STYLEPROOFS Presents:
Blogger Spotlight: Sydney Page Lester of Chic Stripes
r of: e t s e L e g a P Sydney
s e p i r t S c i Ch
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Describe your style in 3 words.
Classic, but unexpected.
SP: How long have you been blogging for and why did you start your blog? Sydney: I have been blogging since 2009. I started my blog because I was reading a lot of other personal style blogs (Rumi Neely of Fashion Toast primarily) and was just totally in love with how they used blogs to document and experiment with what they wore. I figured it couldn’t be that hard… What is the story behind your blog's name? I thought long and hard about my blog’s name. I wanted it to be remember-able, but short. Cute, but professional. I liked the word chic (what blogger doesn’t) and wanted something to remind people of clothes. Somehow I landed on “stripes” and it just stuck. What are some of your favorite blogging tools that you use? Oh gosh. Sometimes I am so behind on these things. I really love using PicMonkey for editing
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photos and making collages (and it’s free!). I really don’t track metrics or stats. If I look at them, I look at what Facebook or Wordpress gives me. Who inspires your style? I never really copy looks piece by piece from someone. But there may be something like a full midi skirt that I see on a blogger that I like and will try to find (at a thrift store). I really look
SP
FashionSPOTLIGHT
mostly towards editors (of magazines) than bloggers as they tend to put together looks I can see myself wearing. I also usually just wear what I like. Since I don’t shop retail or fast fashion, I don’t usually wear trends, unless they happen to pop up at the thrift store. What was your most recent splurge? A $90 knit/fur cape…thing. I found it at Baggio Consignment and it was love at first site. It’s so warm; I love it! I call it a splurge because I really didn’t need it. Flats or heels, and why? Depends on my mood! Heels for feeling super in charge and powerful. I love walking in high heels. Flats (I usually go for loafers or brogues) for feeling like that fashionable cool superstar. What in your bag, can’t you live without? Burt’s Bees and Aquaphor. I always have chapped lips and dry hands. I also always have my business cards. Never know when I need to give it out to someone! What trend are you done with? Anything done un-tastefully. Also hi-lo skirts of any kind.
What trend are you looking forward to indulging in this season?: I would like to indulge in more dark lip color.
What helpful tip(s) could you lend to bloggers about what you have learned since starting you blog? Get on twitter! Twitter is a blogger’s best friend. Find other people and collaborate together. Go to blogger meet ups. Go to conferences (not IFB or Lucky Fabb, but conferences where you learn step by step educational things to enhance your career. Fashion 360 in DC is great. As is School of Style in LA). Who are some of your favorite bloggers? I love Alison from Wardrobe Oxygen, Sheree from It’s Not that Deep and Jentine from My Edit. They all have very different styles, but each bring something different, are relatable, and genuinely lovely people. Others I like/read frequently: Extra Petite (great tips on career wardrobes and alterations), Coco’s Tea Party (fashion news), and Upperlyne. Twitter: @chicstripes Instagram: chicstripes BLOG: chicstripes.wordpress.com