Elyse Winter: The Fashion Stylist Talks To Us About Her Wardrobe Essentials And How Motherhood Inspired Her Career.
Photo courtesy of Elyse Winter
I often ask myself - would Elyse Winter approve of my outfit choice? She is a stylist who’s worked in the luxury fashion industry for nearly twenty years. Her personal style is impeccable. She has that effortlessly put together, yet cool and casual look that only the chicest people know how to pull off.
When Elyse became a mum, everything shifted. She didn’t know how she felt about herself and how she wanted to dress anymore, but she navigated through this tough period and discovered another new role for herself. She wanted to help other women who were in the same transition feel better about themselves. She now guides people all around the world, IRL and virtually, by offering closet edits, everyday styling and personal shopping. She understands the needs of her customers, especially the mums, who juggle work, breastfeeding & more, making them feel comfortable and effortlessly put together with their outfits.
She splits her time between Los Angeles, where she was born and raised, and New York City. And she’s not your typical stylist. She doesn’t push her clients into buying trend pieces - instead, she dives into their current wardrobe and builds around that first before recommending some tried and tested key pieces. Picture classic Manolo’s, vintage Levi’s jeans, and The Row bags.
She clearly loves her job a lot. She honestly opens up about the juggling and balancing act that goes on behind the scenes, or lack thereof, of being a working mum. But it’s clear that everything she does is inspired, first and foremost, by the fact she is a mother. She tells us her fashion regrets, her go-to outfits, and why investing in jewellery is something you should seriously think about. Don’t be surprised if you, too, start thinking, “Would Elyse approve of this?”
By Alice Codford
Alice: How have you found motherhood so far?
Elyse: Wild! Amazing! Exhausting! Beautiful! I love being a mom so much. I dedicated the last 2 years to being in a wild phase of “stay at home mom” and fully working. It’s been a struggle and a blessing. I wouldn’t change anything!
Photo courtesy of Elyse Winter
Has your personal style changed since becoming a mum? If so, how has it influenced the way you dress now?
Elyse: I’ve always been a jeans and a T-shirt girl because I was born and raised in LA. I still am pretty casual and comfy throughout the day. The main shift for me has been the emotion behind the clothing and trying to balance the fine line between looking frazzled and looking effortless. It’s a very fine line!
How do you balance being a mom and being a stylist? Do you find it hard to switch off at the end of the day?
Elyse: It is something I struggle with. The issue is that I love my job so much that I don’t really have strict boundaries with my clients. I’m always on my phone texting with clients. I’m trying to be better and carve out time to go on walks with my family without my phone. At the end of the day, I take a long shower and wind down around 8pm.
“I wanted to find a way to combine shopping and making people feel good. When I had my daughter, it totally shook me and my personal style, so I felt the desire to help other people who felt the same way.”
What does your typical day look like?
Elyse: Tough question, it changes every single day! Usually, I wake up at 6 am with my daughter, and we have breakfast. I take literally 2 minutes to get dressed for the day in something cosy and comfy, and we go on a long walk with my mom or to a mommy and me class. Then, I have a virtual appointment with a client and change quickly into something that feels a bit more polished. If I don’t have time, I throw on extra jewellery to feel more like myself.
If I have an in-person appointment, my daughter gets dropped at my mom’s house, and I take more time to get properly dressed and prepared. Post appointment, I am either at FedEx or UPS shipping pieces to clients. Once I get home, I set up lunch for the baby and put her down for a nap. During her nap, I spend time posting content with brand partners and sharing recent work on Instagram. I also spend a ton of time creating virtual edits for clients… it’s very time-consuming but rewarding. I recently hired an assistant to help me with all of this. The remainder of the day is spent confirming client appointments, replying to emails, and texting clients back. I’m always on my phone, which is tricky to balance being present. To round the day out, I have dinner with my family, and we do a bath routine. I go to bed VERY early because my day is nonstop, and I’m exhausted.
The next morning we do it all again!
You split your time between LA and NYC, what are your favourite child-friendly places to go to in both cities?
Elyse: LA: I love the Brentwood Country Mart with the family. There are cute stores, and the Farmshop is a great kid-friendly restaurant. I also love The Fountain Room for Mickey Mouse pancakes and Clark Street Diner for a casual vibe. We spend most of our time in my parent’s backyard, to be honest though!
NYC: We love the Central Park Zoo and all of the parks in general in NYC. My favourite area in the city with Gemma is the Upper East Side because the sidewalks are wider, and I love taking her into stores to see “sparkly shoes”. I also adore Brooklyn Heights and Cobble Hill.
What got you into styling?
Elyse: I started interning when I was 15, and I’ve worked for so many amazing companies in the luxury fashion space. I have always loved fashion and shopping. I wanted to find a way to combine shopping and making people feel good. When I had my daughter, it totally shook me and my personal style, so I felt the desire to help other people who felt the same way. I really started pushing my business in 2022 when I had Gemma, and I haven’t looked back!
You do consultations and sessions IRL, and virtually, do you have a lot of clients wanting to refresh their wardrobes after having a baby?
Elyse: The majority of my clients are women who have children. There is a major shift that happens when you have a child. I went through a tough period of time where I didn’t understand how I wanted to dress or feel after having my daughter. It truly inspired me to want to help other mothers who were in the same phase. It’s a mind game to get dressed properly when you have NO time and you’re juggling work and breastfeeding. I’ve been there, and I want to help others.
Photo courtesy of Elyse Winter.
Building a capsule wardrobe! How do you start?
Elyse: I don’t love the idea of a capsule wardrobe. Even though I adore basic and classic pieces, I love for my clients to have options. I don’t love that term!
What should be in every stylish mom's capsule wardrobe?
Elyse: If I had to narrow it down. My go-to pieces personally are perfect crewneck T-shirts, cashmere sweaters, vintage jeans, oversized blazers, sheer tops, luxe vintage bags, and some great flats. I also lean on jewellery a lot when getting dressed to add interest.
Edit by Luminary Mothers. Photos courtesy of Elyse Winter, Manolo Blahnik & Blazé Milano.
Should you shop trends every season? How do you add IT pieces without cluttering your wardrobe?
Elyse: I don’t love trends. With that being said, adding in more “current” styling is helpful. Example: I am more into oversized pieces and low loose jeans right now vs fitted and that feels fresh. I guess the Row Jelly shoes break my “rule” of no trends. If something feels fun and resonates with me I go for it. I try to be thoughtful and not dive in too deep with trends.
“I don’t pre-plan outfits. I just wear what I feel good in at that moment.”
What would you throw on if you had 10 minutes to get dressed?
Elyse: I wish I had 10 minutes! I’m not kidding the most time I’ve had to get dressed in the past 2 years is 5 minutes max. I don’t pre-plan outfits. I just wear what I feel good in at that moment. I would say a Blazé Milano oversized blazer with a Manolo kitten heel and jeans is my go-to rushed outfit.
Would you say that that's also your go-to outfit for day-to-day?
Elyse: A white crew neck t-shirt, vintage Levi’s jeans, a cashmere knit, interesting flats from Ayede or The Row, tons of jewellery, and a vintage Hermes bag. I’m wearing that currently for a mommy and me class that will then transition to a virtual client call later today.
Edit by Luminary Mothers.
What are some of your favourite investment pieces that you often re-wear?
Elyse: My vintage Hermes Kelly and Her bag are my most worn bags. I love that they are already scratched and have had another life before me. I also love investing in jewellery and watches. Danielle Sherman from Sherman and Field is my favorite jeweler and I’m starting a collection slowly with her. Because my style is so simple, I need jewellery to make it feel special.
What are your favourite brands at the moment?
Elyse: Attersee, The Row, Blaze Milano, Frances De Lourdes.
“Most of my influence comes from French editors and real street style in Paris.”
Who's wardrobe would you love to raid? Do you have a style icon?
Elyse: I love Emmanuelle Alt and the Olsens are great. Most of my influence comes from French editors and real street style in Paris.
Have you received, or gifted yourself something special to commemorate the birth of your baby?
Elyse: I bought myself a Marie Lichtenberg Coco Locket Necklace the week she was born. It feels vintage and reminds me of a kid’s toy. I love it. My husband recently got me a custom Marlo Laz bracelet with her initials on it and a mama necklace I wear every day.
Edit by Luminary Mothers. Photos courtesy of Elyse Winter and Marlo Laz.
What's on your shopping list right now?
Elyse: Vintage Levi’s for the baby! They’re impossible to find in her size. I need to take a shopping break. I’ve been nonstop because I’m always so inspired by my client’s closets.
Any fashion regrets? (Be honest lol!)
Elyse: Lol! I’ve had a few. When I was in middle school I thought lime green Uggs were IT. I also feel that The Row t-shirts are overpriced and I regret buying a few in the past. They’re just not worth it.
Last question! What is your perfect shoe? I feel like your answer is going to be a pair of Manolo Blahnik's... Am I right?
Elyse: Yes! The Manolo Blahnik Carolyne 50 mm in Black Suede is my go to. They go with jeans or a gown. I love them so much it’s a problem! I also love white Converse 70s. I wear them all of the time to balance an overly polished outfit.
Photo courtesy of Elyse Winter.
