YOUR PERSONAL STYLIST
BY LAUREN SPEARS • PHOTOGRAPHY KORBEN T . • MODEL TAHLIA MUNOZ
jacket , a statement coat , a flawless pair of black boots ( no woman should find herself without a pair of black booties come October ). Seasonal trends are good and well , but you shouldn ’ t have to purchase an entirely new wardrobe every time the weather changes ! Invest in a velvet dress and invest in a metallic bomber jacket , then take a look at the clothes you had in your closet already and figure out how to use them to their maximum potential . I adore cleaning out peoples ’ closets . The relief and hopefulness I see in clients after evaluating their wardrobe is priceless ( if you couldn ’ t tell this is a shameless plug for our closet cleanout services ).
Lauren Spears
Let me start by saying I am still playing catch up with my life . I went from a full time job as an analyst to a remote employee starting her own designer consignment boutique in a very short amount of time . Instead of being a stylist to just myself , I am now styling all of our new clients and putting together looks for a fall editorial spread in a fashion magazine . It is the most overwhelming , fantastic turn of events ! It ’ s been six months since my husband , my sister and I took the plunge on this entrepreneurial endeavor and a few things have become very clear to me .
First , I couldn ’ t have done something this big without talented family and friends . I feel so grateful to have my husband , Charlie , and my sister , Shannon . Charlie ’ s strengths in business offset a lot of my weaknesses and Shannon ’ s uncanny eye for vintage fashion keeps our blog from getting monochromatic and boring . In no universe could I have created the SoBo Co . by myself !
Second , quality over quantity is the best philosophy for life and especially your closet . If you always feel like you have nothing to wear , it ’ s probably because you have too much or too much of the wrong thing . Invest in quality pieces and clean out that closet ! I loved putting together these dramatic , trendy looks because they ’ re dramatic and trendy , but also because they incorporate pieces every fashion girl has in her wardrobe . I ’ m thinking about the motorcycle
My final lesson , which will ultimately transition us into fall styles , is you don ’ t have to pay full price to look amazing and on trend . Buying new things can be great and resale clothing can be miss after miss , but high quality , of-themoment consignment pieces exist and are out there for the taking ! And if saving money wasn ’ t reason enough , you ’ re also helping reduce waste . Still not convinced ? Here ’ s one final plug - check out my hashtag # MyResalePledge so you can see first-hand my journey to buy exclusively resale . I ’ ll post new pieces I ’ ve bought , styling ideas , and trends I recommend and of course everything will be consignment ! So now …. on to the good stuff .
Fall 2016 is all about embracing luxurious fabrics and styles in the most unapologetic way . Velvet ? Check . Metallics and high shine ? Yes , please . Everything all together ? Doing it and loving it ! High , Elizabethan necklines and statement sleeves will also be making an appearance , but the real star of fall fashion is the ballerina . Street style icons are trading pencil skirts for voluminous tulle and bodycon for dresses with more natural movement and romance . And thank the lord because I can ’ t think of anything more functional and beautiful than a dancer ’ s outfit . The world of footwear is also seeing a major shift . Gone are the days of stilettos ; the time for flats and little white sneakers is now . Try some Adidas Stan Smiths or block heels instead of those high heels that hurt your feet and your back . This fall , the “ powers that be ” have given us explicit permission to embrace luxury , romance , functionality , and comfort so take advantage !
Want to shop the looks ? Have questions about consignment or styling ? Visit me at the SoBo Co . at 1637 South Boston Ave . or shoot me an email at lauren @ shopthesobo . com .
36 EXCELLSTYLE MAGAZINE • SEPTEMBER 2016