style archetypes Archives | Shopping for the Real You

My Colors: What I’m Wearing Now

In April I promised to share the colors I am wearing these days. (With the launch of Choose Color First everything got delayed.) Now, this week at Costco they had (deep breath) Halloween merchandise! And Christmas ribbon!!! But dang it, it's only early August! And since our hottest months here in the Bay Area are August through October I'm still living in summer clothes. So here, finally, are some photos showing how I wear my palette colors in warmer weather clothes, and the “why” of each one. Click to read more >

Andrea Pflaumer2026-08-05T22:46:30-07:00

How to “Copy” a Cool Outfit

Alyssa Beltempo

Many of my readers and style clients have asked me to suggest a celebrity or person in the public eye who has similar style elements to their own. They figure they can get inspiration or simply copy what that person is wearing. It’s a one-and-done idea, and I certainly get it. Click to read more >

Andrea Pflaumer2025-10-06T12:48:12-07:00

My 7 Favorite 2024 Purchases

eBossy tweed blazer on Amazon $42.88

My mailman, UPS, and Amazon delivery people must think I’m crazy. Several times a week they deliver large packages, and several times a week I return them. (It’s part of my job, I explain.) But there are several items I have not returned and I wear them constantly. You'd think that as someone with a large amount of the Natural style essence I’d just be happy hanging out in sweats and sneakers. But actually, every morning I pick out my entire outfit very intentionally and carefully before I head over to my office.Click to read more >

Andrea Pflaumer2025-02-24T15:27:54-08:00

How Many Colors Should There Be in Your Palette?

I wanted to quickly address the subject of how many colors there should be in an ideal color palette. Over the years one of the main questions I’ve received from people who had a custom color palette created for them is: “OK, what do I do with all these swatches now? Click to read more >

Andrea Pflaumer2024-04-27T12:07:58-07:00

Jewelry that Suits Your Style

Even in the height of the pandemic one area of fashion retail that seemed to stay afloat (besides leisurewear) was jewelry. That was the case across all levels of the economy.

On a Zoom call or FaceTime people may not have been able to see your drawstring sweatpants. But they could see your face and the upper half of your torso. So wearing a new pair of earrings added a much-needed touch of glamour and uplift. And, for those of us who avoided the mirror for a year, we could still look down […]

Andrea Pflaumer2025-02-24T12:53:43-08:00