Whitney's notes in real life.
Growing up in the Texas Panhandle fashion “inspiration” wasn’t exactly a part of my day to day. I took notes from magazines and catalogs that were delivered in the mail.
Summer trips to Houston with my mom and siblings ... that was when the world opened up a little. We’d hit Chocolate Soup (if you know, you know) in the aisles trying clothes on over our clothes with the occasional smocked dress being pulled over our heads. When I aged out of that, we graduated to the Galleria. I still remember discovering United Colors of Benetton, where I successfully begged my mom for two pairs of pants, a mini skirt, and a zip hoodie, and felt like I had just cracked some secret fashion code. At that time there was no way anyone would be wearing Benetton in my hometown.
My mom taught me the power of staples: a great white tee, good jeans, nice shoes. I think the tailored pieces that I'm drawn to now - that comes from her influence as well. My dad eventually staged a mini-intervention on my all-black, heavy-eyeliner phase with a yellow sweater and brown boots. (And honestly? He was right. I looked good in them.)
So yeah, foundations. Staples. Dressing up for the fun of it. I figured all of that out by high school. But I never really nailed down “my style.”
I went from college me - to a new mom body - and now to me with all the changes that come from reaching a new decade. Figuring out how to dress for each of those has been … exhausting. I’ve had seasons of “too tired to care,” where my closet was a disaster - but, I'd manage to pull it together last minute for Round Top shows.
Then, I met Whitney @whitneywould on Instagram when she was recommended to as a stylist for Sapana
Whitney styled one of our shoots, and I gave her almost zero guidance (which, in hindsight, was probably not very nice of me). But, I wanted to see her version of Sapana. She blew me away. Later, I asked her to come to my house and help me personally. I was terrified about what she’d suggest or how much I’d have to spend. She walked in prepared having looked at my inspiration pictures and knowing a little about me already - she gave me sheets with styling notes just for me - my age, my body, my lifestyle.
She uses something called the “three-word theory.” Basically, you boil down your personal style into three words that become your north star. When you’re getting dressed or shopping, you can ask: does this fit at least two of my words? If yes, it’s probably a keeper.
For me she wrote:
Effortless. Vintage-Inspired. Elevated Casual.
(fusing tomboy energy with feminine finishes—relaxed silhouettes, nostalgic prints, modernized classics).
That felt exactly right (and made me sound kind of cool). Suddenly, instead of my usual closet chaos, I had an easy filter.
Whitney helped me edit my closet, put together outfits I’d never thought of, and gave me a shopping list that was mostly basics. She left me with photo references and new ways to wear what I already owned. It was like the elevated version of what I’d been picturing in my head all along but never had the energy to execute.
Now? The looks you’ve seen me in lately on Instagram or in the store - they are either Whitney picks or Whitney inspired. Getting ready is actually fun again.
The exciting part? Whitney and I are teaming up to bring this to you.
Wednesday, October 8, from 6–8 PM (or later, if we’re still going)
Sapana Styled + Whitney Would - inspired by you.
It’s casual, open to everyone, with live music, drinks by Socorro Tequila, and Whitney styling Sapana looks based on your requests.
She’s clever, she’s intentional, and her “Whitney Would / Whitney Would Not” takes on Instagram are worth following. But more than that - she has a gift for seeing who someone really is and helping them dress for it.
More details to come. Go ahead and save the date. It's going to be fun!
Whitney Would (@whitneywould) • Instagram photos and videos
