Style Files: Katie, Autumn or...Spring!?

Let's do a Style Files, where I interview listeners, readers, or watchers about their own style journey.  I sit down with Katie—someone whose style journey I’ve had the privilege of witnessing firsthand. From a self-proclaimed fashion outsider to someone who’s truly found her stride, Katie’s story is one of discovery, trial and error, and those “aha” moments that change everything.

We talk about what it was like for her to go from not really caring about style to feeling overwhelmed by social media and different style systems, and ultimately, to finding a way that actually clicked. 

Katie opens up about the shifts that made the biggest difference, the advice she wishes she had earlier, and what she’d say to anyone still figuring out their personal style. Whether you’re just starting out or deep in your own style evolution, there’s something here for you.

Tune in for an honest, inspiring conversation about what it really takes to find a style that feels like you.

Join The Style POV Newsletter for exclusive updates and content

Follow me❤️

podcast → https://www.stylepovpodcast.com

youtube → https://www.youtube.com/@Gabriellearrudadesign
facebook group→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/gabriellearruda
instagram→ https://www.instagram.com/gabriellearrudadesign/
tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@gabriellearrudadesign?
pinterest → https://www.pinterest.com/gabriellearrudadesign/
blog → https://gabriellearruda.com/
email →  gabrielle@gabriellearruda.com

Disclaimer: The Style POV Podcast content is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts and guests are their own. Gabrielle Arruda is not liable for any errors or omissions, and listeners use the information at their own risk.

Transcript

Gabrielle (2): [00:00:00] Hi, everyone. I am so excited to welcome Katie to the Style Files. She is a guest that is near and dear to my heart, and we cannot wait to hear about your style journey. So thank you so much, Katie, for coming on. So let's just dive in and start talking about where your style journey started. Pick an age and talk to us about kind of inspirations or how you approach style.

Katie: Back in the day. I was definitely a kid who did not emphasize style growing up. It wasn't something that we did a lot in my house. Think I internalized that it was superfluous and not that important.

Katie: By the time I reached high school, college age, I think I had made up this message that style was something that you either had or you didn't. Almost like you're born [00:01:00] with it. 

Gabrielle (2): Like a God given talent that you either have or, like you didn't win this lottery.

Katie: Exactly. Exactly. So it wasn't something I put a lot of energy into or thought was something that I had permission or self permission to really explore. 

Gabrielle (2): did you follow trends then or did you stick to a uniform? What was your interaction with style then?

Katie: I tried to follow trends to wear what other women around me were wearing. 

Katie: Did not 

Katie: really have a distinct point of view. 

Gabrielle: Yeah. 

Katie: I thought I was doing okay, but in hindsight, I laughed because roommates would dress me like a Barbie. They would pick out my clothes for me.

Katie: Maybe they thought I needed a little help from time to time. I had no distinct point of view. that started to change. In my early to [00:02:00] mid 20s, because I had a roommate who worked in retail, and she actually wanted to start a business where she helped people find their style point of view.

Katie: And so she would come home with clothes for me and be like, Katie, try this on, Katie fashion show. And that was the first time that I started trying things that were a little bit, just not just the trend I remember she brought me a, it was like a really fluffy faux fur vest, very mob wife aesthetic.

Katie: 

Gabrielle: And I remember I was Sienna Miller, I don't know what year it was, but I remember that being a big thing. 

Katie: Yes, I don't even know if it was really on trend at the time. This was probably 2016.

Katie: I was not necessarily super plugged into that, but I remember I just loved it. 

Katie: And that was the first time I connected with an item [00:03:00] of clothing in that way. 

Gabrielle: That's so cool. So she was onto something. She picked something. Was the overall experience something that triggered your style dedication?

Gabrielle: I think that was the first time that did trigger this interest of maybe this is something I could do. Maybe I don't have to just wear trends, or just wear what feels office appropriate.

Gabrielle: Maybe I can wear clothes that actually light me up, and make me feel good, 

Gabrielle: This was like a little bit of a shift for you. How was the process after that? Did you dive into systems? Did you just start looking at your wardrobe a little bit differently?

Gabrielle: Was it just something that was percolating in your brain? 

Katie: Yes, so I think it percolated for a little bit and I started really taking off and diving into the personal style journey a few years later, I think 2021 [00:04:00] ish. it was this period of time where I first was getting on TikTok and I was introduced.

Katie: Well, reintroduced to color analysis, I found an analyst that had blown up on TikTok and I realized, that my analytical brain was like, Oh, there are systems that I can use 

Gabrielle: there's a framework that might actually make sense to my logical brain that doesn't just like.

Gabrielle: Want descriptor words, but wants structure and 1 plus 1 equals 2, that kind of understanding. Was color analysis the first introduction to systems? That you found or were there other systems because tiktok love it or hate it did get the message out It did just hey everyone.

Gabrielle: This is this new thing. Not really, but this is this new [00:05:00] thing for now Embrace it, Yes, so 

Katie: color analysis was the first introduction for me into the systems and into this idea that I really wanted to pursue finding style, clothing choices that fit me as an individual. at that point in time, I actually thought I already knew my color season because I had an analysis when I was younger.

Katie: I had been analyzed in a four season system as an autumn. And had, at the time, not really taken it that seriously, and so I was like, Oh, I know this! I have this information! I can run with this! 

Gabrielle: Yeah, I already have the information I need to start the style journey.

Gabrielle: Exactly. 

Katie: So I ran with that and then at the same time, somehow was [00:06:00] introduced on Tiktok social media to kibbe. And that is actually how I found your website and your Facebook group originally through. Your Kibbe content. Color analysis was first, but Kibbe was right on the heels.

Katie: Maybe within the same week. 

Gabrielle: Okay. The algorithm did its job, right? It was like, she might also like. Exactly. We have a guess that you might also be into Kibbe. It's another rabbit hole, good luck. Exactly. So with Kibbe, was it also like a aha moment where you're like, oh, there's a system to how I can get dressed and like the interest is piqued?

Gabrielle: What did you pursue next? 

Katie: I thought I knew my colors. I went down the Kibbe rabbit hole. And tried to figure out my Kibbe type, which for me I think for a lot of people was quite the journey I [00:07:00] tried to figure that out.

Katie: I joined online community. Where I did lots of crowdsourcing and then, of course, in the online community in your Facebook group, learned about Kitchener, and then, it just opened. 

Gabrielle: It is like a giant, cliff jump at one point.

Gabrielle: And you're just I hope the parachute opens at one point. Because you can get so much information and trying to combine them all at once. which is how you have to be methodical about how you integrate things when you have that final piece of information, like at least at this point you were like, autumn is my season.

Gabrielle: Now, what were your initial, reactions to these systems? Because I think that a lot of people, even if they don't find the answer, it's just a different way of looking at fashion. Like, all of a sudden they're looking at Oh, maybe this is the reason why that dress just looked a little off.

Gabrielle: Or maybe this is the reason why I don't look the same as my, [00:08:00] 5'10 friend in this same dress. Were there lightbulb moments, even if maybe the answer wasn't clear?

Katie: I think the lightbulb moments, took some time to get to. So I thought I was in autumn. My initial response when I really embraced autumn was a bit confused because, we'll get to this, but I don't think I'm an autumn anymore. I really, got some new clothes in these autumn colors.

Katie: And didn't feel great in them. I felt boring or a bit derab in them. Which I think I at the time assumed that meant other things must have been what was off. 

Gabrielle: Yeah, so Solid though with autumn and I never questioned it Okay, and then maybe at this [00:09:00] point you were also just maybe color analysis isn't for me Maybe that's just like it doesn't it's not what I want to do.

Katie: Is that kind of the thought process or like i'll slowly put in a few autumn colors, but they're not really my favorite, but people say this is what I'm supposed to do, so maybe I'll try it some more? I wasn't loving it, but it must be because I was doing something wrong.

Katie: So that's where I focused on the other systems, trying to figure out Kibbe. With Kibbe, I immediately self typed myself as a dramatic classic. And, so I was, Wearing, very moderate silhouettes, classic silhouettes in autumn colors, and just was not. It was like, what am I doing wrong?

Gabrielle: There are systems, and they're supposed to help, but I hope this isn't the answer because this doesn't feel good, 

Katie: And that's why I say it took a long time for me to get [00:10:00] lightbulb moments because a lot just was not working, for months.

Gabrielle: Now, let's talk a little bit about personality, processes through this, because, some people are like, I just love the exploration phase, and I'll try a new trend here, and I'll do this. And other people, and I can include myself in this, is we to be a little perfectionistic, and we want the answer, and we want to feel secure that this thing that we figured out and worked so hard on there's an end result.

Gabrielle: Were you enjoying the exploration or were you like, I want to know, I want to know?

Katie: More in that last category of just wanting to know. I think I had some small wins along the way that kept me going. I definitely had a lot of days where I was taking daily outfit photos.

Katie: I was doing a lot of crowdsourcing around Kibbe and then [00:11:00] Kitchener, trying to figure out this elusive answer to why things weren't working for me. it was frustrating, but I think the community support kept me going. And then some of the small wins along the way kept me. 

Gabrielle: So what was an example of a small win that felt good was there a piece that you bought or little hints of Hey, I like something that's going on in this outfit.

Gabrielle: I can't name exactly what it is, but I've hit on something here. And that fueled the next phase of okay, a little bit more messy middle. I can take it now because there was a glimmer of hope in that outfit or a glimmer of me. 

Katie: Yes. So I think the first Notable small win was 

Katie: I was trying to put together outfits for various kibbe recommendations to narrow down my ID because I wasn't happy with Dramatic Classic. 

Katie: Even though I [00:12:00] don't think I am particularly good at interpreting Kibby's recommendations. Because I don't have that, designer sort of knowledge to know exactly what he means 

Gabrielle: I think his recommendations, the original ones, were very time specific, and then he's adjusted them to be more, so hopefully the new book, We'll put it in a little bit more of plain language, because even as a designer, sometimes I read that and I'm like, does he mean this or this, are we accounting for the time change in the 80s when fabrics were a little different he's continually given slightly different advice or examples, so it has blended the boundaries of what the recommendations are.

Katie: Have blurred a little bit and I think that's his intention to be more inclusive and More applicable to people but it can be confusing if you're on a DIY journey because you're like, I just want to know if I can wear this yes or no But on that journey, I [00:13:00] tried crowdsourcing, which, crowdsourcing my ID, I think I got every ID except for Romantic recommended 

Gabrielle: to 

Katie: me.

Gabrielle: Crowdsourcing has to be done with a grain of salt, and you have to phrase the question, In a way that's, very pointed. What do we think about the shoulder line in this garment? Not just, hey, what's my ID? Because, you just don't know what they know, and what they're referencing, and their interpretations of the system, or where they learned about the system.

Gabrielle: were you drawn to DC at all when you were exploring that? Or were you like, this is just where I logically fit based on height and best guesses? 

Katie: I wasn't necessarily drawn to DC specifically, but it felt like a good fit 

Katie: and then I've been told, I remind people of several different verified DC celebrities. 

Katie: Yeah. I [00:14:00] thought, Oh, that makes sense. That works. But the recs just didn't feel great on me. So anyway, I did try out a lot of different Kibbe IDs. my first significant win was when I was trying out gamine recommendations 

Katie: In the crowdsourcing, people didn't love it, but I did. I was so good in some of those looks. And that was the first time where I was like, Okay, there's something about this that is resonating with me. 

Gabrielle: Absolutely. at the end of the day, you have to be the ultimate judge, crowds and groups can be so helpful.

Gabrielle: they just need to be done strategically. Because open ended questions, sometimes it can interfere, I think, with your own internal voice. And it starts you to question what you really like. And at the end of the day, personal style is personal. And how you use these tools is personal. even with my experience on crowdsourcing, people don't always get it right.

Gabrielle: It's okay to be like, [00:15:00] Hey, you might not have liked this for whatever reason, but these elements are resonating with me. Where did you go from there? Did you explore Gamine then? Or did you just say Oh, that must have been a one off. 

Katie: I got a bit discouraged because I loved it.

Katie: And then others didn't seem to. So I put it aside. I focused more on KitchenerNext. 

Gabrielle: Yes. 

Katie: I think a lot of the first many months I was really trying to hone these things. I was spinning my wheels over taking random people on the internet's opinions as more important than my own.

4: Yeah. 

Gabrielle: I was just gonna say, it's so funny because it affects when you crowdsource because I've noticed that in the Reddit forums and in the groups. there turns out to be certain patterns where there's a season where everyone is typed dramatic classic everyone who posts, it's just everyone gets the same updated memo or note about the [00:16:00] system, and then everyone is typing everyone ethereal, or everyone is typing everyone dramatic classic, and there's a wave of this trend, and then it dies down.

Gabrielle: Depending on when you ask, I think also can sometimes Tweak people's opinions like if you go back three months later, and you don't even mention the first one Sometimes you get such wildly different results, you know So you could have just been part of the DC trend There was a big trend where everyone was dramatic classic then there was a big trend where everyone was natural No matter what, you know you got a question the results a little bit and sometimes we Default to listening to groups because we think they must understand it better or they must be seeing something that I'm not or I'm not trusting my own instincts because I don't have enough wins for re for me to really believe that I can figure this out, 

Katie: yes, I think that is very true. That was true to my experience. And I think that a lesson I really learned along the [00:17:00] way, which I think, folks like you were speaking the whole time, but I had to go through it myself before I really believed it. 

Katie: And that is, I think, I really learned It's important to either get input from a true expert in a system, or to try and really lean more towards trusting myself.

Katie: Yes. I think I really had to go through that messy middle part of over crowdsourcing to learn that lesson. 

Gabrielle: It's if you've gotten four or five or six different analyses and it's not resonating. I'm not saying this is you, but I know people do this and none of them are resonating. then I think there's a combination of releasing expectation, being like, I've researched the person who's giving me advice, I trust their advice, I see the results they have, I agree with them, I'm going to trust this one person, and I'm gonna build a relationship with that person [00:18:00] so that when I have questions, I can go back to them, or I can go back to the resources they provided for me.

Gabrielle: I think we all just want the answer fast. So we're like, Oh, there's a new person who can give me this answer. Let's go. This is it, you don't want to front load your analysis either. Where you're like, and then they're going to be like are you okay with a different answer?

Gabrielle: So back to your essences, Kibbe, everything is a little bit messy, a little bit spinning your wheels. What were the next steps, then?

Katie: Yeah, so I did a lot of spinning the wheels and making things harder on myself than I needed to for quite some time. I think my first, really helpful style breakthrough.

Katie: that was when, you had, Rita on the podcast. 

Katie: And I discovered her system. the style key system was the first system I learned about where there wasn't a theoretically objective answer, but it is much more internally led and [00:19:00] what's helpful to you.

Gabrielle: Yes. 

Katie: And that was what enabled me to boom, I felt like I just leapt forward in my progress of how I was feeling in clothes when I found her system. 

Gabrielle: Her system is amazing. I adore Rita. She was my first podcast guest when I was having guests on and I was like, it's because I admire her so much.

Gabrielle: it's still one of my favorite interviews to date. just because she has so much wisdom and she's so thoughtful with how She created this system. So where did you land in her system? If you don't mind sharing. 

Katie: So I say this helped me immediately. I still go back and forth a little bit between Amethyst and Sapphire.

Katie: the thing that was super helpful for me was understanding that I'm up. 

Gabrielle: yes. 

Katie: So in her system, there's this idea of if you are more up, you need [00:20:00] more with clothing to feel like yourself.

Gabrielle: and the response of others, too, correct? there's an element of perception that becomes involved, when you're up. that kind of makes sense that you were into crowdsourcing and letting the crowd lead you, I love that her system thinks of that.

Gabrielle: I need to focus on my internal, placement first, then I can expand how other people see me, what I'm presenting with this message, how I add more to my looks, excitement, energy, etc.

Gabrielle: Did you abandon the other systems? Were they there in small degrees? What was happening with autumn at this point?

Katie: At this point, most of my clothes were autumn. So it wasn't something that I was really putting a lot of thought or energy into.

Katie: And I hadn't landed anywhere firmly in Kibbe or Kitchener, I don't know that I abandoned them, but I wasn't focusing on trying to figure them out [00:21:00] anymore. I think it's most helpful for me in this season to use the Amethyst Key.

Katie: And that is exactly what you just named where it's, what is, Important about what's inside of me, and then how do I show that to other people. Yes. And the feedback, is a part of that. 

Gabrielle: it's not about letting others choose clothes for you.

Gabrielle: From what I understand, it's more about finding that inner self, and allowing the correct message to go out into the world and have those people perceive it in the way that you intend. So it's a back and forth, like a ping pong. Here's my style, what do you think? I think it's this.

Gabrielle: Yes, that's right. Instead of the down keys that are like, I need to feel really good in my clothes. I need to feel comfortable. I need to feel me. It's an internal one on one process. 

Katie: Yes. 100%. And I think that is why trying so many of the other systems didn't work [00:22:00] for me so was because I was trying to start from an external place, start from what are the rules, start from what is the guidelines.

Gabrielle: Yeah. 

Katie: And I needed to start from what is it inside me, what is it about me that I want to be communicating. 

Gabrielle: What did you land on? what were your initial ideas about that? 

Katie: I have energy. I love color. And so I started there. 

Gabrielle: Yeah. 

Katie: With trying to bring a little bit more liveliness into my clothes. 

Gabrielle: Yeah, and I think that's like brightness out into the world, like both in attitude and style. I remember some of your first posts in the Facebook group, you're like, and this is where I remember seeing you pop up is you were like, I'm a textbook autumn, but I get a lot of compliments when I wear some of [00:23:00] these colors and people were like maybe it's essence.

Katie: this is what I want to be wearing. But this isn't what I'm supposed to be wearing. 

Gabrielle: Yeah. was that because you were craving brightness or balance and energy that you wanted to project into the world?

Gabrielle: Yeah, I think at this time is when I started feeling pretty good. Okay. And I think that is because it just felt more authentic. I didn't even know that until I put on those clothes. These were clothes I have never really worn before.

Katie: I started wearing more shine. 

Gabrielle: Yeah.

Katie: And that felt really good. I had never spent a lot of time. I thought that my outfits needed to just be intuitive. Like I should just be able to throw them together. And I think that's true for a lot of people, but part of Rita's system is, that's not always the case.

Katie: You actually maybe benefit from spending some time trying on some different things, trying different things together. 

Gabrielle: I love how her system emphasizes [00:24:00] that, your way of doing things is not a broken way. It's not that you're different or that you're doing it wrong.

Gabrielle: It's just, a different way to do things and this works for you. And I think that's a really important lesson to remember, like everyone's process of building an outfit and their lifestyle is different and unique I love that. So outfits were feeling good.

Gabrielle: You were vibing with her upkey amethyst. What was the next step?

Katie: Yeah, I think the next step, I paused there for some time. Yes. Because I was like, okay, I'm on to something. go at the next thing. Go on. 

Gabrielle: Yes. That is a great sign, when you feel solid with something where you're not like, but what about this?

Gabrielle: is a really good internal memo of this is an important thing to you, pause, embrace it, give it a little time to settle, and for you to really take ownership of this win, of this new style information.

Katie: Yeah, [00:25:00] definitely. So at that point in time, I did a shopping freeze because throughout the journey I was doing a little bit of thrifting along the way, trying a lot of different new things, and at this point I just paused. Let it simmer, and then during the couple months I was doing that is, when you posted in the group about looking for folks to do color workshop.

Katie: Yeah. 

Gabrielle: I'll explain what was going on for me, so everyone knows I had gotten trained by Christine Skaman in the spring. I was doing test clients, and then I was, Starting to take on regular clients, it's really cool to do one person at a time.

Gabrielle: that's a really special experience between the analyst and the client. You get to give them this gift of let's look at what really makes you shine. And then I was thinking back to my training. the first time I did color analysis, our first day with real people in front of us, she had me sit across the table.

Gabrielle: And she moved the drapes and I got to see what was [00:26:00] happening and it really was I was like, Oh my God, I see this in such a new light. I believed in it before, but now I've really seen it with my own eyes.

Gabrielle: when I got behind the analyst, I thought what a cool experience having someone there to cheer you on and see the results and bond over this process. So I was like maybe there would be a cool opportunity to test out like a workshop idea where you bring two three maybe even four people together all at once.

Gabrielle: They don't have to know each other and we all do our colors and we kind of bond over the experience of seeing it on other people. Seeing what we're talking about because when you're staring at your own face It's a little different like you're like I see it, but I'm so used to seeing my face 

Gabrielle: But then when you're sitting there, you're like, oh Okay. Wait. No, I really see it on her. I really see it on them And so I put out a feelers in the Facebook group I was like who is in the Seattle area who wants to do a free color workshop? It's gonna be a long day, but you'll get your season and we'll have fun doing it and [00:27:00] Katie was one of the first people to volunteer and I was so excited to do your colors.

Gabrielle: I will hand the microphone back to you.

Katie: Yes. You put that out, I was like, yes, I, was going to be in Seattle during the time you were looking at, and, jumped on that opportunity because, like I said, Autumn wasn't feeling, comfortable. Good. And so I just looked at it as, I don't think at this point, I didn't doubt that I was in autumn.

Gabrielle: Yeah. 

Katie: Because 

Gabrielle: You were a textbook autumn. And I had seen your post in the Facebook group I wasn't sure, obviously I don't make any prejudgments, but I was like, I hope she's open to other options. Cause you know, like you never know. 

Katie: I think I wanted to not be in autumn because I didn't feel good.

Katie: But I had been analyzed as that and told, to your point, I was a textbook Autumn. 

Gabrielle: Yeah. 

Katie: 

I was really hoping, because it was just a four season system, that maybe part of the problem was [00:28:00] that I was in a specific autumn sub season. And I was hoping it would just be an opportunity for me to figure out how to like the colors.

Gabrielle: Yeah, I think you said in the forum, you're like, maybe you can show me how to use the palette in a way that matches my style. And I was like, okay, I think she's gonna be open to the process.

Gabrielle: , and it was the three of you, and you guys came and I think we did your colors first, if I'm remembering correctly. . tell us about what you thought of that, and just like the process of seeing other people's get their colors done, were there any surprises, or Misconceptions that were different than what you thought or anything in the process that surprised you.

Katie: So yes, I went first and from the very first time when we compared One drape from each season, I think we did winter and autumn 

Gabrielle: it's just a process of getting initial interpretations, how [00:29:00] we perceive the person in these colors, and then we talk about different thirds of the face, the lower third, the middle, and the top. I remember we put autumn on you and we're like, it's going a little peasant.

Gabrielle: Like it doesn't look rich. It doesn't look grounded. I've draped autumns before. And the thing is like, when you put an autumn in autumn colors, they glow and feel like this beautiful kind of goddess, like grounded goddess in this color that not a lot of people can wear.

Gabrielle: 'cause it's a very specific brown. And with you, it just didn't light you up. Everything felt flatter. You have a beautiful glowy skin and that felt duller and everything just blended together. 

Gabrielle: and then we put you in spring and we were all just Okay, like we all gasped a little bit and we're like, okay, this yellow is beautiful on you. And I think that was like, you were like, wait. Maybe I'm not an Autumn. Maybe it's possible. And I think you got [00:30:00] really excited at that point.

Gabrielle: I think everyone was, 

Katie: I had a hard time staying seated because I was so excited that I could be a Spring.

Gabrielle: The good part about the process in sci\art and Twelve Blueprints is that, you do so many tests. Make sure that if you like something in the beginning, there's no way that you get to the end without being sure you like it and understanding the reasons you like it. 

It was probably a three hour process 

Katie: it was a long process, but to your point, you weren't unsure by the end at all.

Katie: It was so abundantly clear where I landed and where the other two women landed during their draping processes. And yes, you definitely had to keep reminding me, we don't know yet, we're not really getting anything out yet. 

Gabrielle: I like to do that because, it's three color lovers.

Gabrielle: Change one, and then all the other ones change too. You [00:31:00] can't just change one in isolation. So you have to remind people, just because we tweaked this one to a good point. It could still throw you into other seasons that we haven't tried yet. we don't make any eliminations, we go really slowly with it, and since it's comparing and comparing, people are like, okay, the first drape said spring was best, I must spring, and I'm like whoa, slow.

Gabrielle: What did we eventually confirm you as? 

Katie: We confirmed me as a bright spring. 

Gabrielle: That was more perfect for you, cause you were like, I love bright colors, and I love this! so it's funny because when I was getting trained and I found out I was a bright spring, Christine was like, people either are terrified of it or it is the best news of their day.

Gabrielle: And I was like I was the example of terrified and I think it was probably the best news for you. Is that true? 

Katie: we were those two type exemplar. Yes. Terrified 

Gabrielle: I know, what was your process with getting this new [00:32:00] information? Were you excited, overwhelmed?

Gabrielle: Still, a lot of people question it are we sure, how do I bring this into real life, and sometimes people get overwhelmed with oh my gosh, I have an autumn closet, how am I ever going to find All of these replacements, was the pallet at all surprising to you when you actually looked at the expanse of it?

Katie: Yes, I was definitely surprised where we landed I Would have bet a lot of money going into that day, but I would not end up as a bright springit was definitely surprising it was a little confusing because, when I had been draped years back, I had also agreed with it then.

Katie: the only kind of doubt in my mind was, how do we come to such different results? At the same time, I didn't care because I felt so much happier.

Gabrielle: I'm going to speak to that for a second because I think that happens with a lot of people is a lot of different systems, have different [00:33:00] results and different parameters to which they use to compare and different effects.

Gabrielle: And I think that when we think about it as an overall, science experiment, which is how SciArt views it in 12 Blueprints, we don't go in with any preconceived notions. all of the information we have is based on the calibrated drapes that are chosen for us. And that is really what every system is basing it on, their own drapes, right?

Gabrielle: So if the drapes are wildly different from one system to the next, obviously that's also going to produce different results. I think that's where the first differentiation can be. If you look at maybe in one system what True Summer looks like versus another system, their palettes and how they view the boundaries of those can be very different.

Gabrielle: And I think that's an important point to note because, that is what we're comparing everything against. So it's like two completely different experiments at that point because they're just too different. They may still be [00:34:00] within the boundaries, but they have changed their individual outer limits, I think that's one of the big factors. analysts range from different person to different person, depending on what system they use, their training and what they've been taught to look for and balance things out.

Gabrielle: Like certain systems really emphasize makeup, other systems. Don't do that. Other systems focus on, specific lighting and comparisons. It's like running two experiments with different hypotheses and methodologies. You're not going to get necessarily those repeatable results.

Gabrielle: And that's why I think you have to study the system that you like, you have to build a relationship with your analyst so that you can come back to them or you send them a photo being like, What's wrong with this color? Another one of the people in the color workshop After she got home, she took a little while to digest it, And then she sent me five different photos of her in the colors, And she's Is this, I'm thinking this, and this.

Gabrielle: What do you think? And I was like, I like this. You're totally right on that. That one [00:35:00] has too much yellow. You should be able to come to your analyst and say, Why isn't this working? Or I'm not seeing this. and understand the difference between these systems.

Gabrielle: Hopefully, if you've gotten an in person analysis, you see a lot of it with your own eyes. then you just need the refresher when you get home and the touch points, which we have our three month checkup coming up soon. So we'll do that. It's that check in where it's like, what's going on?

Gabrielle: Are we struggling with neutrals? color balance or identifying colors and working through those problems together? ultimately, it's easy to say yes when you're in the chair. But I think the real magic happens in those three months after your analysis when you really put it to test in real life and you see how you feel in the colors and you go slowly integrating this new data.

Gabrielle: I felt that way with BrightSpring. I was like, I know I'm a BrightSpring, but what am I going to do with this? [00:36:00] Where am I going to find my neutrals? Is this the correct neutral? And then it took me a little time to be like I'm just going to repeat the draping process. I'm going to hold it up in natural light and look like, is it lifting my cheeks?

Katie: Do my lips look natural? All these little tests and understanding that it's like progress, not perfection, too. so talk about post analysis. I know you got close with some of the other people as well in the color workshop, so you guys could go through this together, which was another benefit, Yes, it was so fun.

Katie: I made friends with both of the women who came to the color workshop who I hadn't met before. they were both really helpful. One in particular, really became a color buddy where we would message each other photos of different items we were looking at and she would give me her opinion if it was in my palette.

Gabrielle: Yeah. 

Gabrielle: And it takes time. people think it's just gonna they have a stereotype to what their palette is and [00:37:00] then when they look at the palette They're like, oh bright spring gets almost black and all these like grays and like here's a navy and like all these greens that I didn't necessarily expect it's easy to default to like bright spring equals like bright pink or bright yellow, there's an integration period where is this even in my palette?

Gabrielle: And then it's also a personal preference thing, like there are pieces in my palette that I'll try on and I'll be like, nope, it's not a style line fit. There's something else off about it. Were we feeling good in the colors? Were we embracing it? Excited? 

Katie: I felt really good. I felt really excited. I felt Like you said lifted by the clothes. I think it also just fit my personal style vision to be able to wear color. that's one of the things I realized even before our color analysis was that I'm a person who loves and feels really good in.

Katie: Yeah. I got close with those two women. They were really [00:38:00] helpful. I would say that and Rita's style key have been the two most important. Tools in my toolbox in helping me get to a place where I feel really good about pretty much everything in my closet and the outfits I put together day to day, it's really fun to be.

Katie: in that place now. 

Katie: Yeah, so the outfits started to feel good. How did you approach your closet after this? Because now you have two meaningful data points to build outfits off of. What did you do with your closet next? yeah, I definitely got some new things.

Katie: I'm not the kind of person who, I don't feel the need to have a really extensive closet, At least by my definition, over the last three months, I have purchased quite a few new things. I had a few in my closet from my autumn days that I've kept.

Katie: [00:39:00] now I think I have a really curated blend of things that I really love. I have gotten to a place where I feel like I can pull out just about anything and feel pretty good in it. And that's really fun. 

Gabrielle: do you feel like your internal ownership of your style is being perceived in the way you want to now?

Gabrielle: Feels internal to you, but you're also getting that feedback or that, perceived Interpretation the way you would like that. You're bouncy that you're bright that you're positive all these elements that you were Seeking to express

Katie: it very much starts with I put things together and I feel really good.

Katie: I feel like it's saying about me what I want it to say. honestly, I think that, because I feel good in it, I think other people give positive feedback Even if it's something they would never wear, they can tell I feel good in it, so [00:40:00] they're responding positively about it.

Gabrielle: I think there's something to that, when you find an authentic style, that people see the connection and the beauty behind it, I've had this, too, where people are like, I would never wear that, but holy cow, that looks great on you. They see the vision and they can appreciate it because you're shining, it's a megaphone for who you want to be Everything is working to amplify that message and it's actually being communicated And there's so much confidence around that.

Gabrielle: Things are good, you're liking Bright Spring, you're adjusting, the wardrobe's coming along. Rita's style key just lights you up when you make the right outfit. You're still tweaking things, that's your process, right? you like that add, take away, play around a bit.

Gabrielle: What would you say is your biggest hurdle in style currently? Or something that you want to tackle? Or are you just going with the flow? 

Katie: Yeah, I mean just because of my [00:41:00] personality, It's going to circle back to a place where I'm like, okay, how do I get to the next level?

Katie: How do I get to the next place? a lot of people who are into style systems will resonate with this. There's something about just knowing where you belong in a system that is satisfying. Even if you don't really use it. 

Katie: It's hard to, it's like leaving a book unfinished. there are people who can DNF a book like do not finish a book and they have no qualms They're like that book wasn't for me. Goodbye. And then there are people who will sit there and be like Maybe I should give it one more chapter or maybe the ending will really pay off And then you just go page by page hating your life being like Maybe Absolutely.

Katie: Yeah. I think I fall a bit into that category. I did get a analysis from Andrea, who you had on the podcast. And honestly that was just because I wanted to know.she gave me her opinion on my essence blend [00:42:00] and 

Gabrielle: you mind pairing results.

Katie: Yes, absolutely

Katie: See, I have all seven essences, so 

Katie: So Andrea gave me 25 percent high spirited, 

Gabrielle: 20 

Katie: percent romantic, 20 percent youthful, 15 percent classic. 10 percent angelic, 5 percent dramatic, 5 percent natural. 

Gabrielle: So I got all seven. Shoelace levels, yes. She said, oh boy. But also some are shoelace level amounts so you don't really have to worry too much about the dramatic and the natural.

Gabrielle: So that's interesting because we both, I believe, share the top three essences in different orders. We're both bright springs and yet our own personal preferences and our outfits, have similar energy but they're very different in. execution. And I think that's like a, cause I embody left down, in, Rita's style key.

Gabrielle: It's interesting to me because I think this is a great example of sometimes when we look at celebrities blends and we [00:43:00] try to just see, is this the same thing? Like they have the same essences as me, blah, blah, blah. But two people can have very similar style toolbox elements and their integration, that kind of, progression from toolbox to outfit can be very different that's where Rita's style key is so helpful because it explains why our two outfits processes might be so different and then also when it comes down to it like personal preference how we want to be perceived how we use adjectives like I also consider myself a very positive person and like that kind of outfit rhythm to be a little more peppy or interesting.

Gabrielle: it's all internalized, like I really have to feel good in my clothes, how they fit on me is super important. it's an interesting exploration into similarities but the end result should still be personalized. Do you use your essence blend, or are you just more satisfied, or maybe it's just something you throw in, or evaluate if an [00:44:00] outfit feels off?

Katie: I think that for me, it helped me to, one, it was affirming of my draw towards high spirited, gamine things.

Katie: I had never considered myself to be high romantic. I think that helped me with a little bit of self permission towards more sensual looks at times, Overall, it's not something I think about when I'm getting dressed on a regular basis, but I do think I use it at times if something is feeling off, 

Gabrielle: Yeah, exactly. It's interesting too because during the color workshop, we were all talking about Kibbe IDs at some point. And I think all of us were like, are you sure you're Dramatic Classic? we were very polite about it.

Gabrielle: Do you still wonder about your Kibbe? Have you put it on the shelf for now? You seem like you're in a really good place. Do you just want to know the answer?

Katie: I just want to know the answer, I think [00:45:00] that was another example of a time where much like with my colors, I was like, ugh, I'm an Autumn, but I don't want to be. And I think with Kibbe, it was, ugh, I'm a Dramatic Classic, but I don't want to be. And then when you and the other women suggested Gamine, I was like, really?

Katie: Yeah. Ooh, I could be Gamine. Wow. I definitely, and since then, myself and one of the other women who was there have done a lot of conversations around both of our Kibbe IDs. Yeah. And, I definitely am leaning into the gamine family more intentionally. Yeah. And whether or not it is What Kibbe would give me it's what I'm having fun with and feeling really good in I've been wondering and she has been going maybe actually soft coming So we've been playing around with that with having high romantic Yeah, and give me in there the whole other it's a whole [00:46:00] other rabbit trail, 

Gabrielle: but I really see a parallel I think we talked a little bit about celebrity archetypes when we were there And we were using Maggie Siff as the DC.

Gabrielle: And she has such a composed and stern approach. And then more of the gamines, you have Audrey Hepburn. And then you have someone like Audrey Tatou. Or Winona Ryder. And it's not like they're bouncy, crazy, energy like.

Gabrielle: there's an exuberance- kind of an energy and a little bit of a charming spunk about it, I can totally see why you're leaning more into the gamine world 

Gabrielle: I am super attached to your style journey because I was part of your color journey I was grateful for you all to, be my testers for this process. 

Gabrielle: Will people like it? you guys were the best group. You fit the characteristics so well because there was one girl who was like, I just want to know, but I may use it, I may not use it. And there was another person who was so in depth and studied everything and knew all the details.

Gabrielle: She could have been like an analyst herself [00:47:00] And then you were there and you were like, Oh, I think I'm going to get Autumn, and you were preparing yourself emotionally to understand how to make Autumn work. it was the perfect blend of personalities to go through this with so I was super grateful for the experience I've been grateful to chit chat with you here And I'm excited for your three month follow up because I want to dive more into what's going on in bright spring do you have any last advice or closing remarks on what you would say?

Gabrielle: I think it's just that personal style is so personal. And just because something worked for me or worked for you or worked for somebody else doesn't mean it's going to work for everyone.

Gabrielle4: Yeah. 

Katie: I think me not allowing it to be a more personal journey and trusting my own self more got in the way. if I could go back to myself or tell someone else, it would be to, trust your own instincts a bit more than I [00:48:00] was. 

Gabrielle: I think that's great advice, 

Gabrielle: sometimes you need a few wins to strengthen that trust muscle. it's hard when you're first starting out. Of course you're gonna trust other people's opinions, cause you just don't know anything about what you're going into. But once you're a little bit more in depth, I think it's really good to be like, okay, let me just look at this myself.

Gabrielle: Like what do I like about it? Like that first gamine outfit you were trying or your first instincts to be like, but I really like color. And that feels like my home. Can you explain this? I think those are really good questions to ask yourself. And I think that trust muscle gets stronger over time.

Gabrielle: And the more kind of pillars you start to fill with I know my color and I know how I use this color palette. Like I know how I've decided what colors within my palette are right for me. It strengthened that muscle so that when you go to style lines or shapes, you're like, Oh, you know what? I have a more critical eye now.

Gabrielle: I see myself, I know what it feels like when I put on that furry vest or when I put on a bright spring [00:49:00] color, or when I get that, perfect perception outfit fulfilled. I'm going to trust that these are the instincts that guide me, 

Katie: a really good point. I don't know that I had the instincts to trust at the beginning.

Katie: Yeah. It does take some time. 

Gabrielle: I honestly love your posts in the group. They're some of my favorite. I loved your latest Wicked outfit. That was just Perfection. And it's been so wonderful talking to you, thank you so much for coming on, and we shall chat soon about Bright Spring.

Gabrielle: Thank you for having me, yeah, it's been really fun. Okay, until next time,