“Oh, so you’re actually creative. Your business suit made me think you were all about spreadsheets and boring office meetings.”
OMG. Jenny’s outfit was just SO wrong.
She’d just left corporate and had been looking forward to this luxurious London event with other women entrepreneurs, but she felt like an idiot. The other women looked like they just stepped out of Sex and the City, while she could be mistaken for a librarian.
How did they find those über-cool clothes?
She had no idea how to pull together a sexy but professional outfit like that.
What Jenny needs is to make a Style Baby – I’ll show you how but let’s first hear about Sally’s goof up.
“Oh, so you actually have a master’s degree. Your jeans made me think you were all about skipping college to go surfing.”
Oh, no. Sally’s outfit was also wrong.
She’d been an online coach for more than 2 years but never seemed to be able to get her big breakthrough. Working from home had left her with a depressing wardrobe of jeans and yoga pants and she had no idea how to dress up for an event.
How did these other women manage to look both polished AND laid back cool?
She had no idea how to create an outfit like that.
What Sally needs is to make a Style Baby – Let me introduce:
Hilde’s Style Baby Technique
Women entrepreneurs have 2 big problems when it comes to style:
- They either look too corporate and clients doubt their creativity and fun factor OR
- They look too slack and clients doubt their education and professionalism.
The answer is simply to make a Style Baby. This is a simple but ingenious technique I’ve created after experiencing this dilemma both as the go-to stylist for women entrepreneurs, a Fashion Week stylist, a design teacher, and an international fashion designer.
The way to create a unique and cool style is to mix 2 distinctly different things about yourself.
This way you show several sides to your personality and your outfit will be so intriguing that everyone will be dying to talk to you.
Here’s how to do it.
Love is in the air…
We all know how babies are made so now we have to play Cupid and send someone on a blind date.
Let me introduce the woman:
Meet your Creative Mama:
Your Creative Mama might be one of those women who love to wear rhinestones, leather jackets, artsy T-shirts, ethnic jewelry, and cool boots.
Here’s one of her over the top outfits:
Help! Please, Mama. You can’t wear ALL of these crazy pieces at once!
Now I’d like to introduce you to the guy:
Meet your Professional Papa:
Your Professional Papa is a CEO and bought you this sleek business suit.
Very classy Papa but it’s a bit sinister don’t you think?
I told you I don’t want to be a lawyer!
Luckily we don’t have to wait 9 months to cook up a Style Baby outfit for you.
All you have to do is as follows:
Take one garment from your Creative Mama.
Take one garment from your Professional Papa.
Take one garment from your Creative Mama.
Take one garment from your Professional Papa.
…etc, etc – until you have a cool outfit that’s a great mix of creativity and professionalism just like these 2:
Meet your Style Baby -oops their TWINS:
These two outfits strike that perfect balance between looking too wacky or looking too dreary.
Instead, you look like an ultra-professional entrepreneur with a strong creative side – exactly the way you are.
You might have to tweak a little bit if you notice that you end up looking a bit too corporate or a bit too relaxed.
Just mix and match from your Mama and Papa’s clothes and you’ll end up with a super stylish look that’s the perfect mix between creativity and professionalism.
Oh my goodness! What an absolutely brilliant concept! 🙂 I love how simple this is, but so effective. You explained it in such a clear way that I totally get it, and I’m excited to try it out.
And the best part about this is that our multi-faceted personality reflects back through our wardrobe. Love it!
Thanks Hilde!
YES! That’s my favorite part too Suzan!
We all have so many sides to our personalities and it is actually possible to show many of our sides while still looking stylish and on point.
If you sign up for the 10 outfit templates you’ll find many casual outfits that are super easy even for busy moms 🙂
This is so great! I’m forever stuck in “Professional Papa” and need to break things up a bit. Super fun post! And great download.
So happy you like the Style Baby technique Ashly. Having a Professional Papa wardrobe is a great starting point. Then you just add some sugar and spice 🙂
Gosh this looks so simple I think I can actually do it! Thank you SO much for this post. Eagerly awaiting the templates!
Yes it IS simple Tara 🙂 You can totally do this!
I love this and can’t wait to try it myself!
Terrific Margaret! I would LOVE to see an outfit from you. Just shoot me an email 🙂
Hi Hilde, thanks for the outfit template! Just one small suggestion, would it be possible to have a version with cheaper mass market brands?
Great suggestion Karen. I’ll tell you where to shop right here and now.
You’ll be able to find similar items in these stores:
Basics and fashion items: HM and Asos.
Fashionable accessories and statement pieces: Zara, Mango, Accessorize, The Express
Jeans: HM, Gap
Professional wear: HM and Banana Republic.
The Style Baby technique can be used at any price level. It’s a way of thinking that you adapt to your own budget.
I would also check out my blog post about Nagina where I give tips on how to find expensive looking clothes in inexpensive clothes. The key here is: Avoid the cheap jersey.
Yeeessssss this is awesome! I am forever trying to find this balance. Using this Mama/Papa technique will be great for figuring out how to infuse my personality and fun into business clothes. THANK YOU!!
Yes it works like magic Genevieve 🙂 I also recommend the downloadable at the end of the article since it has loads of templates that are super easy to follow.
This.is.pure.genius. Thank you!
So happy you like it Carole 🙂
What a brilliant and memorable idea to create a signature look!
It’s so great to hear from you Rosa! Yes, a signature look makes shopping and dressing so easy. I’m packing for a trip to the US right now and believe or not, but it’s actually fun 🙂