Detoxing From Trend-Based Fashion, What Honeybees Can Teach Us, A Trick for Flattering Your Face Shape, and Behind-the-Scenes Updates
Detoxing from fashion trends for ourselves and the planet; correcting problem areas; and how to elevate any jeans.
Greetings to you!
I hope you’re having a wonderful week. Summer is my color season (bright and cool) and it’s also my favorite season of the year. As my favorite warm weather begins to give way to colder nighttime lows, I begin to appreciate the warm arms of the daytime highs even more, knowing this warmth will be with us for only a few more weeks.
One of my favorite things this time of year is watching my honeybees as they rest by their hives’ front doors in the cool evenings. I always think, “Oh look they’re so cute, they’re hanging out on their front porches, just like people do!” Honeybees are highly social, organized, and productive creatures. They work together rather than against one another. Their entire colony is a work of art/productivity machine that is better than any made by humans.
Wherever you look, life has a poetry all its own, doesn’t it? Bees have a poem. Seasons have a poem. The exploration of the organic way that light interacts with us humans is a beautiful poem, and I always remember Sandy (my teacher, The Image Architect) and how captivated she was by color. Speaking of Sandy, I’m working to get some of her great PDFs to be archived on this site. Thanks for your patience, as this is quite a process with so much content.
I’m also exploring ways to put this written content in video and written step-by-step guides. I’m writing DIY color analysis, capsule wardrobe, and closet overhaul guides. Hopefully, these projects will take a huge step forward as my kids head back to school next week and free up some of my time.
I appreciate you being here on our joint journey of personal style enlightenment and empowerment.
Enjoy this week’s content!
~Tatyana
PS: Can you let me know if you’re a man and want updated Image Architect content for men as well?
You’re reading Light Loves Color, a weekly publication by The Image Architect featuring timeless wardrobe strategies using biologically correct colors and figure-balancing proportions. The goal of this publication is to free people from clothing confusion and never-ending trends. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to support this work, as this is a passion project. A big thanks to all subscribers, paid or not.
You will find the “shoppable” versions of these looks at the bottom of the page.
Today’s style is ready to head into fall with a layered look that has both comfort and sophistication. I love jackets long enough to cover the booty, yet not bulky. I would wear that open and the Ralph Lauren button shirt tucked in with the navy belt and dark jeans. I chose patent leather belt and loafers, but any quality shoes and belts would look great here. I like to wear shoes in a similar shade to pants because they extend the leg, but it’s just a preference.
Anti-aging colors: What exactly makes a color anti-aging? The way a color worn next to the face can even out the facial skin tone and give you a healthy glow. Research shows that just having a more even skin tone can take 10–15 years off our appearance. Research says 80%+ percent of us are cool. Translation: cool bright colors of the summer palette (such as this vibrant blue) are 80%+ universally flattering.
Flattering Capsule Wardrobe Basics: Ladies, don’t buy into the pervasive trend of wearing oversized blazers and jackets that look like you’re borrowing your dad’s clothes. It’s not flattering in the least. In fact, both men and women need to be mindful of good tailoring. However, whereas men can easily find flattering cuts, we women have to put even more effort into finding pieces that align with these figure-honoring principles.
When it comes to style, there’s a drought. When it comes to fads, it’s a flood! Stay safe out there, darlings.
Impactful Accessories: As always, the finishing touches communicate that you know what you’re doing and so much more. Never skip accessories, even on casual occasions—a well-crafted bracelet, a sophisticated watch, noteworthy earrings, a valuable necklace, a gorgeous handbag, a quality belt—they all communicate on your behalf.
Detoxing from The Fashion Hamster Wheel: Why Breaking Free from Trends Is the Best Thing You Can Do for Yourself and the Planet
In today’s world, fashion is often seen as a form of self-expression—a way to show the world who we are without saying a word. But what happens when fashion stops being fun and starts to feel more like a burden? When keeping up with trends becomes an endless cycle of stress, waste, and environmental harm? It might be time to detox from fashion.
Fashion addiction is more common than you might think. The pressure to stay on trend can be overwhelming, leading to frequent shopping sprees, overflowing closets, and a nagging sense of inadequacy when we don’t measure up to the ever-changing standards of style. But this obsession with staying current isn’t just bad for our mental health—it’s also taking a significant toll on the environment and perpetuating systems of oppression around the globe.
The Hidden Costs of Fast Fashion
Fast fashion has transformed the way we consume clothing. Once upon a time, new clothes were a luxury, something to be treasured and worn for years. Today, the fashion industry churns out new collections at a dizzying pace, encouraging us to buy more and more, often at shockingly low prices. But the true cost of these cheap clothes is anything but affordable.
The environmental impact of fast fashion is staggering. The industry is one of the largest polluters in the world, responsible for massive amounts of waste and greenhouse gas emissions. Millions of tons of clothing end up in landfills each year, much of it made from synthetic fibers that take hundreds of years to decompose. The production process is also resource-intensive, requiring vast amounts of water, energy, and chemicals, further contributing to environmental degradation.
But the problems with fast fashion don’t end there. The industry is also rife with exploitation. Many of the clothes we buy are made in developing countries, where workers—most of whom are women—are paid poverty wages and work in dangerous conditions. By supporting fast fashion, we are unwittingly perpetuating a cycle of oppression and exploitation.
Recognizing the Addiction
The first step in detoxing from fashion is acknowledging that you might be caught in a cycle of addiction. Do you find yourself constantly shopping, feeling anxious about what’s in your closet, or buying things just because they’re on trend? If so, you’re not alone. Many of us have been conditioned to believe that our worth is tied to how well we keep up with the latest styles.
Recognizing this is crucial. It’s important to understand that this feeling of inadequacy is not a personal failing—it’s a product of a system designed to keep us consuming. The fashion industry thrives on making us feel like we’re never enough, that we always need the next new thing to be happy, stylish, or relevant.
The Detox Process: Step by Step
Breaking free from fashion addiction doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a journey, but it’s one that’s worth taking. Here’s a possible process for it:
Shift Your Mindset: The first step is perhaps the most important—shifting your mindset. True style isn’t about keeping up with trends; it’s about authenticity and confidence. Understand that you don’t need to be on trend to be stylish or relevant. Embrace the idea that less is more, and focus on quality over quantity. By doing so, you’ll build a wardrobe that serves you rather than the other way around.
Think of some of the strongest women that you know, women throughout history—women who’ve done important things or who embodied bold independence in their lives. Does being a fashion victim go hand in hand with that vision? When I think of bold women, I usually see women who look like they know what they’re doing and don’t give a second thought to what someone says they should wear that season or any season. They have neither the time nor the mindset to be bullied that way.
To be free from fashion addiction, we have to dig deep and embrace a new version of ourselves, one that isn’t afraid to be a more sincere, real, and authentic person.
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"Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak."
Rachel Zoe
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Embrace Biologically Correct Colors: To add variety and personality to your capsule wardrobe, incorporate colors that complement your skin tone—what we call biologically correct colors. These are the shades that make you look radiant and vibrant, without the need to follow fleeting trends. When you wear colors that naturally enhance your features, you’ll feel more confident and less inclined to chase the next big thing. If you weren’t aware of the power of wearing certain colors next to your face, please dig around on the site and learn all about this phenomenal art and science. It’s why our publication is now called “Light Loves Color”. We truly believe that the key to helping people detox from fashion addiction is to show them how much better they’ll look in the right colors and styles! Also, a new DIY Color Analysis Guide based on 16,000 color sessions and 4+ decades of working with clients is in the works, so be sure to subscribe if you haven’t already.
Embrace Cuts and Styles That Are Really You: When you take the time to learn the basics of quality, timeless garments and how to camouflage figure flaws, you won’t feel so tempted to constantly add garments that will only be on trend for a season or two. Please be sure to check out the site for more resources on finding styles that suit you best.
Evaluate and Purge: Once you understand the basics of colors and styles that are best for you, you will need to take a hard look at your wardrobe. How much of what you own do you actually wear? How many pieces were impulse buys, purchased because they were on trend, only to be worn once or twice? Start by purging everything that doesn’t feel right anymore. Donate, sell, or recycle the clothes that don’t serve you. Clearing out the clutter is liberating and creates space—both physically and mentally—for the things that truly matter.
Build a Capsule Wardrobe: Once you’ve decluttered, it will be time to rebuild with intention. A capsule wardrobe is a curated collection of versatile, high-quality pieces that you love and that work well together. Start with neutrals—timeless pieces in colors that go with everything and that you feel great in. Focus on styles that flatter your body and make you feel confident. Secondly, if you’re like me and love color or simply want the anti-aging benefits of wearing your best colors, it’s time to take stock of your favorite tops, scarves, and accessories that will put the finishing touches on those basics.
When your wardrobe is filled with items you genuinely love, you’ll find that you need far fewer clothes to create outfits that make you feel good. We have a lot of resources on the site on how to curate a timeless wardrobe. The Light Loves Color DIY Capsule Wardrobe Guide will also be available soon. As you can tell, I care about this topic very much because it affects our entire life.
A Journey Worth Taking
As you can see, detoxing from fashion addiction isn’t just about clearing out your closet—it’s about reclaiming your time, your money, and your sense of self. It’s about choosing sustainability over waste and authenticity over trends. And the benefits are profound.
By breaking free from the need to always be on trend, you’ll find that you have more time and energy for the things that truly matter in life. You’ll save money by not constantly chasing after the latest fashion must-haves. And you’ll develop a personal style that is timeless, unique, and genuinely you.
Moreover, by opting out of fast fashion, you’re making a powerful statement against a system that harms both people and the planet. You’re choosing to support ethical and sustainable practices, contributing to a world where fashion is a force for good rather than exploitation.
Detoxing from fashion is a journey, but it’s one that’s worth taking. It’s a journey toward a simpler, more intentional life where your wardrobe serves you, rather than the other way around. It’s about finding joy in the things you already have, rather than constantly seeking more.
So, take the first step to start shifting your mindset today. Evaluate your wardrobe, be ready to let go of the excess, and start building a collection of pieces that you love and that love you back. Embrace your biologically correct colors and develop a style that is uniquely yours. And remember, true style isn’t about trends—it’s about being authentically, confidently you.
“Never Replicate a Shape or Line You Don’t Like” by Sandy Dumont
Have a pointy chin? Avoid V-necks. Have a very round face? Avoid rounded necklines, large round earrings, or short necklaces that emphasize a circle.
Or maybe you have a long, thin face? Then, you should avoid long necklaces that produce an elongated line. It works all over the face and body! For example, with thin legs, avoid skirts with thin, vertical stripes.
This rule is so simple, but we often miss just how much replicating a line or shape that we don’t like actually emphasizes that very line or shape on our body or face.
Here’s an example of a round face. The left has a round sweater collar that replicates the round face. The right has a v-neck that does not. In which picture does this young woman have a thinner face?
Here’s a similar example with a square jawline. On the left, the shirt replicates the squareness. The right shows a v-neck jacket. Which one helps to put the face in better proportion?
Shoppable Links:
Click on the images below to get shopping ideas for the two looks of the week with Pinterest AI.
