙂 (and of course continue to cultivate my domestic talents!)

Three words that describe your style: structured, loud, comfortable 

Biggest style inspiration: I love summer fashion – I like pretty blouses and skirts, and not needing to cover them up with layers. I really enjoy the silhouettes of the mid-20th century (who doesn’t?). My stylish aunt also inspires me a lot and I’m always thrilled when I get to pick through her cast-offs! 

What are your fashion struggles? Finding pants that fit, look good, and are practical. Bothering to wear fashionable shoes. Being even kind of fashionable in the winter (but I have plans to combat the last one!!)

How did you find your style? When I was in high school I discovered my love for loud colors and tacky stuff, and in college I developed a love affair with very structured mid century style clothes – think wool-like skirts and starched cotton blouses. As I got older I combined these two into a look that I think incorporates the elegance of mid-century clothing – collars, pleats, buttons – with bright colors and comfortable fabrics. 

Any tips for people trying to find their own style? Try things that you aren’t sure about – you might not love it on first sight but it might grow on you. Try shopping at stores you’ve never been into before, you might discover a brand you love. Especially if you like to thrift, you might have a piece from a brand you’ve never shopped directly – but if you like that one thing, you might find a whole bunch of stuff you like there! 

Favorite fashion find: I have a green crepe-like (but actually polyester) skirt that I got for $4 at Kohl’s like 10 years ago [pictured above]. It is one of my favorite items and I’ve never seen anything like it since.  Also my beautiful crinoline that was 100% worth the money I paid for it at a vintage shop: I wear it with every skirt I can get away with using it under. 

One thing you have learned about style or fashion:  If it doesn’t fit, don’t wear it. Get rid of it. Don’t keep it because “you might fit into it eventually.” You won’t. You should only wear clothes that fit you comfortably! (unless it’s something irreplaceable, then you can keep it!! I have a true 50’s vintage dress that I will never get rid of even though it’s a little tight, because it is a treasure.)

What part of your style do you feel you really excel at? I love matching (or power-clashing) colors and patterns!!  

What is one thing you wish you did better? My accessory game is so weak. I used to wear a lot of jewelry but these days I really can’t be bothered… since I wear scrubs at work it looks weird and is deeply unnecessary. It seems like too much work to wear jewelry for travel to and from work, and then I don’t think about it once I get home – but I want to start wearing more jewelry again! At least when I’m at home 🙂 

Style Spotlight! Kimberly

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I am so excited for this style spotlight because it highlights where my love of fashion began: my amazing mother. This woman is such an inspiration, not only to me, but to almost everyone whom she encounters. Her style is so very different from mine but shopping with her and planning outfits are some of my fondest memories growing up. It was always a joy when I would come home and find something on my bed that she’d picked out special for me. We spent many a night bonding over simply trolling through thrift store racks.

My mother also taught me extremely valuable lessons about how to find clothes for cheap but make them look nice, or how to mix patterns like a pro. Not to mention she’s been rocking brave fashion choices for as long as I can remember – from knee high combat boots to a leather corset to fishnets. Kimberly definitely lives my fashion motto: anyone can wear anything, and a lot of her lessons have become core parts of who I am and what I believe fashion can be.

Tell us a bit about yourself: I spend my work days helping people look their best by cutting hair. My main focus is men’s grooming. I like to play roller derby when I can and hope to get back on a team in the future.  My most favorite thing to do is dance. At the club, in the kitchen, at the store… I just love to dance.

Three words that describe your style: eclectic, maximalism, rockstar

Biggest style inspiration: One piece of an outfit usually inspired the whole finished look.

What are your fashion struggles? Finding jeans that fit. Wanting to wear heels all the time but also needing to be able to move without pain. Learning that every piece you buy can’t have patterns or textures because you need solids to pair them with.

How did you find your style? Just always observing the world around me. I will see beauty and want to recreate it. 

Any tips for people trying to find their own style? Love what you wear. I don’t care what a person’s style is so much as I want them to love themselves enough to have a style. Don’t settle for easy or comfortable.  Put effort into making you feel the best most powerful self you can be.

Favorite fashion find: Leopard print pants with leather lacing and inserts down the sides

One thing you have learned about style or fashion: Buy what fits.

What part of your style do you feel you really excel at? Putting a look together. Buying cheap clothes but still making them look expensive.

Any final thoughts? Here are some tips:

  • When you think you hate all your clothes look at fashion shots or window displays. Chances are you have pieces to recreate those looks already you just need a fresh look at how to pair items. 
  • Don’t say you can’t wear a look. That’s a thinking problem. Pants are pants… shirts are shirts… we all put them on the same way.
  • If you love it, wear it!
  • Dresses are the easiest thing to wear: they are one item, you don’t have to decide what goes with what, and everyone thinks you’ve made a great effort when actually they are super easy.