How To Find Your Style

As a Style Expert I get this question often- “how do I find my style?” The truth is your style has always been there. A better and more effective question is “how can I be more intentional about my style?”

If you examine pictures of outfits you’ve worn over a span of time, you can get key indicators of what your style is by looking at style cues. Style Cues are recurring themes in how you dress and what items you tend to incorporate in your outfits. Cues could be things like comfort, tailoring, colors (or combination of colors), jewelry style (bold, dainty, none). These make up the way you feel most comfortable dressing or expressing yourself outwardly. And that in simple terms is what your style is.

These are pictures of outfits I’ve worn from over a 10 year span. I can identify my style cues as - comfort, incorporating vintage pieces, relaxed fit clothing, a hint of retro style, moderate jewelry, a big bag, layering, PANTS! (especially my red wide leg pants. Didn’t realize how much I love wearing them until I was going through pics for this post LOL).

I find that the expression of our style may change from time to time but we usually stick to our Style Cues. So when we ask how to find our style, from my years of interacting with people and their clothes, is more of asking how to be more intentional about their style. Being intentional is honing in on the style cues, elevating them and reworking them to fit our current lifestyle. While, occassionally some clients want a complete overhaul or change of their wardrobe, it is not always necessary. If you’ve been authentic in your outward expression, a complete change isn’t needed. What you may be seeking is elevation, which we all desire and expect. For example, the pics below are ones I recently added to my personal Pinterest board (I highly recommend having a Pinterest board to gather style inspiration). These pictures speak to the style expression I am moving toward currently. While these all have my style cues (comfort, layering, relaxed fit etc), they are more on the monochromatic side. That speaks to the simplicity and greater ease I am being drawn to in this season of my life. So there isn’t a drastic shift in my style, but it is still a noticeable one.

So before you embark on a journey of tossing out your entire closet, reframe how you see your style. If not, from my experience you may end up buying the same things again, while expecting a different outcome. This is why it is recommended to employ the help of a Stylist like myself. We use a keen eye to identify your authentic style cues and elevate them to fit the current you.

If you’d like more insight on style and styling tips sign up to my email list or choose one of my styling services.

Happy Styling!

xoxo Roxy

Featured Artist

Nona Hood News feature

As many of you may know, I relocated from Palm Beach to Orlando. We have been slowly settling into the Orlando area. In fact I have been loving life in the Lake Nona! It is the beautifully curated, laid back yet innovative kind of vibe that my family and I like in a community. We knew no one in the area when we arrived and struggled to adjust being away from our family and friends in South Florida. But the cooler temperatures (if there is such a thing in Florida lol) in Central Florida was a refreshing change. While we did find ourselves venturing back south quite often, we have finally settled in to Lake Nona as our new home. If you know anything about Lake Nona you know it is not a hard place to like. From advanced infrastructures, lovely eateries and art installations- it is the perfect mix of art and innovation. It has also been inspiring watching this planned city unfold before my very eyes.

I have been desiring to dig deeper roots and fruitful connections here. So It is sheer delight that I was chosen to be featured as a local Lake Nona artist! It feels like a confirmation that a new chapter of my journey is here and I am looking forward to it blossoming.

Check out the full interview in Nonahood News on my artisan background and how I landed on the road of being a fashion designer. https://nonahoodnews.com/the-artist-roxy-bowden/

2020 Color of the Year is...

Per usual the authority that’s designated to decide the color of the year, Pantone, had us all on the edge of our seats. Ideas have been tossing around all year in the fashion, beauty and interior industry. After last year’s Living Coral we all wanted to see if there would be a trend of vibrant hues or would Pantone throw us for a loop. Well they did- kinda. The Pantone color of the year i s(drum roll please..)— ‘Classic Blue’ —(insert slow and low applause lol). This response has been the resounding feedback all throughout the web. And with good justification. The color is very reminiscent of denim which is already common and readily available. Expect to see lots of shades of denim like our Denim Tokyo Kimono here. It’s not the ‘sexy’ tones we have come to know from Pantone in recent years. But the exciting part is that fashion can always be made to be exciting. Even burlap can become fashionable with the right eye. On the positive side blues can easily be made chic even by a style novice. And with a really good eye it can go from basic to sophisticated in some interesting color combinations (I will do another post with a few ideas). Expect to see this hue EVERYWHERE! So to get your style juices rolling here is some inspiration for your wardrobe and your home. (For a personalized look I am always available for wardrobe and interior styling consults- click the contact button)

Happy Styling!

Color to the Year

Classic Blue

Soul & Style Soiree Ep. 1

Tablescape Design: @mrs_charisma @houseofroxyb

Decor Rental: Code Red Events @coderedeventsllc, coderedeventrentals.com

Food: Trindy Gourmet (@trindygourmet)

What a Gal-entines!

When friend and fellow creative genius Charisma Adams brought me onboard to co-create her selfless idea of celebrating her(now our) girlfriends with a divine dinner party reminiscent of Oprah’s Legends Ball, I knew it was nothing but divine timing! It was her way of taking her friends on a new journey she has dubbed “The Art of Living”. Making time for experiences that allow us to live and not only exist. Otherwise known as living our best life. That’s right up my alley and what Soul & Style Soirée is all about!

Hostess- Charisma Adams (@faithandflyness)

(dresses by House of Roxy B)

And as divine alignment goes It served perfectly as the backdrop for the official  kick off of House of Roxy B Soul & Style Soirée.  Not only was the idea of Soul & Style Soirée well received,  the ladies left knowing their life’s purpose on a deeper level.  I was successfully able to fuse my fashions with teaching on living fully from the inside out. I led the ladies in how to dress to externalize their authentic selves and what they were purposed to bring to the earth realm using their Life Path. (To learn more about life paths https://www.peacefulwarrior.com https://feliciabender.com )

“fabulous from conception to execution.”

From the weeks of brainstorming our Sex & The City Girlfriends theme, creating mock table scapes, shared Pinterest boards to a last minute cotton candy scavenger hunt lol. Like how I enjoy doing anything - it was fabulous fun from conception to execution!

I always knew House of Roxy B wasn’t called to be just a clothing shop- the vision always looked way more deliciously complex, and I worried at times if I would find the right space and people to bring it to. I knew that there were other women like me who have come to a place where we are choosing everything in our lives based on the knowledge of who we truly are. To live intentionally, effortlessly and all in style!

We laughed A LOT, shopped, ate to fullness, cried tears of joy and even gasped at the love that filled the room.

Our Word of the Year!

Cheers to new beginnings! If you’re like me you have a hard time summing up your past year in snapshots and words. However, what I can tell at the beginning of each new year is HOW I felt. 2018 taught me the feeling and power of ease. The word effortless (a synonym of ease) has been a word I’ve used for a long time to describe my design and personal sensibilities but the last year has really pushed me to dig deep into its true meaning. I love the sound and feelings the word evokes. But I do admit it is quite contrary to the current social dialogues. So I’ll be doing a series of blog posts and fun-filled live chats to engage us in conversation around this supposedly fantasy idea. Is it possible? Let’s find out together! Xoxo Roxy
.(p.s be sure to sign up for my mailing list)

Closet Clean Up Done Right!

My Expert Tips for Organizing your Closet

I survived! That’s the victory cry of every woman (wine or coffee in hand) who has attempted a major closet clean out lol.  It started with the nagging notion that some of this stuff has to go, NOW!  Then a wild wind of courage to just get ‘er done, and next thing you know you are knee deep in fashion.  In your eagerness you started yanking off hangers and tossing shoes only to be surrounded by piles of misfits, over-worns and bad choices.  You wonder how did this all happen to me? How did I end up with so much stuff yet still can’t find anything to wear?! That famous scene from Sex In The City comes to mind. How – is actually a great starting point. Lets’s look at the steps to a great closet clean up. You’ll see how visualizing this same process will give you aha moments of how this all came to be.

With everything there piled up, the last thing you would think of is taking a break.  But darling you must.  This is why Rule No.1 is most vital (even in hindsight)- book a full day or two, or three to tackle your closet. If you share this space with someone, give them advanced notice of the impending mayhem. Grant yourself the grace and luxury of time.  Do it right and it will be far less stressful the next go round.

TIME IT.    Whoa Nelly! Go Slow.  Be realistic with the amount of time needed.  Rainy days and snowed-in weekends are perfect timing. Preparation is also key.  This process is really a mind over matter (literally) deal. Be prepared for tears and tantrums. It’s nothing out of the norm.  Avoiding this is why your closet is in the shape it is so buckle up for the ride- no quitting allowed.

Here is your prep checklist–your most groovy playlist (the one you’d play getting ready for a night out), 4 bins/bags/sections (donate, store, replace, keep), good hangers (I personally prefer the flocked hangers – keeps fabric from slipping and because they’re flat they free up space.  Also wooden hangers for coats and bulkier pieces . Nice vintage ones make great keepers, or new ones from Ikea. No plastic hangers for style sake!  Wine/water/coffee/tea – no pizza (this is not the time for negativity aka carbs), full length mirror, neutral or black flats and heels, well-fitting bra and undies, spanx – yes shape wear!

TRY ON EVERYTHING.   Put on your favorite tunes, pour a drink and shimmy into your shape wear.  I’ve never seen wearing shape wear on any closet cleaning Pinterest board, but the idea came to me as a designer. Fit is everything to what we wear.  I realized that some pieces in my closet weren’t being worn,  no matter how swoon worthy they were, simply because of how they fit.  Wearing spanx and having everything “in place” so to speak will help you better decide.  If it doesn’t fit, you must get rid of it or tailor it! Wearing the appropriate shoe with each piece will work in the same way.

Designer Tip: a heel can completely change a fit -especially with skirts and pants. An appropriate height heel can relocate your ass-ets into their proper, perky and perfect position.  Same applies to my tip for wearing a good fitting bra during the clean out process.

I must state the obvious.  Shapewear cannot and should not be a means to fit pieces that no longer fit- if you get my drift.  If you don’t, let me put it plainly- if it’s too tight, donate it to someone who can do it right.  No judgement, no condemnation, life (and food) happens.  No looking back into figures gone by- we’re moving forward.  And if you do decide to drop the pounds it will be a wonderful reward to start over fresh and even more ravishing. You’ll have plenty of room for new and even more fabulous finds (did I mention you’ll be going shopping when you’re done -YAY).  Keep the thought of making room at the forefront of your mind. Making room for better is always time well-invested.

FAST AND FIERCE.     Now it’s time to take out the big guns- deciding quickly. I know I said take your time but not here.  This is the speed round. Think quick draw cowboy style. First decision- do you LOVE it, not like it – but more like “this makes me feel like a diva on Dynasty” (if you’re under 40 just Google Diahann Carroll). No time for faking it or compromise. If you don’t love the way it looks (on you) AND how it makes you feel- it was never meant to be my dear.  Release it to it’s rightful owner.  Next, inspect it. Think of your closet space as premium shelf space in Neiman’s. No room for worn out threads, holes  and missing buttons. Finally, decide with no regrets- keep it, donate it, replace it, or in case of seasonal items- store it away. In the moment you’ll feel like you are parting with a precious newborn but trust me your remorse will be short-lived.  Nothing is better than clothes than new clothes.

PLAY MATCHMAKER.      As you try each piece think of outfits you can create with it.  My personal rule is if I can’t get a minimum of three looks from that piece it’s not worth keeping.  No room for one hit wonders – unless it’s vintage or holds sentimental value of some sort. Nothing says ‘un-stylish’ like wearing the exact ensemble multiple times – that’s called a uniform.

If you’re doing it right by now your playlist is ending, and so are the drinks. If you’re one of the lucky few you’re ready for the finale. If not, like the rest of us, day two or three lays ahead. The privileged pieces who made your rigorous curating are now ready to be hanged and folded like the prized possessions they are. They have made your stylish cut- lucky beauties.  While you take a moment to admire your masterpiece here are a few finishing tips.  Make a list of anything that needs to be replaced (basics like worn tanks, tees and jeans),  also better hangers if needed.  Spruce up your closet with pretty storage boxes and scented sachets. If possible invest in newer lighting that mimics daylight.

Designer Tip: Now I wouldn’t be a friend, or good designer, if I didn’t leave you with a good ol’ Project Runway Tim Gunn shake up. Plus I did promise more shopping. Hence, next  post will be on how to shop intentionally so your next closet clean up won’t be as painful or need as much wine lol.  Until then play with some outfits and enjoy your new sparkly digs!

xoxo Roxy