The Fashionistas of Starlight
Learn more about some of the fashionistas at Starlight and what fashion advice they have to offer.
Do you have that one coworker that you ask at least once a week where they got their shirt? Oh, and their pants because they have the best pair of pants, too. Matter of fact, you start asking where everything is from. Well, I hope so because I don’t want to be the only one.
Growing a business casual closet is not as easy as you might think. Yet, some of my coworkers have nailed it down. So, I decided to investigate to find out their tips and tricks to finding good pieces for the workplace.
Meet the Fashionistas
Our first fashionista is Jodi Olson-Kidney. She is the Content Marketing Manager for Starlight, managing email and website content, including our blog. Jodi has worked at Starlight for a little more than four years but has worked for local nonprofits for 25 years. She is a key part of Starlight’s marketing team and is the glue that holds everyone together. And, she looks stylish while she does it. Everyone needs a Jodi!
Like a true Gen X-er, Jodi spent her youth scanning magazines such as Seventeen or Mademoiselle for fashion inspiration. She was also heavily inspired by actresses, especially Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly. She embraces patterns and fun pieces in her closet to spice things up.
Our second fashionista is Lyndsey Mekelburg. Lyndsey is a Special Events Intern for Starlight this summer, creating pre-show activations and immersive experiences for events. She is a rising senior at the University of Iowa, pursuing a degree in both marketing and entrepreneurship with an event management certificate. I often see Lyndsey incorporating accessories into her outfits that add a special touch, such as fun headbands and scarfs. She is the mini-Jodi and on her way to building an exceptional business casual closet. Starlight is lucky to have her for the summer!
Lyndsey gets most of her fashion inspiration from Pinterest and finds herself wearing pops of colors and fun accessories for many of her outfits. She also loves how unique and personal fashion can be, helping her express her personality and brighten her mood all day.
Fashion Tips & Tricks
Building a business casual closet can be difficult, so Jodi recommends picking versatile pieces that can create multiple outfits. While online shopping has become a convenient and easy way to shop, Jodi makes sure the companies she buys from are reputable and align with her own values. She also buys from consignment stores, helping prevent clothes from ending up in landfills.
One thing about Jodi is she is going to curate a fit for an event, and very well may I add. She even has her own Pinterest board she’s been curating for a long time, check it out here: https://pin.it/3pVsa4AhL.
Lyndsey is all about a good deal, and honestly, same. She suggests checking the clearance section of every store because you never know what you’ll find. Also, accessories, accessories, and accessories! It’s all about fun accessories to help differentiate your outfits, according to Lyndsey. She suggests starting off with versatile basics that you can mix and match to create multiple outfits.
Self-Expression Through Clothes
Clothes can reflect yourself and identity. Yet, navigating how to start finding a personal style that feels like you can be tricky.
When asked about how her clothes reflect her identity, Jodi said, “I have a classic style, but I feel like people can look at something and think “Jodi would wear that.” And I find myself thinking the same thing when I come across “Jodi” coded pieces. Dresses are Jodi’s go-to pieces, and she finds that helps set her apart from the jeans and sneakers wearing crowds (so me for example, but that’s my personal style to a T).
Jodi says not to be afraid to show your personality through your clothes because that’s what makes fashion fun.
Lyndsey has a similar outlook on her personal style and says, “I’m a bubbly person and my clothes tend to reflect that.” Creating outfits for Lyndsey is a way for her to express her creativity every day.
Lyndsey’s daily motto she lives by is, “look good, feel good.” And it’s not science, she’s right. I do feel better when I dress for the job.
I hope one day I am on Jodi’s level of Pinterest curated fashion inspo board, but for now I will use her Pinterest board when looking for my next outfit. Thanks Jodi. And Lyndsey is not far from her footsteps, giving the rest of the interns her secrets before we have to part ways this summer.
Being a fashionista is not an easy job, but man do they make it look easy.
Cheers,
Taylor Mayne
