How Well Do You Know The Classics?

No matter your personal style, it's important that your wardrobe has a solid foundation of mix-and-match basics.  Usually, these basics are classic in nature and you can find them at all price points at any retailer. 

The elements of classic style are timeless, simple, minimal detailing, tailored, and in neutral colors. 

Think of these classic pieces as the building blocks to create great outfits.  Whether your style type is edgy, boho, glam, or casual you will still benefit from having a great foundation of classics. 

 You bring in your own personal flair in the way you choose to style these foundational pieces.

Need a little inspiration?  Below, I've collected some examples for you.  Click the picture to take a look at my current favorites.

Is it time to refresh the classics in your wardrobe? I am available here for a Virtual Style Refresh that you will love.

Why Style Your Brand?

What story are you telling the world with your wardrobe?

And what message does that wardrobe give your potential clients?

If you run a business, whether it’s solo, small, or large you likely know that branding is so much more than a logo and a few brand colors. A good personal brand has clarity, authenticity, and good positioning… positioning your brand into the mind of the potential customer.

Well how about your style? What does your wardrobe say about you? Is your style congruent with your brand message?

I remember when I had my Etsy shop and I mostly worked from home. I handcrafted clutch purses for brides and their bridesmaids. Not only did I make these clutches in my home, my kids were little at the time so MOST days I simply dressed in comfortable tees and sweats.

Not the cute Insta-worthy image of sweats you see from influencers today…. my style was baggy, mismatched, unflattering sweats.

My shop was so busy that I was running out to the post office at least 4 days a week. Eventually, I started seeing regulars at the post office and I would get into conversations (hello long lines) about what was in all those boxes. I thought to myself, Jaime these people are possible referrals, potential customers. Picture me all frantic, messy hair, and bad sweats… what kind of message was that sending to the people I met?

Now, not every person I encountered throughout the day was going to be my customer but I still handed out my business card a lot. They were frequently asking me about my purses. What message could I possibly be sending them about my clutch business if I was looking like a ridiculous mess every day?

The message must’ve been something like “disheveled, overwhelmed, etc.”

What story are you telling the people you meet? Hot mess express? I hope not.

How about confident, relevant, and authentic. Wouldn’t that be better?

Style plays a role in your brand positioning. Even if you don’t currently consider yourself as “having a brand” good style helps you show up in confidence for the things that matter to you.

Personal style gives you an opportunity to be present for your business or your next move. What message does your style tell the world and how can we make that story compelling?

I asked a few branding experts and they all agree that personal branding is about authenticity and connection…

It’s the connection and alignment between you, your ideal clients, the visuals, your message…all of it.

Know your value, then package it properly!

Baby Steps to Better Style

Small habits lead to big changes.

Small habits lead to big changes. Add a small closet edit to your monthly routine.

Small habits accumulate to big changes, big results. Just take 10 minutes in your closet. Toss a few pieces. Do this little practice every now and then. It’s just a quick little closet edit.

If you take these baby steps, over time you'll be free of the junk that's weighing you down... literally AND figuratively.

Cut through all the crap so you can actually see what you DO have and what you DO like.

Side note: don't let the word "toss" make you feel bad. Let yourself trash pieces that are out of shape, stained, or damaged beyond repair.

Being friendly to the planet is wonderful but not at the expense of your mental energy and your sanity. And as for donating?

"If it's not good enough for you it's not good enough for those in need either."

So what *doesn't* get tossed? Your "nice" pieces in GOOD condition that no longer fit you or serve you... THAT'S the donation pile.

Remember, small steps… that’s the way you combat a style rut. Small closet edits on a regular basis will help battle the dreaded closet full of nothing to wear.


Great article that provokes some thought on being in need and feeling worthy: https://humanparts.medium.com/i-am-a-little-too-fat-im-a-little-too-generous-i-think-i-know-why-e97cd25b7eeb

Bad Style Habits You Need To Stop Now

The best way to fall into a big ole style rut is to keep on keepin’ on with the bad style habits above.

Let’s start with a biggie, negative self-talk.  Those nasty little things you’d NEVER tell someone else but you have no problem repeating to yourself like, “ugh my stomach is so fat, I hate my thighs, I could never pull that off, I look like an idiot, I wish I was taller, shorter, thinner, I’m not cool enough, I’m not good enough…”  you get the picture.

It’s natural to have that inner critic to a degree but you’ve got to have a limit. 

Stop yourself before it becomes a constant inner negative dialogue. Go do your Google research.  There’s plenty of brain research with evidence to show the negative effects on the words you HABITUALLY say to yourself. Negative self-talk is toxic and there are damaging effects. I’m no expert in the field but I don’t want to just run off to the next paragraph and leave you hanging.  You can find lots of cool exercises via internet search to first identify YOUR negative self-talk, write it down, and exercise replacement language. Pretty cool stuff.  Promise me you’ll take a look?

Moving along, want to stay stuck in old boring style habits?  Then wear the same outfit combinations day in and day out. K? Here’s my advice: Don’t try anything new.  Stay safely inside that style comfort zone! Ok, sarcasm voice next…. I mean yuck, try something new and you might risk a few compliments, you might experience a confidence boost, you might feel new and refreshed…  see where I’m goin’ here?

I style a lot of Moms in the late 30s and early 40s.  They come to me craving something new, refreshed, chic, and they want to stop the boredom.  Do you know what I see a lot of? This age range is (typically) finished with having kids and the current kiddos are a little grown now. Mom finally got a chance to reflect on herself, take a look at her style.  The years consumed in diapers, bottles, walking and Kindergarten are over and Mom is no longer on the back burner.

In my experience, they’re all stuck in the same patterns they developed before kids. They’re still buying (or using) the same sizes, cuts, shapes, stores, and outfit combinations that worked well for them over a decade ago! The #1 safe outfit combination is the skinnies and oversized blouse routine. Sidenote: If that skinnies/big blouse uniform rocks your style world and you’re confident and happy, feel free to give me the finger, lol. But I’m talking to those who use that same ONE outfit combination over and over again, mindlessly…. and now you feel the dreaded rut.

In my experience and the larger point, take a look every now and then at what you’re creating style-wise.  Try a new silhouette, try a new denim cut or a new color, change up the shoes or accessories…

just wear something outside of your comfort zone! 

What’s the worst thing that can happen? Worst case: you hate the outfit for one dang day and you learned something new about your likes/dislikes.  The world will not crumble.  

Ok, next.  Stop grabbing a piece just because the price was great. 

“But it was on clearance”.

But do you actually NEED it? Do you have a similar piece already?  Do you really love it? Does it fit right? Does it flatter your shape? And I mean actually fit, not “it’s cheap so I’ll make it work.”  Please look past the immediate gratification of a sale...

You won’t keep reaching for that “make it work” piece for very long and eventually it becomes a discouraging item you’ll have to look past each morning…  hello, closet full of nothing. Ask yourself if you’d still want (and need) the item if it was full price. Another question to consider is, “how can I style this in a few ways with what I already have in my closet?”   Which leads me to…  

Oh gosh, you’ve gotta shop with a plan!  Or at least just HAVE a style plan. A closet full of NOTHING to wear ends up that way because of the things you mindlessly buy and toss in there.  What kind of plan you ask? A style roadmap! A style plan. One that includes your clear vision for what you want your style to say about you, list of foundation pieces for you and then sprinkle in lifestyle, budget, and body type as the remaining factors.  

If you know your style type and take an inventory of your closet, a style plan will guide you to buy only what you need, buy only that which aligns with the plan.   Follow these quick tips and you’re well on your way to better style in 2020! Cheers! j

Reaching For The C Suite? Don't Forget This Tool.

“Dress for the job you want.”

Are you using personal style to your advantage? Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.

It’s an age-old sentiment but it rings true today more than ever. How you dress (your personal style) still matters in most professional work environments. Yes, I’ve seen how it’s acceptable to wear a hoodie to some offices and we all know the Mark Zuckerberg “uniform” by now (grey t-shirt, jeans, and Nikes on repeat). Therefore, it’s easy to forget that your image makes an impact but it does… in two key ways:

“First, your personal style influences the way you are perceived and second,
it influences the way you perform.”

Clothing influences perception, your own perception of your ability to perform (dressing to feel confident, dressing to boost your mood). And it influences the perception others will have of you as well (the impression they get through your style). This is the reason we choose a suit for a job interview over a pair of comfy sweats. This is why you’d feel better if your doctor is in a lab coat or professional attire rather than a hoodie.

Yes, research shows that the clothes you wear actually change the way you perform!

Dressing well doesn’t have to mean being fake or wearing things that make you uncomfortable, just be thoughtful in planning your style, be strategic in crafting a signature style.

YOU HAVE A VISUAL BRAND whether you know it or not. Your clothing sends a message about you, don’t you want to control that message? It’s time to end the cycle of a closet full of nothing to wear.

Need a style rescue asap?

All About Jeans

Have you seen my Denim Guide yet? Take a look! It contains the 3 main things you should really know about buying jeans. I recently left Stitch Fix after 4 years of styling and surpassed the 15,000 mark for boxes styled (with very satisfied clients I might add). So, I know a thing or two about denim. And I know it can be overwhelming. There are so many choices, right?

And believe me, I know how a killer pair of jeans can make a women feel.  When I scheduled a photo shoot to capture some images for my business, all the fears of inadequacy and lack of confidence started creeping in.  

I kicked the fear to the curb by carefully planning my look, planning outfits that made me feel comfortable and confident.  I decided on the Good American skinnies that fit exactly the way I wanted them to.

Do you know which style and fit makes you feel most confident?

You’ll be off to a great start with my guide.

Xo, Jaime

Power In Personal Style

Who we are as human beings is more important than what we are wearing.  I don’t know anyone who would argue that.  

However, I wouldn’t call it superficial to put serious thought into your personal style, your image.  There is power in a signature style… one that matches who you are on the inside and propels you to where you want to go next.  We all know…

when you look good, you feel good.

Maybe, similar to me, you have a second career, maybe you’ve set goals for a promotion, you’re working on your personal brand, or perhaps you simply use style to elevate your mood. 

Whatever the reason, personal style starts on the inside; in your soul and your mind. 

The clothing is secondary.

I’ve talked to so many women about the “inside stuff” and I promise you…  there’s magic in the alignment of your internal self to the clothing that sits on the outside.  Stop the madness! End the cycle of a closet full of nothing to wear!

This is how I define personal style. Xo, JD

“Personal style starts on the inside; in your soul and your mind. 

The clothing is secondary.”

— Jaime Diehl, Personal Stylist

Travel Wardrobe: Pack These Pants for a European Vacation

I love helping clients plan a travel wardrobe with style! There’s no need to have your outfit scream “tourist” when there are so many cute ideas.

Planning a European vacation?  Maybe let’s leave the baseball caps, athletic shorts, and running shoes behind in the States.  I have a few clients who adore these Athleta pants. They come in all the neutral colors you need… so I showed you 3 ways my clients style them for travel.

Favorite travel pants.

This versatility is key to light packing!  That’s why I chose pants that can be worn on the plane, styled for exploring a new town, and styled for a dressier event like a romantic dinner or cocktails with a friend.   

Would you like more personalized advice for travel? Please reach out. I’d love to hear from you here. 

Cheers and happy trails! Xo JD

Style Tips for a FREEZING Summer Office

Oh yes, how we love Summer! We’ve missed the sun on our skin, we long for lazy weekend days by the pool, the beach, or the lake. You skip out early on a Friday because hello, Summer hours!

We can’t wait to bust out those sleeveless tops and our cute Summer dresses. But what if you’re dressed for work in your Summer faves and the office temperature is set for a polar bear?!

Chilly At Work? Office Formula Was Devised For Men.

I read a few sources (see one above) that studied the standard setting for office air conditioning. They discovered the average temps are set for a middle-aged man wearing a 3-piece suit and that the guidelines have been the same for decades. NOT COOL!

One such study found that “raising the office temperature from 68 degrees to 77 degrees increases the productivity by 150%.” Hello! That would be great. But until your office gets on board, let’s talk about getting dressed for your chilly office in the Summer.

I am one of those people who is always freezing when the temperature in ANY space is under 80 degrees so here are my favorite remedies. All of the following are pieces I use myself AND they are pieces my clients love to use. First up…

Layering

Make sure your layering game is strong. Depending on the formality of your office (or your outfit on a particular day), be sure you have various options in your closet from casual to formal. Denim jackets are great for more relaxed office environments. They’re great for Summer dresses or a sleeveless blouse and trousers combo. Blazers are essential for adding polish to your looks. The sweater blazer above is stretchy and movable, the black option is dressier.

Next up, think about switching up your bottoms silhouette.  If you’re strictly a skinny pants kinda woman, think about a loose silhouette for the Summer season.  When you run out into the Summer heat for lunch or you travel in between appointments, skinny pants or slim cut pants give your legs less room to breathe.  Consider a wide leg crop or a fluid, straight silhouette which allows the air to circulate while you're out and about but your skin is still covered in the office.

Always balance a non-skinny silhouette with the top tucked in.  So consider the pants below… tuck in a sleeveless blouse and add a denim jacket.  If you need more formality, style pants with a button up blouse, closed toe heels, and a more formal blazer.

And finally… just bring a blanket. Ok seriously, if you can’t do that you might consider a silk scarf. Did you know your neck can be really sensitive to cold? Silk is a nice option because this tightly woven fabric can help keep the body warm. There’s a reason a lot of Winter outerwear is lined with silk!

These silk scarves come in a bunch of colors and they’re the only ones I recommend to clients.

And there you have it. What are your go-to pieces to keep warm in the freezing office? As always, I am available for personalized styling and I’m booking Summer mini sessions now! Here.

Xo, Jaime

Closet Cleanout

Detox Cleanse Renew Organize Motivate

We love these words in Spring, don’t we? The words of “newness” and cleaning. The sunshine returns, birds are chirping, the flowers bloom. It’s like this photo on the left encompasses it all, right?

Image: Girl Meets Glam Dress

How to clean out my closet? How to do a closet cleanse?

No matter your current weather- snow, rain, clouds, sunshine, Spring is a great time to complete a Closet Cleanse. Promise! You’ll be so happy you let go of pieces that no longer serve you… whether the item doesn’t fit, you don’t really enjoy it, or it no longer matches your personal style….

It’s always a good time to lose a few pounds in the closet!

But where to begin?  Here I will outline the same steps I use for myself and the process I go through with clients.     Clean out the old to make room for the new!

And what if you’re not looking to buy any new clothes right now?  You will still benefit from a closet cleanse. When you weed out the pieces you don’t use it clears the way to see the stuff you WILL use.  More room, more vision right?

“Clear the way to actually see the things you love.”

Step one:  Bring It All Out!  I will empty my closet on the bed and start from scratch.  With all of your contents out of the closet, you have a chance to give it a little wipe down.   We’re cleansing literally AND metaphorically here.

Step two: Create 3 piles from all of your contents.  The keepers, the goners, and the maybes.

The Keepers: these are your trusted go-to pieces that you reach for everyday.  These keeps should Fit and Flatter and still make you feel Good! They should be in good shape as well.

The Goners: these guys are definitely going.  These are pieces that hang in your closet and you NEVER take them out to put them on.   These should be the reasons you don’t wear them:

they no longer fit and can’t be altered, they are out of style (your current personal style), or they are damaged beyond repair.  I bet if you try really hard, there are pieces in the “keep” pile that really belong here, as goners. Done. If you’re not pulling it out to wear frequently (unless it’s seasonal or special) then it should go.  Your mind and your closet do NOT need clutter. And just to clarify, there can be two types of goners: those that are in poor shape and those that are not. If it’s ill-fitting or not your style BUT it’s in good shape, release it for someone else to love.  If it doesn’t fit AND it’s in bad shape, it’s no longer serving anyone and should be tossed.

The maybes:  Try these guys on again.    If it’s a maybe, try to take yourself from being unsure…   to making a decision. Does this item need alterations? Are you actually going to get it altered?  If yes, keep! Does it still fit and you like it but you haven’t worn it in ages? It should go. Your closet should be filled with pieces you love, not pieces that raise uncertainty.    Go ahead, insert Marie Kondo discussion and all the “spark joy” stuff.

The pieces you get rid of:  if they’re not in great condition, simply throw them away.  Thrift stores are bursting at the seams with clothing all over the country.  You’re not doing a person in need any good by giving an item that looks crappy.  You also can’t save the whole darn planet by choosing not to throw away a few bags of clothes…  release them... besides, positive energy and good vibes are helpful to the earth too!   If these pieces are in good condition, give them away to someone you know that would use them, have a clothing swap with friends, or try to sell it in a FB group or on Poshmark.

You have now cleared the way to see what you have, what you love, and what might be missing.

Step 3: it can all go back in to the clean and lean closet. You can now see what you love and see what might be missing.  I often recommend slim, felt hangers because they make so much more room when you put everything back in. They are often super cheap and fully stocked at TJ Max or Home Goods. I buy these here: favorite hangers. See, so many colors too!

Always reach me here for personalized advice: say hello.

Xo, JD