A Stylist Styled Me For Spring... and It Was Worth Every Penny
Because what's better than shopping your wardrobe?
We’re away this weekend, so in lieu of my usual weekly Wardrobe Diary, I thought I’d share a deep-dive into my latest Indyx Lookbook (don’t worry, they’ll be a bumper edition featuring two week’s worth of outfits next week for paid subs!). If you’re new to the whole digital wardrobe set-up, then this post is your primer, but for the past few years, I’ve been tracking every single outfit I wear every single day on a digital wardrobe app. Previously, I used Whering, but these days, I like the more streamlined and aesthetically pleasing Indyx (and don’t even get me started on the stats!).
The best bit is that thanks to your wardrobe being stored digitally, Stylists can come and have a rummage around, putting together your very own Lookbook directly from your own rails - a flat-lay of 10 outfits, complete with styling notes. It’s the epitome of shopping your wardrobe - all you have to do is fill out a short brief to provide direction. I’ve had great Lookbooks from Anna and Heather before, but this time, I asked Sam to style me for spring. My brief was simple - ditch the denim. I tasked her with putting together some ideas for spring, without relying too heavily on jeans and well, she delivered.
Each outfit comes with a little blurb from the stylist on their additional thoughts and notes, and once again, I found the process SO HELPFUL for reigniting that styling spark. Being a mate, Sam went over and above the usual 10 looks you get in a Lookbook (THANK YOU, SAM!), but even if it were just the first 10 looks she styled for me, I’d be just as happy with my $160 investment.
So, for this post, I put her looks to the test. If you’d rather have a video, you can find the first 10 looks in the one below, but for the full 19 (!!!) outfit dossier, have a read below…
I loved that the first outfit Sam put together included an item that I’d been struggling to style - this cropped suede jacket. Last year, when I bought it, I thought it would be such a key piece for me, but the length is something that I can’t seem to nail proportion-wise. Sam, you’re psychic! Straight out of the gate, this is an outfit I’d wear again.
…and again. This felt like a good, undone but still polished outfit for a day of meetings or appointments or an outfit I could wear with an oversized pair of jeans for weekend plans. Just a good all-rounder and a reminder that a white tee under a jumper never misses.
I was only three outfits in at this point, and I was getting excited. Three for three! I would 100% wear this outfit again, and although it didn’t feel far from my usual wheelhouse, it’s always nice to have an outfit you love laid out for you and ready to go. Next time, I think I’d swap the shoe for my Flattered Malva Flats* as I prefer my Mary-Janes styled, where you can see the top strap.
Of all of the outfits Sam put together, this was my least favourite, and it comes down to personal preference. I liked it with the jumper or the shirt, but with both of them together, the outfit felt too claustrophobic for me (insert one of my favourite clips of all time). I also struggle with the preppy feeling of a shirt under a jumper, especially if the jumper isn’t super oversized. I played around, but I wouldn’t wear this one again.
Oooh, this was a good one. Sam went for a slightly dressier trouser in her selection, but those are more of a ‘going out’ pair of trousers for me, so I switched back to my everyday friendly pair (although this Lookbook did make me think there was a spot in my wardrobe for a chilled out pair of black trousers?). The centre of the outfit felt a little bare, but a drop pendant necklace sorted that out.
This outfit was a two-in-one. Sam wanted to give me options for a chill weekend outfit and suggested swapping out the jumpers and shoes to mix it up. Whilst I liked the green jumper with the snake print flats, it was the grey jumper with the tan suede loafers that had my heart. I added a carnelian necklace and swapped back into this outfit once my trying-on sesh was complete.
If I had a fancy evening event to attend, then here’s what I’d be wearing. Sam styled two of my blazers with this belt tied around for this Lookbook, which is something I’ve never felt brave enough to do, but it added the shape that this outfit needed. It didn’t feel right with the flats, so I swapped them for a heel and BAM we got there.
I struggled a bit with this one. I’ve always kept this silk shirt in my wardrobe - as a ‘ticking off a checkbox’ exercise more than anything. But when I put it on, I didn’t love it. It felt shapeless and the colour drained me - so perhaps it’s one to stick on the ‘to-sell’ pile. It felt like I was swimming in fabric a little, so I changed up the trousers for something cropped and that seemed to fix it.
This jacket has been sitting a little unloved in my wardrobe since last spring, so I love that Sam included it (you can request for your Stylist to include certain pieces - I didn’t, but it’s a good option if you need ideas for an specific item). I’ve made a note that this is a colour combination that I really dig.
This is up there for me as one the top outfits Sam put together, and I can’t quite put my finger on why. I love all the elements individually, but it’s a combination that just feels like a me. A marker of that is that I struggle to find a situation where this outfit wouldn’t work.
Oooooh she fancy! I tweaked this one a little as Sam had styled it with my longer Filippa K trousers and the whole thing felt like there was too much coverage when I tried it on. With the blazer I wanted to balance it with just a little peek of the foot. That’s the beauty here - if something doesn’t feel right, then it’s yours to reformulate as you wish.
Sam said she couldn’t help herself with this one as she wanted to see my grey jumper, brown leather jacket and green bag with my indigo-wash jeans. And she was right, I love this one together. Plus, it’s another reminder to dust off the avocado green leather bag that I never find myself using.
This is one of my favourites that I’m going to crack out for my next London day. Sam manages to style a blazer in a really chilled, non corporate-feeling way and I feel like she’s applied her magic to this outfit. Perfectly layered for spring, it’s the kind of outfit that makes you feel like getting shit done.
This is one of those ones where although I love all the pieces individually, I never would have thought to blend them all together like this. The trousers keep it casual, but could easily be subbed for jeans if I fancied it, and I feel like my Toteme Leopard Print Flats (similar*) could work here, too.
Sometimes you’ve just got to throw all your neutrals into the mix - a beige trench with a white tee, a brown suede bag, leopard print flats and an all-navy base. All the tones run a little cooler here, so it just works. I picture this working for me as a weekend outfit when we’re out with the little lad.
I love the idea of balancing the comfiest, slouchiest of your pieces, with something extremely tailored and sharp - like the black coat here. I feel like this is something that I’d reach for if I had a short travel day. Yes, I’m manifesting a trip to Paris on the Eurostar.
It’s always handy to have an ‘everything’ outfit in your back pocket in this feels exactly that. In fact it was the first outfit that I recreated from the Lookbook, so I feel like that speaks for itself. The colours, the textures - we’re onto a winner here. Sam - you NAILED it.
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I've been super curious to try out a stylist for my Indyx, but I'm so unsure of what to ask for and which brief to give. However, when I finally get to it I would love Sam (or you) to do it!
It feels like playing in your closet with a friend! You got so many amazing looks! I love all the unexpected textures she put together. ❤️ p.s. also, any gift you’ve selected from a brand really genuinely belongs in your wardrobe and gets used. I’ve been thinking about this lately and you do it so well.