Give Your Outfit Focus

I think as a species we’ve worried too much about what “looks flattering” and less about what feels good to wear. I try not to worry whether something looks flattering but instead I want to give an outfit focal points to lead the eye and tell a visual story. Let’s dig a little deeper into this idea.

Can I wear this? Is it Flattering?

We’re moving into the holiday season so hear me when I say bahumbug to “flattering”. I feel like “flattering” is an idea left over from diet culture and when getting your colours done and power dressing were all anyone talked about. We know we don’t have to stop wearing white after labour day – or even on your wedding day frankly! – so why get stuck thinking we can only wear certain things? Break free!

Fashion Rules Worth Breaking

Whether it’s top of mind or not you likely have some fashion dos and don’ts that stay with you. Although I definitely agree there can be a formula to a great outfit I don’t think stale fashion rules or whether something is “flattering” or not is nearly as important as its proportion, the focal points and how something feels on. Let’s break that down.

Proportion

Coco Chanel famously said, “Fashion is architecture; it’s a matter of proportions”. When I talk about proportion in fashion I’m talking about the visual balance in an outfit. We want to give the eye something appealing by using something called the Rule of Thirds.

Historically the Rule of Thirds was used in art and architecture because it helps guide the eye by breaking things down into thirds and is more interesting to look at than something divided strictly in half for example.

In fashion we want to divide a look into thirds as well with a line usually drawn between 1/3 and 2/3 of the look. If you’re wearing jeans and a tee, for instance, if the tee is tucked into the jeans that draws a line at our waist and visually puts 1/3 of the outfit above the waist and 2/3 below. If the tee is untucked and lands closer to the hips that is instead dividing the look in half. Take a peek at this example below.

In this photo the eye still lands at my natural waist where there is a greater concentration of colour. The boxes labeled 2/3 complements the upper third but allows the focus to still remain on the upper third divided by my waist line.

Now the dividing line doesn’t always have to be at the waist. Another way this outfits reads is as below:

Here the tulle dress takes up 2/3 of the look and 1/3 is the pant leg.

Using the rule of thirds can take some practice but it’s helpful to think of how an outfit reads. Dividing a look into thirds helps outfit planning because it can help inform the pieces we choose to pair together. Now, as with all guidelines, these ideas are meant to inform how we dress not strictly enforce it. Play around with the rule of thirds and see what feels best for your shape.

Focus Your Attention

Before we move on to shape which I will touch on briefly, I want to highlight focal point. What is a focal point? It’s something that draws the eye and adds interest to your look within the rule of thirds. A belt, for example, is a focal point the delineates the look into thirds. A drop earring or a collar peeking out of a sweater or cardigan can also be a focal point. The neckline of your t-shirt or the cut of your jeans can also be focal points. Even a patent leather bag or statement shoe are also examples of focal points. Essentially a focal point is any outfit component that draws the eye and adds visual interest.

Some of my favourite outfit focal points are statement earrings, a fuzzy knit with some interesting texture and, of course, colour! Any element that adds a little pizzazz or draws your attention adds a visual element that elevates your look.

Helping it Take Shape

Finally, it would be amiss to talk about outfit building without touching on shape. There are of course different body types and different body shapes and although we are never limited by our shape, understanding your shape can help you tease out some focal points.

When we talk about body shape we can typically distill them down to four categories. This of course is not comprehensive and you may find you fit into several categories but basically we see:

Triangle/A: narrower shoulders and bust with full hips and thigh

Hourglass/X: balanced bust and hips with narrower waist

Oval/Ol: fuller midsection and slim through the legs and thigh

Rectangle/H: bust, waist and hips are about the same size with no defined waist

Think of your shape as your starting point. Using the rule of thirds and focal points we’re just trying to add some visual balance to our looks. For an Inverted Triangle, for instance, a flutter sleeve or chunky necklace will draw the eye to the neck and shoulders and add visual interest to help balance the overall look by mirroring the fullness of the hips. An apple shape, for example, may want to highlight their waist so that the eye finds that focal point and helps their outfit land within the rule of thirds.

Fight your instincts and remember that this isn’t something to get too hung up on. Understanding your body shape can help drive outfit focal points but overthinking our shape tends to lead to outfits that try to “hide” particular areas of our body and, I have bad news, often makes a focal point of that area because it’s throwing off the proportion of the look.

Try to remember that your body is magic. Whatever size, whatever shape, whatever it does or doesn’t do for you – it got you to where you are. I guarantee no one is judging you as much as you’re judging yourself so please (PLEASE!) find something that feels good, that you love and let that be your guiding principle.

My TV Fashion Segment

On October 25th I was so excited to join host Anna Huk to present a fashion segment on her show, Inside Durham, which showcases people and places in Durham Region.

I pitched a fall fashion segment on small pieces with big impact. When we think about building an outfit what elevates it from ok to awesome is often found in the details. In order to get ready for my segment I spent an afternoon shopping looking for key pieces that are universally flattering and accessible. What did I choose to highlight? Read on!

It’s All in the Details

Fall is always such a fun time in fashion. All the fashion weeks around the globe happen in September and I find it really re-invigorates my enthusiasm for the season ahead. If you’ve followed me for any time you’ll know that I LOVE to layer. It’s my secret weapon. Basically any outfit can be notched up with a few carefully placed layers or well placed accessories. Since I was trying to make my segment easily adaptable to our audience I chose to focus on four little pieces that can transform a look.

Love Your Layers

I love a good scarf. Cozy, snuggly and warm – what’s not to like?! Sometimes it’s easy to think functional pieces need to be that alone but never underestimate the impact of a simple swap out. Even if you don’t love prints or colours one super simple update is to incorporate a new scarf. This season we’re seeing lots of bright colours in super fuzzy knits. These pieces are functional and the pop of colour (bright or subdued) will dress up your standard outerwear. Most people tend to wear neutral outerwear (browns, blacks, grey, etc) so a scarf with a little visual impact updates the whole look!

Be Charmed

One of my favourite trends that came out of fashion month was bag charms. These are cute little key chains and charms that temporarily attach to your bag and add some playful personality. The best part? They’re temporary! Dress up your go to bag with these cute little charms to add some impact without breaking the bank. And have fun with it! One of my faves was a silicone Hello Kitty keychain pouch! Adds a little colour and personality. Further to charms, we saw a lot of silk scarves wrapped around leather handbag handles. If charms feel too juvenile a colourful silk on your bag is an easy way to level up.

Don’t Get Stuck in a Loop

We probably all have a classic hoop earring in our jewellery boxy. It’s a classic style and will always add a dash of finish to a look. What if, though, we think about changing the texture or colour of your hoop? One I’ve been loving lately is the puffy hoop earring. Jenny Bird has an amazing one here. We all have an earring size and shape we feel comfortable wearing but what if take a little side step and try something just a little different? Earrings give a lot of visual interest and are an easy swap out. Try something just a little different this season and see how it feels!

Pour Yourself Another Glass

This fall I’ve been loving the rich bordeaux accessories on the market. Another easy update is to find something in the colour of the season and this year that is red. Neutral shoes and bag will never go out of style but if you’re looking for a little piece to update why not think about giving your black boots a rest for a season and try out this moody red hue? It’s a modern take on our old standards. You don’t need to change your heel shape or bag size to hit this trend. Just incorporating this colour will level up your look.

Sweat the Small Stuff

Details matter. In life and in dressing. If you don’t have the patience to build a new wardrobe and worry about seeming too trend driven a few small, simple accessory updates with have a big impact! Find one or two accessories you’re willing to play with and watch your basics light up!

The point here is that a few small updates can have a big impact. So take another look in your closet, shop the accessories racks and find a couple pieces that speak to you and add a dash of personality to your everyday wardrobe.

Miss the segment? View it here

How Mood Boards Can Drive Your Style

How Mood Boards Can Focus and Drive Your Style

What Is a Mood Board?

You’ve likely heard of vision boards, but have you delved into the magic of mood boards?

Mood boards are powerful tools used to gather inspiration and establish a clear visual direction for projects or ideas. If you’ve ever curated a collection of images on Pinterest, congratulations—you’ve already created a mood board!

Why Mood Board?

The goal of a mood board is to build a visual database of inspiration. Sometimes it’s hard to articulate exactly what we mean. As the adage says, a picture is worth a thousand words. The components of a mood board combine to create a visual feeling or mood that communicates clear objectives and tells the user where to go. We know if we want to land in a certain destination we need to have the proper directions. A mood board is your Google Maps.

Building Your Visual Map

From art directors to designers, mood boards help those in the creative field sharpen their focus. These visual collages typically feature images, but they can also include key quotes, color palettes, and even fabric swatches, all working together to convey a specific mood or concept. The result is a cohesive visual narrative that captures the essence of a particular idea or theme. By combining these elements, mood boards evoke emotions and establish an atmosphere, serving as both a source of inspiration and a creative guide. They encourage exploration and personal expression and allow a unique interpretation of style.

Don’t Get Lost in the Details

There’s no right or wrong way to create a mood board. You can’t do it wrong. It’s all about discovering what resonates with you personally or what images align with your goals. Sometimes, the most exciting insights come from simply collecting images without being locked into a narrow scope of work. As you gather visuals that speak to you, a cohesive idea begins to emerge. When you finally complete your mood board, you’ll have a personalized visual guide that truly reflects your individual style and aspirations.

Let the Mood Board Be Your Compass

As a stylist, I rely on mood boards to tailor visuals for each client. They serve as a guiding tool to flesh out our style objectives. In fact, most of my styling services start with a mood board. Before our meeting—whether in person or virtually—I encourage clients to create a Pinterest board featuring styles, colors, and outfits they love. This process not only helps clients articulate their visual voice but also provides me with valuable insights to curate pieces that align with their vision. After all, as we mentioned, a picture is worth a thousand words, and a full mood board is a literal treasure trove of inspiration!

Embrace the Journey

Once your mood board is complete, it becomes a launching pad for your style evolution. Remember, it’s not a strict blueprint for recreating every image you pin. Instead, think of it as a dynamic visual tool that inspires and directs your creative efforts. It narrows your focus while allowing room for exploration and growth. It helps focus on silhouettes your drawn to or the colours that most resonate for you, for example. And the best part? Your mood board can evolve—just like you.

Still Feel Like a Mood Board is Out of Sight?

Don’t get too in your head about this. Looking for pretty or inspiring images shouldn’t feel too high stakes. This is just an exercise to help find focus and give a visual dialect to your thoughts. If it needs to change – no biggie. You’re dynamic, your style will be too.

I often repeat that every person has a sense of style regardless of whether we see that in how they dress or not. Everyone has things that they like, things they don’t like and things they just naturally gravitate toward. Try building your own mood board. You might be pleasantly surprised how much fun you have.

Don’t believe me? Book a discovery call and let me help you dig out your personalized aesthetic!

Unpopular Opinion: I Don’t Believe in Colour Analysis

If you’re looking for a colour consultation, you’ve come to the wrong place. I like colours - all colours! - and think your personal style is bigger than a small swatch of colours. Colour analysis can be a starting point but it’s not a destination.

Colour Me Beautiful

My mother was a Spring. I think. She had her colours done at one of those Color Me Beautiful parties and she was a Spring. Honestly, I have no idea what that means exactly but for a time in the 80s it informed a lot of who she was and who she couldn’t be. She had a little notebook with swatches and it was often a topic of conversation among her and her peers.

A rose by any other name…

And until getting your colours done was rebranded as a very au courant Colour Analysis I thought this way of thinking had been left to die a quiet death. BUT, as we see in fashion of all sorts, what goes around comes around again so here we are once more pondering whether we’re a spring or soft winter or whatever new colour category it’s telling you that you are.

Fool me twice

This may be a controversial opinion but I think colour analysis is a pretend thing. GASP. I know. Hear me out though. Just like I don’t pack away all my winter stuff in the summer or all my summer stuff in the winter, I think all clothes (and colours!) can always be on the table. Sure, my fuzzy knits don’t much see the light of the summer sun and there is definitely a certain shade of ivory/camel I try to avoid BUT even there, a pop of colour closer to my face (say a scarf or colourful necklace - even lipstick!) can change the way each colour reads on my skin tone.

So why do people love colour analysis?

Colour analysis takes some of the pressure off shopping. If you don’t love shopping or if you don’t really ever feel too confident choosing pieces for yourself then having a focused system, like colour analysis, can be a helpful tool. But that’s essentially what it is, a system advertised to make shopping and dressing formulaic. And you know what? There are colours that absolutely will make you feel great but (wait for it) they’re often the colours you already love and gravitate to anyway. Imagine! Remember that your eye and hair colour, the colours you choose in your home decor and makeup shades tell a story. And often that story is that you intrinsically like certain colours. Take one step further and you’ll find these choices are often clues to what colours work for you. 

Why I don’t do colour analysis

Colour analysis is a system that is trying to define how you show up everyday. And I think, scratch that, KNOW you are more dynamic than that. I don’t really resonate with anyone or any thing that tells you who you are. Because, guess what? You know who you are! It’s in there under all the layers. You can’t be distilled to a list of colours and I instinctively bristle at the thought there are things (colours, cuts, styles) you can and cannot wear. You’re more than a checklist, darling. I want my clients to lean into their own style. You should wear what you like and what feels good on your body because confidence comes from feeling good and that’s much deeper than whether coral or lemon better suit you. 

But I feel great in my Wow Colours!

Awesome! If you’ve done a colour analysis and have found it helpful - hurray! I’m happy you’ve found a system that works for you. For me, I want my clients to find what feels authentically true to them and that’s more dynamic than a set of strict rules and limited colours. I help my clients get dressed by taking into account a diverse set of criteria including everything from what they do for work to what pieces they prefer to wear and what types of events they regularly attend. Colour analysis can be a starting point but it’s not a destination.

Feeling lost at sea without a system?

If fashion is not your strong point, if planning outfits and shopping are not in your wheelhouse a colour analysis is not going to get you home. I work with my clients to guide them every step of the way. We work collaboratively, find colours we like and don’t like and create cohesive looks that make my clients glow. If you’re looking for a system for getting dressed, let’s get in your closet, see what’s in there and let me produce a set of stress free looks that will make you shine. My clients come out of every service feeling more confident in who they are and how they are showing up everyday. If you are looking for a system to help you get dressed let’s make something individualized to you, where you decide what feels good and I walk with you every step to bring that little bit of polish that enhances what you’ve got!

Interested in talking about how I can make getting dressed systematic and hyper individualized? Click here to get in touch!

5 Ways My Signature Service Can Boost Your Style

Have a closet full of clothes but still wake every morning with the sinking feeling you have nothing to wear?

Do you go shopping all the time but still end up wearing the same familiar pieces? 

The Closet Edit is at the core of what I do because it holds clues to who you are and what you could be wearing. 

Whether we feel like it or not, each of us has “style.” Each of us has intrinsic likes and dislikes that show up in our world. If there is a disconnect between how you want to dress and how you are dressing - your closet will give us all the clues to find the disconnect. Your closet is a window into how you feel about yourself and if we can uncover that we’ll understand the connection between how you want to be perceived and how you’re showing up in the world everyday.

I want you to feel like the best version of you! Like your clothes tell your individual story. Let’s look at what’s there, what message is in those pieces, and let’s make it cohesive so you feel good, look good and approach each day with confidence and style! Sound good?

1. What is a closet edit? 

This is my signature service because what you have in your closet really is the foundation of your image. We spend time looking at the clothes in your wardrobe - those that serve you and those that don’t - and build looks around things you love and feel comfortable in. If you have items you really liked on the mannequin but struggle to style at home or if you want to wear certain colours or pieces but don’t feel comfortable in them this is the perfect service for you. This service will give you head to toe outfits that you don’t have to think twice about because we’ve worked together to build looks that best utilize what you already have.

2. What ISN'T a closet edit? 

It is NOT judgment day! This service is designed to bring out pieces that best suit YOU. I’m not trying to make you look like me - or anyone else for that matter. I want you to look like the best version of you. We will talk about what feels good, what things you like and gravitate toward and also things or styles you don’t like and work from that. We’re not making you over or reinventing your image - we’re polishing it.

3. What To Expect 

Remember having friends over to play dress up before going out? That’s the vibe of this service. Expect to spend some time going through each piece in your wardrobe and trying on a bunch of stuff. At the end of this edit you’ll have a handbook on what to wear and how so we want to make sure that each piece in your closet serves a function, fits you well and contributes to a cohesive look. Put on your favourite music, grab a cup of coffee and let’s just have some fun with your clothes! 

4. Things To Know 

This should be a fun opportunity to look through your clothes but remember to be patient with yourself and the process. We’ll be looking at things maybe you haven’t looked at in awhile. We’re trying to find pieces that serve you, that you feel good in and that bring out your sparkle. This takes some time but it’s worth the effort!

5. FAQs

Will I need to budget for a whole new wardrobe after the Closet Edit Service?

No! The beauty of this service is finding the gold within what you already own. Clients often find that they have far more to work with than they thought so they actually end up saving money by using what is in their closet now!

Will Leah tell me to throw away everything she doesn’t like?

No. This is a collaborative exercise. Leah wants to know the why behind the pieces in your closet and find pieces that are serving you. The closet edit helps assess your clothes with fresh eyes. Maybe that skirt just needs to be hemmed to use again? Maybe the seams on that suit can be let out so you can keep wearing it. Leah doesn’t believe in mindless consumption. You should come out of the edit with a new appreciation for things you own and maybe a short shopping list of key items to add.

What if I have a lot of fast fashion pieces? Can Leah work with that?

Absolutely! Leah believes the most sustainable clothes anyone has are the clothes they already own. And fast fashion pieces can last a long time as long as they’re of good construction with a durable fabric and are properly laundered. Leah will help sort out which pieces will wear the best and talk about caring for garments to extend their life. Not everyone wants or needs a designer closet!

I don’t feel comfortable inviting someone into my house. Is a virtual Closet Edit possible?

Absolutely. Your home is a sanctuary and inviting a professional into your home may not feel comfortable for you. Leah has a service itinerary specifically for virtual clients! After some initial communications, a video call will be scheduled so Leah can see you in your clothes to note how certain pieces fit/drape and confirm fabric types (this informs how they fit and wear over time). The client still takes home the same deliverables and gets all the benefits of the in-person service without doing the edit in person!

Back to Everything September Special

Fashion Was My Life…

I have loved clothes for as long as I can remember. I would pour over magazines (because that was our medium in my day!) and plan my looks for hours. I would sometimes try four or more different outfits before heading out to work in the morning to get it just right! I had nothing but time and was happy to spend it contemplating my fits.

But Then My Kids Were My Life

Then, I had kids. Two at once actually. And my world got turned upside down. All of a sudden instead of leisure time and magazine reads it was throwing together whatever outfit I could think of in the three minutes between shower and next mom task. My love of clothes never took a back seat but the amount of time I had to think about what to wear was nearly obliterated.

So Where Does Style Fit In?

When I launched my styling business several years ago it was with moms in this stage in mind. I wanted to give them back some time by making the wardrobe piece turnkey. During my signature Closet Edit, we spend some time on a discovery call exploring what exactly they need from their clothes, what they would like to wear and what they actually wear day to day. You’d be surprised at the disparity between the two sometimes!

After our call, we create a mood board to help guide us during the three hour edit. I want to make the best use of my client’s time every step of the way so I take the guess work out of the process with my edit itinerary. I gently guide every step of the way and because we break this down into two steps over (ideally) one week there is no need to feel overwhelmed. We work at a pace comfortable for the client and work collaboratively so the end product is something they truly love and will be happy to throw on.

This is Not a Makeover

Because - guess what? I want you to (wait for it…) look like YOU! The best version of you but 100% authentically you! New mom-bod, new job, new routines or schedules – I’ve got you! This isn’t a makeover process. Our time together will help hone in on your own particular style to make you look like the best version of you! Even if you think that you just wear whatever is in front of you, I guarantee behind that is a style unique to you and we will tease it out through this process.

September is here and it’s Back to Everything 

As the air chills and schedules ramp up I’m running a BACK TO EVERYTHING special because goodness knows the transition from summer schedule to back to school, back to lunches, back to extracurriculars and more can be bumpy! I’m offering 20% off my Closet Edit service to help you get in the rhythm of back to everything before (dare I say it?) holiday sets in.

Is Working With a Personal Stylist Right for you?

Let’s streamline your daily routine by taking the guess work out of dressing! If you’d like to set-up a discovery call to see if the Closet Edit will streamline your routine, send me an email and let’s get the conversation started!

You don’t need a makeover. You need a stylist that gets that mom hustle.