By Mari Sato
This past Tuesday, SMU Look hosted a styling panel in the Hughes-Trigg Chamber sponsored by Clotheshorse Anonymous. The panel brought together a dynamic lineup of Dallas-based creatives, including stylists, influencers, personal shoppers, and entrepreneurs, who all shared their advice for developing a strong personal style. Moderated by Monet Manesh, director of affiliate marketing on SMU Look, the panel featured Lexi Dennis, Sonya Woods Rose, Maggie Ball, Kyle Shiels, Maddy Jewell, and Jennifer Mayrath. Manesh kicked off the conversation by asking each panelist to share their go-to closet staple, setting the tone for an evening of relatable closet wisdom.
Lexi Dennis, a personal shopper and stylist, swears by a structured blazer as her go-to staple. She understands her clients on a personal level and approaches dressing people by first understanding their body types. She recommends following influencers with similar builds to discover pieces that will flatter your body type. She encourages people to dress how they want. “Don’t be afraid to wear the thing,” she emphasizes.
For Sonya Woods Rose, black basics are essential. Rose stressed the importance of building a foundational wardrobe. She stressed that “your frame never changes,” so you must have an understanding of what looks good on your figure. She encouraged attendees to look inward to discover their fashion sense and inner confidence.
Maggie Ball, a fashion influencer, leaned to classic fabrics such as denim and linen as her closet staples. She emphasized the power of accessories to stand out. Her recommendation for staying inspired and true to yourself was to curate a mood board. “Having visual references helps create consistency and keeps you aligned with your style goals,” she said.
Kyle Shiels, founder of Uncommon Man cited a good pair of loafers as his fashion go-to. He urged the audience to seek out unique textures and pieces with depth. For Shiels, inspiration comes from a unique source: old Japanese men, who are texture and layering masters. He advised the audience to get rid of what they don’t wear and create a personal uniform.
Influencer and personal stylist Maddy Jewell recommended building a wardrobe around a strong foundation. Her personal go-tos are a good pair of jeans and an evening clutch. She cautioned against only shopping for occasions. “That’s how you end up with a fragmented closet,” she said. Instead, buy what you love when you find it so you have consistent everyday wear. With a background in finance, Jewell approaches dressing with a formulaic mindset and recommends creating a personal outfit formula that reflects your style.
Rounding out the panel was Jennifer Mayrath, manager at Clotheshorse Anonymous, who highlighted the timeless trench coat as a wardrobe staple. Her guidance was clear: invest in high-quality pieces that fit well and will last over time. “It’s not about having a million options,” she said. “It’s about having the right ones.”
By the end of the night, attendees left with styling tips and a deeper understanding of how fashion can empower self-expression.
