When people tell me they feel stuck with their style, it’s almost always because they’re focusing on the wrong thing. They think they need a new wardrobe, when often what they really need are the right accessories. Most of us already have enough clothes — jeans, tees, sweaters, a jacket or two. What actually creates personal style isn’t owning more, it’s knowing how to finish an outfit in a way that feels like you. That’s where accessories (and shoes!) come in.

Why Accessories Matter

• They’re signature-makers. A belt, bag, or the right jewelry can define your look more than the clothes underneath.

• They stretch your wardrobe. A simple outfit can look completely different depending on what you pair it with.

• They’re personal. Clothes can be generic; accessories make it all come together in a unique way and help tell your story.

Think about it: a white shirt and black trousers can look minimalist with sleek gold hoops, creative with a patterned scarf, or romantic with a delicate pendant and ballet flats. The clothes are the same, but the accessories change everything.

The Essential Categories

Here are four areas you should consider for every outfit:

• Jewelry: Small but powerful — hoops, chains, or a signature pendant instantly add polish.

• Belt and/or Scarf: They define your shape, add structure, and make basics look intentional.

• Bag: A structured tote, a luxe shoulder bag, a practical crossbody, or a statement clutch can set the entire tone of an outfit.

• Sunglasses: Functional and expressive at once, they’re often the boldest style signal. Oversized for drama, wire frames for minimalism (or a 70’s vibe), tortoise shells for timeless ease — sunglasses instantly set a tone and should not be forgotten.

• Shoes: The ultimate mood shifter — sneakers for ease, boots for edge, loafers for polish. Shoes ground your outfit and often determine whether it reads casual, professional, or dressed up.

Ultimately, accessories and shoes are the easiest way to express your personal style without overhauling your wardrobe. They’re the details that take a simple base and make it uniquely yours, and they make it easy to have less in your closet but so much more to wear.

If someone described your style through your accessories, what would they notice first?

In February 2024, I shared a reel on Instagram introducing my 10-Piece Wardrobe. It went viral — it’s been watched over 3 million times and thousands of people shared the idea with others. Clearly, it struck a chord.

The reason, I think, is simple: most of us don’t actually want more clothes. We want clarity. We want fewer things, but the right things.

That reel gave a glimpse into the idea. Today, I want to expand on it here and show you how to use the 10-Piece Wardrobe exercise as a tool to define your personal style.

Recap: My Original 10 Pieces

Here’s what made the cut for me at the time:

• High neck black tank

• High neck white tank

• White button-up shirt

• Crew neck sweater

• Wide-leg jeans

• Black trousers

• White pants

• Black blazer

• Trench coat

• Oversized denim jacket

That list was the foundation. And honestly? I think it still holds up for me. I’d maybe swap the black trousers and blazer for brown, but otherwise this is a solid list for me. From those 10 pieces, I was able to create endless combinations — and with the right accessories, each outfit felt like me.

Why This Works

• It forces clarity. With only 10 slots, you can’t keep pieces that don’t serve you.

• It highlights your anchors. These are the clothes you actually wear, not just the ones you wish you wore.

• It shows your style DNA. When you look at your list, patterns emerge — silhouettes, colors, or fabrics that feel most like you.

How to Try It Yourself

1. Imagine you could only keep 10 items from your closet.

2. Write down your list — no accessories yet, just clothing.

3. Step back and ask: Does this feel like the foundation of my style? Or does it feel like someone else’s? The goal isn’t to live with only 10 pieces forever. It’s to use this as a reset button — a way to see what really matters in your wardrobe and what you connect with most.

Your Turn

If you could only have 10 pieces, what would make the cut? Write your list and share your top three pieces in the comments — I’d love to see the similarities and differences across this community.

There’s a subtle but powerful shift that happens when you start thinking of style not as “what’s trending” but as a kind of self-portrait or even a unique language that you speak. Our closets become less about consuming what’s new and more about reflecting who we already are.

Think about the last time you wore something that felt exactly like you. Maybe it wasn’t the flashiest piece in the room, but you carried yourself with ease. You didn’t think about adjusting your top or wondering if your jeans looked okay. You simply lived your life — confident, comfortable, and grounded.

Now think about the opposite — an outfit that didn’t quite sit right.

Even if others complimented you, you might have felt a little off, like you were playing a role rather than being yourself.

That’s the difference between wearing clothes and wearing your style.

Clothes as Language

Clothing is our most immediate form of self-expression. Before we say a word, we’ve already communicated something about who we are. The beauty is, we get to decide what that language says. Do you want your clothes to whisper “creative, thoughtful, approachable”? Or to declare “refined, confident, modern”? When your wardrobe aligns with your inner voice, it feels less like costume and more like translation.

Letting it Evolve

One misconception about “finding your style” is that it’s a fixed destination. As though you arrive one day at a single look and never deviate again. But self-expression evolves. Motherhood might shift your needs. A career transition could influence your wardrobe. Even the change of seasons in life — literal or metaphorical — or the passage of time and your own personal growth and development deserves room to be reflected in your clothes.

The Invitation

Start paying attention to the outfits you actually wear day to day. Which ones feel natural and easy? Which ones make you second-guess yourself? Over time, you’ll start to see patterns — certain colors, shapes, or fabrics you keep coming back to. That’s your real style showing up, whether you’ve named it yet or not. The more you notice, the easier it becomes to edit your closet to reflect what works and let go of what doesn’t.

What’s one outfit you’ve worn recently that felt completely aligned with who you are?

There’s a certain kind of magic that happens when you travel. You live out of a suitcase, maybe just a carry-on, and yet getting dressed feels effortless. Why? Because you only brought the pieces you truly love — the ones that fit, flatter, and work together. Each morning, instead of decision fatigue, you feel relief. You pull out a sweater, a pair of jeans, your favorite shoes, and you’re ready. No overthinking, no outfit pile, no wasted time. That feeling — that lightness — isn’t about the trip. It’s about the edit. We think we need more clothes to have more style. But what travel shows us is the opposite: when you own less, but everything is right, you actually have more to wear.

Why the Suitcase Feels So Good

When you travel, your suitcase becomes a curated capsule. Every item earns its place because it has to. There’s no room for “maybe someday” or “just in case.” The result?

• Clarity: You can see everything at once.

• Ease: Outfits mix and match without effort.

• Confidence: You trust every piece, because you chose it with intention. What if your everyday closet worked the same way?

Bringing the Suitcase Mentality Into Your Whole Closet

You don’t have to wait for your next trip to feel that sense of relief. You can recreate it by editing your wardrobe with the same mindset you use when packing a suitcase:

1. Choose Your Anchors. Imagine you’re leaving tomorrow for two weeks. Which pieces must come with you? These are your true wardrobe anchors — the ones that carry the most weight in your everyday life.

2. Release the Rest. Think about what never makes it into the suitcase. If you wouldn’t take it with you anywhere, why give it space in your closet? (Exceptions of course for very specific life things, like uniforms you need for work, etc)

3. Curate, Don’t Accumulate. Treat your closet like prime real estate. Every item has to justify its spot. The goal isn’t more; it’s better.

The Confidence Shift

Travel reminds us that style doesn’t come from volume — it comes from vision. Clarity. Understanding yourself. Owning fewer, better pieces builds self-trust. It means you know yourself well enough to release what doesn’t serve you and hold on to what does. That’s not just about clothes — that’s about confidence.

The next time you’re tempted by the idea that more clothes equals more options, remember a time when you’ve felt the ease of only having what you packed in your suitcase. Remember how light and free you felt when every piece worked. That’s not a vacation trick — that’s a blueprint.

When you bring the discipline of the travel capsule into your everyday closet, you discover what’s been true all along: less, but better, is more than enough.

Reflection & Action

Ask yourself: If I were packing tomorrow, what would make the cut? Pull those pieces aside. That’s the beginning of having a real-life wardrobe that you love.

If you spend any time scrolling fashion content this time of year, you’d think late August/early September requires a whole new wardrobe strategy. But in reality? Dressing between seasons isn’t nearly as complicated as it’s often made out to be.

Here’s the truth: transitional style is just your summer wardrobe plus one or two small shifts. That’s it. It doesn’t require an entirely new set of clothes or a drawer full of “in-between” pieces. It’s about leaning into what you already love wearing and adding a touch of fall mood where it makes sense.

The Key Shift: Adjust, Don’t Overhaul

Keep your core summer pieces. Your favorite jeans, linen trousers, tees, and lightweight dresses don’t need to go anywhere.

Swap one thing. Trade sandals for loafers or ballet flats, add a belt to ground your look, or layer on a blazer for evening.

Play with texture. A woven tote feels summery, but a suede or leather bag instantly brings a look into early fall.

My Go-To Bridge Pieces

These are the things I find myself reaching for every year when it’s still warm but I want my outfits to feel a little more fall-leaning:

• Loafers or ballet flats instead of sandals

• An oversized blazer over a tee or tank (my personal go-to)

• A lightweight sweater draped over the shoulders (practical for cool mornings, easy to remove midday)

• A belt — the simplest way to make jeans + tee feel “finished” and more polished

• A leather or suede bag to complete the look

Why It Matters

When you keep transitional dressing simple, you avoid the trap of panic-buying a bunch of “almost fall” things you don’t really need. The goal isn’t to reinvent your closet, but to reimagine it with a slightly different lens. And ideally to utilize what you already own and get even more wear out of what’s already in your closet. This is effortless style: when it’s just about shifting the mood with your tried & true pieces, not starting over.

Your Turn

What’s one summer piece you know you’ll carry into fall? And what’s the one “bridge” item that makes the shift feel effortless for you?

Sometimes your style moves forward before your mind does.

You start to sense the direction you want to go — the shapes, the colors, the feel of the outfits that feel most you — but your closet doesn’t quite reflect it yet. Or maybe it does, but you still find yourself reaching for the same old pieces because they’re familiar, even if they’re not right anymore.

This in-between phase is completely normal. Style is rarely a clean break from “before” to “after.” It’s a gradual shift. Seasons of adding what works now and letting go of what no longer does.

And it requires two things:

Grace and patience. Grace for yourself as you figure out what’s actually worth keeping and what’s just taking up space. Patience to let your mind catch up to the new version of your style — and the new version of you.

Along the way, remember this:

1. You can have great style at any size. The number on the tag is far less important than how something fits, moves, and feels on your body right now. The sooner you let go of obsession with the size on the tag or dressing “flattering,” the closer you’ll be to having epic personal style.

2. The only way to “pull something off” is to decide you’re pulling it off. Confidence is the secret ingredient. Always. Trust me. It’s what turns a simple outfit into your signature, and it’s the final and most essential accessory. You can put together cool outfits without it, but you can never really have great, memorable, effortless style if the confidence and authenticity isn’t there.

When you know the direction you’re headed, everything else becomes easier. The edits make sense. The new pieces are intentional. And your style starts to feel aligned again — not because you followed a trend, but because you trusted yourself.

So take stock. Make small, thoughtful changes. Wear your clothes like you mean it. Your style will always evolve — but the more you trust where it’s going, the more at home you’ll feel in it right now.

Your Turn: Reflect and Act

Take a few minutes this week to think about where your style is headed, especially as we start to shift seasons — and how you can bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to be.

• What’s one piece in your closet that feels 100% aligned with your current style vision?

• What’s one piece that feels off — and why?

• What’s missing that would make your everyday outfits easier to put together?

• How can you give yourself permission to wear what you truly love right now, at the size and stage you’re in?

• If you were to “decide” to pull something off tomorrow, what would it be?

Small shifts add up quickly. The goal isn’t to overhaul your closet overnight — it’s to keep moving toward a style that feels like home.

xx Natalie

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We talk a lot here about personal style — about finding the clothes that feel most like you, about dressing with intention, about building a wardrobe that makes getting dressed easier, not harder. But there’s something foundational underneath all of it that’s worth naming clearly: you live in a body, and that body is the canvas for your expression.

For many women, myself included, our relationship with our body is layered and nuanced. It’s shaped by what we’ve been told we should look like, what size we expect ourselves to be, how our bodies have changed over time (through pregnancy, aging, illness, weight shifts), and how culture tends to equate style with certain body sizes rather than authenticity.

What I always come back to, though, is that great style is always a genuine form of expression. Not perfection, not looking skinnier or younger — but a presence.

Your body is not a before-and-after project. It’s your home. And personal style, at its best, is a way of being at home in yourself.

The Hesitation That Taught Me Something

This summer while prepping for our trip to Spain, I was trying on everything I wanted to pack and realized that my favorite cream trousers were feeling snug. While they technically still fit, they felt uncomfortable and restrictive and fussy. Replacing items that don’t fit me anymore is absolutely allowed on my No Buy this year, but I still hesitated. Not because I didn’t want to replace them so I could continue to wear them, but because sizing up felt like a failure in some way.

As I’m sure you can guess, I decided to just get the bigger pair so I could bring them with me on my trip. And not only did I feel so much more comfortable — I felt more like myself. There was space to move, to breathe, to live. I reached for them over and over and over again because they were comfortable and soft and cool, and just like the original smaller size, they’re a style I genuinely love and enjoy wearing

That one decision became a reminder: dressing well isn’t about holding onto an old version of yourself. It’s about being honest about where you are now — and showing up for her with care and respect. And sometimes that means buying a bigger size.

Why This Matters

When we view style only as a means to look thinner, taller, younger, more “flattering,” we miss the opportunity to dress in a way that reflects who we are, what we love and what we care about. We stop asking: How do I want to feel? or What do I want to say? and instead ask: How can I hide? How can I conform? How can I alter myself to be more acceptable?

That isn’t effortless.
That’s a prison.

Your closet shouldn’t become another place where you feel like you have to shrink or perform. It should feel like an invitation to be yourself more fully.

A Different Approach to Getting Dressed

Instead of chasing body “fixes,” try these shifts:

From: “Does this flatter me?”
To: “Do I feel like myself in this?”

From: “Will people like this on me?”
To: “Do I like this on me?”

From: “I need to dress for my problem areas.”
To: “I want to dress to express myself” or “I’m allowed to take up space.”

What’s powerful is that none of this means you give up looking great. It just means you’re defining great on your own terms. And when you start to view your body as a partner in your self-expression — not a problem to solve — the way you shop, get dressed, and show up begins to shift.

Let This Be a Reset

If you’ve felt stuck in comparison or frustration with your body lately, let this be your seasonal reset. You don’t need to wait until the new year to start fresh. You can begin now, with the body you have today.

And if you’re dressing a different version of yourself than you used to — one that’s older, softer, stronger, slower — that’s okay. That’s life. And your style can (and should) grow and adapt with you.

Reflection Prompts

If you’d like to go deeper, here are a few questions to sit with:

• When do I feel most myself in clothing?

• What outfit made me feel powerful, and why?

• What parts of my body do I love dressing — and why?

• Are there clothes I’ve avoided because of how I feel about my body — and is that still serving me?

• What if my clothes were a celebration, not a disguise?

I'd Love to Hear From You

How has your relationship with your body influenced your personal style journey? Are you navigating a transition (physical, emotional, seasonal) that’s shifting how you dress? I’d love to hear in the comments — or feel free to share privately if that’s more comfortable.

You are always welcome here — exactly as you are.

xx
Natalie

P.S. If this post resonated with you, I think you’d really enjoy this too:

There’s a moment that happens sometimes — maybe you’ve felt it, too — when your outfit is fine, but something still feels off. You adjust the belt, change the shoes, try different earrings, but nothing clicks.

And then you pull your hair back.

Or tuck it behind your ears.

Or you change your part.

Suddenly, the whole look comes together.

Hair is part of your personal style

We often talk about clothing as the foundation of personal style — and it is — but the truth is, your hair carries just as much influence. It’s what people see first. It frames your face. It changes how everything you wear is perceived. It’s the accessory that’s already part of you.

A polished low bun gives minimal outfits elegance.

Long, loose waves soften strong silhouettes.

A sharp bob adds edge to something simple.

A French twist with a pin instantly adds polish a tee and jeans.

Hair isn’t just part of your look — sometimes, it’s the piece that defines it.

What message is your hair sending?

Your hairstyle tells a story. It can say “confident,” “creative,” “laid-back,” “refined,” “playful,” or “powerful.” And if the story your hair is telling doesn’t match how you feel or want to show up, that disconnect can ripple through your entire look.

This doesn’t mean chasing trends or overhauling everything. Sometimes it’s a small change:

• A fresh trim to bring back structure and health

• Switching your part to soften or sharpen your look

• A go-to updo that works for everyday and feels like you, like a slicked back bun or a French Twist

• A decision to simplify (or invest more time in) your styling depending on what supports your current season

If you're craving a style shift, consider starting at the top

Before you buy anything new, ask yourself:

• How do I feel about my current haircut or hair routine?

• Is it aligned with the way I want to feel and express myself right now?

• Do I need something easier… or more refined?

• Is there a style I’ve been wanting to try, but keep putting off?

We talk a lot in this space about clothes — but true personal style is about the full picture. And sometimes the smallest shift in how you wear your hair can unlock a fresh perspective on everything else.

I’d love to know: What role does your hair play in how you express yourself through style? Is there a style you’ve been curious to try, or one that always helps you feel most like you? Let’s talk in the comments.

xx
Natalie

There’s a quiet confidence in outfit repetition. It says, I know what works. I don’t need to prove anything.

But it’s not always easy to get there. In a culture that prizes newness, novelty, and visibility, repeating outfits can feel like a lack of effort — or worse, a lack of identity. You wore that yesterday? You already posted that? The subtext is: shouldn’t you be switching it up?

But what if we didn’t see repetition as a limitation or failure, but instead as a form of confidence and authenticity?

A signature uniform isn’t about restriction. It’s about refinement.

It’s about showing up in the world with clarity — not because you’ve narrowed your options to the point of boredom, but because you’ve done the deeper work of noticing what truly feels like you. You’ve experimented. You’ve paid attention. You’ve taken mental notes. And now, you don’t need 20 different outfits to feel stylish. You just need the right ones — on repeat.

Why it matters

Uniforms don’t just simplify your morning routine (though they absolutely do that). They affirm your identity. They reduce decision fatigue, support intentional shopping, and create a consistent visual language for how you move through the world.

But maybe more importantly, they remind you that your style isn’t a performance. It’s a reflection. And the more you lean into the pieces and combinations that feel honest, the more grounded — and expressive — your style becomes.

I think of uniforms as a gentle rebellion. A quiet rejection of the message that we always need more, better, newer. A uniform says: I’m good with what I have. It’s self-trust, made visible.

This summer, I’ve found myself returning to the same few combinations again and again. A cropped tank, trouser shorts, and a cotton sweater draped over my shoulders. A breezy linen dress with hoops and minimalist sandals. Denim or trousers with an oversized shirt and a polished belt. These aren’t flashy outfits — but they work. They feel like me. They give me space to enjoy the moment without fussing over how I look.

And isn’t that the point? To be in your life — not just dressed for it.

How to build your own summer uniform

If you’re ready to create your own signature uniforms — the kind that serve your style and your real life — here’s a framework to help you begin:

1. Identify your repeat pieces
Start by looking at what you’re already wearing the most. What’s in the laundry pile week after week? What pieces do you always pack for travel? These are your wardrobe workhorses — your anchors.

2. Find your formulas
What combinations keep showing up? You’re not creating a rulebook — just noticing your own patterns.

3. Pay attention to feeling and function
What silhouettes make you feel most like yourself? What fabrics actually work for the weather, your activities, your lifestyle? Think about both how you look and how you move in these pieces.

4. Choose 2–3 summer signatures
You don’t need an exhaustive list. Just a few go-to formulas that make you feel sharp, grounded, and at ease. These will become your summer signatures — your repeatable rhythm. And you’ll be surprised how creative you can get once a framework is in place.

5. Accessorize with intention
Belts, bags, sunglasses, jewelry — these are the finishing touches that keep your uniforms feeling personal and polished, without needing a full outfit overhaul. Think of them as punctuation: subtle, but absolutely essential.

Uniforms aren’t boring. They’re a practice in editing. In knowing what supports you and what doesn’t. In dressing like the version of you that already exists — not some hypothetical version with a completely different lifestyle.

Let this be your permission to repeat. To refine. To make getting dressed feel less like a performance and more like coming home to yourself.

If you’re up for it, I’d love to hear: What outfit formula(s) have you been living in this summer? Are there pieces in your wardrobe that feel like your second skin?

Let’s talk in the comments.

xx Natalie

A curated wardrobe doesn’t mean every piece has to be expensive — but it does mean every piece should earn its place.

One of the most common questions I get is: How do you know when to invest in something versus just try it out? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but over time I’ve developed a filter that helps me decide what’s worth buying new, what I look for secondhand, and what’s better left as inspiration.

Here’s how I think about it.

What Does It Mean to “Earn a Place in Your Closet”?

When I say something has to earn a place in my wardrobe, I mean it needs to do more than just look good on a hanger. It has to function in my lifestyle, feel aligned with my personal values and evolving sense of style, and work with the pieces I already own.

If it does all three — and I feel excited to wear it — that’s when I know it may be worth investing in, whether through a thoughtful new purchase or a special secondhand find.

When I Tend to Invest

I’m willing to invest when a piece meets two criteria: long-term wearability and alignment with my values. That might mean buying something made responsibly from a brand I trust, or sourcing it vintage.

Here’s what I most often invest in:

• Essentials I wear constantly. Things like a great belt, my everyday jewelry, or a beautifully structured bag. These become part of my daily uniform.

• Silhouettes I know I love. If I’ve lived in wide-leg jeans for years, I feel confident investing in a new wash of a pair that fits perfectly and will last.

• Pieces that elevate the everyday. A standout blazer, a beautiful knit, or the perfect bag that finishes my look.

• Craftsmanship and quality. Whether it’s handcrafted or a vintage piece with character and staying power, I care about how it’s made and its durability.

These are the pieces that define the tone of my wardrobe and that I can see myself wearing and loving for years.

When I Experiment Instead

I experiment all the time — but I don’t do it by adding random fast fashion to my cart. I almost always start with secondhand or vintage pieces when I want to test something new.

Here’s when I go that route:

• Trying new silhouettes. If it’s something I haven’t worn before, I look for it pre-loved to try it with less commitment.

• Playing with seasonal color. I’ll thrift or buy vintage to try out a new hue — it’s a great way to stay curious without creating waste.

• A fun moment. If it feels like a “for now” piece, secondhand is always the way to go.

Experimenting this way lets me stay open and expressive, while still shopping in a way that feels responsible and true to my values. One quick secondhand tip if you’re new to shopping this way and trying to break your fast fashion habits — my friend Karla told me about a company called Gem and let me tell you, it will absolutely change your life and make it so easy to find what you’re looking for.

On Having Less (and Making It Mean More)

I believe most of us — myself included — own too many things. We’ve been taught that more is better, that new is better, that our aesthetic is something we need to constantly define and edit and chase. But the truth is, we’re often more at ease and more creative when we have less.

That doesn’t mean stripping away self-expression. In fact, I think expressing ourselves through personal style is deeply human. What we wear can communicate who we are, how we feel, or what we need that day. The goal isn’t to remove that joy — it’s to make space for it by clearing out the noise.

A smaller, more intentional wardrobe helps us get dressed with clarity. It invites us to dress for ourselves — not for the algorithm, the trend cycle, or someone else’s approval.

How I Decide Between the Two

When I’m unsure whether to invest or experiment, I run through a few quick filters:

• “Does this reflect a core part of my personal style I return to again and again?” If yes, I invest.

• Do I admire this on others but never wear it myself? That’s a no.

• Can I picture at least 3 outfits I’d wear it with? If not, I hold off.

• Does it align with the lifestyle I actually live? If no, it’s a pass.

• Can I find it secondhand first? If yes, I start there.

There’s no perfect system, but over time this approach has helped me build a wardrobe that reflects not just my style, but my values, habits, and real life. What matters most is awareness — and the intention behind each piece we choose to bring in.

Do you have your own rules for investing vs. experimenting? I’d love to hear how you approach it — leave a note in the comments or reply to this post directly.

xx
Natalie

Some outfits work because of what’s in them — others work because of how they’re worn.

Styling is where personal style really takes shape. It’s the difference between wearing clothes and creating a look. You can have a closet full of beautiful pieces, but it’s the way you combine them — the proportions you play with, the details you adjust — that make it feel intentional, confident, and personal.

These decisions are subtle. The kind of things you might not notice in the mirror, but that shape the whole mood of an outfit. They can’t be bought, and they rarely come from following a trend. But once you start to pay attention to them, they become second nature — and incredibly impactful.

Today I’m sharing some tried and true styling tips I rely on personally — the small shifts that elevate a look without necessarily adding anything new. Think of them as tools to help you get more from what you already own, and build trust in your own styling eye.

1. The Three-Touch Rule

A good rule of thumb when an outfit feels unfinished: add (or subtract) something so that you have three points of interest. That might be a rolled sleeve, a belt, and layered necklaces. Or a pin in your hair, a standout bag, and pants with an interesting shape (like my favorites, horseshoe jeans). These minor details give the outfit polish and infuse your personality and taste into the look without overcomplicating anything.

Why it matters: It helps your outfit feel considered — and like you — not just like clothes you’re wearing.

2. The Open Button-Up

Wearing an oversized button-up is a favorite look for me, especially when it’s hot outside — but to make it look styled, not sloppy, I like to button only a couple of buttons and let the rest remain open. This gives the shirt more movement and adds dimension to the outfit. Then, I’ll grab the bottom hem of the shirt on one side and tuck it under a bit to meet up with the bottom side hem, using a tagging gun to secure it in place. This creates that easy, effortless drape and partially open look that isn’t fussy.

Why it matters: It takes a relaxed basic and makes it look intentional and artful — not like you just threw it on.

3. Anchor with Accessories

When an outfit feels unfinished, I often find it’s missing a grounding element — something to anchor the look. Most often I do that through my handbag, jewelry, footwear or belt (or a combination of those). These are the pieces that add strength to an outfit without pulling focus. I think of them less as decoration, more as punctuation: subtle, but essential.

Why it matters: Accessories give your outfit structure and personality — they’re the finishing pieces that tie it all together.

4. The Shoulder Drape (Without the Bulk)

I like to drape a sweater over my shoulders and roll the sleeves slightly, rather than leaving them totally undone and flopping around. It’s an easy way to add visual interest and finish to a simple outfit. The key? Use a crewneck sweater (or a cardigan that’s buttoned to the top) — the neckline helps it stay put without sliding off.

Why it matters: It adds polish and dimension to warm-weather outfits and gives the look of layering without really adding much warmth.

5. Hair as a Styling Element

The way you wear your hair can shift the feel of an entire outfit — especially if you’re someone who leans into simplicity with clothing, like I do. I often use a French Pin for an easy twist or bun that keeps hair off my neck and looks intentional. To keep it secure, I’ll twist the hair, then slide the pin in using a sewing motion — outward, then inward toward the twist or bun.

Why it matters: Hair is part of the overall look — and can change the way an outfit looks just as much as accessories.

Do you rely on any of these as well? Do you have other go-to’s? Are there styling concepts you’d like help working through? I’d love to hear.

xx
Natalie

Halfway through the year, and it feels like a good moment to pause — not just to look back, but to look forward.

This space exists to help you explore effortless style more deeply. Not just what to wear, but why. And beyond that, how to dress in a way that feels fully aligned with who you are. This space is for us to talk about confidence, clarity, self-expression, and the way our clothes tell the truth about our lives.

Over the past few months, we’ve covered:

• Building a personal style rooted in self-awareness

• Editing your wardrobe with intention

• Rewiring your shopping habits

• Dressing in alignment with your lifestyle

And now that we’re halfway through 2025, I want to ask:

What do you want to explore next?

The Effortless Style Club is a collaborative space. A conversation. A place where the content meets you where you are.

So as I plan for the second half of the year, I’d love your input.

Some of what’s ahead:

• Seasonal capsule wardrobes and how to make them work for you

• Thoughtful outfit formulas and creating uniforms for everyday ease

• Signature style elements and how to create your own

• More guidance on editing, curating, and dressing for your real life

But I’d love to know:

• What questions or challenges are you navigating right now?

• What topics would feel most supportive in this season of your style journey?

• Are there any areas you want to go deeper — or revisit with fresh eyes?

• What’s one thing that’s changed for you since joining The Effortless Style Club?

• What’s something you’d like to better understand, refine, or explore in the second half of the year?

You can drop your thoughts in the comments — or if you prefer to share privately, just hit reply. I read every note.

xx Natalie

We’re halfway through the year. And in many ways, summer invites us to do what the calendar already suggests: pause, reassess, and reset.

By now, you’ve perhaps worn enough of your warm-weather wardrobe to know what’s working — and what isn’t. Certain outfits have made themselves known. Others remain untouched. Instead of pushing through, this is your invitation to edit.

What Stays, What Goes

A few questions to guide your mid-year edit:

• What pieces have been on repeat so far this season?

• What do I reach for instinctively — and feel good in?

• What am I consistently skipping over? Why?

• Are there items that looked good on paper but don’t match my real life?

This isn’t about decluttering. It’s about alignment. Set aside anything that’s not serving you right now. Create breathing room for what’s actually supporting your lifestyle and personal style in this season.

Repeating Is the Point

One of the simplest style tools available to you? Repetition.

When something works, wear it again. Outfit formulas, go-to uniforms, favorite silhouettes — they reduce decision fatigue and increase personal clarity.

You don’t need to reinvent your look each day to feel well-dressed and feel like yourself. You just need a few honest combinations that reflect your style and suit your life.

This Week

Give yourself 20 minutes to check in with your closet:

• Pull 2–3 outfits you’ve worn (and loved) this month

• Set aside what’s gone untouched

• Consider creating a few summer uniforms or formulas you can return to

Let this be a pivot point. Not a reinvention, but a realignment.

Your Turn

Have you found a formula or favorite this summer that’s getting you through the heat, the travel, the day-to-day?

Share your repeat pieces, outfit ideas, or thoughts on what’s staying (and what’s being set aside) in the comments.

xx Natalie

I’m writing this from Mallorca, where time moves differently. My days are slower, quieter, and somehow fuller — not with tasks, but with space. And in that space, I’ve noticed something: my style always gets clearer when I travel.

Not because I dress better on vacation (though this often can be the case). But because packing forces clarity. It pushes me to ask, What do I actually want with me? What earns its place? What can do more than one thing?

But even more than that, travel disrupts the autopilot and forces creativity with restraint. When I’m away, I have less to choose from and I also have a different setting I’m working with. And in creating a new look for the day, I can very clearly see what matters: comfort, yes. Simplicity, yes. But also quality pieces that hold their shape, hold their place, hold up in unexpected situations.

It’s not about minimalism, necessarily. It’s about refinement. Enough, with purpose.

What I’m Learning (Again):

• It’s important to me to have a wardrobe that can mix and match

• I’d rather have one perfect pair of shorts than five average ones.

• My style is at its best when it’s built on rhythm, not reinvention.

• Style is about how something makes you feel, not how new it is.

How It All Comes Together

This trip has only reinforced what I already know to be true: when the foundation is simple, accessories do the heavy lifting. They’re what bring intention to repetition. They’re what allow my limited wardrobe to feel expansive. With just a few, well-chosen pieces — a perfect belt, a pair of gold hoops, a luxe hair pin, a cool leather bag — I’ve felt polished without effort, styled without overthinking.

Versatility isn’t about having more options. It’s about having the right ones. The ones that move with you, adapt to the moment, and hold their place no matter the setting.

A Gentle Practice for You

Everything you pack — and everything you keep — is a reflection of what you value. Travel has a way of making that visible. When space is limited, when your days are unhurried, when there’s no room for extras, you see clearly what actually supports your life, and what’s just taking up room.

The same principle applies at home. In our closets. In our routines. In the way we move through each season.

So let this be the reminder: Choose what supports the way you want to live, not just what fills space. Let what you carry — in your travels and in your wardrobe — reflect the rhythm you want to move with.

xx Natalie

A great summer wardrobe doesn’t need to rely on having more, but rather on knowing how to do more with less.

This month, I’m living out that philosophy in real time with my carry-on summer capsule wardrobe. With just my summer essentials in my suitcase, I’ve been rewearing pieces over and over again — mixing, matching, outfit repeating and layering them to work across different cities, temperatures, and moods.

And I have to say: this is when wardrobe clarity really shines. When you pack light, every item has to pull its weight, and nothing is allowed in my carry-on that can’t be worn several different ways and mix with the other pieces I’ve brought.

That’s where wardrobe workhorses come in. These are the pieces that flex across different outfits without losing their impact. They’re easy to dress up or down. They can shift with your mood or the setting. They make everything else easier.

What Makes a Wardrobe Workhorse?

These are pieces that tend to be:

• Neutral or versatile in color

• Easy to layer or tuck

• Comfortable but polished

• Aligned with your style words or phrase

They may not be the boldest or trendiest pieces, but they’re the most useful.

Three Wardrobe Workhorses from My Summer Capsule (And How I’m Styling Them)

1. The Cotton Sweater

A true layering hero. Lightweight enough to toss over the shoulders during the day, warm enough for breezy evenings by the coast. The specific ones I’m wearing this summer are part of a capsule I’m launching this month with Sold Out NYC, starting tomorrow!

3 Ways I’m Wearing It:

• Layered over a tank with shorts for cooler mornings

• Thrown over the shoulders with a midi skirt and sandals for an early dinner

• Layered or over the shoulder with trousers with sleek accessories for a comfortable, yet pulled-together feel

2. The Cropped Tank

This is one of the most versatile pieces I have. It’s great with shorts or a skirt on hot days, but also layers really well under button-downs or jackets.

3 Ways I’m Wearing It:

• With trouser shorts and flat sandals for a casual day exploring

• Paired with a slip skirt, a rope belt and earrings for dinner

• Under an open button-down and paired with barrel jeans for something easy but styled if it’s a casual and not-too-warm day.

3. The Trouser Shorts

A polished take on a summer basic. Mine are raw silk and can easily swing from casual to dressy.

3 Ways I’m Wearing Them:

• With a tube top, sandals and gold hoops for a casual daytime or dinner look

• With my cotton sweater and a baseball cap for a sporty but chic look

• With a lightweight button-down and minimalist sandals for an effortless, everyday outfit

Why This Matters

When you get clear on your wardrobe workhorses, you unlock so much more flexibility. You don’t need to pack more, or shop more. You just need to learn how to style what you have.

This kind of versatility is the foundation of an intentional wardrobe. And honestly? It’s fun. It invites creativity and makes your style feel lived-in, not just curated and on display.

Action Step

Pick one workhorse in your own wardrobe (something you love and wear often or could wear in lots of ways). Style it 2–3 different ways this week, then take note of how it shifts based on context, accessories, or layering.

Community Check-In

What’s one of your go-to wardrobe workhorses? Is there a piece in your closet you return to again and again because it just works?

Let’s share our favorites in the comments or the chat. Bonus points if you include a photo or how you like to wear it.

xx Natalie

P.S. You may also like…

I’m heading out on a month-long trip with only a carry-on. Am I a little crazy? Maybe. But I’m deeply committed to my carry-on (and equally committed to avoiding baggage claim at all costs), so I’m staying the course — and bringing just the essentials for the longest trip I’ve taken since studying abroad in college. (Back then, I fit an entire fall semester’s worth of clothes in a hiking backpack, for the record.)

Thankfully, it’s summertime, which makes packing light much easier — no big coats, boots or heavy layers required. We also have access to laundry, which is always great, but especially for a long trip like this. That said, I’ll be visiting multiple destinations in both the U.S. and Europe, with a range of activities from casual family hangouts to nice dinners out. With that in mind, I’ve made sure to pack smart: warm-weather staples, a few key layers, and some strategic layering pieces for chilly evenings near the coast.

The last time I did a long summer trip with just a carry-on, I went to Paris, the French Riviera, and New England — you can find that packing list here. I still stand by that one and am re-wearing several of the same pieces this time around.

So whether you're building a summer capsule wardrobe or planning your own big trip, let this list be your minimalist, effortless summer style guide.

TOPS & JACKETS1

• Brown button back blazer (also direct from the brand here)

• Dark olive canvas jacket

• Cream cotton sweater (coming soon)

• Dune cotton sweater (coming soon)

• White button up shirt

• Black semi-sheer button up shirt

• Rust striped button up shirt (similar here)

• Black tube top

• White crop tank

• Black crop tank

• Chocolate brown crop tank (coming soon, not shown)

• Cream crop tank (coming soon, not shown)

• White one shoulder tank (old)

• Black one shoulder tank (old)

• Black open back apron top

• White open back apron top

BOTTOMS & SETS

• Pieced barrel leg jeans

• Brown tencel trousers (20% off with Natalie20)

• Cream trousers

• Black sandwashed voile trousers (20% off with Natalie20)

• Cream raw silk shorts (20% off with Natalie20)

• Black raw silk shorts (20% off with Natalie20)

• Olive green mini skirt (available in black)

• Brown silk skirt (old, but this is current and similar)

• Olive floral skirt & top set (old) — alternate skirt & top set here

SHOES

• Brown suede mules

• Gold mary jane flats (10Borton for your first order)

• Tan minimalist sandals

• Black minimalist sandals

• Cream walking shoes (not pictured)

JEWELRY & ACCESSORIES

• A lot of belts — basically all current and sample versions of our Natalie Belt and Maren Essential Belt

• Basket Tote & Scout Oversized Tote

• Sera Crescent Bag in Chestnut Suede, Bone Leather and Black Leather

• Several baseball caps

• Classic & Wavy French pins

• Berkeley, Malibu & Cardiff Sunglasses

• A lot of jewelry — Marlowe Link Chain, 14k Fine Lou Hoops, Willa Hoops (coming soon), 14k Fine Textured Colette Hoops, Rhodos Pearl Earrings, Rhodos Necklace, Rhodos Rings 14k Fine Full Circle Necklace, 14k Fine Amaya Heart Necklace, samples of upcoming designs and a few other things. So small and easy to pack!

• Finn Bandana

OTHER

• Black one shoulder sports bra & black leggings (not pictured)

• Brown boxy tee & sweatpants set (sold out in the brown, but I linked the currently available colors for you)

• Green pajama set — I sized up in these!

• A few swimsuits

• Toiletries

Lastly, one of the most asked questions when I do my carry-on packing lists is, “What about all of your toiletries?!” It’s a very valid question, and admittedly my desire to travel with just a carry-on has shaped and further simplified my daily routines even when I’m not traveling. The most important thing is to really focus on essentials, use the smallest containers possible, and avoid extras or things you could easily purchase when you arrive at your destination (i.e. shampoo and conditioner).

Even though I was tight on space, I did manage to prioritize traveling with my High Frequency Wand, which I don’t think I’ve ever talked about but has become my skincare BFF ever since my facialist used it on me and recommended it last year. There are a variety of benefits, but most noticeable impact has been on my monthly breakouts.

I’m so excited for this trip and look forward to sharing bits and pieces of it on Instagram if you want to follow along. Two exciting collaborations will be happening while I’m away, too — one limited time discount code, and one 4-piece collection launch. Stay tuned!

xx Natalie

You’ve spent the past few weeks trying new shapes, pulling out pieces you’ve been holding back on, and exploring how your personality shows up in your clothes. That’s a big deal.

But today isn’t about styling something new.
Today is about looking back — with curiosity, not critique.

Let’s rewind for a second.

What were you wearing five years ago?
Or two years ago?
What did your “go-to outfit” look like back then?
What was your lifestyle like?
Who or what were you dressing for?

You might remember some really great looks — or cringe a little thinking about how you used to dress. You might remember loving your wardrobe, but not quite remembering when it no longer felt like it was working for you and your current life, personality or body. Or maybe your clothes back then were just doing the best they could for you in a season that felt a little chaotic.

No shame. No judgment. Just observe.

What’s changed?

Here’s the part we tend to skip: celebrating how far we’ve come.

So let’s take a few minutes to pause and ask, “What feels different now?”

• Do you trust your instincts more when you get dressed? Or less?

• Have you let go of “rules” that don’t serve you anymore? Or are you still tied to the old ways you’ve always done things?

• Are you wearing things you once thought you couldn’t “pull off”? Or still worried to try what you really love?

• Are you starting to dress more for yourself than for anyone else? Or feeling the pressure to look a certain way for others?

Even if your wardrobe looks the same, the way you wear it might be entirely different.

A quick reflection prompt

Grab a notebook or open your Notes app, and take 5–10 minutes to answer these:

• What did your style look like in a past season of life?

• What were you trying to express — or maybe trying to hide?

• What’s changed about your life and your style since then?

• What’s stayed the same?

• What are you proud of when it comes to how you show up today?

It doesn’t have to be deep or poetic. Just honest and reflective.

Community Check-In

Tell us — what’s something you used to wear all the time that you’ve outgrown?
And what’s something you’ve recently started wearing that feels more like you? I’ll start us off (complete with photos, of course!)…

The most meaningful shift to my personal style has been the shape of my pants and the way I approach creating a silhouette with my outfits. I used to be deeply committed to wearing tight jeans (and honestly tighter clothes in general!) with a focus on looking slimmer. It’s painful for me to write that, but I like to be honest here and that was for sure a motivation for what I wore. Looking back, my style felt more performative — partially due to not having a clear sense of style and just being very experimental based on what I saw others wearing and I liked.

Over the past several years, I eased my way into baggier pants and a focus on comfort and ease, that simple shift completely unlocked something inside me and has helped me connect more deeply to myself and my personal style expression — plus I’m WAY more comfortable.

Two outfit examples from 2015 (that are probably still floating around on Pinterest somewhere!)

Current examples of my personal style once I embraced the easier silhouettes I was always drawn to, but worried wouldn’t be “flattering”…

Let’s share and celebrate the evolution of what we’re wearing and the person we’re becoming. Because personal style isn’t a “before and after.” It’s a journey.

Thanks for being here this month and for being part of The Effortless Style Club. I’m so excited for where we’re going next.

xx Natalie

P.S. Next week I’ll be sharing a summer capsule with you that I’m using for several weeks of summer travel — exclusive to you in The Effortless Style Club, of course! Can’t wait to show you the versatile lineup.

Most of us have those pieces. The ones we love but rarely wear. Maybe it’s a patterned dress, an oversized silhouette, or a pair of pants that feels slightly out of character.

We tell ourselves it’s too much, not me, too trendy (or not trendy enough) too impractical, or simply too noticeable. So it stays in the back of the closet to be admired, but avoided.

What if the clothes you’re a little bit nervous to wear are the keys to unlocking the next level of personal style and self-expression?

Why We Avoid the Clothes We Love

Sometimes it’s about practicality. But more often, it’s about permission. We’re waiting to be more confident. To have the right occasion. To look a certain way. To be a certain size. To feel “ready” to pull it off.

But here’s the truth: You become ready by wearing it.

Style confidence doesn’t show up before the outfit. It’s built through the experience of experimentation and observing what makes you feel like the truest and best version of yourself.

This week I am challenging you to wear the piece you love but usually talk yourself out of.

• The colorful top or summery dress you think is too bold

• The dramatic jeans (barrel-leg, wide-leg, drop-crotch) you absolutely are obsessed with but worry aren’t “flattering”

• The slightly dressier shoes or blazer or earrings you tell yourself are “too much” for your day

And then… observe.

What shifted when you wore it? What felt aligned? What felt vulnerable? Did you feel more like you — or less? There is no wrong answer! This is an exercise in playing with your closet, in trying new things and in digging deeper into that little reason inside you that allowed you to hang on to this rarely worn item.

Sometimes, we don’t need a new wardrobe, we just need to trust and experiment with the one we already have.

Action Steps

1. Choose one item this week that you love but avoid.

2. Style it with what you already own.

3. Wear it for a full day, or at least for part of your day, and write down how you felt and what you observed after wearing it.

Community Check-In

What’s the piece you’ve been holding back on — and what happened when you wore it? Share your reflections in the comments or chat.

You might be surprised how many others have been holding back the same way you have! Let’s normalize dressing for ourselves — not for approval, not for perfection. Just for you.

My Own Examples

Oversized shirts. Barrel leg jeans. Loose clothes in general! Anything that doesn’t emphasize my waist. I honestly have learned SO MUCH from doing this exercise on several pieces in my closet and it has been eye opening. So many of the pieces that now really seem to define my everyday style were pieces I was nervous to wear, didn’t feel “cool enough” to pull off or I was worried were too oversized.

What’s funny is that by simply deciding that these beloved items were working for me and looked cool, they became that way. The more I wore them, the more confident I got in styling them, and the more free I felt in my closet.

And don’t get me wrong, I’ve also experimented with pieces I loved and realized that they just weren’t really for me after all. Maybe it was the color or the texture of the fabric that drew me to it, but after nudging myself to wear them and observe them, it became clear that they just weren’t really aligned with me. — and then I felt free to let them go.

I can’t wait to hear what you discover once you try this!

xx Natalie

We’re told that style is a form of self-expression, but what does that actually mean in everyday life? Does it mean wearing bold colors? Making a big statement? Following trends? Being noticed?

Maybe.
Sometimes.
Not necessarily.

True self-expression through style has less to do with how loud you are — and more to do with how honest you're willing to be. As we’ve discussed here in The Effortless Style Club, It’s not about signaling something to others. It’s about wearing something that feels connected to you.

When your clothes reflect who you are — your personality, your energy, your values — you don’t need to try hard to look the part. You just are. There’s ease.

What Self-Expression in Style Actually Looks Like

You don’t need to overhaul your wardrobe or reinvent your aesthetic to express yourself more. It can be subtle. It can be quiet. It can be slow. And it can start with how you approach the following elements of your closet:

Color

Color impacts everything! And even if you’re a neutrals lover like myself, color plays a huge role in every person’s wardrobe. You might be someone who looks most alive in earth tones (meeeeee!). Or brighter colors might look and feel best on your skin. Everyone is different and there isn’t a wrong answer.

Self-expression through color is all about choosing the colors that make you look and feel the most like yourself.

• Do bright colors ground you or overwhelm you?

• Do you gravitate toward cool, warm or neutral tones? (A great way to tell here is to look at your jewelry — cool = silver, warm = gold and if you look great in mixed metals, that’ll be more neutral)

• Do you reach for high contrast (i.e. black and white) or prefer tonal looks (i.e. white, cream, tan and brown in one look)?

• Think about your favorite outfits — what’s the color palette there?

Fit & Proportion

The way clothes sit on your body is one of the most personal elements of style.
Fit can say a lot without saying anything at all.

• Oversized pieces might reflect ease, creativity, softness or a priority of comfort.

• Tailored silhouettes might reflect clarity, structure, strength or boldness.

• Layering might speak to complexity and a love for depth or dimension.

• Simplicity might reflect focus, confidence, clarity or calm.

What shapes make you feel most free? Most grounded? Most expressive? (You don’t have to fit into just one of these categories, but you may gravitate towards a couple more than the others.)

Texture & Fabric

Sometimes the way a piece feels is more important than how it looks, and fabric also serves a functional purpose.

• Soft cotton might speak to simplicity or clarity.

• Worn denim might reflect ease and nostalgia.

• Silk might express elegance, softness, or fluidity.

• Linen might reflect naturalness, imperfection, and a love for living lightly.

There are so many more fabrics, but these are the first ones that came to mind. Start noticing the textures you love to wear — not just for how they look, but how they feel on your skin and how they support your overall mood.

Shape & Silhouette

The shape of your clothing changes the energy of your entire outfit and has the power to add a lot of interest to even very simple outfits. Some silhouettes invite ease. Others create structure. Some feel artistic and unconventional, while others feel clean, classic and minimal.

This is often where style starts to feel personal and expressive — especially when you choose shapes that aren’t the expected or traditionally “flattering” ones.

• Barrel-leg jeans (my favorite!) might feel architectural, playful, and bold.

• A boxy blazer (another favorite) can feel strong, grounded, or masculine.

• A flowing dress might express softness, movement, femininity or a desire for freedom and flexibility.

• A cropped or tucked piece might reveal a sense of ease, effort, or confidence.

What matters most is: How do you feel in the shape of your clothing? and Do you feel good in the shapes you’re creating?

Do you feel relaxed or restricted? Expressive or exposed? Do your silhouettes reflect the version of you that feels most at home in her body?

You don’t have to chase shapes that others call “flattering.” Chase the ones that make you feel at home in your body and you’ll soon discover that effortlessness we’re all chasing in our style.

Action Step for the Week

Choose one detail this week — a color, proportion, fabric or shape — that feels aligned with your personality. Build an outfit around it and pay attention to how it changes the way you feel.

• What part of yourself are you expressing in that detail?

• What makes it feel true to you?

• What hesitation, if any, comes up — and where might that be coming from? What can you learn from that feeling?

Community Check-In

What’s one piece or detail you love but have hesitated to wear? Maybe it’s a color you’ve felt wasn’t “flattering,” a silhouette you weren’t sure you could “pull off,” or a fabric that felt too something.

What if it’s not too anything? What if it’s actually just… you? What kind of freedom might you experience when you finally decide to just go for it and wear it?

Share with us in the chat or comments — I’d love to see how you’re bringing your personality into your outfits this week.

To help you get started, I’ll give you an outfit that came to mind when I was writing this post. A double denim look I actually almost wore once and backed out of it because I was worried I “wasn’t pulling it off.” A few months later I went on a trip and had all of the pieces with me and decided to wear it and it’s felt SO GOOD. Still one of my favorite looks I’ve worn — here it is, with some analysis below based on today’s post…

COLOR: While I don’t love the color blue, I do love blue denim and especially when combined with black or brown. The black accents made this feel like me.

PROPORTION: Oversized is a favorite for me, and this fit the bill! This look felt easy, comfortable, cool.

FABRIC: Worn-in denim contributed to the ease of this look.

SHAPE: To balance the oversized elements, I left the bottom buttons undone, which created some interest and a different shape than if I’d worn this jacket open and with a t-shirt or tank underneath. This shifted the entire vibe of the outfit and made it feel very aligned with my style vibe.

xx Natalie

The most confident woman in the room isn’t the one in the trendiest or coolest outfit. She’s the one who is at ease in her outfit and feels the most comfortable in her own skin.

I’ve been asked so many times over the years when or how I gained confidence in my style. And while I’ve definitely edited my closet quite a bit, the reality is that style confidence doesn’t come from nailing the look or “finally getting it right” or having the perfect pieces in your closet. It comes from knowing who you are and letting your wardrobe reflect that.

Yes, clothing is visual. But the most magnetic style — the kind that looks effortless and feels grounded — starts with something internal.

Confidence comes from alignment with yourself and your values. When you’re clear on who you are, what matters to you, and how you want to feel moving through the world, your clothes become an extension of that.

Not a performance. Not a costume. Not a distraction. Just another way of showing up as yourself.

It’s okay (and normal) to care about how you present yourself to the world. We all want to feel good in our clothes, and most of us want to be seen and received with warmth and admiration. That’s human.

But the question is: what’s driving the choice?

When style is fueled by a need for approval, we can end up shape-shifting and trying to be someone else or even a very idealized version of ourselves. When it’s grounded in self-awareness and self-confidence, we can feel good in our skin without the need for anyone else’s input.

You don’t need to abandon appearance, but in making it secondary and letting it become a form of self-expression, you’ll increasingly find ease in your wardrobe. I know I have! Let who you are lead the way (as you lean into this, your values will come to the forefront and it no doubt will also influence the types of brands you shop and the materials you gravitate toward, but we can discuss that later).

Action Step

Think back to a time when you felt completely at ease in what you were wearing and really felt like yourself.

• What was the outfit?

• How did you feel?

• What part of you did it reflect — your creativity, your calm, your strength, your humor?

Write it down, and look for ways to recreate that feeling, not just that exact look.

Community Reflection

What do you wear when you want to feel grounded and confident? Not necessarily for a special occasion, just in your everyday life.

Let’s start this month by reconnecting to the outfits that reflect us.

Next week, we’ll explore how to use color, shape, and texture to express personality without losing the thread of who you are.

As always, let’s discuss in the comments!

xx Natalie