episode 174: fashion as wellness with liza lieberman
I am thrilled for today’s episode which has been in the works for almost 4 months!
I’m talking with fashion stylist Liza Lieberman. I’ve been following her on IG for several years and have learned so much from her—she has truly helped reshape the way I think about getting dressed which has had an incredible impact on my body confidence.
Liza believes that fashion is wellness and our conversation dives into what that means and why it matters so much for our well being.
Can what you wear impact your body confidence?
Here is some of what we talk about in today’s episode:
The emotional power of clothes and how what we wear can influence how we feel and perceive ourselves.
Overcoming self-doubt and the "I can't wear that" mindset
How to incorporate trends into your wardrobe in a way that feels authentic to you
How to navigate the complex world of online shopping and making fashion choices that are truly for you.
This conversation will get you thinking about what you’re wearing, why you’re wearing it and how it’s affecting the way you show up in the world.
Follow along with Liza on Instagram and on her website where you can learn more about her styling services and seasonal capsule wardrobe guides (she just released an extended size capsule for Spring!)
Take a listen to episodes 147 and 153 for more support and practical tips for improving your body confidence.
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174
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jordana: All right. Hey, everyone. Welcome back to the diet diaries. Very excited for today's guest. I'm here with Liza Lieberman, who is a fashion stylist and I found her on social media as one does. I've been following her for a while, a couple of years, I think, and have learned so much and been so inspired by her approach to fashion and getting dressed and the role that clothes can play like in our well being.
And so I reached out to her and she's been so generous to come on and kind of talk about her business and her approach to clothes and styling with us. Um, so hi Liza.
liza: Hi. I'm so excited for this.
jordana: I'm so glad you're here. This is awesome. I feel like we've been talking about it since like, I don't know, Last fall maybe? Last winter? It's been a while in the making.
liza: It's been brewing and I'm excited.
jordana: Yeah, me too. Um, so I thought we could get started. Just, I always love to hear when people come on, like, a little bit of the background.
I know this was a career change for [00:01:00] you. Um, so love to hear, like, why you do what you do, how you got here, and then we can kind of go from there.
liza: Sure. So fashion is literally in my DNA. Um, I grew up with a mother who was a fashion designer. Um, the, the breadwinner of my family, which was unique at that time. And she instilled in me this like love for clothing and this ability to express yourself with what you wear without having to really say anything.
Um, and so it was always in me as something I loved. And then I had to kind of work my way through a few careers to get to this one that I love because I needed to earn some money first. Um, you know, graduating and moving back to New York City is, is a lot. So I needed to kind of find my stability first before I was able to really lean into my creativity.
jordana: Okay. So what, like, what ultimately brought you back? Like, what was kind of, like, that tipping point to say, like, okay, I'm done with, like, the quote [00:02:00] unquote traditional career route. Like, I'm ready to do this.
liza: So there's two parts of that. The less interesting one is that I finally felt financially stable. Um, that's a, that's a big impact. I'm not going to pretend it isn't. Um, and then the other side is the fulfillment that I felt doing this job. I felt like I was changing people's lives. And I, and I, not only did I feel that I was hearing it, um, and that felt so good.
And it was, it just made me realize like this career, what I might lose financially, I gained so much more in fulfillment, um, and just like personal growth. And that was it for me. I knew that that was really what was going to bring me joy and make my life feel more complete.
jordana: And I think that like comes through so much like in the what you share on social media. Like it, it, it, it really does because I've learned so much from you and I, like the work I do as a coach around body image, like I talk a lot about getting dressed and the clothes that you wear and do they fit and are they [00:03:00] comfortable and do you like them?
And so when you talk about the way that you're changing people's lives with clothes, like that is a real actual thing and it is incredibly powerful. Um, from like a mindset standpoint, from a self care standpoint, from a, um, like a self worth standpoint. So can you talk a little bit more about like, I've heard you use this language around, um, fashion as wellness.
And I like, I love that. Um, just kind of about that approach and that mindset, because that's not something that like I've really ever heard before or seen much out there about. Yes.
liza: Yeah, I think that a lot of people think about wellness as working out and eating right and sleeping more, but the idea of who you prepare yourself as in the morning to present yourself to the world is also so crucial because you know if you're going to go try on bathing suits, let's say. When you're when you've done your hair versus when you haven't done your hair that experience right there [00:04:00] is so Different you are more likely to hate Eight out of 10 of the bathing suits when your hair is not done or you have your period versus when you have done your hair and you even put on like a little lip gloss, the, the different experiences that you have in the, in that environment, let alone the environment of a meeting, like you're in the boardroom and you know that you love what you have on and the way you deliver your message is going to be so different than it's going to be if you don't feel great in your office.
So like little things like that and those tweaks. make such a big difference in the way we present ourselves and also the way we feel about ourselves. And, and that's really what I'm trying to kind of convey to, you know, everyone that I speak to, whether it's, you know, clients or followers whom or whomever, that it's not just this, like cute little girly thing that we like throw on, you know, something new all the time.
It's really more about, um, Just treating our bodies and [00:05:00] ourselves kindly and putting more thought into how we want to present ourselves.
jordana: Yes. Totally. And I think like around that, you know, so many women struggle like with their body and what it looks like and can I wear this or I don't have the body for that or that doesn't look good on me. Like how do you help women navigate all of those like, kind of like, I'm gonna call them like self hating stories that we have.
liza: Mm hmm. So I won't pretend that like, you know, a dress with cutouts is going to look the same on everybody. But I do think that there are ways to address Like if you like that style then the placement of the cutout just needs to shift a little bit It's not that you can't it's just that what's more comfortable for you.
Um I was actually just speaking with a client who loves that like Lower rise look that's coming out. She doesn't feel so comfortable But high rise also feels like, I guess, a [00:06:00] little uncomfortable for her as well because she feels like she's kind of protruding in, in that area. So we found her this like mid rise that still accomplished what she was looking for to go lower, but like not quite there.
There's always ways to be creative around trends and styles to make it fit you. It doesn't, you don't need to fit it. You know what I mean?
jordana: Totally. And I think that's like, so much like that all or nothing mindset that we have, like around food and exercise and just everything in life, but even around clothes, like, to your point, I don't have the body. I think cutouts are cute, but like, I just can't wear that. And then you write it off. And it's like, No, there's actually a way to adapt that piece of clothing to your point for your body.
There's nothing wrong with your body. Let's find a way that it works for you. And you know, I guess in some ways like it's hard with clothes, the clothes are the clothes and like how can you modify them? But like shopping and finding resources and support and people like you who give you like suggestions and ways to do that versus just like writing yourself off [00:07:00] essentially because you don't have any of those skills or resources.
liza: Yeah, absolutely. And I think that's kind of like the great thing about having so many wonderful stylists out there is that we're doing all the work for you. And there's, there's so many, um, and we're searching through everything to find options that work for different body types. And I'm not saying like that one dress can go on everybody.
If it comes in that size, like it's really more personal preference. What am I comfortable with showing? But I would never, when someone comes to me and says like, I can't do that. I just can't do that trend. It doesn't, it won't work for me. That's when I'll start pushing a little bit and say like, well, maybe, maybe there is a way that we can find like a compromise.
And then we usually do, I'd say 95 percent of the time we do. And they're like, wow, I never imagined us getting here. And I was like, you know what? 70 percent of the battle was you just trying it on in the first place. People are scared to even try it [00:08:00] on. Um, and you'll be pleasantly surprised more often than not.
jordana: it's just like the, like the self limiting beliefs that we have around this and then like what we're giving up in the process, right? Like to your point around how transformational clothes can be and how you present yourself, how you feel, how you walk through the world, and then how much of that we're shutting ourselves off from.
Because we're like, I can't wear that. I don't have the body for that. And then not only are we missing out on what those clothes could do for us, we're also then sitting in like the shame of like, I don't look like her. I don't look like the model. I can't wear that. That's made for a girl who looks like X.
Um, so it's like this like double whammy of like, just. feeling so shitty about yourself.
liza: Yep. And it happens even more because then let's say you go out to dinner and someone nearby is wearing something in that style and you look at it and you're like, oh I like that. And you just kind of like sit in that feeling and that's the last thing I want. It's the last thing I want for someone because [00:09:00] it doesn't have to be that way.
jordana: No. Yeah. And it's so interesting. Like, I'm going to say you and I, but like people who are listening, like Liza and I have very different body types, very different. And I have learned so much from you. Like, and I, you know, I'd love for you to talk more about like how you work with women in different body, like shapes and sizes and finding clothes for them and what people, right.
So what people who are listening, like what they can look for or what any like little. Nuggets or things that they can kind of take on their own when they're shopping or, you know, online in store, whatever it is.
liza: Yeah, so I learned how to dress different body types, obviously, not from my own, but from my friends. I have friends of all different shapes, colors, sizes, um, and I've learned through them and helping them what works for different bodies. And my advice would be to follow people or look for people that have a similar body type to you whose fashion [00:10:00] or style you admire.
Thank you. Because they're your walking model right there and it doesn't have to be The trends necessarily, but I would look more at the shape of the garments So if you like how it looks on them and you like the shape of it Like take a mental note of that and be like, okay, what is it about? that I like.
Is it how, you know, thick or thin the strap is? Or is it where the waist falls? Is it, is it how the rise of the pant? Like, make small notes of that and kind of like keep that going for yourself in the background so that when you shop, you're like, you know what, I remember seeing XYZ on my favorite person that I followed was a similar body type to me.
I think I'm going to try some of those things or show it to the person in the store and be like, I like something that looks like this. Do you have any pants that fall a similar way? Try and use these tools for yourself. Advocate for yourself when you go shopping.
jordana: Yeah. One of my, um, I've been shopping on Shopbop a lot lately for denim because they're [00:11:00] showing models in two, usually like two, sometimes three sizes. I know Madewell's doing that too, right? So I take like a 31, 32, 33, somewhere in there, and it's so nice to be able to see clothes on a body that looks closer to mine, right?
So like, I carry more of my weight in my belly. Some of those models might have more in like the tush or the hips or the thighs or whatever, but it's still just so nice to see. I mean, not just from like representation standpoint, but also to get a sense of like, what's that going to look on me? Like a straight leg Jean on a person who's got hips is obviously going to be wider at the top because they're wider legs and narrow at their bottom.
And on someone who is like a smaller frame, it's going to be like, quote unquote, straight all the way down. It's a different look sometimes. Um, and shopping online. Like I went to the mall, I don't know, three or four weeks ago and it was just like, there was just like not a lot there. Like I went to look for jeans, there was nothing there.
So I'm like, okay, I'm going to have to buy online. And buying online, there's so much variety, but then you're limited and like, I have to order everything. Four different [00:12:00] styles in three different sizes and drop like 1, 500 and then obviously you're returning it. But, you know, so I guess like, how do you approach like in store shopping versus online shopping and like how to navigate all of that?
liza: So I'm a big online shopper. Um, I do the mass order. I do the mass order. I want to touch everything. I want to try on different sizes of everything. The reason, like, the biggest reason that I say I take a size is because every brand decides what dimensions fall into a size. That's not what size I am. I could be, I could be a 27 in one pair of jeans and I could be a 24 in another.
Like, it's, it's a, it's a wide range. So, um, it really, I don't depend on them to make that decision for me. I depend on myself. [00:13:00] And at the same time, there are a lot of times I'll buy a 27 because it's more comfortable for me when I'm sitting down and have them pull in the waist at a tailor. Spend the 15 and make the jeans fit you instead of expecting, you know, them to have your exact body size in the store.
Um, Because I really think that one of the biggest fashion mistakes people make is that we're just kind of expecting the size and dimensions of of the items in the stores to just work when you walk out and that's just not the case if You spend a little bit more money You will get something you like 10 times more because it will fit you the way it's supposed to fit you
jordana: Yes. Yeah. And it goes back to like, adapting the clothes to fit your body, not like your body has to fit the clothes. Um, right. And yeah, in that language, I've shared this with you. Like when you had talked about that, I take a size instead of I am a size [00:14:00] to your point about the disparity in the way clothing manufacturers figure out sizes.
And I'd love to like, in a moment, ask you if you know anything about like, how that actually happens and why it happens. But also when we say I am a size, like it becomes part of identity. Right. And it's like, it's not that number is just like a number. It's an arbitrary number. Like I've bought jeans from the same designer in the same style in different fabrics, and I've had to buy different sizes because the fabric and it's taken a lot of work.
And I still have to say that to myself constantly about like, I take this size, I take this size and trying on and paying attention to comfort and fit and prioritizing that over a number, which years ago I would never have done. Like in my head, if I had to go above a size 12, I wasn't buying it. It could have been the best pair of jeans and looked phenomenal on me.
I would not have done it. And now I'm like, great, whatever. I don't care as long as I love them and they make me feel good. Um, so I'm just like curious, do you have any insight? This is your mom was a fashion designer. And I know you're like, I've seen [00:15:00] you talk about designing some of your own stuff. Why that, why is so like,
liza: Yeah, so I can I don't There's a few reasons. Um, the first one is it depends where the fashion house began. So a brand that's in, let's say, that starts in France. If you think about French people, they tend to be a little more slender, a little taller. Um, and so a French brand is addressing the French environment.
They're addressing the people that walk the streets of France. And it just so happens that in the U. S., our size chart is shifted over a little bit. For whatever reason. That's a whole other topic. Um, so, when we try on these brands, let's say using France as an example, it's just not like for like. Like, it's just a different [00:16:00] Environment that they're creating this size for and so automatically I know if I'm ever ordering from a French brand, a UK brand or an Australian brand, I'm automatically going to take a size up from what I would take from a US brand because it's likely going to be just down a gear.
Um, and so that I'd say is probably one of the biggest, Like flags to know about before you start ordering um And then I the other thing is honestly like smaller brands don't always have the same resources that bigger brands do So if you're ordering from something a little more niche the person who cuts their patterns and makes the sizes might not be You know quite so regimented in the way that they do things They might not have a huge team that does all the checks and balances of sizing And that's just not a luxury that a lot of fashion brands have it's really really hard to run Of fashion business, um, and that's why they're not as inclusive [00:17:00] as they'd like to be It's why they you know have some sizing issues and we kind of just have to take it with a grain of salt sometimes
jordana: Right. Yeah, that's helpful. I think it's just nice to like, have the context and again, like, just the factual information that it's not a problem with us and our bodies. It's just like, there's cultural things, there's manufacturing things, there's budgetary, there's a lot of
liza: Yeah, there's a ton of pieces a ton of things at play there You And unfortunately, it's just, it just makes it really hard to make everyone happy for
jordana: Right, right. But just knowing that it's like, okay, it's not about me. There's nothing wrong with me. It's this, there's like a whole corporation manufacturing thing going on here that has nothing to do with me. And just having that, like, from like a, you know, like a changing your thoughts, cognitive, like restructuring kind of thing.
It's just nice to have that information and say, okay, like, this isn't about me. This is about that.
liza: Not at all. And honestly, there's like a huge hole in the business, huge hole in the fashion industry that I'm, I [00:18:00] don't know why it hasn't been quite solved yet, but I've definitely seen a much. bigger investment in, um, time and resources into expanding sizing for almost every brand. But it's kind of shocking that it's taken this long.
Um, but if I could, you know, use my crystal ball, I would say that the fashion landscape will look very different as far as size inclusivity in the next five years.
jordana: That's amazing to hear because I remember like I was in college when like, you know, quote, like designer jeans came out like seven and citizens of humanity. And so I usually take around a 32 in those jeans. And at that time, the 32 that was the biggest size they were making. And some of them because the way they were fit, like just didn't fit.
fit me. And they were like the low rides. This is like the late nineties, early two thousands. And I remember being like, if these, if this size doesn't fit me, I literally can't have these jeans. And that [00:19:00] feeling was, it was so upsetting to me. And so now I see like 33, 34, like I've even been like in, in, in like brands like that, like, I don't know, Mother Denim and Citizens are carrying like bigger and bigger sizes and it's so nice to see that and so it's great to hear that like you having like a, you know, an insider and having like the experience in the business knowing that that's coming is really, it's like a nice thing to hear.
liza: Absolutely. I think, you know, you mentioned earlier that you will, you like to shop on shop op because they show two model sizes. Made well, does that mango does that reformation does that I really feel like it's going to be very difficult for brands to continue having the reach and following that they have without starting to make some like really big changes.
And I think they're really opening their eyes
jordana: Yeah. Yeah. Um, so like a little bit of like a shift of topic, but I'm curious as to your opinion, like something I struggle with with clothes is, I happen to love [00:20:00] mango. Like I just, I get their emails and I am like, literally everything. I'm like, that's cute. That's cute. That's cute. But it's like, right. How many cute things can you have?
And right. That's a very moderately, I would call it like inexpensively, you know, fast fashion brand. I've heard that it's like a little bit more sustainable and better quality than Zara, whatever. I mean, we can talk about that a little bit, I guess, but I'm curious, like what your take is, like, on When is it worth it to invest more money in an item and like, what items do you recommend versus like, yeah, go to Mango, go to Zara, go to whatever, I can't think of any, H& M, which is like, Even lower than those like what's sort of your take on that?
liza: It really depends on the person and where you live and what your lifestyle is like So i'll i'll use myself as an example. Um, I live in a place that has four seasons um, I Am in the city. Sometimes i'm on the in the suburbs sometimes One thing that is a constant for me is I always [00:21:00] require layers And I often require going from day to night.
So for me You The things that are the most important would be my denim because I love a great investment pair of denim that I can wear during the day with sneakers or sandals, whatever it might be. That, okay, oh my goodness, there's a, there's a dinner that came up in the city tonight. I really want to look cute.
Well, I can just pop on a pair of heels, keep exactly what I have on and go. So I feel like a really great pair of denim is definitely worth the investment and also outerwear So whether that be like a beautiful coat or a blazer, whatever's going on top of the outfit You could be wearing your gap t shirt and those jeans You have a nice blazer you're good to go like Those pieces for me are huge for my lifestyle But of course that changes for everyone based on what they do during their day
jordana: Yes, totally that I mean it makes sense There's no like one size fits all answer. I guess like [00:22:00] kind of given that and you're a mom you have two young kids So Liza lives you live in Long Island.
liza: Yep, I live
jordana: Okay, so the suburbs of New York City And she's got two young kids. And so there's a lot of people who listen this is includes myself like work from home I wish that I went to the city More because it's my favorite place on earth But I don't I'm sitting in my attic office at my desk on zoom And yet I still have been putting in a lot of effort over the past like year year and a half to get dressed To put together outfits like I have on like a belt today and I don't have on shoes because I'm in my house But like what's your take on getting dressed and work from home being at home?
Let's say like, you know, so you're working and you're a mom, if you're a mom and you're not working and you're just with your kids, but you want to like feel put together, like what's like, what can we do about that?
liza: Yep, so, the, the truth of the matter is, of course I want, if I'm working from home and I'm not on a Zoom, and I just have to just grind, of course I want to sit in my [00:23:00] sweatpants and just do it. But I have noticed that when I take the extra five minutes and put myself together, not in like a crazy outfit, but just something that I'm like, oh, cute, this is, this is alright.
When I do that, instead of like, being whatever I'm wearing, like just like big sweatpants. I've noticed that I'm more productive. I think I just feel like I'm showing up and I've just kind of like set myself up for the day. So I would recommend people take a little more time. And that could be in your leggings and like a, an oversized sweater.
It's still very comfortable, but at least you feel like when you stand up, if you get, if you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror, you're like, Hey, that's fine. Yeah, this is fine. So like if the mailman like knocks on my door and I have to open up and sign something, they're not like, boy,
jordana: You don't have that feeling where you're like, Oh my God, I'm such a mess. Don't look at me.
liza: yeah, like you just, if you, if [00:24:00] that's something that you would say, if someone's at your door, then you didn't do it right that day. And obviously not every day is going to be that right. Some days we have those days. That's a very realistic expectation of, of life. But if you can make most days. Better than that, and you can just show up for yourself a little bit.
I think it's very, very worth it not just in what you look like, but in the way that you kind of approach your day.
jordana: Yes. Yeah. And I think like when you're at home or you're with your kids, you're running errands and you're not like quote being seen, right? You're not going out to dinner. You're not socializing. You're not like, you know, If you're in a corporate job, like in a meeting, right, so it really becomes just for you.
And I think that's when we start to like let it go, because it's like we prioritize someone seeing us and how we're dressed and how we look over how we feel about getting dressed. And we only put in the effort if someone else is going to see it. And to me, it's like, should be the other way around. It should matter a lot more for us [00:25:00] than for someone else to see us.
Like, that's been a huge game changer for me. Like, I'll get, on the days even when I don't have Zooms and it's just like, get shit done day, I will still get dressed because it just, to your point, like, it changes the way that I show up, and again, not 100 percent of the time, but a lot more of the time than I used to where literally every day it was just like, throw on whatever, I don't care what I look like.
I care about what I look like. For myself,
liza: Mm-Hmm. . I love the way you said that. I love the way you said that. I think that's incredibly poignant, um, that you really showing up for yourself and caring what, what you think about how you're presenting yourself. I think that's, that's major and it's a big mindset shift for everyone when they start their day.
jordana: yeah, yeah, it takes like effort, it takes work, like, just like anything, investing that time in yourself, and yeah, could I be doing something else in the 5, 10, 15 minutes it takes for me to do that? I could be, if I don't do that, it impacts everything [00:26:00] else in my day, and that's like a lesson that I've had to learn many, many times.
Um, like I really think about like getting dressed as an active person. of self care. And that's why I think what you talk about resonates so much with me because that's like everything that you share and support women with.
liza: Yeah, I love that.
jordana: Um, I'm trying to think like what else are there any sort of, you know, so we're like this episode will air probably sometime, we're recording this is March 12th. It's going to air probably in like a few weeks about time people hear this would be like mid April. So like coming into spring, summer, depending where you are in the world, obviously, I know you just came from Australia, so it'll be opposite seasons, but any kind of like specific, I don't like I'm going to say trends or things for people to look out for.
Um, That might be worth investing in, in some form.
liza: Yeah, there's so many cool trends right now. We're actually, we're at one of those [00:27:00] like big pivotal trend moves. This doesn't happen that often. I'd say it's like every year and a half you get one of those trend seasons where there's just like a big shift, and I can like feel this one. Um, I'm seeing a ton of, of denim everything right now.
So like vests, shirts. Um, shorts, skirts, dresses, there's a lot of, of denim, everything. And I think that's great for every body type because denim comes in so many weights. Um, it's rigid and stretchy. It can be molded in all these different exciting ways. That's so cool for all women. And there's a way to partake in that trend in a million different ways. Cause if, if you like yourself more on top or more on bottom, like you can kind of pick your spots and work around it. That's a really cool trend that I'd say is coming. And I also love that we're moving away from this, [00:28:00] like all cream, all, all bone, all oatmeal, like monochromatic. Yeah. Outfit. Um, I think we've been seeing this whole like, you know, quiet luxury look for a while and everyone's kind of like, all right, we got it, we got it, we got it.
And now we're starting to see pops of red, pops of blue, this like beautiful cornflower, like periwinkle blue that's coming out. So I think there's exciting ways to play with color. Um and some print i'm seeing leopard again I I never thought I was a leopard person myself, but I do love like a little accent here and there so like a leopard Maybe like a leopard kitten heel with with your denim and like a white tee And a cute little belt like little ways to kind of dab in some things like that I'd say those are those are trends that excite me Um, I'm seeing more silver.
I, we've gone through a long gold period. I feel like it's been like [00:29:00] literally ten years of all gold. If you wore one silver thing, it's like, what is that? Seeing silver on buckles, on bags, on whatever. I'm just like excited about it. Like, all right, let's change it up.
jordana: for it. Ready for something now.
liza: There's a lot right now. I could go on and on and on.
jordana: Yeah. No, I think that's great. And I think like, kind of connecting the dots between like, The denim trends and the, like, the animal print, like, obviously denim, that's a huge spectrum, but, like, let's say, like, wide leg jeans, like, I was talking to a friend recently and she's like, I'm too short to wear wide leg jeans, or people would say, like, oh, I can't wear, like, a print or, like, an animal, you know, an animal print pattern, but then you were just like, oh, you can do it, like, on a kitten heel or as, like, a small touch of an accessory, you know, and there's ways to, like, take these things that are cool and exciting and fresh and do them in a way that feels good for you.
It doesn't have to be, I'm all in or I'm all out. And I just think that's, it's really important to go in with that more like, that in between mindset, like the all or nothing [00:30:00] really just never serves anyone. And it's applies to fashion and getting dressed too.
liza: Yep. And like there's, there's a really big difference between just fashion and style, right? Fashion are like all the trends. They're, they're big statements and they're coming out and it's exciting and it's new and it's big. We don't all have to be big fashion people, right? We can be our own style. And so that's when you get to say, I pick and choose what works for me and what I like.
And this is how I'm going to incorporate this and this into my style. And I'm actually not going to do that trend because it's not me. And like, that's great. We love that. Who wants to see every single nude trend on one person? It doesn't really show who you are. I want to see like, what, what did Jordana decide was for her this season?
And like, let me see how you made that you.
jordana: That's such a good point you bring up. Cause I think I struggle with that personally, like between following all the people that I follow and [00:31:00] seeing what they're wearing and then trying to figure out like, What is my personal style? Like how do I, how do I not just copy what I see people wearing because I happen to like it and it looks good.
And how do I like find what actually, what I like, what feels good for me, what, what represents me, what makes me feel like me. Like how do I think it's, it's tough to see so much on social media and then not just like copy versus do your own thing.
liza: Yes, that is very true, and it takes a lot of time, so, and the reason it takes time is because it's not supposed to be super easy, right? It takes time to learn ourselves, learn our bodies, and learn what makes us feel good. And if you were just to, like, go into Mango and, like, do a big, you know, supermarket sweep of the whole, of all the aisles, sure, you would accomplish, like, hitting all the, the trends, but it wouldn't necessarily feel like you, which is why it's important to pick those [00:32:00] investment pieces, because you're making this conscious decision when you're in the store and you're trying things on.
When they're a little more expensive you actually do more like brain work than when they're not and you really have to think about How much do I love this and when you put it on if you are like, oh this feels so good Like I love this and you walk out and you're so excited. I guarantee You will love that piece for years and years and years.
And it doesn't matter what trend comes out, you're going to find a way to incorporate that piece back into your outfit. I had, um, a TV, my first TV appearance on Sunday, and I was like, so excited about it. And I was just like, how do I want to show up today? And I was like, you know what? I just want to be me.
And I pulled out, I know, you know, denim is coming in for spring. It's very exciting. I have a denim shirt from Topshop. from 15 years ago. And that's what I wore because I love how it fits [00:33:00] me. And it's not the most luxurious piece I have, but I love how it fits me. I like how I feel in it. It's breathable.
Um, and I just feel like when you pick pieces like that and you really put the effort into thinking about it and knowing that you walk out of the store, you're really excited about it. Once you make a wardrobe of those things, the little style tweaks that you make are easy. Because you're like, I want to wear that.
jordana: yes. I find myself so often like trying things on and I heard you say this once and I've tried to use it like if it's not a hell yes, it's a hell no, where like I'll put something on whether it's in a dressing room or at home. And if I have to like stare there, sit there, stand there and stare at it and be like, do I like this?
I'm like, no, if I have to try to talk myself into it, It's a no. It's like you put it on and you immediately, if it's not like, Oh my God, I love this. It's a no. And it's, that's, it sounds so easy when I say it, but in practice it's really hard to do that. Like I try to talk myself into stuff all the [00:34:00] time.
liza: Yeah, no, it's that way for everyone. It's it's even me if I I have to sit there and i'm like maybe If I have to if I have to think about it, it's a no like it it's it's supposed to be You know your choice. You're not supposed to just Feel like the pressure to to have the item, you know so if you if the advice I would give is if you're ever like Do I have to text this picture to a friend, spouse, mother, and ask what they think?
No.
jordana: Yeah. Yeah.
liza: That's, that's like really the rule.
jordana: Yeah. I love that. That's like, that's like a very quick, like yes or no. That's such an easy check in. It's so funny as you're talking through all of this. Yes. I'm like, stylists are basically coaches for like, getting dressed and like, for, for clothes and for a style, but it really is like, it's a, it's a skill.
Like, as you were just saying, like, when I asked you how you find your style and you said, like, it takes practice. I'm like, it's a [00:35:00] skill to figure that out. And like, I have never really thought about getting dressed in that way before. And I'm now starting to, and it's, in some ways it's like intimidating and scary.
In some ways it's like fun and exciting, because it's like experiment and try things and see what you like and see what makes you feel good. And start to pay attention to that and take note of it. And I love just the like, when you put it on, if you love it, great. And if you think you have to text a picture to your best friend, then it's a no.
And just that in and of itself, I feel like it's helpful for finding your own style, right? Because if you love it, then that's your style. And if you're like, yeah, it's not your style.
liza: And I'd also say like I had the great fortune of having an in house fashion designer as a mom. So like, yeah, I got a headstart and I, I, it's something that just, I always was interested in because I saw it all the time. I used to go with my mom to her, the, you know, that was when New York city, they actually had the factories in New York city.
I used to go there and they would make clothes for me. Um, But, it's [00:36:00] never too late to be that person. It's never ever ever too late to invest the time in yourself in figuring out what your personal style is. And so, I would encourage anyone listening to this to just take some time. Look out there. There's so much out there.
There's so many resources and you should use them and, you know, get a small start. It doesn't happen overnight.
jordana: Yeah, I think that's like a perfect place to kind of wrap things up. I'd love for you to share, um, how people can find you, what services you offer, because you work virtually as well as in person.
liza: Yeah, so you can find me at my website, LizaLieberman. com, or on Instagram, Liza. Lieberman. Um, I offer a range of services, anything from cleaning out a closet full of things that maybe aren't pleasing you anymore, or aren't helping you anymore, [00:37:00] um, I'll also go through your closet of things if you feel like you've bought all of the items that you You really need, but you just don't know how to put the outfits together.
We can do that. And then of course I do capsule wardrobes, bridal vacations, everything. So here to help.
jordana: Thank you so much for your time. This has been just really fun for me personally, and I think really just an amazing resource for the people who listen.
liza: Yeah, absolutely. This was so fun. I love conversations like this.
jordana: I know, me too. Best part of the job.
liza: Yup.