The morning air is crisp, and the beginning of the day approaches quickly with no intention of slowing down. You look into to the abysmal void that is your closet, and while many pieces of clothing stare back at you, nothing sparks your interest. Where can you find inspiration?
Liberty University student Anna Grace Birley might have the solution to your problem.
Birley, a senior studying integrated communications, runs her own business called AG The Look. This business allows Birley to bring a fresh eye to your closet even as you think it has no hope.
“The closet is my absolute favorite place,” Birley said. “Even if I work at McDonald’s one day, my co-workers will still be wearing outfits by AG The Look.”
With the mission of putting together outfits that express the authentic person, Birley offers many different services for residents of the Lynchburg area. Birley wants to “provide a brand-new closet without buying anything new.” Drawing from her experience with over 55 clients, Birley shares her best tips and tricks for creating an “authentically you” outfit.
Best tips for constructing the perfect outfit:
Today’s fashion world offers trends that might be stylish but feel nothing like you. Birley starts off by explaining that if you do not feel like yourself in the outfit, then don’t wear it. Others can easily detect inauthenticity in style, she said, and she encourages her clients to feel confident in the clothing they wear.
Birley stresses the importance of checking the weather each day before constructing an outfit. An outfit needs to remain comfortable all day. Lastly, don’t shy away from wearing clothes that are actually your true size. Playing with the proportions of your outfit makes all the difference in creating that perfect look.
“I am very vocal about modesty on all of my platforms,” Birley said. “But it is so possible to be modest and wear clothes that are your true size.”
What do you look for first when opening a closet?
Birley likes to ask her clients what piece in their closet seems almost impossible to wear. Whether it’s a statement item or an item that feels “tired,” Birley will construct an outfit around those pieces.
Birley sees this challenge as an exciting task rather than a daunting one. By pulling out pieces that could potentially not work together, you open a whole new realm within your fashion world. Not liking the outfit is the worst thing that could happen. The best thing that could happen is you end up loving it.
Tell me the value of statement pieces vs. elevated basics:
Elevated basics encapsulate the idea that wearing something simple, such as a white T-shirt, jeans and sneakers, can be made extraordinary by how and why you shape your outfit. While this fashion trend looks as simple as just throwing pieces of clothing on, it is much more than that. It involves highly calculated and purposeful choices.
The white T-shirt exists not just as any regular shirt, but the shape and material have a higher quality. Simple jeans in the perfect shade of denim complement the white T-shirt. The carefully chosen sneaker adds some spice to the outfit.
On the contrary, statement pieces stand out, obvious in nature. These pieces shape the outfit to have one focal point. For example, a hot pink pair of pants becomes a statement piece when it attracts all the attention.
Where do you like to shop for yourself and clients?
Birley shared her favorites.
– Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack: girls’ dresses, guys’ suiting, shoes
– J. Crew: denim, elevated basics, athletic wear
– DSW & Zappos: shoes
– Thrifting and vintage: Cabi brand, Levis, Lands’ End, L.L. Bean
Birley credited the Lord for opportunities to help people shape their fashion identity.
“Without him, I wouldn’t have even had this idea,” Birley said. “He is the one that makes it meaningful and being able to help someone … means the world to me.”
You can find information regarding Birley’s business at agthelook.com.
Farmerie is a Champion contributor. Follow him on Instagram