30 Lessons at 30
Yes, I’m going to be that cliche today! Today I turn 30 years old. While I’m stuck in the now second wave of stay at home orders in LA county, I’ve decided to do some reflection. I mean...all I have is time, right?
So in today’s post, I’m going to do something I’ve never attempted before, and that’s to write down the lessons that I’ve learned through time. Specifically for this post, 30 lessons that I’ve learned within my 30 years on this planet. The goal is to list out 30 lessons per category that I feature on my blog and YouTube channel being fashion design, style and self.
I’ll add a disclaimer here that none of these lessons are in any particular order and that these aren’t the most important lessons I’ve learned in all 30 years of life. These are the ones that I could remember as I drafted and edited this post.
Okay, let’s begin...
Fashion Design
Thirty lessons I’ve learned as a fashion designer. It really hasn’t been 30 years since I’ve been interested in fashion but we’re going to do this anyway. This is a mix of things I’ve learned from starting sewing on my own, through college, the 9-5 and building my personal brand as a designer.
Don’t bleed on the fabric. This will always be the number one rule. If you poke yourself with a pin or cut yourself with a rotary cutter, do you best to get away from the fabric immediately.
The face (front) side of jersey knit fabric is the one that looks like parallel lines when stretched, not a grid. (First lesson I learned while working.)
Designs with impact “Swoosh Swoosh” down the runway. (Lowkey insider, I’m sorry but my girls know.)
Measure twice, measure one more time, then cut and pray.
There are multiple ways to achieve the same silhouette or detail.
Always clip the corners.
Press as you go. Not afterwards. It’s too late then.
Let the bias drape relax and fall before sewing seams.
Using the right tools and techniques can make a subtle detail look immaculate or like trash.
My favorite way to design is by creating harmony between two opposing things (cultures, genres, beliefs, aesthetic).
Don’t be afraid to push the envelope and challenge what you already know.
Designing for someone else means you're helping someone else achieve their dreams.
No 9-5 is worth my personal health.
A closed mouth doesn’t get fed. Ask for what you want. Ask for help. Ask for guidance.
I am capable of way more than I give myself credit for.
There can be 10 different names for the same type of fabric.
It takes polyester, a synthetic fabric, hundreds of years to biodegrade
A corporate fashion designer doesn’t physically sew; They sit behind a computer and create CADs and BOMs.
There are so many different industrial machines that do so many different types of jobs that it’s mind blowing. What could take me 30 minutes to sew on a decent pocket can take a machine less than a minute. It’s outrageous to watch.
Sew organza and silk using tissue paper.
When designing kidswear, you have to aim for the emotional buy from the parents.
There’s a difference in pricing at cost, pricing for profit and pricing your worth.
To cut a clean line, don’t let the scissors close all the way.
Who you know will probably get you further than the work you do.
The bobbin will almost always run out when you’re about to finish sewing your garment.
Be very kind and grateful to those helping you execute greatness. They’ll remember and will want to continue to see you succeed.
Show your work and show your process. You never know who’s watching.
Increase skill by practicing and learning from your mistakes.
Put yourself out there and reach out to stylists.
Style
30 Lessons I’ve learned about having a personal style. This one will be a bit tougher since I’m still at the beginning of this journey, but let’s see where it takes us.
Having a color palette you can shop into creates a cohesive wardrobe, no matter what you buy.
Learning your body type and how to dress it can make you feel more confident with shopping and getting dressed.
Don’t try to find an outfit the last minute before an event because whatever you find, you won’t like it but you’ll be stuck with it.
It doesn’t take much to feel good about yourself and how you look.
Lipstick is fun.
Red is life. It’s my power color.
Dress for yourself and not for the approval of others.
Don’t let anyone dictate how you should dress or look.
Style is a way to express yourself, your individuality.
Creating stories and characters for your daily outfits makes you feel a little sneaky because you have a secret that only you know throughout the day .
True personal style lies within the details and the accessories.
You don’t have to forfeit comfort in order to look good.
Having a child f***s up your style sense for at least a short period of time.
Keep food and liquids away from your mouth when wearing white shirts.
Shoes are everything.
Build a wardrobe that will have you prepared for just about any occasion.
Strategically add key item pieces or expensive items by planning in advance and paying attention to seasons.
Style doesn’t have to be expensive. Thrifting is a viable option and so is DIYing it.
Wear sneakers with skirts and dresses.
Self confidence is the most powerful thing you can put on.
Twirling in a dress or skirt makes you feel a little magical.
Don’t buy something without knowing how you’ll wear it first because it will sit in your closet for forever.
It feels good to have new clothes on standby as an option.
Putting on a good bra for the first time will be the most support you’ve ever felt in your lifetime.
Your personal style can help advance your career by making you appear credible.
Don’t wash anything white/light colored that you value in a community washing machine. Take it to the cleaners...or to your moms so she can wash it by hand.
Jeans over leggings.
Volume in anything makes you feel extra fancy.
Personal style is just that, personal. There is no right or wrong way to do it as long as you feel great about yourself.
Self
30 Lessons I’ve learned from walking in my own shoes and from wanting better for myself.
Therapy is a God-send. Take advantage of it if you can.
Don’t stay around people who have clearly shown they don’t value or care for you.
I am responsible for my own happiness and can’t make that another person’s responsibility.
Books that have helped me grown my mindset (these are not affiliate links):
Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
Better than Before by Gretchen Rubin
Atomic Habits by James Clear
You are a Badass by Jen Sincero
Unfu*k Yourself by Gary John Bishop
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
The Latte Factor by David Bach
To get out of comfort and see actual change in your life, you have to challenge yourself to do things beyond what you already know.
I perform and execute more reliably when I have external accountability.
Having a kid makes you want to do better in order to give them what you didn’t have.
Grocery shopping, laundry and wash day are all forms of exercise.
Embrace the actual moment by not worrying about things that happened in the past or that might come in the future. Breathe and notice what’s occurring right now and how you feel about it.
Communication and understanding are the foundation of a good relationship.
Sometimes people will exit from your life without any explanation and that’s alright. It’s not a reflection of who you are as a person.
Acknowledge and feel your emotions and what they’re trying to tell you.
I place the value on how much something affects me. I decide whether it’s a mountain or a mole hill.
Cherish every moment like it’s your last because it very well could be or the person your with.
Parents do the best they can with what they have.
Quality of friends over quantity of friends.
Journaling is a great way to clear your mind and work through issues that have been on your mind.
Exercise is a great anxiety manager.
Be. Do. Have. Be the person you want to be by doing what they’re supposed to do and you’ll have what you need in time.
Words are powerful. Speak positivity into yourself.
Have a collection of photos, videos, music etc that inspire you to do better and motivate you to keep going on days you don’t feel like showing up for yourself.
Money is a tool.
Start your day with gratefulness and practice it throughout the day for positive vibes.
I am exactly where I’m supposed to be on my journey.
For anything to change or improve, you have to commit to the work.
Discipline beats motivation.
Take time to find the things that make you truly happy because you deserve it.
The last five years have really loaded on the lessons and have opened my eyes to a lot of things I didn’t even know were there. I’m looking forward to seeing what my 30’s has to offer.
What life changing lessons have you learned through your time on this earth? Share in the comments and help someone else out.