August 10, 2015August 10, 2015 styledbylyricLeave a comment

How To Begin

I’ve been talking with men & women lately about their experiences with personal style & what it means to them; how do they define it, where do they find inspiration & how do they select items that relate to them. But my overall finding is this: they don’t. They either don’t know how, don’t know why, or just simply don’t even know where to begin. & it’s incredibly sad & frustrating to me that we’ve created a society that throws clothes over their body, without regard, because the tools haven’t been [either] taught or made available.

Thus. Today, I’m helping these deserving humans out.

In five simple steps, I’ve broken down the easiest ways to just get started; help find what pieces work for you & your body, how to find inspiration without simply mimicking others, & generate a wardrobe that speaks volumes for who you are.

Here goes…

Step 1: get inspired. Think about what genre you tend to feel most comfortable in; rocker, prep, beach, etc. What are your best outfits? What shapes & colors make you feel sexiest? What are you drawn to while shopping? List them & store this list somewhere safe, for those ~~tantrums~~ moments where you just can’t find anything to wear.

Step 2: quit posing. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Frankly, I just think it’s annoying. However, no one said finding inspiration by another’s wardrobe & style is the same thing. Take notes on what outfits stand out to you on the street & why you’re drawn towards particular men//women’s style. Record each piece you like [whether mentally or physically] & re-create these looks with your own personal pieces & color palette.

Step 3: know your staples. These are the items in your wardrobe that you simply can’t live without & wear to death. & keep at it. Not all the time & not all at once, but once you identify why you love these wardrobe workhorses, find similar cuts, colors, patterns [whatever it is that draws you to them over & over again] on your next shopping spree.

Step #4: get uncomfortable. I know I habitually preach comfort over everything, but this is the one space in which discomfort will actually grow you. Try new patterns & shapes & cuts & genres. Throw those leather pants on, try the high-waisted denim, purchase the crop top…whatever you typically steer away from. You’re bound to strike out from time to time, but keep trying. The only way to truly identify what your wardrobe says about you is to specifically know what you love & hate. You think Olivia Palermo just stumbled into her perfect style? Me thinks not.

Step #5: take the acclaim. As someone who gets incredibly awkward & weird everytime I get a compliment, I know first hand that it can feel strange, but take them & mentally note each one. This validation is the entire reason you spend money on these items in the first place, & will help you know which pieces are working flawlessly on your body & not.

Style is earned; it’s something that is constantly evolving & changing. Sometimes you’ll feel inclined to work at it & other times you’ll just want to sustain, & each of these feelings is fine. So long as there is an underlying goal & understanding that all of this work is helping to create a better you. That’s always worth working for.

Here’s to new beginnings, babes.

Xx.

May 8, 2014May 8, 2014 styledbylyric2 Comments

The Biz

I’ve had quite a few people message me about the following topic & I really wanted to take some time & thought on this one. Let’s talk business attire; the one area of the fashion world that somewhat limits our options & freedom for authenticity. However, I strongly believe the following advice will bend this sad principle & help every heel-wearing, blazer-sporting, mega business babe show her voice & personality in & outside of the office. [Keep in mind, this all varies depending upon where you work & their dress code requirements.]

The big hitting question: what do I purchase? There are so many ways to wear business attire & blend in pieces from your personal, daily wardrobe, but the key to looking professional is finding timeless pieces that make you feel confident. Here are some tried & true rules:

Find The New Classics: purchase pieces that hold longevity. Sweaters, button-ups, flowing blouses & slacks are ideal. These pieces mix & match flawlessly & will never go out of style, but don’t be afraid to play it up. The shapes of these classic pieces are ever changing to keep up with the fashion world, so I say go for a wide-legged slack & a statement belt, as these slight adjustments can change the entire era of an outfit.

Be Reasonable: sky-high pumps are not office friendly. Instead, opt for a pair that won’t make your feet feel like balloons. Generally, a one to two inch heel is the “safe zone” for office wear & try to select a pair in the nude, cream, black or tan family, as these will move fluidly throughout your entire wardrobe. I usually go for a pump that I can wear outside of the office to validate my investment & assure me that I’m still respecting my fashion voice.

Draw The Line: pencil skirts are the perfect way to spice up a blank or boring office wardrobe, but be picky, as length is everything with this look. Walking the line of office appropriate & chic can be tricky with any leg-showing item, so keep it safe at knee-length & you won’t ever fail.

Blazer City: if my previous posts on blazers weren’t inspiring & intense enough, I will once again remind you of my blazer obsession. They are the perfect office attire addition & move incredibly well between business meetings & your after work glass of wine with a friend. Find yourself three favorites: one black or grey, one white or tan & one bright or bold. Having these three staples in your closet will dress up ANY look & make you feel chic & put together. Rememer: the true fit of a blazer is in the shoulders; if the stitching doesn’t line up with your shoulders, it doesn’t fit.

Add Some Pop: nothing says “put together” with more intention than a hint of creativity & personality in your outfit. Even in the most traditional work environments, a light pop of color is acceptable [& just plain fun]. Try to stick to pale pinks, blues & even light lavenders & plums. Remember: bright tops = muted bottoms. Never do both with work wear.

Slacked: the most important investment for your business wardrobe are pants. However, the 80’s are over & there are hundreds of options for business women today. The choice is yours, but I always believe that a fun pair of cropped pants or drawstring pants [particularly ones with strong pleats] can add interest & focus to an outfit, making it stand out among the sea of monotonous office wear. Not to mention, printed & non-printed pants are everywhere right now, so the options are basically endless.

Know Your Environment: if you spend your entire day out on the streets of San Francisco or New York running from appointment to appointment, then be realistic about your footwear & outfit. Always opt for slacks versus skirts or dresses & a fun pointed-toe flat; the wind-chill could seriously freeze your bones, your heels may slow down your pace & your focus will be on how quickly you can finish your meetings & ice your swollen sausage toes when you get home or where your next cab is because you can’t walk anymore. No one wants to lose agility & work ethic because of their attire, particularly your boss.

& last, but not least, keep learning what pieces & shapes work for your body & your body alone. Even if Amy in the corner cubical is rocking some amazing jump-suit & five inch stilettos, it may not be right for you. The entire purpose of fashion is about finding your own style & feeling beautiful doing it, so try not to be susceptible to trends…but you already knew that, because you’re a mega powerhouse business woman who blazes her own trail. Duh.

TGIT. Xx.

Color Me Mine

April 14, 2014April 14, 2014 styledbylyricLeave a comment

Color Me Mine

Have you ever found that every time you wear that one particular top people consistently throw compliments your way? Or that certain dress that makes you feel absolutely out of your mind beautiful? It’s more than likely that these pieces are working within your color wheel. Believe it or not, your kindergarten teacher did have a purpose behind teaching you every color of the rainbow & now is your time to use it.

A person’s eye color is entirely complimentary of their clothing & wardrobe. You weren’t given those perfectly placed eyeballs for nothing, so lets find what accents yours & help them truly shine.

The best colors for:

Blue Eyes: neutrals, navy, black & white should overtake your closet, but add in there some rosy reds, blush pinks, cobalt blues, lemon & soft greens to truly make your eyes the focal point of your outfit.
Green Eyes: olive, forrest green, plum, lavender & deep purples are your go-to’s. Black & navy come in as a close second, but can often times wash out the heavy green hue to your eyes. Swap out yellow for gold & pale blue for pear & you’ll be show-stopping.
Brown Eyes: blueberry, turquoise, reds, oranges, soft yellows, & pastels will bring out the rich caramel color in your eyes. Opt out on black & try taupe instead, as well as olives, greens & plenty of whites to highlight the beautiful darkness in your eyes.

Following these basic color wheel rules will help you identify [much more fluidly] your own personal style & palette & will make this Summer’s shopping spree that much more authentic.

Stay tuned for more color wheel advice & tips…Xx.