Style Archives | Blueprint for Style

Color Combos

Color Psychology & Pink

Color psychology is the study of how colors affect our moods, behaviors, and interactions with others and ourselves. Since I can remember, my two favorite colors were navy blue and camel. More recently, I have added hot pink or cerise and vibrant/kelly green (see my specs!) to that list. Now, I am a wardrobe stylist and personal branding expert so I am aware that colors affect moods and, more specifically, how we show up and move throughout the day. In

2024/12/20

Style

It’s Layering Season!

Did you know there’s a formula that can help you layer properly?! We are officially cold on the East Coast so, no better time than the present to learn how to layer right. Layering is the smart choice for a few reasons: Take a peek at my pictures above: I’m rocking a sleeveless crewneck tee, an oversized white button-down (WBD), a short trench with a lining, and a multicolored scarf. I have color using my scarf, the tee is thin,

2024/12/18

Lingerie

Hosiery for Elevated Style

Hosiery – in this case, patterned tights – can elevate your style and outfit! We are in the perfect season to talk about tights and, more specifically, patterned tights! They are an easy way to get a little warmth – DC temps have dropped! – and add a bit of zhush! And this applies to men too – fun socks are a way to inject a little personality into any outfit. The real beauty of hosiery is that they are

2024/12/16

Accessories

Shoe Clips

Shoe clips give your shoes a new lease on life! they are meant to provide instant zhush and create something new with visual interest. In this case, I needed to attend a holiday awards dinner and while regular heels would have worked, the customized feather shoe clips added just a little extra in recognition of the occasion and season. You do NOT have to go as feathery as I did but even small ones can change the trajectory of your

2024/12/11

Accessories

Frame Your Face

You frame your face because it’s the first thing people see when they look at you! Besides having a wonderful smile, glowing skin, and hair ‘on fleek’, one of the easiest ways to frame your face is using accessories, namely earrings (and eyeglasses…but that’s for another post)! The goal (of all of it) is to draw the eye of the onlooker in. I have a few favorites including these super edgy studs by Erickson Beamon, and a vintage pair of

2024/12/09

Outerwear

Your Everyday Outerwear

What does your everyday outerwear look like? Is it cozy, long, short, colorful, worn out, “ordinary”, statement, or elegant? Think about the words you’d use to describe the outerwear you rock most days because outerwear is one of the first elements people see when they create a ‘first impression’ of you. So, what are you wearing? If we move from the premise that you don’t need a lot to look great then as an executive or entrepreneur, you really need

2024/12/06

Sequins, metallics, sparkle

Low-Key Festive Looks

Take some pressure off yourself trying to find the perfect “holiday” outfit – keep it simple with this ONE trick: add something metallic or sparkly! And one of the easiest ways is with accessories like earrings, belts, scarves, ties, socks, hosiery, and headwear. 💥 Done! Sparkly stuff and metallics elevate any look. You can even pair them with neutrals and you’re still ready to rock. We found a couple of photos showing sparkles + an everyday, neutral piece but still

2024/12/05

Sequins

Sequin Pants for the Holidays

What signals fun and festive more than a pair of sequin pants?! Especially during the holiday season, we should all be looking for ways to add a little ‘festivity’ to our everyday looks. Sequins and metallics are an easy way to level up your everyday during the holiday season. The ones pictured above are from many seasons ago but the style still exists. The sequin palazzo pants are available in wine or black sequins (I would favor the wine color!).

2024/12/04

dressed simply in a t-shirt but added festive, metallic leather earrings

Holiday Finds

A Tale of Two Styles: Festive and Everyday

For the entire month of December, please expect to see me dressed festively! That can mean different things to different folks but, for me, I will be channeling everyday looks with a festive slant. Expect to see, in varying degrees, feathers, metallics, whimsical earrings, Christmas-themed attire, holiday colors of red, green, and hot pink, and sparkles. Take a moment to decide what festive will look like for you and dig in! As a proponent of choosing wisely and being intentional,

2024/12/02

Accessories

Eyeglasses are Accessories

I have terrible vision, so I wear eyeglasses frequently and, yes, eyeglasses are accessories! The beauty of eyeglasses is that you can choose a pair that channels whatever you want and then wear them every day! Imagine wearing your favorite pair of jeans every day. They will start to go downhill after about six or so wears and depending on where you wear them, people will start to talk. BUT, with eyeglass frames, you can rock them as often as

2024/11/11

Style

Wore It to Pieces

This blazer is 16 years old and after having worn it to pieces, literally, I have to let it go! Have you ever had that item that you loved so much and just kept wearing because it was soooo perfect even though it was worn out? This is that! After finding this at a consignment store in Paris just over 16 years ago, I took it to my tailor and she gave me the hard truth – I’ve got to let

2024/11/11

Accessories

Improve Your Visual Resume with These 3 Fall Items

Add these 3️⃣ pieces to your fall wardrobe (and I’m digging into my closet to share examples) if you want a better Visual Resume™️: While the list can be longer, these are three easy ways to improve your Visual Resume™ and elevate any overall outfit. 1️⃣ > A scarf or pocket square is unexpected so the ‘element of surprise’ gives you automatic points. A colorful accessory allows you to bridge two solid colors together and add a little personality to

2024/10/17

Events & Happenings

labor day shopping

This year, I’m sharing the best Labor Day sales and shopping in two ways: my top picks and the best brands to check out. First up – my top picks for fall in no particular order. I’m sticking with camel, creams, and navy (no surprise there!) and my accent colors will be teal/green and red (with a touch of pink). What about you?! I’m hearing a spendthrifty and then splurge-worthy version of most items as well! Vest (Save / Splurge) – wear

2023/08/29

Features & Series

workplace wardrobe wellness program

The Workplace Wardrobe Wellness Program helps address the anxiety associated with return-to-work and creates a more business-ready workforce. While, every study and survey indicates that the US will not be returning to pre-COVID in-office numbers any time soon (if ever), the trend is heading toward more in-office, yet still hybrid, work for telework and remote professionals. Is this you, or your organization? In stark contrast to studies related to returning to the office, mental health awareness has become a major and

2023/07/03

Footwear

metallic sandals

Metallic sandals should be a closet mainstay for warm weather! It’s summer. It’s warm. It’s all about fun. I am sharing footwear options that are metallic because they create instant *pop* and elevate even the most casual look. Simple, flat sandals (gold) Jewel-encrusted flats (gold, silver, sea green) Gold-tone Birken-esque sandal Rhinestone-encrusted slide (gold, bronze) Fun, block heel sandal (silver) Lace-up, high heel sandal with feathers (silver) Let’s get a look at them below…

2023/06/19

Features & Series

updating my latest book, the creatives’ closet

It’s happening, slowly! I was trying to think of the best way to do it amidst writing a new book – for men – and I couldn’t figure it out until recently. I stumbled upon a new platform – well, new to me LOL – and it was the perfect way to share the updates as they become available instead of holding each piece until everything was ready. So without further ado, here is the first update from my original,

2023/06/12

Style

are you wearing shorts to work?

Let’s talk about wearing shorts to work! This started to be a hotly-debated topic (no pun intended) before COVID but even more so now because post-COVID, everything, and every industry have gone more casual. Plus, summertime is the season of relaxed workwear. Here is a pre-COVID look at the argument… Here is an enlightening, post-COVID take… Where do you stand? Here’s my thinking: if it wasn’t open for debate pre-COVID then likely, it’s not an option but if you could see

2023/06/09

Style

guess what wardrobe item you need this summer?

Another must-have for busy professionals is a CRISP WHITE SHIRT. Simple, right? Anyone who knows me or any client who has worked with me knows I am a supporter/proponent/closet whisperer/advocate of the white button-down shirt. I’ve even recently published the updated excerpt, The White Shirt, from my latest book, The Creatives’ Closet! But, I digress…. The white shirt is AWESOME 😎 because it can go from day to date night, work to weekend, home to overseas without missing a beat

2023/06/07

Style

the 8 breathable fabrics for hot summer days

Apparently, El Nino will be ‘in the house’ this year! If you’re unfamiliar, here’s a quick refresher: El Niño is the climate pattern that warms up water in the Pacific Ocean every two to seven years. It can simultaneously lead to excessive rainfall and severe drought in different regions, particularly the tropics, AND because climate change exacerbates its effects, it can cause extreme heat. There’s a lot more to that story but, it means you can expect a hotter-than-usual summer

2023/06/02

Clothing Maintenance & Organization

Declutter Your Closet

While you may still be left with a few items you’re unsure about, this 10-step Declutter Your Closet Cheat Sheet will get you 90% there! Get ready for more control with your closet, and more happiness with your looks! Here’s your ticket to closet freedom!

2022/07/06

Outfits/Complete Looks

how your outfits can influence your mood

The saying is, “You are what you wear!“… or something along those lines! The moment you get dressed in the morning, you should feel confident and ready to face the day. If you’re not feeling that way, there’s a problem. You should turn around and head back into the closet immediately. The reality is that you are what you wear will influence your mood in one way or another. The old saying that advises us to “Dress for the job

2022/02/11

Features & Series

working moms style guide

Admittedly, we are in a time when we could all use a little help not the least of which are working moms who are living the lives of at least three or four, sometimes even five other people. They must be everything to everyone, and still find time to be enough for themselves! This style guide is meant to provide motivation, style tips and hacks to look sharp and pulled together, and look great … because isn’t that what we

2022/02/09

Mom & Baby Style

6 clients are preggers!

I currently have SIX clients who are preggers — the pandemic left some people with a lot of free time on their hands! (lol!) A few places to get excellent baby gear, mommy-to-be pieces, and post-pregnancy wear include … Caraa – the bags are a beautiful (and light) mix of form, function, and style! ingrid & isabel – great every day, activewear pieces that will work post-pregnancy too! A Pea in the Pod – think workwear, great denim, great staples with a designer’s eye!

2021/12/14

Features & Series

fall/winter 2021 wardrobe refresh

Do you want to try incorporating a few of this year’s hottest trends into your wardrobe? Regardless of your wardrobe concerns, fall is the time to give your wardrobe a makeover. The top essential pieces you need in your clothing line-up to refresh and update your look this fall and winter include… Light Jacket Perhaps the most important item you’ll need throughout the chilly autumn season is a light jacket that is stylish and functional. With the weather being unpredictable

2021/10/27

Colors

2022 color of the year

Sherwin-Williams unveiled its 2022 color of the year and it’s 100% aligned with the tone of “the year of transition“! The color is evergreen fog and it’s like taupe, mint green, and beige had a baby….waalah! But after a year of trying to get ahead of the pandemic and its variants, dig ourselves out of political conflicts, heal from a divisive Presidential election, and so much more, it makes sense that such a muted but flexible color would be the choice!

2021/10/04

Our Blog

News, Articles & More

Color Psychology & Pink

It’s Layering Season!

Hosiery for Elevated Style

Shoe Clips

Frame Your Face

Your Everyday Outerwear

Low-Key Festive Looks

Sequin Pants for the Holidays

A Tale of Two Styles: Festive and Everyday

Eyeglasses are Accessories

Wore It to Pieces

Improve Your Visual Resume with These 3 Fall Items

workplace wardrobe wellness program

metallic sandals

updating my latest book, the creatives’ closet

are you wearing shorts to work?

guess what wardrobe item you need this summer?

the 8 breathable fabrics for hot summer days

Declutter Your Closet

how your outfits can influence your mood

working moms style guide

6 clients are preggers!

fall/winter 2021 wardrobe refresh

2022 color of the year

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