My Styled Life

My Styled Life My Styled Life | Laura McCarthy
I help busy professional women develop their own personal style. Sig

Sparkles aren’t just for parties any more! Maybe it’s rebellion against the lounge clothes we lived in during the pandem...
10/17/2022

Sparkles aren’t just for parties any more!

Maybe it’s rebellion against the lounge clothes we lived in during the pandemic: Sequins, sparkle and anything with shine are having a moment right now. But can you wear them during the day? ABSOLUTELY!

A few tips:

👉 Tone down your sequined piece during the day by pairing it with more casual items. When wearing a sequin piece at night, pair it with dressy items.

👉 Stick to silver or gold to keep the look more subtle. Or go bold with colorful sequins.

👉 Beware of going cheap when buying a sequin piece. Quality is crucial. Sequins on inexpensive pieces aren’t sewn on well and can easily fall out.

👉 Combine your sequin piece with other textures. Denim and knits are fun for daytime. Velvet, fur and satin are great for night time outfits.

Ready to jump into a sequined look? Check out my shoppable board of fun sequin pieces: https://go.goodpix.co/g/634325e7a0cbb63cc57a0419/msl

I talk to so many women who want to elevate their style, but begin to doubt themselves when it comes time to pull the tr...
10/10/2022

I talk to so many women who want to elevate their style, but begin to doubt themselves when it comes time to pull the trigger. They talk themselves out of a piece before they even give it a try.

“I can’t pull that off.”
“I would look ridiculous in that.”
“That’s too much for me.”
“The pattern is too bold.”
“I can’t see myself using it that much.”
“I don’t have anything to go with that color.”

The reasons go on and on. What do I say in response?

“IT DOESN’T COST YOU ANYTHING TO TRY IT ON.”

Ladies, if you feel stuck in your style, you need to try some pieces that are a little out of your comfort zone. Challenge yourself. Once you try something on, pay attention to how you feel in it. Style it in some different ways with pieces you already have in your closet. At stores with trained stylists (like Nordstrom or Evereve), ask for guidance. They will give you honest input. Hire a personal stylist to truly get customized advice.

Try it on gals! You just may be surprised!

When you walk into a clothing store or boutique, are you inspired by the displays and racks? Most likely yes. It’s becau...
10/09/2022

When you walk into a clothing store or boutique, are you inspired by the displays and racks? Most likely yes. It’s because stores showcase their inventory in a way that’s visually pleasing.

Applying the rules of visual merchandising to your own closet or dressing room can make getting ready efficient, effective and–most importantly–motivating and enjoyable.

Read my latest blog post to get 8 tips for “boutiquing” your closet: https://www.mystyledlife.net/dresscode/how-and-why-to-merchandise-your-wardrobe

Monochromatic outfits are having a moment right now. Whether you choose the bright, saturated colors that are on-trend, ...
10/07/2022

Monochromatic outfits are having a moment right now. Whether you choose the bright, saturated colors that are on-trend, or neutral colors that are always classic, a monochromatic outfit is so flattering.

A monochromatic outfit is elongating for petites and slenderizing for everyone. It makes for easy outfit planning: simply mix different shades of the same color. (Monochromatic does NOT mean you have to wear the same exact color head to toe. You can even incorporate subtle prints.)

Another pro-tip: Mix pieces with different textures. Try heavier with softer texture—like wool with silk, cotton with leather, cashmere with suede. Or insert a different texture as your mid-layer.

Play with these other textures and fabrics as well:

Tweed
Flannel
Corduroy
Denim
Velvet
Jersey
Brocade
Faux fur
Lace
Crochet

Get even more style advice on my blog: https://www.mystyledlife.net/dresscode

Athleisure wear. We all love it! As with any dressy or casual outfit, you apply the same rules when putting together an ...
10/06/2022

Athleisure wear. We all love it! As with any dressy or casual outfit, you apply the same rules when putting together an athleisure look . Especially this: ALWAYS REMEMBER TO LAYER. Don’t stop at your top and bottom. Think about other pieces that can be added, like dusters, fun sneakers and hats.

But let’s start with the DON’Ts when you put together an athleisure outfit:

DON’T WEAR GYM SHOES: Athleisure is not a full-fledged fitness look so opt for some fashion sneakers instead. I like fancy sneakers with a little bling (like my P448s), platform/stacked sneakers or colorful tennies.

DON’T WEAR ATHLETIC WEAR HEAD TO TOE: You’re not going to the gym, so your outfit should be appropriate for running errands or grabbing coffee with a friend. Mix sporty pieces with fashion items from your closet, like denim jackets, graphic tees, leather jackets, and dressier purses.

DON’T BE SLOPPY: Athleisure is certainly comfortable, but that doesn’t mean you throw on baggy joggers with an oversized sweatshirt. Keep your look polished and fitted. If you wear an oversized piece, balance it out with something more streamlined and body-conscious.

One of my favorite brands of athleisure wear is , a community-based lifestyle company that carries premium sportswear. You’ll find everything from athletic leggings, tops and bras to casual dresses, jackets and sweaters.

On me:
👉 Karli Top (can be worn off the shoulder)
👉 Nina Kimono
👉 Noor Joggers

Shop here: https://www.savvi.com/mystyledlife

Up next: The DOs of putting together athleisure outfits.

Let me start by saying this: I love fashion influencers. Even as a stylist, I’m regularly inspired by pieces they recomm...
10/04/2022

Let me start by saying this: I love fashion influencers. Even as a stylist, I’m regularly inspired by pieces they recommend and outfits they put together. We all need some inspo regularly…it pushes us to try new things and I’m a huge fan of that.

Plus, we can’t deny the actual economic impact of influencers…projected to be a whopping $16 billion in 2022.

HOWEVER, I talk to so many women who see an outfit on an influencer and buy the pieces only to be disappointed and frustrated when they don’t work for them. Why? You’re likely not considering the right things before jumping the gun to buy.

4 things you should ask yourself:

DOES SHE HAVE MY BODY TYPE?
This is the MOST important question to ask yourself. A tall, size 2, rectangle body-shaped influencer has on full-length straight pants that you fall in love with and you are a petite, pear-shaped, size 10 lady? They likely won’t work for you. Not sure what your body type is? Message me about how to discover yours, and learn what cuts and shapes are right for you.

ARE THE PIECES RIGHT FOR MY LIFESTYLE?
Research shows that there are anywhere from 3 to 35 million fashion influencers in the world! That means there are influencers of every age and walk of life. Consider your stage of life and follow influencers who align with yours.

IS SHE OFFERING ADVICE ON HOW TO WEAR THE PIECES?
Just because someone is an influencer doesn’t necessarily mean she’s knowledgeable about style. There are lots of women who post clever social videos of themselves in outfits and link to the LTK profiles, but they offer little or no styling advice. Look for influencers who are educating, not just entertaining.

IS SHE PROMOTING QUALITY BRANDS? Look, there is a role for less expensive brands in our wardrobes, especially when they are super trendy pieces, but I generally encourage quality over a low price point. Not only are some of the fast fashion brands terrible for the environment, the pieces are poorly made. They may look good on Instagram, but are shoddy in person.

So go ahead, get inspired! Just do it with intention. 😀

Going back to work but don't know what to wear now that office dress codes are more casual? The denim jacket is a tried-...
10/03/2022

Going back to work but don't know what to wear now that office dress codes are more casual? The denim jacket is a tried-and-true closet staple and perfect top layer. I just can’t get enough of them…as you can see in the picture from my closet! 🤣

Denim jackets can easily be dressed up or down and they come in so many cuts and washes that they’re familiar, easy, and trustworthy. However, be careful of too much distressing, a lot of embellishment⁠ or one that is too oversized. Save those for weekends and nights out.

A denim jacket can be a good replacement for a blazer, if you pick the right style. A few tips for making a denim jacket work-friendly:⁠

👉 Go for a blazer style or dressier cut⁠
👉 Pick a darker wash...or white⁠
👉 A coated fabric elevates a denim jacket⁠
👉 Make it a crop style and wear a long layer underneath⁠
👉 Look for one that is belted⁠
👉 Layer a sleeveless dressy blouse under ⁠
👉 Put it over a dress⁠

Shop my denim jacket recommendations: https://msl.goodpix.co.

The fashion world has always LOVED a bold shoulder. And I hate to tell those of you who are my age (in your 50s), the 80...
10/03/2022

The fashion world has always LOVED a bold shoulder. And I hate to tell those of you who are my age (in your 50s), the 80s are back!

That said, a piece with bold shoulders can be so flattering–making your waist look oh-so small! However, how do you wear this style without looking like a linebacker?

I find the key is to not wear a skinny pant or jean, especially if you already have an inverted triangle body type or are b***y. It will just accentuate the width in your upper body. The key is to balance the look on the bottom by wearing a flared or wide-leg pant or jean.

To avoid also looking like you walked right off the runway into your next meeting, I recommend not mixing this style with many other trends or statement pieces in your outfit. In my case, I kept my top and pants quiet and let the blazer do the talking. (Although I did rock a bold necklace, because that goes with my style personality!)

On me: Chloe Blazer by Cinq à Sept

Ready to jump in? Shop my recommendations: https://msl.goodpix.co.

I talk to so many women who say, “I don’t have a personal style.” And I say to them, “Yes, you do. You just don’t know w...
10/02/2022

I talk to so many women who say, “I don’t have a personal style.” And I say to them, “Yes, you do. You just don’t know what it is yet!”

Flip through the slides at the end of this post to view the main style personalities. Each woman has a DOMINANT style personality. However, nobody is one-dimensional. What makes your style personality unique is that you are a mix of 3-4.

FOLLOW THE LINK IN MY BIO TO TAKE A SHORT QUIZ TO IDENTIFY YOUR DOMINANT STYLE PERSONALITY.

Then, go back to the pictures. Are there elements of the other outfits you are drawn to? The fun green pants in the INNOVATIVE outfit? The necklace in the FREE SPIRITED outfit? The soft colors of the FEMININE outfit?

As an example, my dominant style personality is BOLD, which means I like to experiment and be up on the latest trends. However, my core/foundational wardrobe pieces are SOPHISTICATED. I love funky bags and shoes that are part of the INNOVATIVE style personality. And when I dress up, I often choose MAGNETIC pieces.

Want to learn more about diving into your unique style personality? Book a consultation with me: https://calendly.com/mystyledlife/fashchat. They are always free!

10/01/2022

Do you love traveling but LOATHE packing? You’re not alone!

According to a 2019 survey by OnePoll for Nordstrom’s Trunk Club, 62% of people admit to having a difficult time when packing for a trip. Respondents said getting through airport security is the only thing more stressful than deciding what to include in their bag. WHAT?!?!

Take the pressure off yourself and let someone else figure out what you should pack. DM me for more info!

Many women, when shopping, regularly struggle to decide whether or not they should buy a certain piece. In fact, researc...
09/30/2022

Many women, when shopping, regularly struggle to decide whether or not they should buy a certain piece. In fact, research shows that 50% of women actually experience ANXIETY when shopping for new clothes and 4 in 10 actually HATE the activity.

They ask a myriad of questions in their minds only to end up feeling more confused, questioning a purchase after they’ve bought an item, or worse yet, buying a piece that ends up hanging in their closet unworn. Sound familiar?

What can you do to combat this stress?

First, if a piece doesn’t fit correctly (or can’t be altered to fit correctly), it’s a no-go from the start. However, if it passes that test, I love the 3-3-3 rule by personal stylist Hallie Abrams of The Wardrobe Consultant. She recommends asking these 3 things when considering adding a piece to your wardrobe:

1. Are there 3 WAYS I can wear it?
2. Are there 3 PLACES I can wear it?
3. Are there 3 ITEMS IN MY CLOSET I can pair it with?

If you can’t answer those questions positively, it’s most likely not worth the investment. Can’t decide while you're in the store or shopping online? Take it home and do the exercise by going through your wardrobe and working with the piece.

Another great option my clients take advantage of is a DIGITAL CLOSET that contains pictures of the pieces in their wardrobe. When shopping in a store, simply pull up your digital closet and make your decision on the spot. Want to learn more? DM me and I’ll give you more information!

IN A STYLE RUT?⁠⁠⁠⁠Does your wardrobe feel stale? Do you have pieces in your closet you wear the same way, every single ...
03/03/2022

IN A STYLE RUT?⁠⁠
⁠⁠
Does your wardrobe feel stale? Do you have pieces in your closet you wear the same way, every single time? I'm sure you do! ⁠⁠
⁠⁠
Before buying new clothes to refresh your wardrobe, try working with what you have and wearing pieces in different ways. ⁠⁠
⁠⁠
3 tips for getting out of that style rut: ⁠⁠
⁠⁠
DECLUTTER YOUR WARDROBE⁠⁠
Getting rid of things that are old, worn out, don't fit right or you simply don't ever wear allows you to better see the possibilities. You actually feel like you have more to wear. ⁠⁠
⁠⁠
SHOP YOUR CLOSET⁠⁠
Challenge yourself to make different outfit combinations. Give yourself a couple hours over a weekend and start playing around. Or download my 30-day shop-your-closet challenge. ⁠⁠
🔗 Link in bio⁠⁠
⁠⁠
GET INSPIRATION⁠⁠
Google and Pinterest to the rescue! Do a quick search, i.e. "fun ways to wear a white button-down" then save pictures or make a Pinterest board. ⁠⁠
⁠⁠
My wore-the-same-way-all-the-time piece was the white button down. What can YOU try to style differently?

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603 Willoughby Way West
Minnetonka, MN
55305

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