Chelsea Braun
with
The stylist helping women
build wardrobes they love.
Our new series In the Details features tastemakers doing interesting things you should know about.
While our team was in Chicago recently, we spent an afternoon with stylist and wardrobe consultant Chelsea Braun, and her instincts for what makes an outfit work left us wanting to know more.
As the voice behind The Wardrobe Files, her Substack with a devoted following, Chelsea's philosophy is refreshingly simple: “True style is creating looks that feel elevated and intentional no matter what it is you're doing.” It’s practical, and it’s the key to personal style.
Ahead, her tips on building your most authentic wardrobe and choosing jewelry you’ll reach for again and again.
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You talk a lot about getting honest about your lifestyle before investing in pieces. What's the most common blind spot you see women have about their own style?
We sometimes dress for the life we wish we had or maybe used to have. This leads to closets full of clothes that don't make us feel good about ourselves.
Those 4 inch heels you once wore are gorgeous, but they might not be wearable every day and they take up valuable real estate in your closet. There’s a middle ground between stretchy pants and stilettos. You don’t have to wear something uncomfortable to your kid’s sports game, but you also don’t have to wear workout gear. Consider a thick cashmere sweater, denim and leather flats to replace that workout wear. Those are the pieces to invest in. The ones you're wearing weekly that make you feel your best.
True style is being honest about your lifestyle and creating looks that feel elevated no matter what it is you’re doing.
"True style is being honest about your lifestyle and creating looks that feel elevated no matter what it is you’re doing."
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If you could give one piece of style advice to a woman who feels like she's dressing for who she used to be, what would you tell her?
First, I would hug her. I see this all the time. As women, we go through so many changes, phases and shifts throughout our life. It's body shifts, but it's also mental shifts. In the same vein of 'what got you here, won't take you there,' dressing for who you once were just leaves us feeling deflated. My goal when working with any client is to help them discover their style in who they are NOW.
Think of a blank slate. Ask yourself: "If I had a completely empty closet right now, how would I build it from the ground up?" Start there. Pull inspo images of what is inspiring to you now... not based on what is already in your closet. This removes ties to the things that no longer serve you and creates space for what truly inspires you in this moment.
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“As women, we go through so many changes, phases and shifts throughout our life. It's body shifts, but it's also mental shifts.”
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How do accessories factor into building a wardrobe for a real life, not an aspirational one?
This is where you can bring personality into your outfit, but I like anything I buy to match with my everyday pieces. My watch, wedding rings, my signet. I know I'll wear something more if it already fits into my daily life.
What comes first, the jewelry or the outfit?
It depends! I have pieces I'll style a look around, like my favorite chunky JB cuff. But if I’m not in the mood for a statement, I’ll choose my outfit first and wear the Fine earrings that seamlessly fit with my everyday jewelry.
What’s one thing people should do more of when accessorizing?
Mixing metals. It creates character and interest, which in turn creates true style.
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