Guest Post: On Size and Style

Hi guys! I'm traveling this week for work so I'm letting my friend Alice write on my blog today. Enjoy!

Hey lovely ladies! I'm Alice Tegtmeier, Personal Stylist, and I'm so happy to be sharing a bit of my heart and message with you. I don't have a blog of my own - I kind of treat my Instagram account that way by posting stylist fashion tips and tricks, inspirational messages and the occasional pic of my kids if they're doing something darling (maybe that's why those posts are "occasional" 😁). I'm @aliteg - www.instagram.com/aliteg, follow me there, if you're so inclined 😉 

Can we chat a bit about Size and Style? 

All too often we equate looking fabulous with being thin. We think thin girls have it easy wearing whatever they want and finding clothes easily without the dressing room anxiety. We are haunted by the size number on the tag because we wish the number was smaller. We believe personal style and fun with fashion is reserved for the Skinny Minnie's, or for the well endowed, or those with a little more "bass"... I confess that I'm guilty of this poisonous thinking, too. 

Can I let you in on a secret? 

Your personal style and your size are two separate things. And one should not determine the other. 

How do I know? 

During my adult life I've been sizes 2 through 12, then back down to a size 6, then, thanks to 3 pregnancies (and the stress of having 3 kids and, well, real life) I landed back at a size 12 (which wouldn't be a terrible thing if I wasn't 5'2" tall). But guess what happened to my personal style? Nothing. Honestly, there wasn't much style happening in my life. I was never taught the basics of style, or how to put a look together. And apparently I don't catch on by looking at pictures in magazines. I also believed the terrible lie that because I wasn't the former, much thinner version of myself, I didn't deserve cute things to wear. But at size 12, I was about to change that. 

At 7 months pregnant with child #3, I decided I'd had enough. Enough putting me on the back burner. Enough feeling like I don't deserve cute clothes because I'm not thinner. Enough buying every black, brown, blue or grey long sleeved t-shirts from Target so I could blend in and hide in the background (nothing against my beloved Target - just against my lack of style). So, I decided to do 2 things: buy all new clothes (but NO jeans or t-shirts allowed) and ask a fashionista friend to show me how to mix and match the things in my closet. (Side note: just about all the new clothes were purchased from Target, Gap and Old Navy clearance - some serious scores, people. Never pay full price!) And so began my much improved sense of style. I would no longer stand in front of my closet wondering what to wear only to put on a grey t-shirt and jeans - with nothing else. 

So, here I am, size 10 (I'm on a weight loss journey for health reasons), to tell you 3 things I've learned from my style journey.

1. You don't have to wait until you're a smaller size to look and feel fabulous. All it takes is some time in your closet and some creativity with your existing wardrobe. Spend 10-20 minutes the day/night BEFORE you're going to need to wear the outfit (this is KEY) to play with your clothes, try things on and finalize your outfit selection. You'll eliminate the stress and frustration of getting dressed in the morning!

2. Getting up and getting dressed fabulously every day is going to improve more than your outward appearance. Your mood will improve, you will have more energy and confidence. Your self-esteem will rise. And when those things happen, well, anything can happen!

3. Always accessorize! Finish the look of any outfit with accessories. You don't need a lot - one statement necklace can take you a long way. Below are a few outfits without accessories and then styled with accessories. 

Pink colorblocked Sweater: Jennifer Lopez for Kohl's
Black Distressed skinnies: Gap
Leopard Kitten Heels: Bandolino (thrift find)
Clutch: Stella & Dot Capri Pouch
Necklace: Stella & Dot Rebel Pendant
Bracelet: Stella & Dot renegade bracelet

Moto Jacket: Target
Cobalt top: Joe Fresh at JCPenney
Zippered Leggings: Gap
Silver flats: Old Navy
Clutch: Stella & Dot Capri Pouch
Necklace: Stella & Dot Rebel Pendant
Bracelet: Stella & Dot renegade bracelet

Hooded Vest: Gap (thrift find)
Mint Sweatshirt: Target
Plaid boyfriend shirt: Gap
Distressed boyfriend skinny jeans: Target
Booties: Target (super old)
Necklace: Stella & Dot Trellis Necklace
Bracelet: Stella & Dot Amelie in gold
Watch: Target

See the difference? The unadorned outfits look like they're missing something. The accessorized looks are polished and finished. 

No matter where you are in your style journey, you can always stretch yourself.Whether that be getting up and getting dressed in something that makes you feel pretty, or trying the fashion trend that's a little outside your comfort zone, or just making use of all the clothing in your closet with the tags still on, I'd like to invite you to the #1weekstylechallenge on Instagram. For one full week, push yourself every day to take the next step in your personal style. If you are so inclined to post your challenge photos to Instagram, please tag them with #1weekstylechallenge and tag me @aliteg to share your participation and share the next steps of your style journey with your Instagram community!