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The pandemic opened a temporary window for many of us who didn’t have to dress for the workplace for many months to experiment with our wardrobe. No, we’re not talking about all-day sweatpants. It was about erasing restrictions, discovering what kind of stuff we like to see and love to wear, and how clothes make us feel.
That window doesn’t have to be closed. Spending time and energy on the way you look and present yourself can be instrumental in emotional well-being, which means fashion counts as self-care. And whether or not you had an all-day sweats era, you probably gave some thought to defining your own personal style, which doesn’t need to be more complicated than buying and wearing pieces that make you look and feel great.
Kee Alexander, a model for more than 10 years and recently appointed membership committee co-chair of the Las Vegas Fashion Council, has always enjoyed putting outfits together. She never intended to work as a model in trade shows and on runways—she actually planned to be behind the camera after earning degrees in film production and creative writing—but that experience has obviously broadened her interest in fashion and her expertise in creating different looks.
“I wasn’t the most confident person in high school. I liked to dress but I have insecurities, like we all do,” she says. “Becoming a model helped me step into that confidence, and then it’s just adding the wardrobe on top of it.”
Alexander shared some tips with Weekly readers who are ready to build or rebuild their own personal style.
Comfort equals confidence.
Modeling clothes has come with challenging circumstances at times for Alexander. “There have been a lot of outfits I put on that I think look great, but I knew I wasn’t comfortable in. It might have been showing too much, or maybe too tight,” she says. “Having comfort with what you wear is really important in the real world because it adds up to confidence in any room you’re walking into. Even in sweats—and I’m not a fan of athleisure—you can still dress it up, add cute jewelry or a bag.”
A good rule of thumb: When dressing casual, find ways to add a little something that will make you feel like you’re not just relaxing at home, and when you’re getting a little more dressed up, refocus on making yourself comfortable.
Try to skip fast fashion.
Rapidly produced, inexpensive apparel that’s readily available at big corporate stores is designed to be somewhat generic and feel familiar to current trends. It may be cheap and convenient to get wardrobe basics at stores like these, but fast fashion isn’t good for the environment or human rights, and it’s not going to help you define a unique style. Alexander notes it’s easy to find cool jackets, pants, T-shirts and other staples at thrift stores, and points out the Las Vegas Fashion Council’s Eco Couture event set for April 30 at Emerald at Queensridge could be a great inspiration with its repurposed couture fashion show and upcycle design competition. (Tickets are at lasvegasfashioncouncil.com.)
Don’t be afraid to take risks.
Most of us fashion civilians are a bit shy when it comes to trying something new, even if it’s a look we really adore. “But at the end of the day, you’re not going to know how it looks on you unless you try it out,” Alexander says. “There’s a lot of online shopping nowadays, but I’m a person who needs to go to the store, feel it, and try it on before I buy it. Then it feels okay to take the risk.”
If you’re experimenting with something that feels a bit bold, perhaps a loud and vibrant print, let it be the statement of the outfit and go neutral with everything else.
“Playing around with different things is really important when developing a personal style. That’s what makes it true to you,” Alexander says.
Fashion needs function.
Of course we dress appropriately for our jobs or careers or for the occasion, but there’s always space to be creative and express our individuality. “I work at a nonprofit and we have regular office attire, but we also have people come in with really colorful blazers and glasses, jewelry, blinged out shoes,” Alexander says. “There are always ways to spice up a dull look. You might have to wear basic khakis and a polo, but you can add a nice watch or a really cool belt.”
Treat your day-to-day fashion choices as if you’re creating a personal uniform—one that’s less rigid and structured than what that word normally implies.
Be intentional.
This is Alexander’s greatest style advice, because it comes from a mom, not just a model.
“I think the biggest thing is to make sure you’re being intentional every morning when you get dressed, no matter what you wear or where you’re going,” she says. “I’m a mom, and for my first few years, I didn’t care what I was looking like. After a while, I’d look in the mirror and I was not recognizing who I am, but I am a person who does like to get dressed. Now I make sure my hair is done, I have a cute outfit that’s comfortable and appropriate, and it makes me feel good knowing I look good in it. It’s the small things—even if I’m not wearing makeup, I always put on earrings.”
LET THE SHOPPING COMMENCE
Here are a few of our favorite local boutiques—friendly shops and sites where you can find anything and everything from casual comfy clothes to stylish statement pieces— to pave a smoother path for your personal style journey.
Pink Desert 7901 W. Tropical Pkwy. #140, thepinkdesert.com.
The Good Wolf Lifestyle Co. 1319 S. Commerce St., thegoodwolflv.com.
Home Means Nevada Co. The District at Green Valley Ranch, homemeansnevada.com.
Lavāda Handbags lavadabags.com.
Sondra Falk Couture 7450 W. Cheyenne Ave. #112, sondrafalkcouture.com.
Alt Rebel 1425 S Main St., shopaltrebel.com.
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English (US) ·