Getting ready with Alix Earle hits a little differently when you’re Carly Stern.
The celebrity stylist and founder of styling company Carly Jordan helps the TikTok star decide what makes the cut, what stays on the rack, and how to put it all together. Now, she’s sharing some of those same secrets with ET.
“We started working together on vacation looks and sourcing, and the relationship grew from there. … You solve one fashion problem, then another, and eventually you understand their wardrobe, their schedule, and their taste so well that it becomes much more collaborative,” Stern explains.
These days, that means knowing when to nudge Earle toward something unexpected and when to let the TikTok star’s instincts do the talking.
“Alix knows herself extremely well. She can look at something and immediately know whether she feels like herself in it. … I’ll bring her things she might not necessarily have picked out on her own, and then we build the look together,” she notes.
“Her style is sexy, effortless, and playful, and she isn’t afraid of a fun fashion moment. … We play with so many different types of pieces, but the end result still always feels very Alix.”
Of course, building a better lineup starts with taking stock of what you already own.
“Before we shop, I want to understand your life, where you go, what you reach for constantly, what sits untouched in your closet, what you feel amazing in, and what you’re missing,” she says.
“I never want someone to have a closet full of beautiful things and still feel like they have nothing to wear. The goal is to build a collection where everything has a purpose and works together.”
From there, unexpected color combos, flattering proportions, statement accessories, and go-to staples can bring looks to life.
“Everyone needs a really strong foundation. A great pair of jeans, perfectly tailored trousers, a button-down that sits exactly right, a beautiful knit, a jacket or blazer that instantly pulls an outfit together, a simple dress you can style ten different ways, and an everyday Birkin you genuinely love.”
And if your wardrobe is bursting at the seams, there’s one easy test for what deserves to stay.
“If you haven’t worn it in two years because you’re waiting for the exact imaginary vacation, dinner, or version of yourself who suddenly loves it, it can probably go.”
The same rule applies to whatever trend suddenly seems impossible to escape online.
“Stop buying something simply because it’s having a moment online. If you wouldn’t have liked it before you saw it on ten people on Instagram, you probably don’t actually like it. … Fashion should be fun. If we’re all wearing the exact same thing, we’ve missed the point.”
