✨How to Keep Polished When the Weather Says "Relax" + Spring 2025 Trend vs. Timeless Tips and More
Actionable strategies rooted in science and 4 decades of color psychology, professional image, and timeless sustainable style to help you show up with confidence and authenticity.
FREE CONTENT (For All Subscribers)
Article of the week: When the Weather Says “Relax”… We Keep Saying "Polished"
Glow Tips: A collection of tips that help you apply the concepts from the article or other holistic personal presence improvements.
PAID CONTENT (Paid Subscribers Will Find This Below The Free Content) 🔥
Thank you for being a paid subscriber. You’re helping keep this publication alive and glowing!
🎯 Trending vs. Timeless: Spring 2025 Edition
👠 Dressing for Influence: Spring Power Moves
💰 Not a paid subscriber yet?
For just $7/month, you get:
✅ Deep dives into professional presence & timeless wardrobe strategies
✅ Trend analysis through the lens of color, line, accessories, and sustainability
✅ Video reviews, toolkits, workbooks, and styling guides
✅ A glow-forward approach rooted in psychology, communication, and sustainable fashion
“If every reader subscribed for the cost of one fancy coffee, I could grow this into a color movement. Let’s do it together.”
Join now & get instant access to the full publication.
When the Weather Says “Relax”… We Keep Saying "Polished"
Tatyana Wilson, MA, EDS, SHRM-CP, helps people make great impressions with science-backed approaches and a carefully curated wardrobe of biologically correct colors, good tailoring, and elevated accessories. She writes at www.lightlovescolor.com.
The sun is finally out, and with it comes the temptation to dress like we’ve already checked out. Flip-flops. Jersey tops. Slouchy knits. “It’s spring,” “Lighten up,” are the messages we hear everywhere.
But, while spring might be the season of softness and recreation, our presence still matters.
You and I both know how easy it is to reach for casual clothes in the name of comfort. And let’s be real—some of the things we wear when the weather warms up are less about comfort and more about habit.
A hoodie instead of a jacket.
A tank instead of a blouse.
Capri pants or gauzy skirts that belong more at a beach resort than at your desk.
Even our posture shifts. Our tone. Our pace.
Sandy Dumont called this “business casualty” for a reason: what you wear shapes how you’re treated—and how you treat yourself.
So why do we do it?
Because we’re tired. Because we’ve been running nonstop. Because the warm breeze makes us want to let go of all that “serious stuff.” But letting go of your standards isn’t the same as letting in ease. You can feel light and free and look intentional and credible.
What’s too casual—and what to wear instead:
🚫 Capri Pants
🧠 Message they send: Off-duty, vacation, or worse—“I didn’t plan this outfit.”
✅ Instead, try: Ankle-length cigarette pants in a crisp fabric like TENCEL™ or polished cotton. Still breezy, but much more structured.
🚫 Tank Tops and Jersey Camisoles
🧠 Message they send: Layering basics, not public-facing polish.
✅ Instead, try: A scoop-neck or square-neck fitted top in a biologically enhancing color. Bonus if it has sleeve structure or slight ribbing.
🚫 Hoodies or Sweatshirts
🧠 Message they send: Loungewear energy. Slouching. Hiding.
✅ Instead, try: A softer jacket, slightly tailored vest, or lightweight cropped jacket. Add a belt for more shape, and you’re suddenly the sharpest one in the room.
🚫 Chunky sneakers or flip-flops
🧠 Message they send: "I’m running errands."
✅ Instead, try: Pointed flats, low wedges, or sleek mules. Structure on the feet is a game-changer.
When you show up polished—even in spring—you’re sending a message. Not that you’re rigid or uptight. Not that you’re trying to impress. But that you take yourself seriously.
That’s magnetic. That’s rare. That’s what sets people apart when everyone else is using the weather as an excuse to become too casual.
This week, I’m inviting you to do something powerful this spring:
✨ Show up with ease but also with character.
✨ Reach for comfort but also for style.
✨ Feel the sun but also your self-respect.
Even though the weather might say “relax”, we can say, “I’m here and I still mean business.”
Let’s keep showing up and use the sunshine as extra energy, not an excuse to lose ourselves in ultra casual clothes that will get us nowhere.
—Tatyana
"There's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing."
~Usually attributed to Alfred Wainwright
✨ Glow Tips: Stay Cool, Stay Sharp
This week, we’re not letting rising temps lower our standards. These tips will help you maintain polish and feel like yourself as we shift toward warm-weather style.
🧥 1. Replace the Hoodie With a Hero Jacket
Cardigans and hoodies feel easy—but they dilute your strong vibes. The right lightweight jacket pulls everything into place.
Glow Tip: Try a cropped blazer, a linen safari-style jacket, or a belted vest. These keep your silhouette defined while still breathing.
👚 2. Go Beyond the Tank Top
Camis and tanks can flatten your presence, especially on Zoom or in transitional lighting.
Glow Tip: Swap for fitted tops with real shape—square necklines, subtle ribbing, or architectural sleeves. You’ll still feel light but look 10x more polished.
👡 3. Level Up Your Spring Shoe Game
Chunky sneakers or foam sandals signal “mom running errands”, even when you mean business.
Glow Tip: Choose pointed flats, espadrille wedges, or structured slides in a cool-toned metallic or navy for instant authority without discomfort.
Tatyana Wilson, MA, EdS, SHRM-CP
Founder, Light Loves Color
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Light Loves Color by The Image Architect to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.