Style Tips Archives | Blueprint for Style

Style

Summer Wardrobe Hacks for Executives

A summer professional wardrobe is about maintaining authority when everyone around you is visibly struggling to keep it together. May through September puts a particular burden on executives and public-facing professionals: you are expected to look sharp during the warmest, most casual months of the year, while also navigating the reality that your calendar does not slow down just because the temperature went up. A strong summer professional wardrobe solves that problem in advance, so you are never standing in

2026/05/25

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Why Your Outfit Speaks Before You Do

Visual first impressions for professionals are not a soft concept. They are one of the most studied and documented phenomena in human psychology, and the findings are consistently the same: people make a judgment about your credibility, warmth, and competence within seconds of seeing you. Visual first impressions happen before your handshake, before your pitch, before your data lands. This is not unfair. It is human. And once you accept that your appearance is always communicating something, the only question

2026/04/02

Seasonal Dressing

Spring Style Trends Worth Testing

Let me say the quiet part out loud: most spring style trends worth testing are not worth testing at all. But some of them are genuinely smart, wearable additions for professionals who already have a strong wardrobe foundation. The spring style trends worth testing this season are the ones that layer onto what you already own rather than replacing them entirely. Here are three I would actually put my name on. Trend 1: Tonal Dressing (Tone-on-Tone) Wearing one color head

2026/03/26

Style

2026’s Top Professional Style Mistakes

The biggest professional style mistakes in 2026 are subtle, but insidious. They don’t scream “wrong,” but they quietly undermine credibility, confidence, and authority. In a year where workplaces continue to evolve, expectations are less explicit, and some consequences can be life-changing, these small missteps carry outsized consequences. What makes professional style mistakes particularly dangerous now is that they often feel justified. Comfortable. Practical. Safe. Yet safe doesn’t always read competent, and comfort without intention can quickly slide into visual uncertainty.

2026/02/16

Footwear

Best Flats for Work

The best flats for work are no longer the consolation prize for not wearing heels. The best flats for work are now intentional, strategic, and when chosen correctly, just as powerful as a pump. The problem? Most professionals are still buying flats like an afterthought. And that’s exactly why they disappoint. Insider secret: I am not a fan of flats. In fact, I combed over 2,500 photos of mine to find a pair of flats, and had to actually put

2026/02/12

Bottoms

Ultimate Interview Capsule Collection

Looking to make a polished impression across sectors – from investment banking sales associate or government contracting to tech and marketing? This Ultimate Interview Capsule Collection is engineered to deliver professional confidence in any room. This five‑piece capsule includes: How to Style for Each Opportunity/Industry Why This Works Even More Help Embrace this Ultimate Interview Capsule Collection to present a versatile and confident version of you, no matter the industry. Wash, rinse, repeat! Infiinite impact!

2025/08/25

DC executive personal stylist discusses pockets

Style

Pockets in Professional Fashion

Do you ever wonder, are pockets unprofessional? It’s a common question for professionals who want form and function without sacrificing polish. While some argue that pockets disrupt clean lines, others insist they’re essential. So, are pockets unprofessional, or are they the underrated detail that can make your wardrobe both functional and fabulous? The question of whether pockets are a fashion yes or no is something I pondered to myself for about two days before I decided to write this article.

2025/01/20

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ig live with @urbsuburbstyle

JOIN ME and Paul Gulch of @urbsburbstyle on Instagram …. on Wednesday, February 9th at 6pm PST/9pm EST We’ll be talking style tips, style trends, and style finds that will help you this new “casual” #wfh thing better! Walk away with the deets on Fashionably Casual and how to make it work for you during this phase of the pandemic … We all need a little help – let us answer your questions!! See ya there!!

2022/02/07

Style

14 perfect power pieces

I asked newsletter readers what they needed to know and what I heard [from the ladies] was, “I need just the must-haves,”, “I’m a woman of a certain age so, just style not fashion,”, “What are the great basics?”,”I’m going minimalist,”, and “I need items on repeat”…. The answer to ALL of these is this downloadable style guide on the 14 perfect power pieces! Start here – and I guarantee you’ll be in great shape to go from desk to

2020/08/25

Style

post-pandemic back-to-work guide

We’re all looking for easy ways to transition back-to-work whether virtual or #IRL (in real life). This guide provides some key general and style tips that will make it better…which is what we ALL need! Grab this downloadable style guide to get back to work!

2020/08/19

Extra Size Style

problem: my weight is up & down – what do I buy?

Problem: For whatever reason, my weight fluctuates, so what can I buy regardless of my weight? Solution: Choose wisely + make stretchy materials your bestie! The full solution is a touch more difficult because it depends where the weight fluctuation is and how much it is. If we’re talking more than 2 sizes then even stretchy materials cannot be your solution. But if we’re talking 5 or 10 lbs then this post has you covered. Before I share your solution

2020/08/19

Style

6 items to never buy when money is low

It’s the start of the year and everyone is either thinking about how to dig out of the ‘holiday spending’ ditch or where to spend their holiday loot! For folks who are in the former, we have seven things to avoid purchasing if money is tight…. Any type of “dry clean” only clothing Anything you may already own (but just want a nicer/newer version) Items that require tailoring…so this should eliminate a lot since most of us are not form-size!

2018/01/12

Features & Series

The Benefits of Repetition in Dressing

It’s not a really big deal so don’t frown your nose at it…dressing using the same pieces can be a great thing! I know you secretly want to be “cali boho” one day and “ultra-fem, uptown sophisticate” the next but, for the average joe or jane, your wardrobe should consist, in large part, of similar items. As humans, we’re creatures of habit so once you find something that looks great (which is different from “….was available in multiple colors”) then

2016/08/24

Features & Series

New FREE Style Downloadables Available!

About three or four times a year, Blueprint for Style gathers all of the requests we’ve had throughout the year and creates a few new concise, one-page downloads focused on a variety of topics for men and women! They are all made available – for FREE – here! It’s an easy way to get style direction and inspiration from an expert on a topic that interests you. If there’s something you want made into a downloadable, let me know here….and

2016/08/15

Style

The Devil Is In The Details

You wanna be stylish right? You wanna look like your chic isn’t overplayed or took too long right? You wanna look put together right? Across the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing a key styling tip to use to look put together using your own closet! Step 1: focus on the details…..most times it’s that little scarf or flourish added to the shirt, the sunglasses that fit the face perfectly, the way the sleeves are rolled up [there is an

2016/03/15

Poll

[Poll] Which Kim Kardashian Look Do You Like Best?

I’m not a Kim Kardashian lover but here’s what she does with a viciousness: she stays in her sartorial lane (or her biggest successes are when she does!) she does black all the time (at least 70% of the time) she does a lot of monochromatic looks she lives in heels her clothes hug her shape (even if it’s paid for!) she rocks makeup….always! when she rocks longer hemlines, she typically shows midriff (to create more length) [poll id=”14″] My vote

2015/07/08

Men's Matters

MANly Monday: Style Quote

“You can throw an unlined cotton suit in the washing machine on a delicate cycle. When it comes out, give it a hot press and you’re ready to go. But only with unlined cotton – linen will get totally ruined.” –Nish De Gruiter, Vice President, SuitSupply {shared from Details magazine, May 2015}

2015/05/11

Men's Matters

MANly Monday: Style Quote

“An unlined wool suit with a fresco weave (which is really open, so when you hold it up to the light, you can see through it) is your best bet. The other nice thing about fresco is that the yarns are twisted really tightly, so it’s super-resilient, doesn’t wrinkle, and travels nicely.” –Antonio Ciongoli, Creative Director, Eidos Napoli {shared from Details magazine, May 2015}

2015/05/04

Poll

POLL: How Much Of Your Wardrobe Do You Actually Use?

There are numbers flying all over the place on this but an old study (over 8 years old) says that the average woman utilizes than than 40% of her closet. Whoa, right?! Not really….are you a clothes hoarder? Or perhaps you’re the person who likes to “pay penance” for purchasing something you shouldn’t have so you keep it so you can look at it constantly and be reminded of what a poor shopper you are? Better yet, are you the

2015/04/15

Men's Matters

MANly Monday: Make A List, Check It Twice

Yes, this one is mundane but so essential. The rules for men don’t change nearly as often as those for women and, more importantly, you’re preferences change even less frequently! Write down your style rules and live by them. If you don’t have any (or so you think), let me suggest a few…. Know your shirt size (that’s neck and arm length) Find a tailor and stick with ’em! Make note of the brands that always garner compliments when you

2014/06/23

Features & Series

7 Shopping Habits to Nail Before Turning 27

Why only seven habits? Because the average person starts to unravel after seven items and it also made sense to keep it “doable”. Why 27 years old? Because it’s the age that many young ladies and men start to think they’re the ish and are finally making their own money – and many choose this time to go crazy! I can’t stop the socialization process but I can help to counter it. Seasonal wardrobe budget – this is the biggest money/budget saver so you

2014/04/01

Features & Series

Shopping for Gamechangers: Cliff Notes Version

This is the last in a four part series around building your ideal wardrobe. This last session is focused on the tidbits to go after the items you want, and have them for awhile. Fabric – if it’s something you love, stick to cotton, silk, denim and wool. With cheaper or synthetics, you never truly know what you’re going to get Location, location, location – if you’re purchasing an “investment” item, stick to reputable places and places you know well. You

2014/03/28

Features & Series

Defining Your Personal Style: Cliff Notes Version

This is the third in a four part series around building your ideal wardrobe. By now, you’ve done an initial wardrobe assessment, spent a Saturday (or Sunday) purging your closet to get down to those most useful items and elements. This third section will work as a “purge” as well but will come as a result of you having a better understanding of your style personality. Let’s start by answering these 9 questions: [if it takes you more than 5 seconds

2014/03/21

Features & Series

Editing Your Closet: Cliff Notes Version

This is the second in a four-part series around building your ideal wardrobe. Remember that step one is all about getting lean and creating the right base to build upon. You have something akin to madness in your bedroom right now and this post should help restore some order….and space! Get your elixir of choice, turn on your favorite happy tunes (music can soothe the savage beast), and clear your calendar. Now with what you have left….(stop crying,

2014/03/14

Features & Series

In the Beginning, There was Darkness

This is the first in a four part series around building your ideal wardrobe. You can spend [and waste] a lot of time and money trying to build the ideal wardrobe when you don’t have the know-how or at least a guide to put you on the right path. This series is that plan of attack and I hope you find it provides you with enough inspiration to dig in and make it happen. You’ll need to be honest and

2014/03/07

Our Blog

Summer Wardrobe Hacks for Executives

Why Your Outfit Speaks Before You Do

Spring Style Trends Worth Testing

2026’s Top Professional Style Mistakes

Best Flats for Work

Ultimate Interview Capsule Collection

Pockets in Professional Fashion

ig live with @urbsuburbstyle

14 perfect power pieces

post-pandemic back-to-work guide

problem: my weight is up & down – what do I buy?

6 items to never buy when money is low

The Benefits of Repetition in Dressing

New FREE Style Downloadables Available!

The Devil Is In The Details

[Poll] Which Kim Kardashian Look Do You Like Best?

MANly Monday: Style Quote

MANly Monday: Style Quote

POLL: How Much Of Your Wardrobe Do You Actually Use?

MANly Monday: Make A List, Check It Twice

7 Shopping Habits to Nail Before Turning 27

Shopping for Gamechangers: Cliff Notes Version

Defining Your Personal Style: Cliff Notes Version

Editing Your Closet: Cliff Notes Version

In the Beginning, There was Darkness

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