Let's Get Dressed – Episode Summary
Podcast: Let's Get Dressed
Host: Liv Perez
Episode: From The Archives: Style Lessons I Learned In My 20s That Have Me Thriving In My 30s
Date: August 25, 2025

Overview of the Episode

In this solo episode, Liv Perez revisits key style lessons she discovered in her 20s that have helped her feel more confident, authentic, and stylish in her 30s. Recorded amidst her own milestone birthday and deep into wedding planning, Perez offers relatable, actionable insights on personal style, wardrobe evolution, and fashion confidence. Drawing from her own “roller coaster” of fashion phases, she encourages listeners to both declutter and honor their journeys, making room for growth and self-acceptance in their closets.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Evolution of Personal Style (03:00–08:40)

• Reflecting on Different Style Phases:

  • Early 20s: Perez describes her Gossip Girl–inspired phase at NYU, braving New York winters in peplum skirts and heels (“I would walk myself, keep in mind, in a skirt, no tights, in 40-degree weather—this is what I’m supposed to be doing.” [05:26])
  • Mid-20s: Transition into streetwear and sneaker culture—“I had a sneaker closet that should have for sure landed me, like, on Complex or something.” [06:49]
  • Pandemic years: Style took a “nothing” phase, barely surviving, leading to introspection and eventual clarity on what truly fits her present identity.

• The Power of a Major Closet Cleanout:

  • Purging anything “immature or just not the way I wanted to present myself.”
  • Uses the “one year rule” for unworn items (unless vintage or truly special) to make way for a more age-aligned wardrobe.

2. Five Core Lessons for Thriving in Your 30s Style

Lesson 1: Find Your Perfect Everyday Piece (09:20–13:40)

• Don’t Underestimate YOUR Pair of Jeans:
  • The “sisterhood of the traveling pants” moment—Perez finds her perfect jeans at Anine Bing, which become the backbone of her wardrobe.
  • Notable Quote:

    “By just that one new piece, I had what felt like an entire new wardrobe.” [11:52]

  • The lesson is universal: find that staple item (jeans, slacks, linens) that becomes your reliable, flattering foundation.
• Practical Tip:
  • Try multiple styles at home, return what you don’t love; make it fit your closet and your lifestyle.

Lesson 2: Don’t Let Pinterest Dictate Your Whole Wardrobe (13:45–17:32)

• Balance Inspiration with Individuality:
  • Cautions against copy-pasting exact Pinterest/Instagram looks without considering one’s own body type and personality.
  • Pinterest is a tool for aesthetic inspiration—not a blueprint. Recognize what fits your body and your style.
  • Notable Quote:

    “Don’t let the Pinterest board rule your sense of style.” [14:32]

• The Value of a Good Tailor:
  • Getting clothes tailored “completely changes how you see and feel in your clothing.” [16:08]
  • Even on a budget, tailoring can elevate fast fashion.

Lesson 3: Embrace Your Cringe-y Past Looks (17:40–20:59)

• Honoring Past Versions:
  • Rather than cringing at “Gossip Girl wannabe” or awkward high school outfits (“black Jeffrey Campbell lace-ups and hot pink star earrings” [19:30]), she now appreciates them as formative.
  • Each fashion era, no matter how bold or embarrassing, contributes to current taste and confidence.
  • Notable Quote:

    “It was crucial for me. It was everything for me. So we’re embracing the cringe, guys.” [20:07]

• Style Ethos:
  • Integrate elements you loved from each phase into your current wardrobe—as much as you want, not as trends dictate.

Lesson 4: Know the Role of Trends (21:00–22:49)

• Trends Are for Fun, Not Foundation:
  • Encourages listeners to see trends as playful additions, not as the basis of a wardrobe.
  • Notable Quote:

    “They should be the fun part of fashion. They shouldn’t be your everyday; they shouldn’t be the formula on which you build your entire closet.” [21:25]

  • Invest in pieces with longevity (e.g., ballet flats, Mary Janes) rather than seasonal fads.
  • If a trend doesn’t work for you, skip it—even if it’s everywhere.

Lesson 5: Prioritize Comfort—Physical & Emotional (22:50–24:48)

• If It’s Not Comfortable, It’s Not Worth It:
  • Comfort isn’t just physical (shoes, fabrics) but emotional—confidence in what you’re wearing is essential.
  • Notable Quote:

    “Fashion is all about energy. It is all about confidence... If it doesn’t emotionally feel good to you, it is so not the point of fashion.” [24:20]

  • Perez shares personal health (herniated discs) as a motivator to be mindful of comfort, but broadens advice to all: “If you’re not living your best life, no piece of fashion is worth that.” [24:35]
• Practical Closet Tip:
  • Keep an “emergency kit” handy (nipple covers, double-sided tape, small tack gun) to avoid wardrobe malfunctions and stay confident.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On trusting your own journey:

  “You really think how even in the span of six months, you can completely change your entire wardrobe, your entire sense of self and self perception by what you’re wearing every day.” [04:54]

• On tailoring:

  “My tailor in both New York and LA has taught me so much about fit... Investing and taking the time into learning what works for your shape is… one of the biggest fashion hacks to looking your best.” [15:31]

• On the reality of trends:

  “I was investing in it because I thought that was the thing to do. Lo and behold, a year later, I was selling it, giving it a new home, donating it. It just didn’t have a place in my closet.” [22:07]

• On the energy of fashion:

  “Fashion is meant to feel good. It’s meant to lift your spirits. It can change your mood. There have been so many times where I’ve been in a bad mood and putting on a good outfit has just changed my entire day.” [24:25]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:00 – Met Gala excitement, New York trip context
• 05:26 – Peplum skirts and NYU style phase
• 06:49 – Sneakerhead streetwear era
• 09:20 – Power of the perfect pair of jeans
• 11:52 – Feeling like a whole new wardrobe from one piece
• 13:45 – Pinterest inspiration vs. reality
• 15:31 – The case for tailoring
• 17:40 – Loving your past fashion mistakes
• 20:07 – Embracing the cringe
• 21:25 – Trends as the “fun part” of style
• 22:50 – Comfort as key to style confidence
• 24:20 – Fashion as energy and emotional wellbeing
• 24:35 – “No piece of fashion is worth that” on comfort

Final Thoughts

Liv Perez’s episode is a candid, practical, and uplifting guide for anyone seeking clarity and confidence in their style journey—whether in their 20s, 30s, or beyond. By weaving personal stories with universal principles, she makes a strong case for authenticity, self-acceptance, and mindful investment in fashion. Her five lessons—find your staple, trust your taste, embrace your journey, respect trends, and never sacrifice comfort—offer listeners not just closet advice, but tools for self-expression and growth.

For further discussion or questions, Liv invites listeners to DM her on Instagram (@livperez with two Vs) and encourages reviews on Apple Podcasts.