Case Study: Finding Nikki's Style Through Her Current Closet Using Daily Inspirato Processes
It all started with an email
Nikki, a Daily Inspirato 100 member, reached out to ask if I’d consider doing a styling session with her.
“I hope this message finds you well. I just read some of your articles on the website and they are fabulous!
They made me wonder if you do 1 on 1 sessions or group sessions? Or Skype tutorials? I love the pieces on shape, color palettes, and developing your own style but I wonder if there is another level of help (though I know less sustainable!).
Just an idea!
All my best,
-Nikki”
A darn good idea, Nikki. I drove out to see her the following Saturday for about 2 and ½ hours.
It was an experience I’ll never forget
Let me tell you why.
Nikki wanted to love her style, but didn’t. No, it wasn’t because her wardrobe stunk.
On the contrary. We found that Nikki had all of the right pieces in her closet to put together looks she liked.
But in order to create outfits she felt confident in, Nikki had to begin noticing certain components in her clothing that weren’t, or were, serving her body.
We did this without spending a dime. We worked within her current closet.
3 photos of Nikki in looks she loved.
How?
Comparison & time.
Nikki tried on a bunch of different outfits and we figured out her cut, color, cloth, and comfort levels (the 4C’s >). We compared each outfit to the others and started documenting what was working and what wasn’t.
For example, shirts that have straight cuts aren’t as flattering to Nikki’s shape as shirts with a-line cuts. We figured this out by laying the shirts she didn’t like on her bed and compared them to the shirts she did like!
There is a science to this.
We ended up finding a few looks she loved.
...while also getting rid of a few pieces that weren’t serving her beautiful self as well as they should :)
At the end of our time together, I created a style guide + sealed the deal with a promise that the next time she’s in Portland, we are going to try out shopping together :)
We followed the Daily Inspirato Refined Closet Cycle process >
Try This At Home
I think you too can try this at home. I have made the style guide I created for Nikki available here.
I also created a blank version that you could use as a template if you’d like, and define your 4C’s.
Notice what works. Look at yourself in a good mirror. Lay things out and compare the jeans you love to the ones you hate.
Let me know what’s working and where you’re feeling stuck. I want to expand Nikki’s guide and make it something everyone could use.
Nikki and myself (Maddison) during our session together.
About Nikki
Nikki has a heart of gold. She’s someone who would give you the flannel off her back (that’s saying something in the middle of February in Maine!).
She’s full of energy and life, and emits a warmth that’s rare to find.
Oh, and not to mention that she’s a new mom and has a full time job. She’s busy.
While we all have the right to love our styles, I felt particularly compelled that Nikki deserved to love hers.
Disliking her style seemed to be a new phenomena for Nikki.
When talked about her style history, it sounded to me like she may have been more sure of her style pre-pregnancy.
As many of us know, bodies change after giving birth (full disclosure: I have not experienced this yet but have spoken with enough women to paraphrase).
Nikki is finding her style and what she’s comfortable with after having a child.
I am thankful for her participation in this project and hope to continue working alongside her to develop tools that other women can use to love their styles.