Inspired with Nika Lawrie

Using Fashion as a Canvas for Personal Growth and Mental Wellness with Sam Stewart

• Sam Stewart • Season 2024 • Episode 104

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Discover how fashion can be a powerful tool for self-expression and empowerment with Sam Stewart, a pharmacist turned fashion blogger. Sam shares her journey of transforming fashion from a perceived frivolity into a creative outlet that boosted her self-esteem and mental health.

Learn practical tips for building a wardrobe that reflects your personality, balances function with flair, and embraces individuality. From body acceptance to minimalist closet strategies, this episode celebrates the transformative power of style and self-expression.

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Nika Lawrie:

Welcome to the Inspired with ika Laurie podcast.

Nika Lawrie:

Sam Stewart, welcome to the show. I'm so excited to have you here.

Sam Stewart:

Thank you for having me. I'm very excited to be here, yeah so we are.

Nika Lawrie:

We're kind of like old friends-ish at this point, sort of. So we met within the last year or so doing our Next Level group, which is a kind of business growth group, and we really bonded over our conversation over fashion. And I'm really excited to talk to you because I think you know, like we were talking just before the show, fashion kind of gets this stigma about it that it's frivolous and not important to our lives and I really want to change that thought, especially for women, because I think it's such a powerful, powerful tool. So that's why I brought you on as this amazing stylista. You know, bringing fashion to the world. So, before we go into all these questions I have for you, tell me a little bit about your backstory. How did you get into fashion and what inspired you about fashion?

Sam Stewart:

Okay, well, so I'm a pharmacist by trade and I've always loved art. I wanted to be an artist growing up, but my parents were like no way. Like my, my middle school teacher literally said she should go to art high school, and my parents were like I don't think so because, like we're Asian and so you don't do that, so you have to be like a doctor or something. So, anyway, so I ended up going to pharmacy school, which I love, but I ended up using that creativity and like channeling it into what I was wearing. So I had a lot of fun kind of getting dressed up for work and stuff, and so I would get a lot of like requests, like my manager was like you should, you know, give us a PowerPoint presentation on what to wear for work? And I'm like, no, like I would like people would ask me stuff, and I'm like, oh, I don't do that. And so I, you know, it was a lot of fun for me, but I just didn't. I guess I just never took it seriously, like as in, it's something that I could do.

Sam Stewart:

And then we, my husband and I, traveled to Europe because he is also in the medical field and he was there for a fellowship. So we were in Germany and at that time we were going through infertility treatments and so we my friends all had online blogs. At that time it was a big thing and it was like that was like their online journal to share about their families, and they're like you should share about your IVF fertility journey. And I was like I don't think so. It was like very emotional and there was like a lot of emotional roller coasters up and down so I just said, no, I'll just share about fashion instead.

Sam Stewart:

And so that's really how it got started. It was called my. My friends want me to blog, blog, and um, that's why I started sharing fashion. And then some of my friends and coworkers would be like, okay, I have this style problem, how would you wear a belt? And I'm like, okay, this is what you do. And so it was a lot of fun and that's honestly how it got started. It was like I call myself like an accidental blogger.

Nika Lawrie:

I love that, though. That's awesome.

Sam Stewart:

Yeah, it was a lot of fun.

Nika Lawrie:

What really brought you like I know you've talked about kind of the artistic piece, but what really made you love clothing specific? Was there something you know and people who are artistic might think, well, I'm going to paint as a hobby or you know, I'm going to learn to play the piano or something like that. Was there something specific about clothing, about the fabric or fashion that you really loved?

Sam Stewart:

I think it was just, you know, I used to watch my mom get dressed up and, um, she, we didn't come from like, we came from a very modest background and um, we, like we shopped at garage sales but she would have like all these random things in her closet and she would. She told me, like it's okay to be different because I, honestly, we couldn't afford anything like the stuff that was in at the time at school. Like we, we didn't have any of it. We couldn't afford anything like the stuff that was in at the time at school. Like we, we didn't have any of it. And so I would get, I would basically like wear hand-me-downs Like she, she sewed and she would trade her customers for clothes.

Sam Stewart:

So we'd get these like big black trash bags full of like clothing from her customers' kids and I would go through and be like, oh my gosh, I could do this with this. So it was just like another way to channel that creativity and like I would, um, back at the time there were magazines and I would check them out from the library and you could, it was like a way to do art, but like on myself, and that was a way to basically be creative. Um, and then I found that when I dress, when I really liked my outfit, I felt really good about myself. So it was always kind of like this challenge to find something that was like in the magazine or similar to what was in the magazine, because I never had the exact thing and then still made me feel good about myself. So there was like a lot of. It was almost like creating art pieces like every day, because it's with your clothes.

Nika Lawrie:

Yeah, absolutely. I love that. I love that you brought up that. It kind of just made you feel better. It was like a mental health kind of piece, right? Yes, one of the reasons why I wanted to bring you on the show to talk about it is for me, fashion is kind of an empowerment tool, like when I get dressed and I feel really good or beautiful in what I'm wearing, I feel more confident in my life, I feel like I can take on more challenges, I can go talk to more people and feel better in those situations For you, in your interactions with your community. I know you have a large following on social media and you help women kind of figure out how to build their wardrobes. What are some of the pieces that you've seen that have helped them kind of on a mental health piece?

Sam Stewart:

Well, I mean, I think first of all, like on that mental health piece component, I didn't realize why I was feeling good, but there's actually studies and there's this like one pretty famous study called the Enclosed Cognition Study. It's in like a Northwestern University in 1992. And basically they had three arms of participants. One arm was just like they're just people in there, but then two arms received white jackets and one arm that received white jackets were told they were artist jackets and the other arm was told that they were doctor's jackets and so they were asked to perform these like cognitive tests and the ones who had the white jackets on, who were told they were doctor's jackets, performed better than the other two arms. So it's like just putting on this like white piece of garment but being told that it represents something made these people act a certain way.

Sam Stewart:

And so that's the thing about um, about fashion and style is, I think people think, oh, she's just like trying to be like cute or pretty, but there is really a lot more to it because, like I caught, I kind of caught it like your invisible armor. It's like this invisible armor of confidence that you're putting on that helps you like go throughout the day and be like a great leader or a great mom or, you know, great business entrepreneur. So I think, in that way, with the, the study like that was like proof that there is a mental component to like clothing and then like these women, I think. I think the thing with my audience is that, you know, all of us are on social media and there's just like so much coming at us and it's just overwhelming. And I'm, I guess, even though I like, like all this clothing and I have a lot of accessories, I'm actually like a very simple person, I like things simplified, and so for me it was just like well, how can I make it more simple so that people understand and then can feel good about themselves?

Sam Stewart:

Because that's like part of my mission, so because I feel like it's like look, feel and do good. So if you look good and you feel good and you can do good, and it's that like ripple effect to where like you're like you know you're helping other women or you're helping other people, so it's just I don't know, I just think of it that way, yeah.

Nika Lawrie:

No, that's beautiful. I really agree with you. I love that you say you know dress for how you want to feel or that fashion should be fun. Yes, I think. Yeah, so explain, because I really connect with that dress how you want to feel. Because I know, like I said, I feel very different in the types of clothes. The way I feel when I wear leggings and a sweatshirt versus a dress, and I wear a lot of cowboy boots or ankle boots and stuff, and the way I feel in that is a very different person. Can you talk about how we use clothing to feel different? Like how does that process kind of work?

Sam Stewart:

Well, I guess I would cause I kind of would think of like I would talk to some of my coworkers in pharmacy and I would always say, well, I just wear how I want to feel. So I want to feel really good and really confident. So I would put that dress on versus like if I was really feeling blah that day. And I put on like blah clothes and I know that's not very technical, but like you're talking about, like if you're putting on like a t-shirt and leggings and you know that you kind of feel blah and you put that on and you feel blah, then you're probably going to behave that way too, and so to me it just makes sense, like if you want to feel good, you need to put on things that make you feel good and like feel super confident about yourself.

Sam Stewart:

And so that that was just like I came up with these like manifestos, cause I was like this is what I believe about fashion and it should be fun, because the thing with clothing is you like clothing is not a tattoo, it's not permanent, so you can change it. So like if you put on something and it's not working for you that day, you can change it to something else, and that's why I say it should be fun. There shouldn't be so much pressure to be like I need to look perfect or I need to look this way. It just should be fun and make you feel good about yourself. That's what I feel about it.

Nika Lawrie:

Yeah, I love that too. I know, for me my style is it's always kind of been. You know I grew up in the Southwest. I it's always kind of been. You know I grew up in the Southwest. I live in the Southwest again now, so I've always kind of had a little bit of a country feel. You know, cowboy boots and more of that kind of you know like you would think of like a Texas kind of look.

Sam Stewart:

Yeah, I know, I was like I love the boots.

Nika Lawrie:

Yeah, like you know, I wear a lot of kind of summer dresses with my boots and things like that. But then I also grew up listening to like punk music. Like when I was a kid I really looked a lot like Avril Lavigne and I dressed very similar to her, and so there's still aspects of my style that you know incorporate kind of that punk rock look, and then I have kind of that country look and then I also have, as I've matured and gotten older, I think I look more like I don't know, maybe like Gwyneth Paltrow, right, like more of a comfortable, you know everyday kind of feel, maybe not with her prices, but a similar style.

Sam Stewart:

They're in a different level.

Nika Lawrie:

Yeah right, so you know, figuring out how to kind of merge those. It's almost like being it's having the freedom to kind of be a chameleon with your own style, right.

Sam Stewart:

Yeah, and so that's the thing. So that was a thing that was really hard for me, which is why I came up with like a system in my program, elevate your Style, because I felt, like I did, I had different styles, like sometimes I was really feminine, sometimes I was more edgy, sometimes I was like super eclectic and I was like, but, how, but? And I would take these style quizzes and I was like I don't fit any one style all the time. Yeah, so that's where, like, these style words come in, where basically you, it's like three to five style words and you talk about like, or you, you name, like how you want to feel, and then two of them can be your aesthetic. So, like, I have five, like three main style words and then my two aesthetic words change depending on the situation Like cause, as a mom, and like person, like work from home. My aesthetic is one way, but when I'm at a like event, it's like a whole nother aesthetic, you know.

Sam Stewart:

But the three main words are like how I want to feel, no matter what you know, and so that's like how you've got your punk, and then you're like more sophisticated and then you're more country. But you can have all of those as long as you are able to feel a certain way. And so, like, my words are like accessorized, confident and elevated, so those are my three main words, and then like the other words around it, and so that's what you can like find, like what your words are to make you feel really good about yourself. And then you know, your aesthetics can change depending on the situation or whatever.

Nika Lawrie:

Yeah, absolutely. So let's get into some practical tips of like how do I start to do this? So say, I have a wardrobe of clothing but, like there it's not really. You know, I just buy things that I love when I go to the store, cause I think that's what a lot of people do oh, this looks pretty. But then you get home and you're like how do I match this with my Levi jeans or whatever?

Sam Stewart:

Right.

Nika Lawrie:

Like and how? How do we start um taking the pieces that we have and building out a a wardrobe that really fits our aesthetic, our, our personality?

Sam Stewart:

Yeah, well, I think number one is you kind of have to know, like your style, identity or personal style.

Sam Stewart:

So that, starting out with like those three to five words, so kind of having that to start with, cause you have to know where you are like, to know where you're going, right, and then when you go through your wardrobe you have to kind of be a little bit more meticulous and say, like, do these, does this piece like match with my words? Cause I found that I, you know, I've collected a lot of clothes and some of that are really cute that I found like at the store I loved at the time, but then I'm like, oh, that doesn't actually go with my word, so it doesn't actually need to be in there because it's, it's gonna, it's not going to fit in with everything else. So having your words and then making sure the pieces in your wardrobe match with that is one of the main things, because when we have a closet full of clothes, it's just like having all these puzzle pieces that may or may not be from two to three different puzzles and put all in a pile.

Nika Lawrie:

You've mentioned your words having your words. How do we get that? Is mentioned your words having your words. How do we get that? Is that like punk rock or like? What are those words?

Sam Stewart:

Yeah, so my, so, like I was saying, the three words are like kind of how you want to feel. So I want to feel like accessorized and confident and elevated, but it could be like, um, you could want to feel like sexy or feminine or like punk rock, you know. And then the other two words can be your aesthetic. So that could be like classic or timeless things like that, and that's what kind of changes and so like you also will have another thing you need to do is also like audit your wardrobe based on your actual lifestyle. So that's a lot of a lot of things a lot of times.

Sam Stewart:

Um, why there's a, a mismatch is because you're like I, I love this piece so much, but it doesn't actually fit into any of your lifestyle, like what you're doing. Like you could buy, like you know, formal gowns. Like, if you see this formal gown and you're like a person who loves formal gowns and you go to nothing formal, you will have nothing to wear. So like having that mismatch of like what you actually do versus like what's in your closet too. So it's like having it match your identity, having it match your actual like lifestyle activities, you know.

Nika Lawrie:

Yeah, so is there a way? So, you know, we start to figure out, kind of, what our style theme is. I guess, right, the sum of our words. How do we, you know, if we have clothes that we don't want anymore and then we're trying to bring in these new clothes, how do we do this in a manner that's not going to break our bank, like, I know, matching all those things, you know, you see, let me step back. So you see, all these different types of fashion, like Instagram is a big place where you'll see all these different people wearing these beautiful clothes but how do we do that in a way that isn't going to, you know where we're not going into tons of credit cards.

Sam Stewart:

I need a whole new wardrobe, right, yeah, I need a style identity. I need a whole new wardrobe to match it. That's the thing you. So you I mean some people can't, but you don't really necessarily need to do that. So what you need to do is basically, as you're going through your closet, you're going to need to go and say like okay, well, I've got a hole here. Like I don't actually have any nice white shirts, but yet I do need a white shirt. Or um, like I I actually do a lot more casual things, but I don't have any like casual footwear.

Sam Stewart:

Or so, basically, when you're going through your closet and editing it, you need to see where the holes are, and that's.

Sam Stewart:

And you make a list and then you have to stick to that list. And then, when you're shopping so I like there's all kinds of amazing wardrobe apps Like I use index I, n, d, y, x and you can there's like a code style saying you can get a $10 credit there Cause I style there. But like it allows you to to basically catalog what's in your wardrobe. So, like, if you're like normally, I say, put in your notes, app like what you need. And then like, cause we all always usually have our phone, so if you're out shopping, you won't be like, oh my God, I need that like pink dress, because you may actually have like three other pink dresses that are very similar to it. So then you're like oh, it's not on my list, I don't need a pink dress. Or if you have like an app that has your whole wardrobe catalog, you can like oh, I have three other pink dresses, and so I'm notorious with like summer dresses, like I probably have like 10 of the same dress, yeah exactly, and that's it.

Sam Stewart:

I've even done the same thing with lipstick and I'm like well, what am I doing? Like I have this, basically almost the same version of pink lipstick. So it's like. It's kind of like that, just basically being very intentional about what you're like, you're bringing back in Cause I kind of say like, think of your closet like a boutique or like this fancy club and like, if that person doesn't vibe with everyone else in the club, you don't want them in your, in your club. So you know, so, just like. And so it's like in a very exclusive list of people, and so you want them to match it. And so you know, like, and.

Sam Stewart:

And then I would say also like, let's say, you have something, um, I would say like, if you don't have a way to replace it yet, hold on to that piece of like. If you have no more black shirts, but you're like this black shirt is just okay, it doesn't match my style identity perfectly, you can hold on to that black shirt until you're able to get one Like, unless you're, if you're saving or you're just waiting for something like, hold on to that until you can replace it, because if you literally get rid of everything, you might actually have nothing to wear. So we don't want to put you like you would never want to be in a bad situation like that where, like I, got rid of everything and I only have 10 pieces of clothing and some people can do that but, like most of us, have a lot more than 10 pieces, you know, unless you're like a true minimalist which I don't know many people who are, I know for me.

Nika Lawrie:

I actually cleaned out my closet over the last week and what I found was there were a lot of pieces that I bought that were like impulse buys. I just liked the look of it, but then when I actually cleaned out my closet and went through everything, I found I really didn't like the things that were the cheap fabrics. I'd rather spend a little bit more money on something that's a better fabric that's going to last me a long time, so really moved away from those you know, you know 10, 15, $30 items that you just buy real quick at the store and really have invested in higher quality items that kind of last longer, and so I think that's a big step to take too.

Sam Stewart:

Oh for sure. And so that's the thing. You know, everyone is on a different budget, but if you can purchase the best quality that you can at the price you're at, then do that. I mean along. You know, when I first finished pharmacy school, I was like definitely on a budget and very much in debt, and so, like I had some.

Sam Stewart:

I had like pieces from forever 21, but I would take really good care of them and they were actually lasted for a long time Um, but that was the best I could afford at the time. You know, and so like, as you're able to afford more, you can like definitely buy the best you can afford, especially if it's not something that like is super trendy, cause I feel like and that's where sometimes a lot of us could get caught up or and I have in the past for sure like it's super trendy, it's so super cute, and you like spend money on this piece, but you it's it's after a season, you're like I don't even know why I bought that, you know so like either vintage or high quality, like secondhand stuff or just really good items that they can purchase for a better price yeah, so there's lots, so I guess I can start with lowest to highest.

Sam Stewart:

But there's ThredUp and so I've sent my clothes there and, like you, can find some crazy amazing deals there. So I mean.

Nika Lawrie:

Yeah, some incredible things.

Sam Stewart:

Yeah, and I like I think that there's like. So my co-host and I, brandy, we talk about on our podcast, like I think there's this stigma and this fear of um like buying used clothes and so if you do have that, there's lots of new with tag I would say, probably 80% of the things I've bought from ThredUp are brand new, with tags.

Sam Stewart:

Yeah, so there's a lot of new with tag items on there. Just in case that's like a thing you're like oh, I don't know about the germs and stuff. There's a lot of new with tag things. So ThredUp is one. I do buy a lot of pieces from the real real also. And then there's Vestair, which I have have uh, they have.

Sam Stewart:

It's a collective of a lot of different people and some of them are international, so I haven't personally purchased from it, but I know other people have um like locally. I have a lot of people that um like. There's vintage martini, which is a store here based in dallas, and they have a lot of like true vintage and archival pieces, but then they also have like more contemporary pieces. Um, let me think of what else? Uh, oh, poshmark Poshmark is great too Um, I would say thread up first, then Poshmark next, then the real real, um and then um, but then there's also like a lot of local places. So you should I would, I guess, encourage everyone to like check out their local consignment places, because I found some amazing gems at like my local consignment stores too.

Nika Lawrie:

Yeah, yeah, absolutely yeah.

Sam Stewart:

And I think you can also just like not be afraid to ask questions, because I think people are like, and look at the return policy.

Nika Lawrie:

Are there? So, like you know, we're getting the clothes matching our style, kind of incorporating that with the stuff that we may already have in our closet. Are there some really simple, like three or four practical tips that you have of, like, how do we just accessorize well, or kind of spruce things up to? You know, I have a black t-shirt and jeans on, but like, how do I make that look? You know, how do I make it better?

Sam Stewart:

Okay, yeah, definitely, cause that's the thing, that's what I kind of like to show on my social medias, cause you can have something super plain oh, no, thanks, but it's cause I wanted to make it so it's like translatable for people like oh, I understand that, Like you have like a simple top and like simple jeans and just very small things. Like, depending on, like, your style or your body shape or your proportion, you can do a tuck like either a half tuck, side tuck Cause there's this huge controversy about tucking. I mean, I don't even like some people are like I can't talk because of my mid region, my belly, I don't like it. So some people refuse to tuck and that's okay, you know, but you can tuck or you don't have to.

Sam Stewart:

Definitely I'm always like add accessories. Like I feel like that's the easiest way to like level up your outfit is to just add accessories, and I always like there's this rule of threes where, like if you wear, um, if you add a third piece, that automatically elevates your look. But also I feel like that applies accessories. So like if you wear like an earring and two, two necklaces, or like a set of three, something it always seems to like give that more elevated look. And if that's not your style, that's okay too, because I know some people are very minimal on jewelry and so they just want to wear one necklace and one earring and, you know, one bracelet, and that's okay too. It just has to match with what your style is.

Sam Stewart:

But I feel like definitely adding accessories like jewelry, and then even like a belt or something or like a scarf Like I love all accessories headband, like anything Like add an accessory and then basically like small things like the tucking or like cupping your sleeves, you know, or even like. So the thing is like some of these button ups, they kind of really close up and if you just like get it to open up and see more of your skin, that's actually more like, it's kind of a more attractive look. So not to be like showing off cleavage, but just like you can see more skin and it's more attractive to like see your face and your neck and your like a little bit of V. So just like little things like that. But it doesn't have to be, you know, crazy, it's just like small little tweaks.

Nika Lawrie:

Yeah, are there things that we can do to kind of feel more confident with our changing bodies or different body sizes and types?

Sam Stewart:

Yeah, I think that's a really hard thing, cause I I'm like closer to 50. And so, like I'm in this age of perimenopause, menopause, women, and there's a lot of changes going on with our bodies. I think number one is honestly accepting it and not talking so badly about yourself, because people have a lot of negative self-talk and when you're saying things to yourself that you would never say, to like another person or your daughter like, that's like super hurtful to yourself and so like basically being aware of your body and then stopping with a negative self-talk and then also like if you are aware of your body and your body shape, then you can, then you actually can have strategies on how to like either camouflage or enhance, like those pieces, Like, so basically like let's say, you're an hourglass figure and you really want to show that off, you can totally wear like a tight dress, but if you don't, then you can do something a little looser and no one would know. So it's just kind of having body awareness but then also body acceptance, like body, like embrace yourself.

Sam Stewart:

I think that's think that is a hard thing because in our society and in culture in the past there's like the standard of beauty and it may not always be attainable or achievable for people, and so I think that was a thing that I struggled with a lot growing up, because I'm like this short, stocky, five foot four Asian and like I see these like beautiful, like lean, elegant Victoria's secret miles and there's nothing wrong with them. But I was just like I want to look like that. But like, no matter what I wore, I didn't look like that, you know, and after I under, after I like accepted myself and then like understood my body and figured out how to like wear things for myself, then you're like oh, I actually look nice.

Nika Lawrie:

You always look stunning?

Sam Stewart:

Definitely no, but I think that's the thing, cause I think we're, if we say mean and bad things to ourselves, it's not, it's not helpful. Like I told people, like if you wouldn't say it to a friend or your daughter, then you probably shouldn't say it to yourself.

Nika Lawrie:

Absolutely yeah.

Sam Stewart:

Yeah.

Nika Lawrie:

One of my favorite things about having the ability to travel and see different cultures and stuff is to really understand how different the embodiment of what culture is, because it's so different in so many places. I know there are countries where you know if women aren't more heavyset, they're not considered beautiful, like you know the skinny supermodels that we think of here in the. United States are not beautiful in other countries.

Nika Lawrie:

Right, you know, men are really attracted to that more voluptuous kind of I don't know how to say it, but just kind of the fuller body it's like healthier.

Sam Stewart:

Yeah, I don't know how to say it, but just the kind of the fuller, healthier, yeah, and, and you know, and. So it really goes to show that, like, all bodies are beautiful and types are beautiful, it's just, you know, we've been brainwashed with these different cultural themes that don't really mean anything. Yeah, and it's so funny, though, too, because if you, even if you go through culture, through like different decades and like times, like what is considered beautiful with the female body is like so different and so it's so crazy.

Nika Lawrie:

Yeah, Just here in the United States it seems like it changes kind of every 20 or 30 years? Yeah, yeah, totally.

Sam Stewart:

Yeah, and I think it's interesting like you're talking about different cultures because, like you know, um, like crop tops are a big thing but then, like in certain different customs, like crop tops are like the uniform almost like for, you know, like saris and things like that, and so it's not seen as so taboo. So it's just really interesting to me like to see different um cultures and just like different ways to dress. I appreciate all of that. I I think it's really fun.

Nika Lawrie:

I do too. I think it's kind of a beautiful piece of the diversity of cultures throughout the world. So I have a couple more questions for you, but before we get into the final questions, is there anything that we haven't touched on that you would like to share?

Sam Stewart:

just around fashion and helping women feel beautiful and feel their best, I think that well, I think you basically touched on it because I just feel like every woman is beautiful and if she could just like look at herself and like see that in herself. Because I feel like most of us are like looking at someone else and going, oh, she's beautiful, and she's beautiful, I wish I was beautiful. But all of us are like beautiful in our own right because we're all unique and feel like we're all like a gift, and so I feel like I talk, I talk about that in my program but I feel like we're a gift and we're wrapping ourselves with the clothing that are like it's like gift wrap, you know, and so we get to like we're all gifts and we just have to wrap ourselves like however, we want to to make ourselves feel beautiful, want to to make ourselves feel beautiful. So I I do feel like women need to be more appreciative of themselves and just like appreciate themselves for being beautiful.

Nika Lawrie:

Absolutely. I love that. Tell me so. You have a podcast, you have a course and you have a new comprehensive guide. Can you tell me a little bit about those things and where can people find you and get your resources and connect with you?

Sam Stewart:

Sure. So my website is styleofsamcom, and then I have a program called Elevate your Style. So it's like a comprehensive personal style online program and basically it kind of guides you through my style operating system. So it's a way for ambitious women to confidently and effortlessly dress themselves Because, like I said, I like to be simple, so I feel like I have to make it very simple. It's eight modules, but I try to make it very simple so people can understand it.

Sam Stewart:

And then this newer thing, which probably will be released by the time your podcast is out, is something I'm working on, but I wanted to create something that, um, that women could use as a guide to help them create, like, basically, a wardrobe that works for them, versus, like you know, I think that, because I used to do content creation and influencing and it's always about consuming but you should actually shop your closet more, because most of us have like tons of cute stuff in our closet, and so I feel like, just like the components that we talked about, like understanding your style identity, making sure you have pieces in your closet that work for you and like your, your actual real life, not like your dream life, your Pinterest life, like that, like giving them the steps and like some ideas on how to create outfits and like how to elevate and style stuff.

Sam Stewart:

Like that is like just like a smaller offer, but I wanted to have women be able to like have it because, honestly, a lot of women are very busy. Most of us have like many hats we're wearing and so I've noticed that a lot of women they're like I'm behind, I'm so sorry, and I'm like you don't have to be sorry. This is like your program. You take it to your own pace, I'm here for you, but it's almost like it was another thing on their to-do list. So I wanted to make something small and easy to digest that they could basically will help them.

Nika Lawrie:

I love that Cause I think one of the things I think women fall into like a trap they sort of fall into is almost like decision fatigue when it comes to wardrobe, I know like my husband's an air force pilot and so he literally wears the same uniform every single day to work.

Nika Lawrie:

And part of me is like, oh, that's so nice, cause you don't have to think of, do or anything, you just get into the flight suit and goes out to work. And so I love that you talk about really simplifying it, because I think people get overwhelmed by the idea of fashion because there's so much of it and so many accessories and how we layer all these things. And to really simplify it, so you kind of have a uniform in your own sense, you have a style that you go to every day and you look beautiful in it, but it's simple and not overwhelming.

Sam Stewart:

Yeah, and that's the thing I mean, because your husband is a great example, but also Steve Jobs and Karl Lagerfeld they had their uniforms. And then also Anna Wintour, who's the fashion editor of Vogue. She basically rewears a lot of things. So I mean, like it's not, like she's you know, she's not wearing the latest trends or anything she's like has her uniform. So I mean, and she's like a fashion editor of a major magazine.

Nika Lawrie:

Yeah, I saw the interview with the fashion editor of Vogue London or Vogue England, I think it's London, and she was beautiful. But she was so just dressed, kind of every day, you know, she had like a nice pair of pants and a shirt and some pants. Like it wasn't fashion, Like it was you know comfortable outfit that she was wearing and she looked great, but it was just simple and it didn't have to be this big thing.

Sam Stewart:

Yeah, it doesn't have to be all yeah, whatever I mean, and that's the thing you can, you can make it whatever you want it to be, and so, as long as it makes you feel good. So that's why I was. I think that's why for a long time I was really hesitant to help people with fashion, cause I didn't want them to feel like they had to dress like me, cause like, if you don't like big earrings, then I don't want you to wear big earrings, you know. But now you're like oh, you don't have like. Now I know how to tell them like, this is how you do it and this is you. Take what you want and then you like, you know make it for you.

Nika Lawrie:

I always love it. You have really great um uh reels on social media. I love watching you on Instagram and TikTok because for me you know you and I have we have similar but different styles right. But the way I see you incorporate different things into your style every day in those videos, I'm like, oh, I could add this little thing onto my bag. That makes it feel just a little bit more, you know, elevated, or just little things like that, and so I love the spark of inspiration that you bring.

Sam Stewart:

Yeah, and I think that's why you know, and that's part of my manifesto, fashion should be fun. It should be like not so like serious, you know. And then I know, and you know there are some professional women. They have to. They do have to dress a certain way because they want to be take like um, feel confident in their position, like where they are, where they're working. But in general I feel like fashion should be fun.

Nika Lawrie:

I agree. I love it. Well, sam, this has been so great. I'm so, so grateful for you coming on the show and taking the time to share all of your knowledge. I know it's not a typical conversation that I have on the podcast, but I think it's just as important, because it really does elevate the way you feel, and the whole point of this is to make people feel their best and feel beautiful and healthy, and so I'm grateful for that. Before I let you go, I have one last question that I ask all of my guests what is something that you've experienced or learned that inspires you, that you would like to share with others?

Sam Stewart:

Ooh, that's such a good question. Um, I think that, uh, one of the things I actually just shared this, like I got a questionnaire but basically, um, one of the hurdles, like someone asked me about one of the hurdles I've gone through, and there's been a lot, but one of the things that I had the biggest struggle with. It was the struggle within, because I had to shed the shoulds, and so I feel like, if your audience can remember, they can shed some of these shoulds. Yes, then that would be better, because I just that's the thing. If we can all feel good about ourselves and we can do amazing things, that's the thing there is can all like feel good about ourselves and we can do like amazing things. That's the thing we like. There is a ripple effect, Like you, smiling at one person can affect like their whole day. So I just feel like we need to remember that, like like one, each one of us makes a difference, and so just don't be so hard on yourself. Have grace, shed the sheds and, like you, make a difference.

Nika Lawrie:

I love that. It's so true and so beautiful. So thank you, sam, I'm so grateful for you.

Sam Stewart:

Thank you for having me. I'm like so honored to be on your podcast.

Nika Lawrie:

I'm so happy to have you here. Thank you, okay.

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Nika Lawrie

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