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Liv Perez
Hello, everyone. Welcome back to another episode of let's get Dressed. It's your host, Liv Perez. Today's episode is a highly requested one because a few weeks ago when I posted on my Instagram asking you guys who you wanted to hear from on the podcast, so many of you answered. Sarah Walker, also known as Styled Sarah. She is a content creator and fashion stylist and someone who I am constantly getting styled style inspiration from. I love the way she uses color and texture and she just has such an eye for great style. She actually got her start while at usc. Living in la, she interned for college fashionista Deep Cut and who, what where and ended up landing on the buying team at Revolve. During that time, she was growing her Instagram, gaining a community, and eventually went off on her own and now works with incredible brands and even just launched her own collaboration with Fu Moda. In today's episode, we talk all about what it's like getting your foot in the door in Los Angeles in the fashion industry and some of her best tips for getting into fashion in general. I also love to hear her thoughts and process on how she gets dressed every day, some of her best closet tips, and her thoughts on the trend cycle. I hope you guys love today's episode. Let's go get Dressed with Sarah Walker. We have a very highly requested guest on the podcast today. I'm so excited to be here and I'm actually thrilled that I got you so fast.
Sarah Walker
Oh, my gosh. I was like, sign me up. I can't wait to be here.
Liv Perez
I have. I don't think I've ever asked somebody on the pod via Instagram story, a public Instagram story.
Sarah Walker
When I got that, I was like, I'm there.
Liv Perez
You were like, is this real?
Sarah Walker
Yeah. But then the email came a couple days later and it was official and now I'm here.
Liv Perez
It was great. I. I love asking listeners who they want on the podcast, but your name popped up multiple times and I was like, you know what? I'm obsessed with her too. Let's do this.
Sarah Walker
Well, I love your podcast. Honestly, it's my favorite one, so.
Liv Perez
Oh, my God. Thank you.
Sarah Walker
Thank you.
Liv Perez
Okay, I like to start the show. Tell us what you have on today.
Sarah Walker
Okay. So today I am wearing Silver Lake denim.
Liv Perez
The best jeans are great. Yeah.
Sarah Walker
And I feel like these ones are my favorite from them. Good wash. They're kind of like a skinnier fit. So anyways, go to for these.
Liv Perez
Are they a mid rise high rise?
Sarah Walker
They're actually mid rise mid rise. Sometimes I'll go high rise, but honestly, I love a mid rise. So that's the jeans.
Liv Perez
I can't function in a high rise.
Sarah Walker
See, I can if it's vintage denim.
Liv Perez
Yes. Where it's, like, a bit softer.
Sarah Walker
Okay. Kate jeans I love. And those are high, high, high rise.
Liv Perez
Okay, let's debunk Kate jeans.
Sarah Walker
Yeah, yeah, we can go down that. I knew you would want to.
Liv Perez
So how high rise are we talking?
Sarah Walker
I have not tried that belly button. See, like, it's very rigid denim. Like, we're talking high rise. Rigid. Can't really sit comfortably.
Liv Perez
Who wants that?
Sarah Walker
They look so good. And because I'm a bit taller, I feel like we're kind of around the same height.
Liv Perez
Girl. No.
Sarah Walker
Oh.
Liv Perez
What do we feel like?
Sarah Walker
We are?
Liv Perez
Perfect height. How tall are you?
Sarah Walker
I'm five seven and a half. Like five eight.
Liv Perez
When Brooke Puth was on the show, we had this conversation too. The five seven girlies have it so good in fashion now. I'm five'four but everyone thinks I'm tall.
Sarah Walker
I was gonna say. But the Kate ones are, like, the perfect length for me to wear. Like a tiny little mule. So I like it. They're long and they kind of. They're like a true straight leg. So they're fitted, but then they kind of. They don't flare, but they're not tight on the.
Liv Perez
It's a boot cut.
Sarah Walker
It's like a boot cut, but not a. Not a full boot cut. Right?
Liv Perez
Not a Slayer boot cut. Yeah, yeah, Great.
Sarah Walker
So I love those, but these are a great go to. Then I'm also wearing this Alessandra rich, like, sailor top. Love the best. She's so good.
Liv Perez
She's so good.
Sarah Walker
I know. So fun. And then Chanel denim shoes.
Liv Perez
If I had unlimited summer wardrobe, budget, everything.
Sarah Walker
The dresses, the everything.
Liv Perez
Alessandro.
Sarah Walker
Yeah, all of it. So good.
Liv Perez
The cutest dresses for the YouTubers. Show us your gorgeous Chanel shoes. They're like an acid wash.
Sarah Walker
They're an acid wash. They're like a. Yeah. Kind of a gray denim.
Liv Perez
I love those. I've never seen those before.
Sarah Walker
Yeah, I know. They're fun. We were talking about earlier that the heel height on these Chanel shoes is perfect.
Liv Perez
Slingbacks are really hard, and I think the way to make them comfortable is that perfect heel height.
Sarah Walker
I mean, it's great. I really love it. I can wear them everywhere. Yes.
Liv Perez
I'm in these Tory.
Sarah Walker
I know. I love the Tory ones.
Liv Perez
Okay. My feet are blue.
Sarah Walker
Weird. I see. That's a good height too.
Liv Perez
It's heel height. I can Walk around in these all day and that slingback never bothers me.
Sarah Walker
Yeah. They look so good.
Liv Perez
I love those. I want them in every color.
Sarah Walker
Yeah.
Liv Perez
Like truly. People slept on these shoes.
Sarah Walker
Yeah, truly.
Liv Perez
When they came out, people were like, those are weird.
Sarah Walker
Pointed toe. That's one thing with the Chanel shoes I love and they're really cute.
Liv Perez
But I do have a rounded toe.
Sarah Walker
Yeah. And I do love a pointed toe. So sometimes I'm like, oh, I wish I had these in like a chocolate brown with a slight pointed toe.
Liv Perez
That's not Chanel.
Sarah Walker
No, it's not Chanel. That's why I need to get them somewhere else. But I do love a pointed toe.
Liv Perez
Do you know who makes a good pointed toe right now? Tony Bianco. Randomly love. Right.
Sarah Walker
Always so good.
Liv Perez
Like there's a pointed toe. I think it's called the Cherry pump. It's like a perfect brown pointed toe. It's not a mule. What would you call it?
Sarah Walker
Like a.
Liv Perez
It's like what I'm wearing now, but full closed on the back too. It's like a low pump, A very low pointed toe. Mule pump.
Sarah Walker
That's the way to put it. Yeah, sure. Yeah. I also think Dolce Vita is coming out with some really good. Yeah, you need to see this one. There's a pointed toe, little sling back. Actually the heel height is a little low for me. Like I want it just like a hair higher for it to kind of be like that chic, I don't know, everywhere shoe. But it's actually perfect. You can, you can really do a lot of with it.
Liv Perez
I love a good, like affordable brand. Yeah, it's a brand shoe out just.
Sarah Walker
Under $100 or $100 and it's really comfortable.
Liv Perez
Okay, good to know. Because I'm always like, okay, if I'm out here trying the Aldos, the Steve Maddens, the Tony Biancos, the Dolce Vitas, like what's the winner of all of them?
Sarah Walker
Dolce Vita I think is doing a great job, but also Tony Bianco. Those are my three faves, I think.
Liv Perez
Yeah, those are always really comfortable and I think have a very luxury Designer inspired fit.
Sarah Walker
100%.
Liv Perez
Yeah. There's always good.
Sarah Walker
So good.
Liv Perez
Yeah.
Sarah Walker
So that's actually a great, great shoe.
Liv Perez
Good one.
Sarah Walker
Yeah.
Liv Perez
How do you get dressed every day? Like what comes first to you? Are you like, okay, I have this Alessandra rich top. I want to wear that. Or is it chasing a feeling?
Sarah Walker
So I feel like most of the times I either. Well, one of two ways I either have kind of a statement piece, maybe like this jacket and then I build something simple around it. Or I'll do a really simple base, like a jeans and a white tee and then do like a fun belt or a fun shoe or a fun bag. I'm somebody who likes simplicity, but I also really like something fun and funky.
Liv Perez
You said something in an interview that I loved where you were like, if you are wearing something simple, all you kind of have to do to look fashionable is throw in something funky, right? Funky blazer, funky shoe, funky bag. Like that's all it really takes.
Sarah Walker
I love a funky shoe or a funky bag to like mix it up. So when in doubt, if I'm in a rush and in a pinch I'm like, okay, a good pair of jeans and maybe a button down or maybe a white tee, maybe just a crew neck sweater and then a fun bag or shoe.
Liv Perez
And that's it.
Sarah Walker
Yeah, and that's it. I don't typically do a fun shoe and bag. Like I keep one fun. But that is definitely how I, how I get dressed.
Liv Perez
It's a good little formula for those days where you're just have. You've no idea what you would have put on.
Sarah Walker
Oh my gosh. And a lot of the times while I love to get dressed, a lot of times I'm not spending that much time thinking about it. I'm like kind of headed out the door, right? So I need something that's kind of a no brainer.
Liv Perez
It's interesting. I think I get dressed for like to chase a feeling.
Sarah Walker
See, that's amazing. Like what feeling? Like what are the feelings?
Liv Perez
Like I woke up today and I was like, okay, I'm doing this podcast. I wanna feel really elevated from the top up. Like I wanna wear something that feels good. But I'm also hosting in my house and I just wanna feel comfortable. So I'm like, okay, I'll start with this top that I like. And I don't wanna wear all black. So I'll throw on a white pair of jeans and. And then these Tories are kind of like my go to. But yeah, I really realized that I chase a feeling as I'm getting dressed every day and I'm like, am I the moodiest person you've ever met at this point? Because every day is something different.
Sarah Walker
But you know what, that's actually a good way to go about it because I'm like, it really is every day so different. Some days I want to be super comfortable and what that looks like is different than I don't know a day where I'm like, oh, I'll dress up and kind of wear something that's not as comfortable.
Liv Perez
That's actually one of the ways I found you. I remember you were doing, like, what you're wearing to, like, the most mundane things in life, like going to the market, grocery store. So what is your, like, go to just every day you're not wearing this? Chic as hell, Alessandra Rich. Like, what does your day look like?
Sarah Walker
On a typical day, if I'm running errands, walking my dog, it is very much an outfit that can, like, be very flexible. If I'm going to a workout class, kind of just a good pair of leggings, maybe a cool zip up quarter zip sweatshirt and Solomons or New Balances. Something I can actually walk my dog in. Like, I need something that's comfortable. I can walk around the block. We need our steps in.
Liv Perez
So the fashion girls who have dogs, there's not enough awareness and visibility for us.
Sarah Walker
And like, my dog Susie needs, like, long walks. I can't just go outside, take her out to the bathroom. Like, we're. We're walking.
Liv Perez
Not even that. The fashion girl is with dogs that shed.
Sarah Walker
Oh, it's. It's a problem.
Liv Perez
It's a huge problem.
Sarah Walker
Like white jeans. White clothes is hard around.
Liv Perez
Well, you have a black leg. Yeah, Black lab.
Sarah Walker
Yeah, black lab. Suzy.
Liv Perez
Where, like, the short hair is just on everything.
Sarah Walker
Everything. Our couch. We got a white couch. Why did we do that? I don't know.
Liv Perez
Like, now I have, like, lint rollers everywhere, like, in my car here. Because if I'm picking friends up, they just know that, like, maybe there's like, a stray. Oh, really long white hair from my Australian shepherd who sheds notoriously everywhere.
Sarah Walker
It's just you love your dog so much that I think people who don't have a dog don't get it. But I'm like, of course. Hair everywhere. I don't even care.
Liv Perez
I don't even care because I love.
Sarah Walker
My dog so much.
Liv Perez
I don't care if you love me. You have to love the dog and the hair that comes with it. Absolutely.
Sarah Walker
Yeah, Absolutely.
Liv Perez
Okay. Take me all the way back to the beginning. I want to know how you got your start in fashion.
Sarah Walker
Okay, so I have always loved fashion. I remember being in sewing classes younger and doing, like, a neighborhood fashion show. So I always, when I was young, wanted to be around clothes. Fashion. Didn't really know what that meant until I got my first job at Nordstrom on the sales floor, the flagship Nordstrom of Seattle. So I started selling special occasion dresses and that's really when it clicked. Not only did I love being around the clothes and interacting with the customer, and I learned so many valuable things being on the sales floor, but I was good at it and that was fun. And so it was really exciting. I did that for four years. I learned so much about the customer and how being customer centric is so important in fashion. I mean, at the end of the day, everything is customer based, you know. But after that I just knew I'd be in fashion. It was kind of a no brainer thing. Went to USC in LA and interned a bunch, kind of tried a bunch of different things. Dipped my toes in editorial at who, what, where did styling for a celebrity stylist, styling intern for Forward. Tried a bunch of different things, like kind of everything that came my way, I was like, yes. And then from there I was on the buying team at Revolve. So I kind of jumped around. But that's really, I guess the start of fashion into kind of more my recent career.
Liv Perez
Okay, so many questions.
Sarah Walker
Yeah. Lots to unpack.
Liv Perez
For starters, I feel like you're someone and I met you with your mom when we were in Paris. I literally was leaving the hotel and you were there walking with your mom, which I thought was the sweetest thing of all time. Mom, if you're listening, come with me next time.
Sarah Walker
Yeah.
Liv Perez
Did you. Is your family in fashion? What were some of your earliest influences?
Sarah Walker
It is so funny because no, nobody in my family is in fashion at all.
Liv Perez
Okay.
Sarah Walker
So my family's very sporty athletics was kind of the thing. But I very much was drawn to fashion at an early age and I just knew I wanted to be in it, around it. And there's not that many fashion opportunities in Seattle. Love Seattle to death, but it's not a very fashionable city. So Nordstrom was the best place to get the hang of things in fashion. And it was a great place to start. And I'm so grateful. I think sales experience is so valuable. And I just loved you. Kind of learned. So you learned so much about the product because you're hands on selling it, but you also learn what people want and what they're comfortable in. And it's just, it's, it's cool. I loved it.
Liv Perez
I think it's so valuable for what you do today.
Sarah Walker
I mean, today I'm technically a glorified salesperson. I mean, that's what an influencer is. I mean, kind of, you know, to an extent. To an extent, yeah. I mean, there's a lot that goes into it, obviously.
Liv Perez
Right.
Sarah Walker
Full business, but at the same time there's so much that's kind of similar to that skill set.
Liv Perez
So I think to me, at the end of the day, sales is about connection. Yep. Like it's about being able to connect.
Sarah Walker
With a person, knowing your audience.
Liv Perez
Yes. There's a lot of value in that, in my opinion. What did you study at usc?
Sarah Walker
So at USC I studied communications and my minor was in consumer behavior, but there was no fashion major or minor. And to this day I think they just opened up a fashion minor. But when I was in college, there was no fashion anything besides one class. And there was a fashion club. I was in the class and the club, but my major was communications. In college again, I knew I had to be in fashion so I wanted to do everything I could, but there wasn't that many opportunities. So it started small scale. At college. Fashionista. I was writing blog posts. That is the reason I got my internship at who, what, where and then my internship at who, what where. Open the doors for celebrity stylist. You know, they all built off each other, so I'm grateful for every little thing that I did because I feel like they all built off each other in one way or another.
Liv Perez
Shout out to who, what, where? Because I actually feel like they have like single handedly kept the fashion industry in L. A and carried on its back. Yeah, because who, what, where? When I was growing up here and I was in college, which was over 10 years ago, was still the most coveted lady fashion internship that you could get and I think still is today. It's like the biggest, in my mind, biggest fashion publication here in LA and truly has fostered a new generation of fashion people in la.
Sarah Walker
And the Pacific Design center was such a cool office space to be.
Liv Perez
And now look how many people are there. Yeah, it's so many.
Sarah Walker
Such a cool. It was such a cool internship. I really loved it. But then that opened doors and then I tried styling and PR and marketing and kind of bopped around really. But it, I think it really helped to get me where I am today.
Liv Perez
I'm really curious to hear your experience here because I feel that I often get questions about navigating the fashion industry in la, how to kind of get your foot in the door. And I'm curious if you feel like the major that you studied was helpful in getting yourself there. I mean, obviously now you're saying they have a fashion department. Yes, I'm sure that. I know that they have a Great journalism department as well. But I'm curious to hear what you think was most helpful for you in getting your foot in an industry where you didn't grow up in the city. You're new to the whole town, new to connections. What was most helpful for you?
Sarah Walker
So I did a lot of coffee chats, outreach on LinkedIn. I am not afraid to cold DM somebody, message them. So there was a lot of, hey, your job sounds interesting. I'd love to connect or alums of USC that I would say, hey, you know, your job seems really interesting. I'm at USC currently, would love to hear more. And I think while I didn't get any direct jobs from that, they always put me in contact with somebody else or kept in touch. And I think that was really helpful. I also attended, I don't know what the name of the club is now, but I think it was the Fashion Association Club at usc and they had speakers come. So every time a speaker came, I introduced myself. I think I handed them my resume at the end of it. And actually one of them was a revolve recruiter, which is ultimately how I landed my forward internship, which then landed me my. It was the same recruiter which landed me my revolve buying position role.
Liv Perez
Fashion is so much about networking. It is whether in a big way or a small way, it is a.
Sarah Walker
Hundred percent networking connections, putting yourself out there, it's kind of scary, but you just have to do it. And again, I think even college fashionista, I caught wind of that. It was a very. I think anybody could join and write blog posts. And once I did that and had something to show for it, then I was able to translate that to who, what, where. So I think it was all kind of just putting in this initial work and energy towards it. I also think when you really want to get there, you kind of just figure out any way to put your foot in the door. But yeah, a lot of research, reaching out, connecting with people I think is the most important way.
Liv Perez
I think knowing how to pitch yourself is one of the most important skill sets you can have in fashion. But also just as a freelance creative in general, having a media kit ready to go, knowing exactly what your byline is. To this day, I still send cold emails all the time.
Sarah Walker
Oh, I send cold dms all the time. Every day I will cold DM somebody and be like, hi, I'm a big fan of the brand and I think.
Liv Perez
You and I Cold dm.
Sarah Walker
Yeah, cold dm. Literally how it happened, I am not afraid and I Don't know if that came from my college days where I would just reach out to anybody in fashion I could find and. But it's really helped me. It's put me in exciting rooms now. Different things, like, it's really paid off. So that's why I'm not afraid to reach out and cold dm.
Liv Perez
So this is how you landed the job at Revolve.
Sarah Walker
So the job at Revolve was I met the recruiter at the Fashion Club. Then I kept in touch and was emailing her. I got an internship at Forward in the styling, which Forwards owned by Revolve.
Liv Perez
Yes.
Sarah Walker
So I was then within the company. Then I graduated Pandemic Times. So actually they weren't hiring, they were firing. So that was a bit tricky. And I then kept in touch with the recruiting person with hr. Finally, when they were ready to hire, I was interviewing a bunch and then they kind of offered me the job. But it was a lot of keeping in touch. Like I was, I was reaching out to her every other month before graduation, being like, hey, checking in? Yep. So it was a lot of that.
Liv Perez
I mean, I don't think there's ever too many hey, checking in emails. No, no.
Sarah Walker
And especially in the Pandemic. She was like, we're literally not hiring. This was like actually April of 2020. And she was like, we're not hiring at all. So I didn't get my job offer until I graduated. Technically May of 2020.
Liv Perez
Okay.
Sarah Walker
But it was a virtual graduation. And then. I know. But then I got the job offer January of 2021.
Liv Perez
Okay.
Sarah Walker
So in those couple months where I was doing nothing and I just was so excited to have a job but couldn't get one, I started my blog, Styled Sarah. So that's really where my current job and career is born out of, was the fact that I had so much free time to start an Instagram and a blog. So, I mean, it was a blessing in disguise. Now I have a full job out of it. But yeah, that was kind of the path.
Liv Perez
How are you able to navigate balancing the two? You have this full time job at Revolve, you're on the buying team.
Sarah Walker
Yes.
Liv Perez
And then you're also managing content at the same time.
Sarah Walker
I mean, look, I worked at a fashion company, right. So for me, getting dressed every day was not only exciting, but also content. I didn't really look at it like that. But I mean, I, I focused primary. I focused on my job when I was working, but I also was recording my outfits today on TikTok and Instagram. And then I just slowly started seeing growth and it was never the plan to go full time social media influencer. It always, in a perfect world, honestly, if I could do both, I would have wanted to do both. But it just, I mean they're two full time jobs, you know, fully. So you can't, you really can't give it your all to both if you're doing both. You know, it was really fun, honestly, doing both. But when I first started my job 2021, I put my social media on the back burner. I think at this point I had a hundred followers on Instagram. So it was like, you know, people weren't counting on me. It wasn't until like six months into my job I picked it back up and was like, oh, I'm gonna share the things that are interesting to me, inspire me. I started posting on TikTok. TikTok grew, Instagram grew alongside, kept posting. It kind of was just like a fun creative outlet back burner thing while I had my job. And I think people liked seeing the, the inner workings of a, a girl with a fashion job. 100% people were interested in what does a buyer do? What's market. I went to market, I was posting my market appointments, you know, so I think that also was something that people were interested in. I loved sharing and it just kind of worked and it, and it was so fun. But yeah, social media was always back burner when I was full time at my job.
Liv Perez
I love following people who have full time jobs at the same time.
Sarah Walker
Same.
Liv Perez
I cannot pronounce her name, but there is an influencer who I love to follow. I can't call her an influencer. She's a dentist.
Sarah Walker
I don't think I've seen her.
Liv Perez
She also creates beautiful content.
Sarah Walker
Love.
Liv Perez
But she has the chicest style ever. And then like you'll go on her TikTok and she'll be like a day in my life as a dentist, you'll see her like fully in scrubs, doing dentistry.
Sarah Walker
It's wild.
Liv Perez
And then going home and changing into like Saint Laurent.
Sarah Walker
No, it's incredible. Yeah, I'm, I, I applaud everybody. I mean, yeah, I did it for a really two and a half years was when I was posting consistently and working because the first six months of my job I was just getting the hang of the job. I wasn't really posting. But yeah, it's a lot. I, I really feel lucky. I enjoy content so much, like curating content, styling content. So for me it's always been so fun. That's why doing both never felt crazy. But I was saying no. By the time, like, year three rolled around, I was saying no to a lot of opportunities via social media, whether it was traveling or events that I just, you know, felt like it was time to take that leap and try it on my own and be like, okay, if I dedicate all my time to myself as an entrepreneur, as a business, what does that look like? So I'm just under a year of taking it full time.
Liv Perez
What was day one like?
Sarah Walker
Day one was crazy. I mean, because I'd been in a nine to six job for three years, and that's what I was used to. And having a team and, like, logging in and having people there. And then day one, it was very much like, okay, I'm on my own. What does my new structure look like? What does my new day to day? This is a job. This is a business. How does that look? Even the first two months, I remember telling friends and family, I was like, oh, I'm gonna search for a job. I quit late April of last year. And I remember saying, oh, I'm gonna find a job in October. Back in fashion. I was like, I already have it lined up. I'm gonna take my summer, have fun with my content, and then I'll find another job again. And funny enough, like, August, September rolled around, I was busier than ever, and it all kind of just fell into place. I was worried. Transparently, I was worried I was gonna be fulfilled being my own boss and kind of doing that, not being a part of a team. And it has been way more fulfilling than I could have ever imagined. I was a little afraid I wasn't gonna have as many. I think back then I was a little afraid I wasn't gonna be as creative as I am. But now that's the best part. And something. I'm more creative now. I'm working on creative projects. There's things happening behind the scenes that aren't even shown on social media that are awesome. I think also, just running a business, you're seeing all aspects of it, and that's challenging, but really fun. So I. I'm far more fulfilled, and it's been such a rewarding process. But the first, I want to say two months, I was like, oh, life. It. The days are quiet. Like, I felt. It felt slow at the beginning.
Liv Perez
Yep. And then you get into a routine. I remember the first time I saw you. You were wearing. I cannot pronounce this brand.
Sarah Walker
I think I know what you're gonna say.
Liv Perez
You were wearing. You were getting ready to go to a wedding.
Sarah Walker
Yes.
Liv Perez
And you were wearing this dress that was half maroon, half pink. And you had the gorgeous heaven mayhem matching earrings.
Sarah Walker
Yes.
Liv Perez
How do we say it? Nafsika. Nafsa.
Sarah Walker
Yeah. So I actually was going to. I was in Miami for work with Revolve at the time. I was on the B or Buyer and I was going to the Latin American Fashion Summit and they had a gala. So that was my gala outfit. And I remember ordering it the night before I left. Like it arrived the night before I left to Miami. And I don't even think I tried it on. I just packed in my bag. I had a backup option that was a sparkly like love shack fancy dress, actually. Cause a gala, I was like, oh, I want to go do something kind of crazy. Especially in a room with full of fashion people. So then when I got to Miami, I tried that on, threw my hair in a bun and wore the earrings and it really worked out. One of my favorite outfits to this day.
Liv Perez
One that lives rent free in my mind for sure. And I remember it was the first time I was introduced to you. I remember that video going viral. It was shared a million times. People were like, what is this dress?
Sarah Walker
Yes.
Liv Perez
And I remember seeing it on Revolve and being like, okay, someone needs to wear this. This is a fab dress.
Sarah Walker
And I love that it was two tone, the burgundy and light pink. Really?
Liv Perez
You. And I love a color combo.
Sarah Walker
Oh, I love a color combo. Love our color block.
Liv Perez
Right.
Sarah Walker
And I loved that it looked like a bustier top with a skirt. And so it was a bunch of elements coming together. That was so fun and cool and still one of my favorite outfits. But yeah, I mean, virality, that dress I posted. I reposted that video recently because it was in my drafts before the TikTok band. I was like, oh, I'm just going to post this just as a. Bye, guys. Yeah, yeah, literally. And it went viral again. So, I mean, people. People love that dress.
Liv Perez
It's so good.
Sarah Walker
Yeah.
Liv Perez
Color combos, really quick. What color combo are you loving right now for spring?
Sarah Walker
Okay. So I love like a mint green. Love a mint green. I love a butter yellow.
Liv Perez
Yep.
Sarah Walker
With like a cream. I think it's so cool.
Liv Perez
I actually like a mint green with butter yellow.
Sarah Walker
Same love. I. I think you can kind of mix anything. I actually love butter yellow and chocolate brown. People think it looks like a banana, but I'm like, it's so fun. They compliment each other.
Liv Perez
It goes really well with your hair. Too.
Sarah Walker
It. It works. It works, it works. Fun. What else? I do love a burgundy and a pink.
Liv Perez
Yep. So good. Love that outfit that you wore.
Sarah Walker
Love that. What's my. I. I think a coral and, like, a orange go well together. So an orange and more of, like, a. Ready? Orange. Does that make sense?
Liv Perez
I was like, coral is orange.
Sarah Walker
Yeah. But, you know, like a more of a pink and then like a true tangerine.
Liv Perez
That's fun. I love that. I actually feel like most color combos are, like, stark difference, and that's kind.
Sarah Walker
Of similar, but they really complement each other. Fun.
Liv Perez
I'm going to give that a try.
Sarah Walker
Yeah.
Liv Perez
I'm into, like, a bright blue right now with a butter yellow.
Sarah Walker
I think blue is having a moment. For sure.
Liv Perez
For sure. We had, like, ice blue at the beginning of the year, but now I want, like, true bright cerulean blue.
Sarah Walker
Yes. Love cerulean. So, so good.
Liv Perez
So good.
Sarah Walker
Yeah.
Liv Perez
Back to this incredible dress moment. Is there something in your life that you think has been most helpful in refining your taste?
Sarah Walker
That is a great question. I always say this. I have a different style than I do two years ago, than I did. Than I did four years ago, than I did even a couple months ago. While it's all the same, and I think I stick by the same vibe I know you are. This is gonna crack open a can of worms. But I think if I got married three years ago, I would have chosen a different dress, vibe, venue than I would do today. And I think it's all based on taste and just I continuously, like, refine my style, refine who I am, and I feel more confident and comfortable with my style, taste everything with each day.
Liv Perez
So I love that answer. Yeah, I completely agree with you.
Sarah Walker
Yeah.
Liv Perez
Like, I look at my style three years ago, and it feels like a completely different person.
Sarah Walker
And not in a bad way. Like, I think. I think I still look back, and I'm like, oh, I love these choices and things. And I still keep all. I mean, I constantly trying to refresh my closet by donating things and getting rid of things, but for the most part, I'm, like, reusing same things and rewearing all the same things I had even five years ago. Like, I have so many pieces that still feel very me, but I think for the most part, I'm just constantly kind of refreshing and refining my style, and I feel just more confident and sure about my style each and every day.
Liv Perez
Fashion, to me, runs parallel with life, totally the stage of life, 100%, and it's about building blocks Like, I think about what I wore three years ago, and I definitely wouldn't wear a lot of what I was wearing three years ago, but they gave me the chance to figure out what I want to be wearing now. I think it's a lot about trial and error. Like, you have to continue to try things and be okay to let go of your old style to find what is new for you.
Sarah Walker
Tell me your take on trends and styling and style evolution, because three years ago, I was a lot more into following trends. Now, it's not that I don't now, but I was a lot more willing to jump on board with any trend that came my way three years ago. And now I'm like, okay, I understand it. I love it. I get it, but I don't need to be a part of it, or I can in a way that's already in my closet.
Liv Perez
I think trends are really helpful if you are trying to find your style.
Sarah Walker
Yes.
Liv Perez
You're someone who is really established, and I know what you like to wear, and you know what you like to wear, and you have a sense of your personal style.
Sarah Walker
Yes.
Liv Perez
I remember when I was younger and still trying to figure it out, trends opened up a window for me to figure out what I liked and what I didn't like. And.
Sarah Walker
And same likewise. Like, I think only now am I feeling comfortable to kind of see the trends, acknowledge them, respect them. And I'm not talking trends like a chocolate brown and a butter yellow. Like, to me, jump on board. Love it. But a trend, like, I can't even think of a good example, but maybe bow. Everything. I love bow. I grew up wearing bows, but I. Do I need to buy a bow shirt and a bow skirt and, like, lean. Lean heavy into that trend? Not necessarily. I think I find ways to make trends work for me.
Liv Perez
Yes.
Sarah Walker
Where three years ago or two years ago even, I think I was a lot more willing to just jump on board with what everyone was wearing and go deep into that trend.
Liv Perez
Now I look at trends, I can see them and analyze, like, what ways the industry's going, but I'm definitely not buying into it. I'm either going in my closet and saying, okay, this trend is happening right now. Is there something in my closet that I love, that I already wear all the time that alludes to the trend? And that's, like, the fun part of fashion for me.
Sarah Walker
Totally.
Liv Perez
Like, I love trends for fun. It's not something that I'm, like, basing my wardrobe around. But, yeah, I mean, five years ago, I'd buy It now I'm like, I'm okay. It's gonna be. It might go away.
Sarah Walker
Totally. And even as of recent, I designed a capsule collection. Yes. Which was so fun. But even I think two or three years ago, it'd been really daunting to say, okay, here, 10 pieces. Even though I knew my style then and I was in a field where I was making creative decisions on the buying team, but I think I'm so, like, confident, comfortable now. With what? What's lacking in my closet? What's an area that I gravitate to towards all the time? What are details I want to see and stuff. So for me, that process now was so fun and interesting and easy. It just comes naturally. Like, honestly, I just went into that room and was like, these are the pieces I want to see in my closet. Whereas a couple years ago, I think it would have been a lot more, maybe a lot less cohesive than I feel it is now. If that makes sense.
Liv Perez
Yes, totally.
Sarah Walker
Yeah.
Liv Perez
You're someone who has a very elevated sense of style. And I'm curious for you, while you're shopping, are there pieces that you gravitate towards that help everyday looks feel really elevated? Maybe it's accessories. What are you leaning towards?
Sarah Walker
I am an emotional shopper. I will say so. In terms of. If I go into a store and I'm like, I can't live without that. That is the coolest, most unique piece. I will not think about it. I'm like, I know where it fits in my closet, and I know I will wear it. If I have that emotional feeling, I'm like, have to have it. Can't live without it. But for the most part, it's always a really unique, funky piece. Is like, what I'm buying in the moments, those moments. Otherwise, it's a pair of jeans that fits perfectly. Okay, I can't live without that. But for the most part, I feel like when I go shopping, it really is like a window shopping. I feel like every purchase I make.
Liv Perez
Now feels very intentional.
Sarah Walker
Intentional. And I don't think that was never. I don't wanna say never, but that wasn't always the case. And now I'm. It's because I feel like, chronically online now, I see what's out there. I'm constantly searching the sites, also seeing what's out there. So I feel like when I do find something special, I'm like, okay, I haven't seen this before. And, yeah, it's a. It's a need.
Liv Perez
You know its place.
Sarah Walker
Yeah. But I feel like you're somebody who thinks about your purchases.
Liv Perez
Oh, my God, girl, I feel like.
Sarah Walker
I know that about you.
Liv Perez
I'm someone who. I'm a notorious closet clean out girl.
Sarah Walker
Yes. Which is amazing.
Liv Perez
That's great for someone who's in fashion. I don't like stuff.
Sarah Walker
Yeah.
Liv Perez
Like, I go to bed at night thinking about what's in every drawer of this house.
Sarah Walker
Yes.
Liv Perez
And if it's essential or not. So I clean out my closet a lot. I like to be using what I have, and if I'm not using it, I give it a new home. But my process is like, as I'm cleaning out and I'm getting dressed every day, I have a list going of all the things that I need that will make outfits look better.
Sarah Walker
Same.
Liv Perez
So, like, oh, you need a chocolate brown boot. You don't have one.
Sarah Walker
Same.
Liv Perez
So I have a list of things. And as I'm shopping out in the world, I'm the opposite of an emotional shopper. If I was, it would be dangerous.
Sarah Walker
Yeah, it is.
Liv Perez
But I'm someone who, like, if I'm in the Chanel store and I see a bag I love, I'm like, okay, am I about to spend on this bag, or do I need to address the list?
Sarah Walker
Yes. You know what?
Liv Perez
That's great. It's really chaotic.
Sarah Walker
But you know what? That's great also, too, I think. Well, in terms of the list, that's very smart. I do the same. I have a hard time buying, quote, unquote, boring purchases. So.
Liv Perez
Yeah, that makes sense.
Sarah Walker
Capsule wardrobe stuff. If it's a jean that fits perfectly, love, I will spend the money. If it's a white button down tee or like a white button down that I know I need, there's ways I could style it. I don't want to buy it. I'm like, oh, this is not fun money to spend. But I'll wear it.
Liv Perez
I totally get it.
Sarah Walker
So for me, that's like, kind of where it comes in of shopping is there's certain things I'm just. It's not fun. Where the emotional pieces are so much more fun for me. But I think the list is very smart. I also kind of try to do this rule where if I bring something into my closet, I'll take one piece out.
Liv Perez
Have to.
Sarah Walker
You have to.
Liv Perez
Because if not, you're gonna overflow.
Sarah Walker
Yes. And it just. If you bring something in, it's because you love it and you want it right now. And there's other pieces that you probably have outgrown.
Liv Perez
Yeah.
Sarah Walker
So I always remind myself that and that I just, I also am not a hoarder and. But I'm like, I want, I want to keep special pieces, but then my closet can't just be all special pieces. You know, I need, I need the jeans that fit really well, the white tees that are go with everything. So I feel like I have definitely like a very middle ground mix of everything going on.
Liv Perez
I think having a really good assortment of amazing tops is the key to having cool style.
Sarah Walker
Yes.
Liv Perez
I can have my blue jeans and a pair of sandals, but if I'm wearing a cool top like this, it makes outfit. I feel so great. Even I'm looking at you right now. You're wearing this amazing Alexandra Rod Grooch top and jeans. Jeans and a cool top.
Sarah Walker
Yeah.
Liv Perez
Like, I really think that.
Sarah Walker
That or fun jeans and a simple top.
Liv Perez
Yep. It's one or the other.
Sarah Walker
Yeah.
Liv Perez
Right now though, I'm focused on the cool tops.
Sarah Walker
Yeah.
Liv Perez
I'm like investing in the tops in my wardrobe because I have all my colored jeans and a great pair of black trousers. But for kind of effortless dressing every day, that feels really elevated. I've noticed that I just look and feel really good if I'm wearing a simple pant with an epic top.
Sarah Walker
Yep. And I, I think that's a great way to like look at getting dressed too. Just find the pieces that are fun and then get do simple, ready, easy. Yeah. Yeah.
Liv Perez
It doesn't have to be like mental math every day when you're getting ready. Yeah.
Sarah Walker
No, I completely agree. It's an easy way to get dressed. Yeah.
Liv Perez
Speaking of shopping, you are like prolific at a good real, real find. How do you sift? Tell us what? Especially now with all these tariffs, I actually think secondhand shopping is going to be it. Oh, tell us how to sift the real real.
Sarah Walker
So the realreal. Here's my hack. It's nothing crazy. It's sifting. There's an option on the app or the website or whatever you're shopping on to sort by editor's picks. I only ever look through editor's picks occasionally if I know I really want to find something truly vintage. You can also search editors picks and vintage. Otherwise I'll just do editors picks. I don't know who's on the back end of that at the RealReal, but they do a great job.
Liv Perez
Great job.
Sarah Walker
They always find unique pieces and real, real. Sometimes with the pricing, I have a bone to pick. Like sometimes it feels a little outrageous.
Liv Perez
Yes.
Sarah Walker
But for the most part, I have found so many fun, special Pieces that feel very unique and are not crazy priced. Like, I actually just bought this editor's pick on Real Real. This YSL burnt orange turtleneck, long sleeve dress.
Liv Perez
You're in the burnt orange world right now. It looks really good on you.
Sarah Walker
I love an orange, but it's so pretty. And I want to say it's like half off retail price and it sells the tags on it. And it was an editor's pack and it fits well. I don't have an occasion to wear it right now, but I know something will come up. It's beautiful. It's like a turtleneck, but kind of sheer. So anyways, editor's picks. That's how I search.
Liv Perez
I am not someone who will look at a dress and be like, I don't have an occasion to wear that to. I'm buying the dress.
Sarah Walker
It's the same, like, occasion will find you 100%. But then I end up with dresses in my wardrobe everywhere.
Liv Perez
And I have. So I'm. I'm. I'm a gown. Okay. If I'm a hoarder of anything, it's gowns. It's gowns.
Sarah Walker
Interesting. Did not know this about you.
Liv Perez
It's bananas. And you know what?
Sarah Walker
That's the best thing. Because I feel like when you're in a pinch and you need a gown, why is it that when you need something, you can never find it? So it's good to have good options in your closet for when you need it. Yeah.
Liv Perez
But then I'm going to that fashion trust thing tonight, and I pulled a dress like, why am I not wearing from the gowns that I.
Sarah Walker
Because you probably look at them all the time and you're like, okay, I'm over it.
Liv Perez
Do you pass them down like you wear them to the most special moments in life?
Sarah Walker
I was gonna say most special moments occasion based.
Liv Perez
Yep. But I'm someone who will go on the realreal and I'm like, oh, this gorgeous Alberta Ferretti gown from the 90s. Totally.
Sarah Walker
So that's how I am. I'm like, okay. Also, there's one of one. Yeah. I mean, there's probably more in the world, but like the occasional find me. Yeah.
Liv Perez
I was in Paris. Not this past season, the one before. And I went into one of my favorite vintage stores there and they had this brown sequin Chloe dress from the 90s.
Sarah Walker
Say last immediate purchase.
Liv Perez
A little bit above the knee halter.
Sarah Walker
Love.
Liv Perez
And not just brown, like tortoise sequins.
Sarah Walker
Love.
Liv Perez
And I'm like, where am I wearing this to? I Have no idea but about it. And I turned it into mini. And no, it's like, it's perfect for tonight for if I'm ever, like, in Miami going to a birthday or something like that. It's very beachy.
Sarah Walker
Love.
Liv Perez
Yeah. You need to have those.
Sarah Walker
Yeah.
Liv Perez
You mentioned before your Fumoto collab. Yes, it's out now.
Sarah Walker
It's out now.
Liv Perez
How was the process of putting it together? Tell us what are some things that we should 100% be buying from it?
Sarah Walker
Okay, so it sold out. No, we. After the weekend. So it was live for two days.
Liv Perez
Okay.
Sarah Walker
70% sell through. So congratulations.
Liv Perez
Pretty exciting. That's very exciting.
Sarah Walker
Right now there's broken sizing. I will say so if you want to shop, it should be proud.
Liv Perez
I was very excited.
Sarah Walker
I was very happy with the outcome. Like, each piece felt very high quality and elevated and very me. Which was the most important y. But I would say my favorite is. Which would look really good on you. I need to give it to you. It's this white suit set, and it's wearing it. Yeah, it's like the blazer with little shorts. And I feel like the shorts are a nice length. They're not too short. Because I don't like when shorts are too short. You know, like, I love a micro short, but sometimes that's not what I'm going for. And so these are like, kind of the perfect, like, longer but still mini short. And then the blazer is adorable and fits well.
Liv Perez
Criminal take. I don't like a short short. I don't love a hot pant.
Sarah Walker
See, I love a hot pant, but it's so specific for me. Like.
Liv Perez
Like, you're wearing that with a big blazer in Miami.
Sarah Walker
Right, Right.
Liv Perez
That's.
Sarah Walker
It's so specific. Right. And that's why these shorts. I was like, okay, I don't want it to. Also, a micro short isn't for everyone. In fact, it's for very few. So I was like, okay, a short. I want everyone to wear it. I want to be able to wear it with, like, a sweater and go out to dinner and not be like, okay, yeah. So that is probably my favorite.
Liv Perez
Love that.
Sarah Walker
Yeah. But I. It. The process was really fun. They really. The team was great. They let me do kind of whatever I wanted. We kept it like a small little capsule collection. I think it's 11 pieces, but like, nine full outfits, because some of them are sets or maybe even eight full outfits. But they. They really let me have at it and love that. It was really fun. It was just A fun process. My first time doing that, I'd stepped into designing a little bit in my buying days because brands, well, maybe not designing so much. Sometimes we would do exclusives where I would design something for the brand for revolve. But a lot of times, very cool. It was very cool. But a lot of times it was like tweaking something, which I really got to know what works and what doesn't. So it was like, okay, the sleeve is slightly too long. Let's shorten that. Or the. The skirt is slightly too long, which also is. Can be awkward when a skirt is like, supposed to be a mini, but it reads as, like, I don't know, mid thigh. So I learned a lot of, like, small fit things that I feel like are valuable now. And so it was really fun to design something from the ground up.
Liv Perez
I love closing this episode on the fact that everything comes full circle. Just like you said. Like, all of those experiences will play a role 100% in your career long.
Sarah Walker
Term, 100% in all fashion. So, yeah. So connected. So it's amazing.
Liv Perez
Okay, well, guys, if you want to shop it, it's linked in the description of this episode. So excited for you and congratulations.
Sarah Walker
Thank you.
Liv Perez
Thank you so much for coming on.
Sarah Walker
This is so fun.
Liv Perez
So much fun.
Sarah Walker
Chatted for hours.
Liv Perez
I could have. I literally could have kept going, but I'm being conscious of your time.
Sarah Walker
Thank you.
Liv Perez
Of course. I'm so happy to have you on and to also get to know more about.
Sarah Walker
You.
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Podcast Summary: Let’s Get Dressed with Liv Perez Featuring @StyledSara
Episode Title: @StyledSara on Going From a Buyer at Revolve To Creating a Unique Career in Fashion
Release Date: April 14, 2025
Host: Liv Perez
Guest: Sarah Walker (@StyledSara), Content Creator and Fashion Stylist
Liv Perez opens the episode by introducing Sarah Walker, known on Instagram as @StyledSara, highlighting her journey from interning at Revolve to establishing her unique presence in the fashion industry. Liv emphasizes Sarah's exceptional eye for color and texture, noting, “I love the way she uses color and texture and she just has such an eye for great style” [00:02].
Sarah enthusiastically responds, “Oh, my gosh. I was like, sign me up. I can’t wait to be here” [01:23], expressing her excitement for the conversation.
Sarah shares her passion for fashion from a young age, recounting her early experiences in sewing classes and a neighborhood fashion show. She explains how her first job at Nordstrom's flagship store in Seattle, selling special occasion dresses, was pivotal in shaping her customer-centric approach to fashion. “I learned so many valuable things being on the sales floor, but I was good at it and that was fun” [09:32].
Despite not having a family background in fashion, Sarah leveraged her internships and networking to secure a position on the buying team at Revolve. She highlights the importance of proactive outreach, stating, “I am not afraid to cold DM somebody, message them” [15:06], which ultimately led to her role at Revolve [16:27].
While working full-time at Revolve, Sarah began her journey as a content creator. Initially, she kept her social media activities on the back burner, gradually building her Instagram and TikTok presence [18:26]. “It was never the plan to go full-time social media influencer. It always was about having a full job and my content was a creative outlet” [19:43].
Over time, her authentic sharing of daily outfits and insights into her role as a buyer resonated with her audience, allowing her to transition into managing her own content platform full-time [20:12]. She reflects on the challenges and rewards of this transition: “I'm far more fulfilled, and it's been such a rewarding process” [21:26].
Sarah discusses how her personal style has evolved over the years, becoming more refined and confident. “I have a different style than I did two years ago, than I did four years ago” [26:04], she explains. This continuous refinement reflects her growing self-awareness and confidence in her fashion choices.
Liv relates to this evolution, noting, “Like, I look at my style three years ago, and it feels like a completely different person” [26:46]. Both agree that evolving personal style is a natural progression aligned with life’s changes and experiences.
The conversation shifts to Sarah’s relationship with fashion trends. Initially, she was more eager to jump on every trend, but now she prefers to incorporate trends that naturally align with her existing wardrobe. “Three years ago, I was a lot more into following trends. Now, it's not that I don't now, but I was a lot more willing to jump on board with any trend that came my way” [27:43].
Liv adds, “I think trends are really helpful if you are trying to find your style. You're someone who is really established… trends opened up a window for me to figure out what I liked and what I didn't like” [28:20]. Together, they emphasize the importance of using trends as tools for personal style expression rather than strict guidelines.
Sarah shares her shopping philosophy, balancing emotional and intentional purchases. She favors unique, funky pieces that resonate with her style and meticulously plans her shopping to avoid clutter. “If I bring something into my closet, I'll take one piece out” [32:26], she advises, ensuring her wardrobe remains curated and purposeful.
When discussing favorite brands, Sarah recommends sorting options to find the best pieces. For instance, on The RealReal, she suggests using the “editor’s picks” filter to discover vintage and unique items: “Editors picks. That's how I search” [34:44]. She praises brands like Dolce Vita and Tony Bianco for their quality and style, highlighting their balance between affordability and luxury-inspired designs [05:39].
A significant highlight of the episode is Sarah’s collaboration with Fu Moda, where she designed a capsule collection that quickly sold out within two days. “Each piece felt very high quality and elevated and very me” [37:28]. Sarah elaborates on her favorite item from the collection—a white suit set featuring a blazer and shorts that balance style and comfort: “I was like, okay, I don’t want it to also be a micro short… So that is probably my favorite” [37:33].
She reflects on the design process, appreciating the flexibility and support from the Fu Moda team: “They really let me have at it and love that” [38:25]. The collaboration allowed her to apply her buying experience to designing, making informed adjustments for fit and style [38:44].
Wrapping up the conversation, Sarah and Liv acknowledge how Sarah’s diverse experiences—from sales at Nordstrom to influencing and designing—have all contributed to her current success. “All of those experiences will play a role 100% in your career long” [39:43], Sarah concludes, emphasizing the interconnectedness of her journey.
Liv congratulates Sarah on her achievements and encourages listeners to check out her collaboration, highlighting the episode’s concluding remarks: “Everything comes full circle” [39:52], underscoring the holistic nature of Sarah’s career development.
This episode of Let’s Get Dressed with Liv Perez offers an inspiring look into Sarah Walker’s journey in the fashion industry. From her beginnings in retail sales to becoming a successful content creator and designer, Sarah provides valuable insights into networking, personal style evolution, and the importance of intentional shopping. Her collaboration with Fu Moda exemplifies how diverse experiences can culminate in unique career achievements. Listeners gain practical tips on breaking into fashion, refining their style, and balancing professional roles with creative pursuits.
For more fashion inspiration and tips, be sure to subscribe to Let’s Get Dressed and follow Sarah Walker on Instagram @StyledSara.