- Apr 15
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 16
EQUESTRIAN HERITAGE
Profession: Lead Software Engineer
Age: 30's
Year: Spring 2026
ABOUT THE CLIENT/ client back story
This client is moving up in her career and wanted a distinctive style that represented her personality, hobbies and interests. The collection needed to reflect a strong sense of authority and to feel considered with small elements of craft, texture, and heritage peppered in, without being flashy or giving off a corporate vibe. She loves the silhouettes of the 1930's and '40's, is an equestrian, and also a Japanese art collector. She has a specific affinity for Chinoiserie art and print design.
STYLE PRIORITIES
• Pants and Jeans that did not dig into her ribcage
• Structure and Architecture
• A palette of mostly rich greens, oranges, reds, pinks, and navy
• Natural Fabrics
• Easy to wear - NO FUSS!
OUR FOCUS
Because this is a Spring collection, I had to consider how to represent this client's equestrian side without the default tweed blazer or Ralph Lauren heritage style. I personally thrifted a silver horse bit chain belt about 25 years ago that I still wear today. The chain belt is having a moment and this client wears gold exclusively. I knew if I could find a gold horse bit chain belt it would be the perfect way to subtly weave in that equestrian element, and an Etsy vendor pulled through! Also, during that search, I came across a designer who made horse bit necklaces and offered that accessory as well, and our client loved it.
Next I went on a search for silk scarf designers who offered patterns in both the rich tones our client loves and in prints that gave a nod to the whimsical and fantastical Chinoiserie tradition.
Finding that perfect Marlene Deitrich silhouette was a non negotiable and when I discovered the most dramatic wide leg pleated pants I have ever seen we both were excited beyond words. The hunter green silk blouse with pleated shoulders completed this iconic look with precision.
I had two main objectives in solving the fit struggles for our client.
1 - She has both long limbs and a short torso. I introduced her to brands which specialize in arms with length, knowing our studio tailor could shorten the torso.
2 - To find lower rise pants and low-slung buttery soft denim with long inseams. All of her pants and denim that she previously owned were digging into her ribcage. I purchased lower rise pants than what she had previously worn and sized up in the waist. This allowed her pants to sit lower without feeling saggy or cutting into her ribs. That adjustment, along with only purchasing longer inseams, offered our client both the comfort and the silhouette she was looking for.
FINAL LOOKS
This capsule wardrobe is thoughtfully designed to capture the wide range of this client's interests, representing her full and engaged life. Below is an example of the 35 looks I styled from blending a handful of her previously owned treasures with the items I purchased for her.
