A Week of Outfits: Laura Tully
“To me, a good outfit is one I don’t have to think about too much,” says Laura Tully, a personal wardrobe stylist who lives in Boise, Idaho, with her husband and three kids. Her ethos — for herself and her clients — is that your wardrobe should serve your life right now. “Style is about caring for yourself in the season you’re in,” she says, “not chasing the hope that one day you’ll be this person or that person.” Here, Laura shares five outfits she wore in a week…
Jacket: H&M. T-shirt: Leset. Jeans: Citizens of Humanity. Belt: Old Navy. Sneakers: Reebok. Baseball cap: Clare V. Earrings: Gorjana.
“I have tried a million white T-shirts, and Leset is by far my favorite. They’re slightly cropped, but I’m 5’9 and I can still raise the roof in these tees without worrying about my bra showing. What I love is that they always come through the wash in good condition and still looking white.”
“I know people love accessories, and so do I, but dressing yourself is like cooking, where sometimes a really good meal has just five ingredients. This barn jacket is like a chunk of really good Parm that you keep in the fridge and use over and over until it’s down to a tiny nub.”
Blazer: Eaves. Jeans: Citizens of Humanity. Shoes: similar.
“I wear this outfit to work meetings. The jeans are super comfortable, which is important to me. I have a three-year-old daughter, a six-year-old son, and a twenty-year-old stepdaughter. I work in and out of the house, and one day I’m crushing it, and the next day I’m like, ‘That could’ve gone better.’ So, I want clothes that don’t require management, because I’m already managing plenty of other things.”
“I’m also really practical when it comes to makeup. I stick to two lip colors: MAC lip pencil in Chicory, which is a warm nutmeg, and if I want more depth, I’ll layer it with the Ilia crayon in Gala, a hydrating dark rose.”
Denim shirt: Madewell, similar. Dress: Bardot, similar.
“For date nights, this dress initially felt a little bit out of the box, since I don’t wear a lot of prints. But now I wear it everywhere! It also has pockets, which I think is just proper math when it comes to skirts and dresses.”
“I grew up in Jamaica. My dad was a shoemaker, and my mom had several jobs, including seamstress work. We had very little means, but my parents instilled in me the idea that, regardless of money, you can be intentional about the clothes that you put on your body. And that can be just as important as the words that come out of your mouth.”
Jacket: Anine Bing, similar. Shirt: Ralph Lauren. Jeans: Citizens of Humanity. Sneakers: Reebok. Earrings: Gorjana.
“I’m in jeans 90% of the time, and I like cuffing or creasing them so it doesn’t feel like I’m wearing the same thing over and over. The key is having denim with a good amount of weight. The higher the cotton percentage, the easier it is to make it look sharp.”
“With my ‘professional’ jeans, I take them to the dry cleaner for what’s called a wet press or cowboy press, which is basically super-heavy starching. Then I bring them home, cuff them, and put a book on top of them for a day. After that, I can wear them for weeks, and they’ll still look crisp and polished.”
Top: H&M, similar. Skirt: Rails. Purse: Saint Laurent. Sneakers: Converse.
“Cute sneakers are my love language. They’re comfy, of course, and sneakers can decompress an outfit, in a good way, you know? When you feel like, ‘This work outfit may be too stuffy,’ throwing on cute sneaks adds something personable that invites other people to let their guard down.”
“Before kids, I had this vision of myself as having it all together. And I hear it all the time from other moms: ‘I just want to feel pulled together.’ I think that phrase can sometimes translate to this ideal Pinterest-board version of your life, and that’s not really going to serve you. You’re always going to feel like, ‘Ugh, I’m not there yet.’ My approach with style is, ‘What’s going on here? What do we need now?’”
Thank you so much, Laura!
P.S. More weeks of outfits, including a New England grandmother and an afrofuturist in Detroit.
(Photos by Maggie Grace for Cup of Jo.)
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Tags: week of outfits
Comments
101 commentsso many really helpful and practical tips in here! her jeans look so great, and i especially love the comparison to cooking!
My goodness, I don’t think I’ve ever beheld a more beautiful human. Laura, you are stunning. And every single outfit shown here is just perfect, both on you, and just fun and chic and effortless while also looking like you could actually live your life and be comfortable. I would wear all of it! Inspiring and relatable! My favorite week of outfits ever. And now I would love to see a home tour, and favorite recipes, and beauty routine, and whatever else Laura would be so kind to share.
I keep thinking about Laura’s cowboy press jeans! She’s my neighbor to the north—Utah for me—and in cowboy culture you do see that pressed, front seam denim. I love that Laura has that nod to our Western roots without it looking like Ralph Lauren cosplay. Thanks for sharing Laura!
Hello neighbor! thanks for these kind words Susan. I love that you noticed that it’s one of my favorite details :)
Susan, I grew up in eastern Montana. Lots of rattlesnakes. I’ve heard more than one story about a rattlesnake that tried to bite a rider on horseback but the STARCH IN THE WRANGLERS was too stiff to bite through. Starch those jeans like your life depends upon it!! Lol
“It also has pockets, which I think is just proper math when it comes to skirts and dresses” – lol!! Yes! Loved Laura’s vibe!!
Haha! We get each other and feel seen, right ;)
I absolutely love Laura and her style. I’m lucky enough to know her in real life and she’s every bit as down to earth, loving and accessible in person as she is in this feature. She brings a wonderful mixture of people together and makes everyone feel special and unique and accepted. She inspires you to find what speaks to you and how you can achieve feeling at home in your body regardless of age, gender or body type. Love her and Cup of Jo
Betsy! my heart is melting over here. Thank you for these kind words. I appreciate you so much. hugging you!
I’m just so thankful for this space. “I don’t want clothes that I have to manage” is exactly what I needed to hear. I keep remembering a post from years ago, can anyone find it? Interviews with readers who are embracing the hair they have—natural textured, thick, etc. and there was one woman who reflected on embracing her thin, fine hair and she was stunning. I keep remembering that picture, her hair was dark. Embrace the season we’re in.
Oh my goodness – absolutely LOVE her style! Especially the sneaks with everything! I used to hardly ever leave the house unless I was in Tory Burch Sally wedges (RIP 2015!) So grateful it’s all about a statement sneaker these days – long may she reign!
I am getting my jeans pressed now — thank you!
The thing about Laura is that, despite being so gorgeous she could make a paper bag look stylish, she seems to see the COJ community where so many of us are at — tending families and homes and jobs, too busy and practical to indulge in Madison Avenue fantasies and yet… yearning to dress in clothes that give us pleasure and reflect our best selves. She’s so insightful, down to earth and wise.
Oops – I should have written “in addition to” instead of “despite!”
This is my favorite “Week of Outfits” post COJ has ever done! So encouraging and beautiful and accessible! So many wise, helpful thoughts. Thank you, Laura!
Absolutely love her elegant, easy style and accessible, kind mindset. What a great stylist!!
Deeply comforted to see the same shoes on four of those outfits. The life I have now has no time for shoe decisions!
I thought the same thing!!
I love her clean, modern style. Although the lip color is chef’s kiss.
The crease in jeans tip!! I love that look (and the line some vintage jeans have in them from years of creasing) but had zero idea how to get it in a way that didn’t involve me looking for my old iron. I also love what Laura said about dressing for the life you are actually in…..I struggle with that one because I love daydreaming about that fantasy fashion life but it really gets you to better daily style if you’re spending money on the daily life vs the fantasy one.
OMG Wet Press jeans! My dad (who used to work in a denim factory) does this with his jeans! I remember being a kid and he tried everything to convince me to wear jeans, and I absolutely refused because I thought the creases were so sharp, they’d cut me in half. I didn’t know they could be any other way! Turns out he was right, jeans are awesome. Now, I literally don’t own any other pants. No wet press for me, though! Tangential story: a few years ago, my dad and I were taking a train through France. He casually pointed out the window and said ‘see that town over there? That’s Nîmes. A couple hundred years ago, they created a sturdy fabric that was tough enough for laborers and workwear. The fabric was so associated with this town, it became known as serge de Nîmes, or De Nîmes… denim.’ Slow clap, Dad! I feel like he’d been waiting most of his life for the perfect opportunity to work that in!
What a cool backstory! Thanks for sharing it with another denim fiend!
Love that fact about the term denim!
I love this! Fellow jeans and sneakers girly and it’s fun to see someone wearing my uniform and think oh wow she’s so chic. Love the idea that style is about caring for yourself!
Joanna-Have you tracked down another source for that Gemma recommended lip stain? It really is great but they only seem to have 2 colors. Is it discontinued? Boohoo!!!
we couldn’t find another one yesterday but I’ll keep looking!! it really is the best lip color. xoxo
Hi guys. Let’s stay away from H&M retailers. They lead in fast fashion which is a highly unsustainable manufacturing plan. thanks!
Love this one! Curious about the brown handbag – is there a link for it, or for something similar?
Hey Jenn! Yes, the bag is Jacquemus. During our interview, Laura told me the two bags featured here are the only two she owns, and she wears them with everything. I really liked how she styled them with both casual and more dressed-up looks.
how could I ever pick a favorite “week of outfits”??? this one is my current favorite. LOVE the interview, love the outfits. especially “what’s going on *here*” no cowboy press hard jeans for this 5’3″ 51 year old lady, but love it so much for her.
Ditto!! And for some great style tips from someone petite, recommend https://crystalinmarie.com/
Gorgeous
Great tips and insight! Great style!
So so so gorgeous. And each look was like, wearable, comfortable, quality, and striking. Also thank you for your service! I had to completely rebuild my wardrobe after pandemic pregnancy (6 year old at my house too!), a prolonged surgical recovery, and a career change, and my stylist made me feel like I belonged and was beautiful in my new form too. I love every piece of clothing I own now. It’s life changing. May you be booked and busy!
I love her approach so much!!
Obsessed!! I love everything about this post. Laura is gold. Her philosophy and style truly resonate. What a lovely soul!
Excellent idea about the heavy starch and cuffing jeans! Gonna try it!
Loooved her jeans advice! 📚 So much beautiful, thoughtful advice. Laura is a gem!
Approaching outfits like a recipe is brilliant. I love how she makes jeans look professional and dresses look casual, and I want the barn jacket badly. Feature more outfit weeks like this please!
Dying to know for my here and now- what are a pants or shorts alternative that are not jeans , but also not leggings or bike shorts? Flattering for (my new) curvy bum and wider thighs for public outings. I’m not really a dress or skirt person….Thank you!
Have you tried a loose linen crop pant? Love mine from American giant
Colette pants from Anthropologie! Spendy, but also Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and seem to fit everyone? https://www.anthropologie.com/en-ca/colette-pant (this link is Canadian prices)
I like joggers. Old Navy, Quince, LL Bean all have cute, comfy options that don’t look like sweatpants. These are in my cart for summer office days, too: https://www.quince.com/women/linen-pants?color=vintage%20pink%20chambray
The Old Navy high waisted wide-leg pixie pant is so flattering – for both those areas
Yes, I have been wearing the old navy pixie wide leg pant for a few years . They don’t last forever but are comfortable and look nice! They offer tall sizes in almost every style so I often rely on their staples. Smaller retail businesses rarely do.
Chinos. I wear them every day.
Athleta Brooklyn mid-rise ankle pants are a dream. Stretchy and great for moving, comfy waist, look polished enough with cute sneakers and a chambray shirt but also work with sweatshirts etc! Also seconding the Colette pants from Anthro. Pricey but look great on my newly wider postpartum hips and thighs while also comfy. Lots of prints and fabrics.
Thank you all <3 <3
How did she read my mind how I’ve been feeling lately!! I have a toddler and work remotely so I don’t need to be dressed up but also want to feel put together! But if I put jeans on I instantly want to take them off. I’ll have to follow her advice on what I need here and now. :) Even if it’s for preschool pickup and drop off and errands!
Anon, I feel the same way! I WFH and my two year old twins are in daycare. Once it warms up I walk to pick them up each day (about 20 mins each way), and it seems so silly to put on a proper outfit just to have to change out of it to pick them up or even once they get home. It’s so hard to want to get properly dressed when you aren’t leaving the house but don’t want to feel like a slob ALL of the time. Trying to see how I can apply Laura’s advice to my life!
Sarah thank you for helping me feel like I’m not alone feeling this way! I too walk to preschool when it’s warm so that’s a whole other factor… I also never wear make up lately (thank goodness for the Zoom touch up feature, haha!)
The pressed jeans thing blew my mind.
I absolutely love how Laura mixes basics together and may add a unique element to finish an outfit. Very cool!
Love Laura’s vibe!
I love how relaxed and confident she looks. I’m also a big wearer of jeans and sneakers and not a lot of prints. Love that she shows how looks can still be interesting and personal while working in a lot of basics and neutrals
This might be my favorite week of outfits. I love Laura has a sort of uniform. It’s simple but it’s not basic. And it feels achievable and not overwhelming as I’m also a mom to two young children! I want what works and I don’t want to spend more than 2 minutes thinking about it in the morning.
Pretty much my thoughts exactly!
I agree!! This, more than a lot of the other week of outfit posts, seems the most doable to me because she has the same vibe/look/feel in each outfit. Most of my clothes don’t have prints/patterns and are very basic so I very much felt like this was *my* look!
So brilliant- let’s hear it for the parm nubs, baby!
Truly love her style and attitude. <3
This is a week of outfits I could actually see myself wearing! Laura seems so down to earth and I appreciate someone in the fashion space who isn’t “more is more” and “colors and prints oh my!” Some of us just can’t/don’t want to take those kinds of risks with fashion, we just want to look nice and have our clothes work for us and our lifestyle. I feel like Laura’s style really speaks to that! Thank you!
I gasped when Boise’s iconic pink tree appeared on the home page! Laura, I hope to bump into you in Boise so that I can say “hi.” I love your style and your philosophy!
Me too! Love seeing Boise here!
Same here! Love Boise, love this week of outfits
Same! I am THRILLED there’s a few of us Cup of Jo fans in Boise!!!
Yay! Me too :)
Ditto! I know that flower shop – blocks from my house! the tree (Cherie Buckner-Webb!)! the Lively!
Indeed Inspirational style and philosophy! Thanks for sharing it! Perhaps we run into each other during next week Treefort Music Festival downtown.
Loved this one! Laura is such a beauty and truly shines from within. As we head into the warmer months, could I kindly request a week of outfits or other recs for busty ladies? This is my hardest style season… What tank tops cover big, “granny” style bra straps? What dresses are we wearing to weddings, graduations, and on vacation that still accommodate a substantial bra? And I long to wear a cotton or linen button-down, but somehow even oversized styles still manage to gape at the bust! How do others manage the warmer months?? Much gratitude for any guidance!
Have you ever checked out the blog “Wardrobe Oxygen”? Alison is a curvy, busty lady who always has great recs for just the kinds of things you’re looking for! https://www.wardrobeoxygen.com/
So helpful, R.S.! I hadn’t heard of it and I’m excited to check it out. Thank you so much!
Thanks for the rec, R.S.! I definitely appreciate bust-friendly suggestions as well. I know I’m not even packing all that much – a D on the left, a C on the right, sigh – but if a garment fits everywhere else on my body, it’s usually an issue there!
YES to this! And I’m sure you could find one not on Amazon, but I have an older version of this and it makes it possible to wear button front tops and dresses! (34g)
Forgot the link! https://www.amazon.com/MicroStitch-Tagging-Gun-Kit-Fasteners/dp/B001CE8JPQ
Great philosophy, great denim tips!
Thank you Laura! Such a warm and wonderful perspective!
That is impressive that Laura can get her jeans pressed and then wear them for weeks even though she has a three-year-old and six-year-old. I don’t know what is wrong with me or Kent kids—I used to be able to re-wear clothes a lot but now at the end of only one wear I find somebody’s food or boogers wiped on me. 😂 Love her style and would copy every one of these outfits!
Same! I have a two-year-old son, and everything has to be washed after each wear. Sometimes I’m changing outfits in the middle of the day lol
My son is 7 and I just now get to rewear *some* clothes. He (mostly) doesn’t wipe anything gross on me these days, but I still end up with an amazing amount of mud, paint or food from cooking together on me! Signs of a day well spent, but hard on the clothes!
Pockets = proper math! YAAAAS girl!
This really resonated with me and I can see why Laura is a stylist. Honoring the person and life they live can be so hard when dealing with the noise of so many expectations. I’m in a transitional phase with my body changing and coming to realize I can’t do certain textures and cuts with some growing sensorial needs. I exhaled at the thought of keeping simple, good “ingredients” over a full closet to constantly negotiate with. How refreshing!
Me too Betsy! I don’t quite know what it is; maybe perimenopause/being late 40’s, but I touch fabrics sometimes and cannot bear the thought of having them on my skin all day. It’s visceral. This never used to be a problem. Now I only want to wear linen, 100% cotton or pure wool. The simplicity of these clothes really resonated with me too. And her ethos. And she looks wonderful.
More week of outfits and beauty routines please!
I loved this one! I feel like Laura gets it. While I love looking at frilly busy outfits, I’m never going to wear them. Jeans 90% of the time? Yes. Cute sneaks? Absolutely. Simple, classic, comfortable. Those are the links I’m going to be clicking on.
As a mom of two little boys (4 and 1.5), hearing “Style is about caring for yourself in the season you’re in” was like receiving a big hug. Thanks, Laura!
I loved the advise about a good wardrobe having a few key, high quality ingredients that you use over and over again.
“This barn jacket is like a chunk of really good Parm that you keep in the fridge and use over and over until it’s down to a tiny nub.” Oh my, do I ♥️ that lightbulb! And, the tip on starching jeans for a sturdy, polished look. You got me thinking!
Laura is beautiful, and I love that barn jacket but won’t buy anything from H&M since they’re horrible for the planet and people (cheap labor). Jo, please consider writing for Cuba. They don’t have oil like the Middle Eastern countries so they’re not in the headlines while the US TERRORISTS are slowly murdering them through sanctions. A ship with humanitarian aid is being blocked by the US THUGS as of now. Please do something for them 🥲.
I’m in my 40s and have never really known how to wear lipstick of any kind. The rare times I try, i put it on and then its rubbed off within 5 minutes. Even lip stain doesn’t last longer than than the car ride to the event. And what even is lip gloss?? Do women actually really re-apply lipstick like, constantly, all day long? Is lipstick maintenance taking up that much space in our brains? Or do we just accept that it only lasts for a minute and is a complete waste of money? I just don’t understand how it works. Please help me.
these are good questions!!! I wear my favorite lip color and it truly lasts for hours. I keep one in my bathroom and one in my coat pocket (or crossbody bag in the summer), so I can easily reapply after a few hours, if I want. but it fades very evenly, too, which is really important (so you don’t end up with a line around your lips) and looks pretty as it fades. this is the color, fwiw! https://cupofjo.com/2023/10/31/my-friend-gemmas-amazing-lipstick-find/
I’m 45 and feel this way about makeup in general. I keep thinking that the right lipstick (or stain?) and the right technique with eyeliner would change everything for me. (No more pallid reflection in the mirror whenever I get my haircut!) But honestly, I don’t know where to start. And whenever I put something on, I can’t tell if it’s right and great, or if I look like I clown (generally my kids’ opinion). Also, I cannot imagine having to pay attention and redo anything during the day; exhausting.
Make-up longevity is dependent on the condition of the skin underneath and the way products are layered. Lips can’t be chapped or dry, but they also can’t be too goopy with lip balm; a lip liner, if using, should line the lips but then also applied to the lips and fade into the middle of the lip; the lip color, no matter what texture, should be dabbed/brushed/patted on in thin layers. Many formulas will fade over time, but the most longevity for many lips is a creamy, satiny formula. Matte formulas give a dryer, flatter look; glosses give a sheerer, shinier look; creamy satins are somewhere in the middle. And eyes…same thing. Use a shadow primer, not too think, just a dab gently patted in. If you’re using cream shadows, pat on a bit at a time with the pad of a finter. If using powders, apply with a brush (soft bristles apply a more sheer wash of color, stiff bristles apply more concentrated color and in less blendy lines). If you’re using cream AND powder shadows, think thin layers with creams first, then powders. Use a facial setting spray with hyaluronic acid or glycerin to add a bit more longevity to everything on your lovely face! Also: when I was a make-up artist for MAC a billion years ago, I always told my customers: make up should be FUN. It should feel like a little lift, like a little play. Some of it might be a waste of money, but after you experiment a little you’ll know what to buy and how to use it, and that won’t be a waste of money IF you enjoy wearing it. And if you don’t want to wear anything…good! And if you do want to wear something…good! It’s all good in the make-up ‘hood.
Sigh…use your FINGER, not your FINTER. Unless you really prefer your finter. #typos
Alex. I feel this deeply. I wear lipstick sometimes and just put it on in the morning and before going into an event. The level of detail that Christina goes into below is like trying to read package labels in Malay. I would LOVE to figure out how to put on mascara (one eye great, one eye a disaster), but makeup is a losing proposition for me–it takes forever, doesn’t help and then I end up touching my face and its ruined.
Thanks Alex! you speak for so many of us! Loved your answer Christina – in fact, I have screenshot it and shared in my own circle. If I could ask a follow-up question.. Is it okay to only put the lipstick on? I feel like putting a lipstick on just makes the rest of my face look worse.. (sorry for this absolutely awful example) like putting a bunch of beautiful flowers on a dining table that is very messy..
Christina, Thank you for your detailed explanation of tips.
Nene: First, I am very honored to be screenshotted! I don’t know if that has every happened to me and it gave me a little thrill! Second…will you clarify your question? If you’re asking if you can only wear lipliner and no lipstick, yes! Just fill in your moisturized lips and top with some sort of balm or gloss that will keep your lips from feeling too dry. If you’re asking if you can just wear lipstick without liner…yes! If you’re asking if you can just wear lipstick and no other make-up, yes! But I do think that balancing out lip color with a touch of mascara and some organized eyebrows is very pleasing. And if none of those are what you meant, please let me know! Joanna and team: Thank you for letting me share my short stories here in the comment section. :)
I tend to bite my lips and I hate keeping track of lipstick, so I only wear tinted lip balm or lip oil. I love Burt’s Bees tinted balms and they’re super cheap. Well People lip oil is also great. Sometimes I pop one in my pocket to reapply, but often I don’t take anything or I just take a clear balm. I find balms and oils leave a little blush of color as they fade that looks really natural.
These posts aren’t usually for me but I *love* this one. “Style is about caring for yourself in the season you’re in… not chasing the hope that one day you’ll be this person or that person.” This is brilliant. “I know people love accessories, and so do I, but dressing yourself is like cooking, where sometimes a really good meal has just five ingredients. This barn jacket is like a chunk of really good Parm that you keep in the fridge and use over and over until it’s down to a tiny nub.” Also totally brilliant. And so is the advice about high cotton percentage jeans and I’m finding myself now daydreaming about pressed jeans. Love this post so much. Thanks, Laura!
I agree!! Such good advice!!
Totally agree. This is wisdom – completely inspired by Laura’s style philosophy. That first quote about style stopped me in my tracks – total mike-drop moment/mind opener