I felt drained from the holidays at the start of the year, after an entire week off from work. I pushed myself to take a Therapy Walk (this column’s namesake), which resulted in the creation of this newsletter. During this walk, I put a name to a concept, the Silhouette System™, and an entire shift happened. This new focus and direction gave me something to believe in and talk about. Giving it a name helped me to explain my ideas and practices. I tried to film a video explaining it, discovered I hated talking to the camera, and thus started what you’re reading now: The Corner Booth.
It’s not that I wasn’t busy. I already had (and still have) a full-time job I love. But something about the empty moments in my life — after work or on the weekends — made me feel restless and bloated with unfocused thoughts. So, instead of refreshing my email or scrolling on social media when I had a lull in my day (an unhealthy habit with which I had become all too familiar), I started to write and style and interact with the people consuming my creations. Even on the days when I wrote without interacting with anyone, I felt much more energized. It felt like I had just hung out with a close friend, which, by the way, with my newfound passion and the energy that came with it, I started to want to do more, too.
A friend and I recently discussed this shift she witnessed me go through and that she's now experiencing herself. She is busier than ever but fulfilled. I am not suggesting that keeping busy will cure your problems or make you happier (and I am not Kim telling you to "Get your f*cking ass up and work"). Aimless tasks don't do the same thing for you mentally as purposeful ones do. The combination of different passions, projects, and hobbies in my life, and now in my friend's life, make us feel more confident and satisfied.
More energy spent is (sometimes) more energy gained.
How this relates to style
Embracing interests and passions helps with getting dressed, too. Being open to experimentation — which, just like in life, can include “mistakes” — is a huge part of figuring out your style. Making an outfit “mistake” is never a failure. For one thing, it's only a mistake if you think it is. Style is subjective. Also, the beauty of putting together an outfit you feel is a “mistake” is that you can literally change out of it! You can do something completely different the next day! Trying new outfit combinations makes me feel energized, and even brave. Often I find this means maximalist combinations. Exercising your creativity — which will always mean a few “mistakes” here and there — is part of learning your style and what fills you up the same way that filling your life with different hobbies/work/passions/etc does.
A maximalist approach
It’s important to note that "maximalism" does not mean the same thing to everyone. For some, trying a Silhouette you wouldn’t usually wear is "maximalism." But to me, it’s going outside the box, and that means your box.
For example, I always feel a bit daring when I dress in an Evergreen Silhouette. The Evergreen Silhouette hinges on the drama of the Silhouette. Wearing it flexes a muscle I don't regularly use, and involves exploring a new character and playing with something I don't tend to play with.
One way to add a touch of "maximalism" to your outfits is to use the Contradistinction Technique, which is exemplified really well in several of the above looks, specifically by Tamu’s hoodie with sequin skirt and Mecca’s western boots with silk skirt. This technique involves pairing unexpected items together, like a longline vest over a long, dainty dress or skirt (Evergreen Silhouette), a statement jacket with a flirty mini dress or skirt (Palm Silhouette), or casual joggers with a button-down and a blazer (Cypress Silhouette). The result? A more interesting and dynamic outfit!
The Evergreen
Longline vest over a long, dainty dress or skirt
The Palm
Statement jacket with a flirty mini dress or skirt
The Cypress
Casual joggers with a button-down and a blazer
A creative outlet!
Even the smallest adds — a brooch, a pair of fun shoes, sunglasses and belts (my favs!), etc — will create these layers to give your outfit a fuller, more complete look.
If you're in or near New York like I am, it's the perfect weather for playing with Silhouettes, colors, patterns, and accessories! It’s also always a good time to think about what makes us feel fulfilled. So explore your interests — with style and with your life! — and find what that means for you.
xo
Eliz