One of the most interesting yet horrifying parts of coaching / mentorship is the fashion and styling part where I go shopping with my people and have to face , every.single.time, the horrifying reality that you lot know NOTHING about clothes and fabrics. At this age. You're 20 I. Okay, so I'll do y'all the honors right now.
If there's any hint of Acrylic or viscose in the fabric composition, do not touch it. The second you wash it the 3rd time it will look like it was chewed by 16979 cows as cud in a row. Viscose is meant to mimic cashmere which is already a problematic fabric, it will just peel off more like you're shedding fur.
Polyester is the most versatile of fabrics since it can mimic anything. It's meant to be wrinkle free and soft. It can look really cheap or expensive. Of all the unnatural? Manufactured?? Whatever you call the fabrics we don't find in nature- it's the best. Spandex will snag and show you hell and elastic will loose it's elasticity one fine day and look like its from the ice age.
Tweed is the god of all fabrics, except it snags so easily. It does not belong in your day to day outfits in the same way knitted clothes do not belong in your day to day outfits. The day one thread comes loose you're dead dead. And it easy could it's literally threads decompressed together.
the more natural the fabric the more classy the clothes will look. Linen and cotton are the most breathable so they belong to summer and early fall. Cashmere wool and the rest belong in your winter wardrobe they're warm enough.
The buttons need to be reinforced. If a button is holding on to it's dear life with only one reinforced threading don't buy it. If you're buying a coat the buttons need to be big and heavy since they're carrying weight. Bone and pearl buttons are the classiest version. Metallic looking buttons, even gold (especially the huge ugly gold ones) cheapen the fabric.
Cashmere is pretty but from hell. Wash it thrice come talk to me.
The stitches should be small and in a straight line. If they're big they'll come off easy. The inner lining of a cloth should be soft and usually polyester to make if easy on your skin and easy to slip into. Silk is really really pretty, stay away from it as an everyday fabric. Along with satin and worse- velvet. Whyyy are you wearing velvet at 20. Or, ew- sequin.
Long sleeved will always look classier that short sleeves. Tank tops are for strong hourglass figures. Stretchy material is also for strong hourglasses the rest of us wear fabric that has form in itself.
Your clothes are supposed to mimic an hourglass and create the illusion of one. Waist smaller than both your shoulders and hips and hips wider than your shoulders. This one simple rule will save you so much.
Making patterns work is something even experts struggle with btw.
Rule of one- you can only show ONE part of your body with your outfit. Your chest, your abdomen or your thighs. Only one that's the law .
Round necked tops are something heavy chested girls will never be able to pull off. Or wide shoulders. V necks are the universal one size fits all feminine top cut. Collars are classy and feminine.
Blue jeans especially the washed out type will never work sorry. Even Kendall Jenner hasn't been able to pull it and she has the kind of body that can pull everything.
Seamless underwear. Closest to your skin color. Nipple covers are a wardrobe essential and so is a lint roller and a steamer. Steamer >> iron.
Nail color red, black or closest to your skin. Short nails >> claws. And those pointy nails I. Please no. Annnnd the pearls and all the details on the nail?? How do you comb your hair?? Is it a 4C hair problem? Can the 1A to 3B girls pull it off??
Make up goes to your eyes and lips. Only one of those two can take the heat.
Haircut is supposed to make your face appear more oval. Hair color should be as closest to your natural color as possible. With 3-4 shades in it to look more natural. Unless you are on the far ends of black or white, then you can pull off monocolor. If your hair color is too sharp of a contrast to your skin color you'll have to make up for it with your make up & will have to be harsh with it.
Bag essentials - safety pin .lip gloss. Sunscreen . Toilet paper. Wet wipes . Tampon/pad/whatever fits your fancy. Moisturizer. Perfume. Concealer . Which all goes in a pouch in your bag, not haphazardly in your bag staining everything.
Wedges>> pointy heels , unless you're trying to have back pains in your sixties.
Your bag should a) hold a solid form ie not compress / collapse into itself. b) have stands so it doesn't rest on the floor / surfaces with it's base c) not snag easily c) have compartments and d) beautifully lined interior.
With bags - small bag, medium bag, big bag. Muted appearance. If you're in your 20s and I catch you with the birkin Kelly Bottega Balenciaga chanel Dior Vuitton etc etc etc. Well. Don't let me catch you with mainstream designer bags.
Top should match your skin color and color season, bottom can be anything tbh. Your blouse t-shirt whatever should be as closest to your skin. color/ color season as possible if you're not trying to look like your head is floating
Your pants unless skinny should be longer than your ankle. If your skirt is short your shoes should be close to your skin color to elongate your legs. High waist forever. Unless you're an hourglass only high waisted clothes exist.
Only one can be fitted top or bottom. Not both (again unless youre an hourglass. The gods among men that could actually pull rags.
Also, don't ruin your body and it's features. If gel and acrylic weaken your nails get dye instead. If you can't color your hair without bleaching let it be. Don't wear tight ponytails or braids that will ruin your hair line. Create a very simple skincare routine with only 4 steps and leave it be don't exhaust your skin. Use retinoids and sunscreen. Cleanse moisturize protect that's it. Do your eye and lip make up in a way that you dont need all the other fluff. If you do, make it concealer (hopefully with SPF and move on. Don't wear heels too often and don't punish your body with extreme diets. Take care of yourself
BMAC
















