Kristina: The Pouncing Courier, an Angel with a Cat Familiar, Client Example

Meet Kristina, a lovely Angel client who was looking for her fantasy type and a bit of an update to her work wardrobe. The primary goal was to find a look that was both professional and vibrant with her personality. The secondary goal was for it to be a look she could easily transition into wearing out for drinks with friends.

She had prior color analyses with other analysts that she was happy with,  and I was happy to incorporate. Her light rainbow palettes were a natural fit with Angel. To the right is what I selected as her best. Springy, light, and colorful. 

On the left is a collage of the personal shopping I did for her, in her sizes and with her budget. For Kristina we needed a versatile base piece that could work in a professional setting, and loads of great accessories.

When you're working with more than two colors, it's great when you have a piece that can bring in the other colors. The scarf has a light green and teal (echo the dress and earrings), the earrings have mint and gold (echo the scarf and purse), and the brooch has green, pink, and gold. Kristina is wearing a very cute alternate brooch below that ties in the pink of the coat and belt.

You can see the influence of her Animal Familiar type most in the scale of her prints, the relatively frenetic details, the mix of shapes, as well as the varied vertical, horizontal, and diagonal directions in her lines. Animal Familiars and Fantastical Beauty together reaches for the personalized best intersection of both approaches.

If you have the Angel guide, please share all of the beautiful Angel aspects you see in the comment section. There are three or four that especially jump out... 

Perfectly professional and full of personality, she is ready for a day of both work and play. 

I'm biased, but I just love her finished looks! 

In addition to volunteering to be part of this blog post, Kristina also requested that her pinboard be made public. I started it for her during our private services work, and she has done an absolutely smashing job taking it from there. I highly recommend looking through it to see hair, pant, and other recommendations, as well as to take in more of her fantastical, personal style story.

I leave you with Kristina's own kind words:

Working with Kati was truly enjoyable. The analysis gave me both 1) personalized recommendations of shapes, fabrics, contrast levels; all wrapped with 2) Kati's unique view, imagination (that is an essential part of the AF/FB system) and talent for creating cohesive outfits with the right level of visual interest and movement. I especially recommend online shopping/getting a complete outfit put together by Kati. It helped me realize that a list of personalized recommendations is never rigid, there's a lot of room to play/borrow/get inspired, and that the Angel's balance can actually be expressed as oscillation/juxtaposition.

4 Approaches To solve your style frustrations

I use multiple approaches to style needs when working with clients. Understanding these different approaches is likely to be helpful in your personal style journeys.

The first asks, "Who do I want and need to present to the world? What is required of me? What do I want to invoke in others when they see me?" How you want to be seen is an interconnected and social approach. It may also be beneficial in your professional life to cultivate an image through considering your intended effect. 

The second asks "What do I feel comfortable in? What makes me feel safe? What makes me feel joyous? What makes me feel free?" How you want to feel is a personal approach. It may be how you feel when you see or touch the clothing, or how it feels against your skin, or how it feels to move in it.

The third asks "What colors, shapes/silhouettes, and textures are most flattering on me?" Wanting to know what's most flattering to your form is an analytical approach. This approach is like a puzzle- trying to figure out the different aspects of your form and movement/personality and echo these aspects in your clothing choices.

The fourth asks, "What do I realistically need for my activities in life?" Understanding activity needs is a practical approach. What percent of your time do you spend doing what activity? Do the contents of your closet match up with these percentages?   

Much of the struggle that I see with people trying to sort out their own style comes from trying to wrangle these separate approaches simultaneously. They say things like, "I know I look best in soft fabrics, but I really love sharper looks" (analytical approach conflicting with personal) or "I have to present a serious image, but I just live for cartoon prints and fun, silly things" (social approach conflicting with personal) or "My friend buys me heels and wants to see me wear them, but they don't fit into any aspect of my lifestyle" (practical conflicting with social) and they feel dissatisfied and frustrated when trying to come up with a wardrobe that attempts to value two or more approaches equally and simultaneously.. 

I strongly recommend that you consider these approaches separately.

Step One

Write separate paragraphs and/or lists to focus on

• how you want to be seen
• what makes you feel happy to wear
• what is especially flattering in terms of color/lines/etc
• what your activities currently require of you.

No cross-referencing during this initial phase- just try to answer each of the approaches for themselves without worry of trying to find points of intersection- there might not be any, and that's ok. You may need to break your lists into sublists if you have different answers depending on the arena of your life (e.g. How you want to be seen by your boss, your friends your partner, your baseball team, etc).

Step Two

Order your four lists in order of importance. If your boss requires a specific dress code and it isn't at all what you would personally choose to wear, you might not be able to place what you feel good in above the importance of your life activities or social expectations in that arena, at this time in your life. Don't fret, as there are ways to integrate happy-feel-good items into even the stuffiest uniform. 

It is really important to be clear on what your current style priorities are for the different realms of your life. It is ok to keep them separate, and it is helpful to know in your mind that they are separate, as well as your reasons for keeping them separate, so that you aren't left frustrated in trying to make one cohesive look out of multiple, separate, needs.

For a long time my personal hang-up was in making fitness clothes as stylish and flattering as possible while also staying practical. Realizing that flattering, personally joyous, practical fitness wear couldn't be equally those things has allowed me to stop the endless search and to appreciate what I do have for being practical and at most ticking one other box. 

One of the most common modern style dilemmas is the personal feel-good desire for comfort and a separate desire for the most flattering lines. These are both good desires, and it is infinitely helpful if you know which desire is a bigger priority, if only by a sliver, so that you can make quick calls when shopping or getting dressed each day, and shed the frustrations and confusion that unclear priorities bring.  

Step Three

When you have your separate write-ups, you can begin to ask yourself questions about each- "What is it about these things that makes me feel happy? Is there something I can carry over to bring joy into other arenas of my style? How much wiggle room to I have in my life activity needs? What are the possibilities?" 

It's helpful to remember that while an entirely cohesive wardrobe is satisfying, it's not always possible, and at the root, it's not necessarily what we want when we consider that we have different needs and desires in various realms of our lives. 

Now when you declutter your closet, or when you shop, you can ask what approach or arena of life you're looking for, and how it fits into your current priorities.

If you feel like sharing some of your answers to these questions in the comments, I'd love to hear them! If you think of other approaches, please share those too.

Leggings, Artwork, and More

Weeks ago I had two design conundrums. The first design was in finding this perfect, lush, dense, jungle design as wallpaper. But I wasn't looking for wallpaper- I was looking for leggings, scarves, and duvets. The second design conundrum was in finding flamingo leggings to add extra fun to my workouts. I found some, but didn't really like the artwork or background color, and the price was out of my range. So in typical Kati fashion, I decided there had to be a way that I could make my own, and make just what I was looking for.

I spent days painting, drawing, photographing, editing, etc and now I can order leggings with my very own jungle print and my very own flamingo print. Not only leggings, but also coffee mugs and notebooks and skirts and scarves and and and. I'm quite pleased with it. Other people can order items with my artwork on them too. Maybe someone else was looking for just such a print on a tote bag or phone case or sticker. It's a fun thought.

I added a link under Shop in the navigation bar titled "Leggings, Artwork, and More" that will take you to the print on demand site. Once there, you can click on one of my designs to see how it looks on dozens of products. I'm excited to order a few things. I'm also really looking forward to continue adding artwork. I've always thought it would be immensely fun to be a textile design artist, and this is getting to kinda-sorta-a little bit-pretend to be.  

KLM Addition for Effortless and Exciting Style

In an ongoing effort to un-boring-ify wardrobes everywhere, I've created an easy approach that you can use to build an exciting outfit. Did I mention it's easy??

KLM Easy style addition by inaglassforest featuring a wide-leg trousers

*Apply the following steps to separate items.

Step 1. Choose a Color. I highly recommend you choose a flattering color and choose to wear in near your face. Why? A good color can make your face look even better than it already is. Awesome, right? At their very best, neutrals don't detract from your lovely face, but neutrals aren't able to enhance that lovely face. A flattering color near your face could mean a top, or the top of a dress or jumpsuit, or it could mean your outerwear, or a hat, or a statement necklace. 

Step 2. Choose a Print. Ya'll probably think I'm print obsessed. Well, I am. Prints are an easy way to add a lot of interest, and they can be found in every color, every type of garment/accessory, and at every price tier. They're basically amazing. Go big with a print dress, or isolate it to a small clutch or even the trim on a shoe or jacket. If your outfits seem blah, try adding a print somewhere. Ideally choose one that flatters your personal lines and energy, and if you're not sure what suits you, I can help as a stylist.  

Step 3. Choose a Texture or Design Interest. A texture means a noteworthy texture- something that stands out. A few ideas: lace, patent leather, organza, velvet, jacquard, brocade, tweed, angora, satin, mohair, suede, quilted leather, popcorn knits, corduroy, taffeta, netting.  A design interest might be a: wrap, knot, twist, tear, sheer panel, drape, bow, fringe, asymmetrical hem, one shoulder, cold shoulder, tassel, rosette.   

A Breakdown using KLM Style Addition
Outfit #1: purple coat (color) + stained glass shoes (print) + blouse with ribbon ties (design interest) and ripped jeans (design interest)

Outfit #2: green silk blouse (color and texture) + b/w midi skirt (print and design interest) + snake embossed black slip ons (texture)

Outfit #3: blue print jacquard top (color, print, texture, and design interest) + black wrap skirt (design interest) + blue booties (color)

We see a blouse that contains all three steps. The blouse is a wonderful blue, has a print, and has both a texture in the form of jacquard and design interest at the neckline in the form of a knot that creates draping. It's a lot, right? But the effect is far from overwhelming because it's all smoothly in one garment. You could wear a plain black pencil skirt and plain black leather pumps to create the rest of your outfit, but that would get a *yawn* from me. I chose to claim the blouse as a print (step 2) and paired it with a black skirt with a wrap and asymmetrical hem (design interest step 3) and blue booties (color step 1).

If you choose to take the blouse as a color, you could try to find another print that would work with it. I'm having trouble thinking of one that would off the top of my head. As an alternative, you could break the only rule (apply the three steps to separate items) choose to claim the blouse as both your print (step 2) and your color (step 1) and try to add A LOT of design interest (step 3) in your choices of bottoms, shoes, and accessories.

Outfit #4: silk pink blouse (color, design interest, and texture) + pant + leopard purse (print + color + texture) + pump with contrast heel (design interest)

This example flirts with the rule. It would be better if the pant had a little something going for it, but I wanted a tame example to show that you can follow the KLM equation and still put together a classic office look. The KLM equation works for whatever realm of your life you're dressing for. If your work uniform doesn't allow color or print, choose it for your coat and purse, or find (or diy) fun linings to your clothes so that you'll know they're there.

Outfit #5: flamingo dress (print + color) + red purse (color) + red bow sandals (design interest + color)

You can see that many times an item might have 2 or even all 3 steps going for it. When you're building an outfit, you'll have to choose which one of the steps that item will stand for. Don't forget to step back and make sure it's still all working together cohesively :) 

If you decide to try it out, I would LOVE to see what you come up with using my style addition! Please share it in the comments.

Mix & Match Wardrobes are Overrated

Separates, separates everywhere! Mix-n-match separates! Believe me, I understand why they are everywhere- they are loved because we currently live in a culture of hyper casual dress, and they are lauded as providing more wardrobe options as they are mixed and matched (which adds even more emphasis to casual appearance). I need to tell you, there is a dark side to separates. I'm especially lookin' at you sister capsule bloggers.

Typical Capsule Wardrobe by inaglassforest featuring long sleeve tops

Tell me that the above set I created doesn't look painfully familiar. Why are so many wardrobes so horribly lacking in personality?

Separates are overrated because:

1. Casual is not the epitome of progress. It has a use and a place, but the way we present ourselves is a huge communication tool, and I like to think there is more to be visually communicated than "I'm on break from marathon Netflix in bed". 

2. When your goal is to maximize mix-match-ability, you will be forced to choose fairly plain items and rely almost entirely on accessories for visual personality. This isn't bad, but I think you could do better.

3. It doesn't flatter many people to create the line breaks that this separates approach takes, and it takes more effort to blend the line and complete a cohesive look than if you had chosen a smashing dress or suit. There are casual dresses and suits that would launch you so far from Netflix in bed. 

4. Option overload. Sure, you have a closet full of separates, but do you actually wear and pair them all? Do you enjoy it? Wouldn't it be easier to have a handful of complete looks just ready for you to grab and go, knowing it's already fabulous?

5. While the separates approach doesn't look awful on very many people, it also isn't enhancing anyone, due to the profound lack of flavor. Solids in neutrals (white, grey, navy, brown, cream, blue denim/chambray) are really really great. As filler. They are what you use when the rest of the outfit is loud and has already made the statement of YOU. Or you wear solids in neutrals as a statement themselves- modern/minimal, but in this case, there is a large burden placed on the style of the garment(s) to make a statement. A white button-up and a black skirt aren't going to do it. A white button up with sheer panels and bell sleeves, and a black midi skirt with fabric knots/twists and an asymmetric hem might do it- for a subdued look.

I get wanting wardrobe to be easy and to be comfortable. I even get wanting to blend into the crowd in a way that is aesthetically pleasing without calling attention to yourself. But you're reading my blog, and I want more for you. We can do easy and comfortable (not pajama comfortable, but easy walking comfortable), but we have to do it in a way that really sees you, and then chooses to enhance what it sees. Death to mix and match wardrobes.

Capsule Wardrobe with Personality by inaglassforest featuring ankle strap shoes

This capsule wardrobe was put together quickly, and without anyone in particular in mind, so it isn't as cohesive as it could be, but if you ask me any day of the week which wardrobe I'd want, or which I'd want to see on someone, I will hands down always choose this second capsule.

The first/typical capsule has 240 possible combinations, each as dull as the last. It's an impressive number from 15 pieces. With the personality capsule, 14 pieces makes 80 possible combinations. If you added another pant of some kind, you could have 15 pieces and 128 possible combinations- still only half that of the first, but how many do you need? How many combinations will you wear? What makes you feel expressed and joyful to wear? What's easier to look great in?

Thank-you for indulging my agitation. I truly understand the appeal of neutral-heavy, mix & match, separates, and I will continue to help you wrangle them and make them work as you wish. Just know that there is another way of doing things, and it could be even better.