It’s interesting how you can develop a sense of knowing a person despite the fact that you will never be in the same room with them. I feel this way about many women in my Facebook Group who over the years, I have gotten to know well enough to develop not just a rapport, but with each one, a unique connection that is individual to them. Take this month’s Facebook Group Member of the Month, Shauna Basener, who seems to get my edgy and twisted humor. When she posts photos to the group looking for feedback and I respond with a comment like, “oh God, no! That top needs to be accessorized with a can of gasoline and a match,” she understands what I really mean is, “Shauna, that top is not even in the galaxy of being worthy of you.”
Shauna is fun and knows herself well but at the same time continues to be curious and open about her style. I can think of no better time for her to share her own thoughts on her personal style journey as this month’s featured member. Let’s get to know her better.
Name: Shauna Basener\n Location: Polk City, Iowa\n Age: 40\n Q: What do you like most about being a member of Bridgette’s Facebook Group?\u00a0\n A: The friendly, constructive community. And occasional advice from the lady herself!\n Q: The biggest benefits you have received from being a Group member\u00a0\n A: Feeling supported to try new things with clothes that don\u2019t always work.\n Q: What would you tell women who haven’t joined The Group yet?\u00a0\u00a0\n A: To join!\n Q: How would you describe your style?\u00a0\n A: I wish I had a job or life that required sequins and pink hair, but I try to show up as a fun but professional female.\n Q: How did you discover your style?\u00a0\u00a0\n A: Well, I\u2019m still looking for it.\n Q: What advice do you have for others trying to find their style?\u00a0\u00a0\n A: Not to rush it or pressure it. I regret some fast Fashion mistakes I have made and trying to copy from others what really wasn\u2019t for me.\n Q: What fashion issues are you currently struggling with?\u00a0\n A: Pants! Always pants as a tall person, but especially with all the waist line changes it\u2019s hard to fit the tops with the pants!\n Q: What are the most versatile items you have in your closet?\u00a0\n A: Don\u2019t kick me out, but it\u2019s my black work pants.\n Q: If you could go back and change the way you dressed in the past, what would you change?\u00a0\u00a0\n A: I would improve my access to tall-size clothes as a younger person. I have so many memories of Ill-fitting clothes.\n Q: Is there a fashion purchase you made that you found more useful than you thought it would be?\u00a0\u00a0\n A: A gold necklace I got from stitch fix: it\u2019s so versatile. One of the few things I kept from that experience.\n Q: What about a fashion purchase that you thought would solve all your problems, but didn’t?\n A: Oh, so many. I don\u2019t know why I keep buying blazers. They really don\u2019t work for my life.\n Q: How do you envision yourself when you look your best? \u00a0\n A: Clean (no stickers or food spills from my kids). A good eyelash day is always good.\n Q: What are your biggest fashion goals for the year?\u00a0\u00a0\n A: My goal was to reign in my shopping. September was messy, but otherwise, it\u2019s going ok. I need to figure out what works for me in this decade of my life before buying more stuff.\n Q: What is the best fashion advice you ever received?\u00a0\n A: Not to split your wears. It\u2019s helped me as an over buyer.\n Q: The first thing you take off when you get home?\u00a0\n A: My shoes. We are a no-shoes house.\n Q: Favorite color(s) to wear\u00a0\n A: Blue.\n Q: Favorite stores to shop?\u00a0\n A: I just Love to shop! I love local boutiques, and consignment.\n Q: What makes you happiest?\u00a0\n A: My morning coffee, the beach, and facilitating success for others.\n Q: What inspires you?\u00a0\n A: Love and kindness in the Universe\n Q: Use One Word to Describe Your Style\n A: Smart","tablet":" Name: Jamie Rudman\n Location: Oakland, CA\n Age: 54\n Q: What do you like most about being a member of Bridgette's Facebook Group? \n A: I love seeing everyone\u2019s ideas and fashion aspirations. It is particularly exciting to see women who are willing to step out of their comfort zones. I think is possible to take risks in this group because the members are always kind to each other, but also willing to provide constructive feedback.\n Q: The biggest benefits you have received from being a Group member \n A: Meeting Bridgette! Getting ready for my first in-person work conference after Covid cancellations made me realize that I was not happy with my work wardrobe. From seeing the transformations of members in this group, I knew I could do better. But I also knew that I did not have the patience to do it on my own. So, I asked for and got help. Additionally, I\u2019ve got much more creative with color and color mixing. Turns out, I really don\u2019t want to wear black and gray all the time, now that I have other ideas.\n Q: What would you tell women who haven't joined The Group yet? \n A: Join! It\u2019s exciting to see how the members transform their styles with help from each other. You are guaranteed to learn something and get introduced to new brands.\n Q: How would you describe your style? \n A: Modern classic, with a touch of creativity. My work often requires conservative clothing but, in my fashion dreams, I\u2019m bohemian. These styles don\u2019t play well together without a ton of supervision. Over the years, I have learned that scarves and fun jewelry with simple clothing are the best way to both appear professional and express myself. I\u2019m also starting to incorporate more colored shoes.\n Q: How did you discover your style? \n A: Trial and error! I readily admit that I\u2019ve made some mistakes and that I am grateful I could shed them all at the end of the day. I\u2019ve spent a lot of time in recent years consulting blogs and looking at other people\u2019s posts in this group. But, I\u2019m sad to report that, for me at least, the hard work needs to be either in the dressing room or with piles of potential new clothes in front of a mirror at home.\n Q: What advice do you have for others trying to find their style? \n A: Really pay attention to what works for you. Examine what you wear the most and why. Try on a ton of clothes. And, don\u2019t be afraid to ask for help, as it can be hard to see ourselves objectively.\n Q: What fashion issues are you currently struggling with? \n A: There are really two. I mentioned the first above - I am drawn to bohemian clothes that simply do not serve my actual needs as a professional. I travel a lot, so having entirely different wardrobes for work and play isn\u2019t practical. The second problem is more about the fashion industry than me. I wear a size 16, on average, and I have the gall to be smaller on the bottom than on the top. Many brands stop making tailored clothes at a size 12 or 16, which really limits my choices.\n Q: What are the most versatile items you have in your closet? \n A: Jeans, cardigans, metallic flats, and really good t-shirts. I don\u2019t know why it\u2019s taken me this long to discover the value of a great t-shirt, which can be worn with everything from suits to shorts.\n Q: If you could go back and change the way you dressed in the past, what would you change? \n A: Nothing! I always look forward, not back.\n Q: Is there a fashion purchase you made that you found more useful than you thought it would be? \n A: A belt. I shied away from belts for most of my life because I thought that they drew too much attention to the fact that I don\u2019t have much definition at the waist and I don\u2019t have a flat stomach. A salesperson convinced me to try a belt and - who knew? - it turns out that they hold up my pants too. And, with a half tuck, actually flatter. So, I should probably change my answer to the question above. If I could go back, I\u2019d wear belts more and trip over my pants less.\n Q: What about a fashion purchase that you thought would solve all your problems, but didn't?\n A: I don\u2019t rely on fashion to solve my problems. I have a dog for that. I did once think better jeans would solve my fashion problems, and that largely turned out to be true. However, buying more and more better jeans, which I did with reckless abandon, has had diminishing returns.\n Q: How do you envision yourself when you look your best? \n A: I envision myself looking successful and fashionable. I definitely use clothes to give me a confidence boost when the imposter syndrome tries to convince me that I am not these things.\n Q: What are your biggest fashion goals for the year? \n A: My absolute biggest goal is to clear my closet of things that don\u2019t serve me, and sell the best of the pieces that might excite someone else.\n Q: What is the best fashion advice you ever received? \n A: Treat clothes shopping like art. You can\u2019t and don\u2019t buy every piece of art that you admire and you shouldn\u2019t buy clothes just because they are pretty. If it doesn\u2019t suit your budget, lifestyle, and body, admire it on someone else.\n Q: The first thing you take off when you get home? \n A: Anything that requires special care or that won\u2019t benefit from the addition of dog fur.\n Q: Favorite color(s) to wear \n A: I love color! Blue, green, olive, red, and I recently discovered coral and camel suit me too.\n Q: Favorite stores to shop? \n A: MM LaFleur, Nordstrom, Neiman-Marcus, M Gemi (thanks, group!). I enjoy consignment shopping and have had some good luck lately with Poshmark.\n Q: What makes you happiest? \n A: Time with my friends and family, my dog, travel, art, theater.\n Q: What inspires you? \n A: Basically, the same things that make me happy: my family and friends, my dog, travel, art, and theater. Additionally, I\u2019m inspired by the success of other women.\n Q: Use One Word to Describe Your Style\n A: Evolving","phone":" \n Name: Shauna Basener\n Location: Polk City, Iowa\n Age: 40\n Q: What do you like most about being a member of Bridgette's Facebook Group? \n A: The friendly, constructive community. And occasional advice from the lady herself!\n Q: The biggest benefits you have received from being a Group member \n A: Feeling supported to try new things with clothes that don\u2019t always work.\n Q: What would you tell women who haven't joined The Group yet? \n A: To join!\n Q: How would you describe your style? \n A: I wish I had a job or life that required sequins and pink hair, but I try to show up as a fun but professional female.\n Q: How did you discover your style? \n A: Well, I\u2019m still looking for it.\n Q: What advice do you have for others trying to find their style? \n A: Not to rush it or pressure it. I regret some fast fashion mistakes I have made and trying to copy from others what really wasn\u2019t for me.\n Q: What fashion issues are you currently struggling with? \n A: Pants! Always pants as a tall person, but especially with all the waist line changes it\u2019s hard to fit the tops with the pants!\n Q: What are the most versatile items you have in your closet? \n A: Don\u2019t kick me out, but it\u2019s my black work pants.\n Q: If you could go back and change the way you dressed in the past, what would you change? \n A: I would improve my access to tall-size clothes as a younger person. I have so many memories of Ill-fitting clothes.\n Q: Is there a fashion purchase you made that you found more useful than you thought it would be? \n A: A gold necklace I got from stitch fix: it\u2019s so versatile. One of the few things I kept from that experience.\n Q: What about a fashion purchase that you thought would solve all your problems, but didn't?\n A: Oh, so many. I don\u2019t know why I keep buying blazers. They really don\u2019t work for my life.\n Q: How do you envision yourself when you look your best? \n A: Clean (no stickers or food spills from my kids). A good eyelash day is always good.\n Q: What are your biggest fashion goals for the year? \n A: My goal was to reign in my shopping. September was messy, but otherwise, it\u2019s going ok. I need to figure out what works for me in this decade of my life before buying more stuff.\n Q: What is the best fashion advice you ever received? \n A: Not to split your wears. It\u2019s helped me as an over buyer.\n Q: The first thing you take off when you get home? \n A: My shoes. We are a no-shoes house.\n Q: Favorite color(s) to wear \n A: Blue.\n Q: Favorite stores to shop? \n A: I just Love to shop! I love local boutiques, and consignment.\n \n Q: What makes you happiest? \n A: My morning coffee, the beach, and facilitating success for others.\n Q: What inspires you? \n A: Love and kindness in the Universe\n Q: Use One Word to Describe Your Style\n A: Smart"}},"slug":"et_pb_text"}" data-et-multi-view-load-tablet-hidden="true" data-et-multi-view-load-phone-hidden="true">
Name: Shauna Basener Location: Polk City, Iowa Age: 40 Q: What do you like most about being a member of Bridgette’s Facebook Group? A: The friendly, constructive community. And occasional advice from the lady herself! Q: The biggest benefits you have received from being a Group member A: Feeling supported to try new things with clothes that don’t always work. Q: What would you tell women who haven’t joined The Group yet? A: To join! Q: How would you describe your style? A: I wish I had a job or life that required sequins and pink hair, but I try to show up as a fun but professional female. Q: How did you discover your style? A: Well, I’m still looking for it. Q: What advice do you have for others trying to find their style? A: Not to rush it or pressure it. I regret some fast fashion mistakes I have made and trying to copy from others what really wasn’t for me. Q: What fashion issues are you currently struggling with? A: Pants! Always pants as a tall person, but especially with all the waist line changes it’s hard to fit the tops with the pants! Q: What are the most versatile items you have in your closet? A: Don’t kick me out, but it’s my black work pants. Q: If you could go back and change the way you dressed in the past, what would you change? A: I would improve my access to tall-size clothes as a younger person. I have so many memories of Ill-fitting clothes. Q: Is there a fashion purchase you made that you found more useful than you thought it would be? A: A gold necklace I got from stitch fix: it’s so versatile. One of the few things I kept from that experience. Q: What about a fashion purchase that you thought would solve all your problems, but didn’t? A: Oh, so many. I don’t know why I keep buying blazers. They really don’t work for my life. Q: How do you envision yourself when you look your best? A: Clean (no stickers or food spills from my kids). A good eyelash day is always good. Q: What are your biggest fashion goals for the year? A: My goal was to reign in my shopping. September was messy, but otherwise, it’s going ok. I need to figure out what works for me in this decade of my life before buying more stuff. Q: What is the best fashion advice you ever received? A: Not to split your wears. It’s helped me as an over buyer. Q: The first thing you take off when you get home? A: My shoes. We are a no-shoes house. Q: Favorite color(s) to wear A: Blue. Q: Favorite stores to shop? A: I just Love to shop! I love local boutiques, and consignment. Q: What makes you happiest? A: My morning coffee, the beach, and facilitating success for others. Q: What inspires you? A: Love and kindness in the Universe Q: Use One Word to Describe Your Style A: Smart
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