Lindy and Carlyn McClure are more than mother and daughter: they’re friends. And as such, they decided to embrace their recently acquired new jobs together by spiffing up their wardrobes.
Last summer, Lindy, 50, and her husband became empty nesters when their youngest of four went off to college. To fill the free time, she took a job at The Commons in Excelsior. With the new job comes new wardrobe challenges—made even trickier without her built-in stylists: her daughters. “Now that Margaux is out of the house, I have no one to ask when putting together an outfit!” she says.
Carlyn, 22, recently graduated from the University of St. Thomas and got a job as a public relations and branding coordinator at Brand Architects. The dress code there is flexible, which is a good and bad thing, as she’s encountered issues finding professional-yet-fun outfits.
So when the opportunity to do a dual makeover came up, both Lindy and Carlyn jumped at the chance.
Mother-daughter bonding while learning a few new tricks—the perfect combo.
FROM THE EXPERTS
The Challenge: For Carlyn: to dress up her wardrobe in such a way that makes it appropriate for a creative office environment. For Lindy: to put life and youth back into her look.
Faith’s Take: “Both women already have great style. I wanted to work with their looks to make them age-appropriate (Carlyn) and push them out of their comfort zone (Lindy).”
The Plan: “Versatile pieces are great, but you also need to seek out pieces that will show a personal style,” Faith says. For Carlyn, that meant clothing that reflects the motto “Dress for the job you want, not the job you have”—pulled-together looks perfect for her versatile job. For Lindy, Faith felt it was time for her to break out of her years-long outfit pattern and have fun with fashion.
Carlyn’s Take: “I love the feminine, sophisticated looks Faith put me in! She also taught me how to wear old items in new ways and replenish my wardrobe with staples.”
lindy’s take: “Things look so much different on than they do on a hanger! I didn’t think I’d like the sleeveless, floral dress, but I did! It was fun, sassy, and classy. The make-up artist also taught me tricks to bring out my eyes. It was great.”
PASTEL PERFECTION
1. Mint is in this spring and summer, and looks great in a linen blazer.
2. This light-yellow hue makes Carlyn’s olive skin and green eyes pop.
3. Don’t be intimidated by skinny jeans. Try on different shapes and washes until you find your ideal fit.
4. Pair a bold-colored outfit with understated accessories that won’t distract from the main attraction.
WHERE TO GET IT
Lindy’s Outfit, (Main Top Image Left): Eva Franco dress, $298 @ Lily and Violet, lilyandviolet.com. Alexa bracelet, $42 @ Stephanie’s, stephaniesshop.com. Carlyn’s Outfit, (Main Top Image Right): Cory Lynn Calter skirt, $230; Elements necklace, $160 @ Lily and Violet. Mossimo tank, $9 @ Target, target.com. Vince shoes, $350 @ Ladyslipper, ladyslipperboutique.com. Lindy’s Outfit, (Above Left): Joie jacket, $278; shirt, $248 @ Houndstooth, shophoundstooth.com. Joe’s jeans, $158 @ OPM, opmboutique.com. Joie shoes, $175 @ Ladyslipper.
Carlyn’s Outfit, (Above Right): Tibi dress, $345; Alexa necklace, $62 @ Stephanie’s. Vince shoes, $375 @ Ladyslipper. Rodebje belt, $92 @ Bumbershute, bumbershute.com. Items (right): INZI purse, $135; Cecico sweater, $32 @ Lily and Violet. Alexa necklace, $72 @ Stephanie’s. Outfit Below: Alice & Olivia skirt, $297 @ Houndstooth. BB Dakota shirt, $55 @ Lily and Violet. Cleobella clutch, $155 @ Bumbershute.
GO BOLD
Mix and match patterns for looks as fresh as summer
1. Stripes are classic and fun—the best of both worlds.
2. Think you need to match your purse to your outfit?
Think again.
3. Summer’s a time to play: with patterns, colors,
and shapes.
[ Photos by Erika Ludwig and Kelly Gritzmacher ]
