So if you’re anything like me, you probably have never had the greatest handle on fashion-related anything. And you’re cool with that. Except when your grandma gives you a ton of her blouses and you’re thinking, “can I make any of these work for me?” Or most of your clothes never get worn. Or you realize you need help looking like YOU, but also looking professional. Or you just find yourself really overwhelmed when you absolutely must get a new sweater.
I just described me
(hi!)
and even though I have always had a style of my own, there are things image/wardrobe consultants have taught me that I straight up didn’t know.
Things Audrey taught me
- Layering. It’s a thing, and it’s pretty great.
- How to make a piece of clothing that’s 100% not your color (BLUE) but has an awesome shape actually wearable.
- How to turn your grandmother’s blouses into gorgeous bohemian things you wear all the time.
- You’re wearing the wrong size of everything, almost guaranteed! And when you wear the right size, it’s magic.
- That you can buy a dress you’ve been lusting after, but were convinced you can’t wear a bra with, but you need to wear a bra with it…and she’ll give you the perfect solution without even thinking about it.
- Having an expert go shopping with you is like a dream. Especially if you’re not wild about clothes shopping or you easily get overwhelmed!
- She’ll make a list of particular items you need that will create 3x the number of outfits you have currently. All at once.
- She can shop FOR you. She’ll go to your favorite stores and if she sees something she thinks you’d love or that’s on your list, she’ll send you a picture and with your approval, buy it on your behalf.
- She can put things you already own together in a way you never would have thought of. And it’s awesome!
- How to make certain tops work with your bras, or suggest a type of bra you need and where to find it. For the ladies.
- She knows all sorts of tips and tricks and stores and deals. So helpful!
Audrey Styles Austin is a genius at this stuff. Here she is. Adorable!
She raided my closet (well, not really. But that sounds so passionate) and helped me get rid of things I rarely wear and showed me how to accessorize things I want to wear more of (probably because they’re blue but still good).
She validated things I have always felt about my true style, which was important for me. She made a list of all the items I needed (like a cream-colored camisole, which would go underneath 17 of my tops, a stretchy belt for certain tops and dresses, a color of pants that will go with everything I own, a type of shoe that will go with everyone I own, etc.. You get the picture*.).
Image/Wardrobe consultants will suggest things outside of your comfort zone, like wearing a white dress I consider super fancy to a first date, or wearing boots, or trying on skinny jeans. And sometimes it’s good to cross the proverbial line you’ve drawn in the sand. And other times you’re like, “no, I hate skinny jeans on me.” They will respect your wishes. Audrey does! But she has opened my eyes about quite a few things and I am grateful for that push.
Here’s an example of how awesome she is:
I’m pretty sure most people could really use an hour with Audrey. You’ve got nothing to lose except clothes you don’t like.
Why you might need Audrey
Ok, I just said most everyone does. But here’s what you will probably experience. You’ll realize how emotionally attached you are to certain clothing items. You’ll learn how to stand up for yourself AND also go out of your comfort zone. You’ll have to confront beliefs you’ve formed about clothes and your style and examine why you believe them in the first place. For example, somewhere along the way, I decided that I boots are fancy, and I can’t wear boots because I’m not fancy. And when I look fancy, I look like an uptight bitch. Interesting. Why do I think that? What would happen if I wore boots? Won’t I still be me? Things to ponder. It will also give you a new perspective on self expression and self care. For those of us (me again!) that have viewed our clothing as a means to express ourselves, but also as something a bit vain and shallow to be so focused on, it’s pretty eye-opening when you see how loving your outward appearance and its importance to you is the opposite of shallow. It’s really about loving what’s inside you.
That was deep. Other less deep things you might experience would be the glorious pairing of items you haven’t been able to wear for one reason or another, and the cathartic letting go of things you no longer need. Ok I’m getting deep again. I can’t help it! In a nutshell, it’s worth a shot.*
Contact Audrey
*Photographer puns!