Megan is an inspiration to me: she has 5 little kids and a booming photography business (believe me, she takes the sweetest family pictures) and she always manages to look hip, put together, and cute. She's mastered the art of beautiful but comfortable & practical fashion, and she's helped convince me that the fact that you have kids doesn't mean you have to wear yoga pants and t-shirts all day in order to maintain a home and a family. Megan is proof positive that fashion and kids can co-exist! Enjoy her interview.
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The Twenty Ninth: Describe your style in a few words or a phrase.
Megan: J.Crew casual with a splash of graphic pattern and color thrown in.
TN: How has your style evolved over the years?
M: It was only a few years ago that I woke up to the fact that there was more to clothing than the frayed hem American Eagle jeans and solid color t-shirts I had been wearing since high school. Through the great big wonderful world of fashion blogs, mail order catalogs and Pinterest (and the help of my fashionable sister), I started to revamp my wardrobe and find my "style." I don't think I'll ever be any expert on the latest fashions or designer labels, but I'm happy to have found a look that I like and enjoy wearing.
TN: Any fun/embarrassing clothing mishaps or stories you'd like to share?
M: I have always been prone to be a very matchy-matchy person who loves all things symmetrical and coordinated. Naturally, this translated over into my clothing choices. I particularly remember a season in middle school where my favorite outfit consisted of a very neon splashed t-shirt, over cut off jeans, a neon orange shoelace in my hair and matching neon orange shoelaces in my white Keds. I also loved layering multiple pairs of colored socks over brightly colored tights that somehow matched up with whatever dress I wore to church, and the coordinated scrunchy in the hair. Classy.
M: It was only a few years ago that I woke up to the fact that there was more to clothing than the frayed hem American Eagle jeans and solid color t-shirts I had been wearing since high school. Through the great big wonderful world of fashion blogs, mail order catalogs and Pinterest (and the help of my fashionable sister), I started to revamp my wardrobe and find my "style." I don't think I'll ever be any expert on the latest fashions or designer labels, but I'm happy to have found a look that I like and enjoy wearing.
TN: Any fun/embarrassing clothing mishaps or stories you'd like to share?
M: I have always been prone to be a very matchy-matchy person who loves all things symmetrical and coordinated. Naturally, this translated over into my clothing choices. I particularly remember a season in middle school where my favorite outfit consisted of a very neon splashed t-shirt, over cut off jeans, a neon orange shoelace in my hair and matching neon orange shoelaces in my white Keds. I also loved layering multiple pairs of colored socks over brightly colored tights that somehow matched up with whatever dress I wore to church, and the coordinated scrunchy in the hair. Classy.
M: J.Crew and Madewell are my current catalog crushes, and I love finding color palette and outfit combination ideas on Pinterest.
TN: Where's your favorite place to shop?
M: Nordstrom Rack, Zappos & Target for shoes; J.Crew, Madewell & Gap for pants; Anthropologie, H&M, Zara, Urban Outfitters, Nordstrom Rack and occasionally Target for tops & dresses. I love Forever 21 and H&M for good cheap fun accessories. Every once in a while, I'll stop by TJ Maxx and find something, but usually I don't have the time (or patience) to search the racks.
TN: How do you pick out an outfit?
M: I'm a photographer and have a background in graphic design... a few years ago, it was like a light bulb went off in my head and I realized I could apply my love for all things aesthetic to the way that I dress. My favorite thing is to find new/unexpected complimentary color and pattern combinations. I am a complete nerd and have my closet organized by color. Usually, I'll start with whatever color I feel like wearing that day and then look for what pattern, layer, accessory, or shoe that I can play off that to inspire an outfit. These days I'm working on complementing and accessorizing, not matching :)
TN: What's your favorite thing in your closet to wear and why?
M: Currently, as we are heading into my favoritest autumn, I am loving cardigans, dresses, colored tights and boots. Oops, I guess that's more than one thing. ;)
TN: Any shopping tips or fashion advice you'd like to share?
M: My sister has really inspired me with her excellent use of layering and accessorizing. It adds visual interest, as well as making an outfit look so much more "put together." Add on and finish off... Personally, I've been really helped by making a Pinterest board of looks I like and referring to it often, alongside my closet contents for ideas. I think it's really important to know what you like, as well as what looks good on you, so you can be a thoughtful, smart shopper. Go cheap on trendy items and accessories, and invest in pieces that fit you well and will be able to stick around through changing looks.
M: Nordstrom Rack, Zappos & Target for shoes; J.Crew, Madewell & Gap for pants; Anthropologie, H&M, Zara, Urban Outfitters, Nordstrom Rack and occasionally Target for tops & dresses. I love Forever 21 and H&M for good cheap fun accessories. Every once in a while, I'll stop by TJ Maxx and find something, but usually I don't have the time (or patience) to search the racks.
M: I'm a photographer and have a background in graphic design... a few years ago, it was like a light bulb went off in my head and I realized I could apply my love for all things aesthetic to the way that I dress. My favorite thing is to find new/unexpected complimentary color and pattern combinations. I am a complete nerd and have my closet organized by color. Usually, I'll start with whatever color I feel like wearing that day and then look for what pattern, layer, accessory, or shoe that I can play off that to inspire an outfit. These days I'm working on complementing and accessorizing, not matching :)
M: Currently, as we are heading into my favoritest autumn, I am loving cardigans, dresses, colored tights and boots. Oops, I guess that's more than one thing. ;)
TN: Any shopping tips or fashion advice you'd like to share?
M: My sister has really inspired me with her excellent use of layering and accessorizing. It adds visual interest, as well as making an outfit look so much more "put together." Add on and finish off... Personally, I've been really helped by making a Pinterest board of looks I like and referring to it often, alongside my closet contents for ideas. I think it's really important to know what you like, as well as what looks good on you, so you can be a thoughtful, smart shopper. Go cheap on trendy items and accessories, and invest in pieces that fit you well and will be able to stick around through changing looks.
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Megan, thanks for interviewing, and for inspiring me!
If you're interested in more information about Megan's photography, check out her website: The Penny Gray Photography Co.
the fashionable sister she refers to is obviously me. i pull off a mean flannel shirt and jeans combo.
ReplyDeleteAll the Kauflin sisters (and sisters in law) have such unique, amazing styles! I love it :D
DeleteI enjoyed this post and it's inspiring. I currently feel like I'm "revamping" my look too. I also innately tend towards "match-ness" but am trying to break out of this myself. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading, Danielle! I hear you - I too was more prone to matchy-ness... then I started to realize that fashion is meant to be unique and messy! That's one reason I started this blog :D
DeleteWow, Megan is so beautiful!! :)
ReplyDelete-JH
Isn't she? Thanks for reading!
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