Guest Contact Information
Laura K. Sawyier
Founder & CEO
LKS Styling & Consulting
LKS Styling & Consulting
August 5, 2025
Laura K. Sawyier: Wardrobe is a Mental Health Tool
Episode 55
“Everybody wants to feel good about themselves.”
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Laura K. Sawyier: Wardrobe is a Mental Health Tool
Episode 55
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"We often prevent ourselves from doing something that could affect change because we're afraid of it or we think we need it to happen immediately. But this is like anything, you have to dip your toe into it...And it's the most magical thing is when people start to make even just little investments. Oh, maybe I'll add a few new pairs of shoes or maybe I'll add a few tops here...Their shoulders go back, their body language changes, and that will then influence all the other goals that they have."
Laura K. Sawyier, founder and CEO of LKS Styling and Consulting, joins Cynthia Kirkpatrick for an inspiring conversation about the intersection of style, psychology, and personal transformation. Laura helps clients build confidence through strategic styling, using a revolutionary digital closet platform that functions like the famous Clueless movie wardrobe system. This episode explores how getting dressed is actually an act of creativity and psychological self-care, diving deep into the science behind why what we wear affects how we think and perform.
This episode is perfect for anyone who feels overwhelmed by their closet, struggles with decision fatigue, or wants to understand the deeper psychology behind personal presentation. Listeners will learn about enclothed cognition research, practical gratitude techniques, and how to turn style mistakes into growth opportunities. After listening, you’ll be able to approach your wardrobe with more intention, practice self-compassion in challenging moments, and understand how visual communication can be a powerful tool for personal and professional success.
Show Notes
Guest Introduction & Style Tips (00:00 – 02:30)
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Cynthia Kirkpatrick introduces Laura Sawyer, founder and CEO of LKS Styling Consulting, focusing on style, presence, confidence, and personal branding.
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Metallic accessories are trending for spring – silver, gold, rose gold, titanium, gunmetal can all be mixed together, breaking traditional fashion rules from the 80s/90s.
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Traditional fashion rules have relaxed, creating more creative freedom but also more complexity and overwhelm for consumers.
Laura’s Service Offerings (03:43 – 06:08)
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One-on-one styling services include literal closet visits (in-person and virtual) working with clients nationally in St. Louis, New York Tri-State, Denver/Boulder, San Francisco areas.
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Closet editing process removes items that don’t work for client’s body, budget, and lifestyle, followed by digital cataloging.
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Virtual closet platform digitizes entire wardrobe similar to Clueless movie technology, with Laura acting as AI to style pieces together daily.
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Applied psychology of style work includes speaking and coaching, with Laura currently pursuing master’s in psychology at Harvard.
The Psychology Behind Style (07:35 – 10:00)
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Style encompasses clothing, body adornment, beauty, grooming habits, presence, speaking tone, body language, and environmental engagement.
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Decision fatigue eliminated through pre-styled outfit combinations, especially valuable for busy professionals managing multiple responsibilities.
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Emotional impact illustrated through client story of mother at daughter’s graduation feeling consumed by ill-fitting dress, leading to shame and avoidance of future events.
Visual Communication & First Impressions (13:35 – 17:17)
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Visual society has always existed but is amplified through social media and increased in-person interactions post-COVID.
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LinkedIn platform seeing renewed emphasis on personal/professional branding and visual presentation for business networking.
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Micro-step approach recommended for clients wanting to wait until weight loss – small clothing investments create positive feedback loops affecting other life goals.
Laura’s Background & Journey (25:20 – 30:45)
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Childhood influences included divorced household, competitive downhill skiing, creative activities like customizing Barbie clothes with nail polish and fabric.
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Educational path studied media and digital culture during early Facebook/Instagram era, graduated college early due to financial necessity.
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Career transition from babysitting to working at New York event design firm, learning visual storytelling and client communication.
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Move to St. Louis 11 years ago following husband, worked in marketing at wealth management firm where she met her mentor.
Business Launch & Mentorship (32:00 – 35:51)
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Pivotal conversation with mentor led to styling career when Laura expressed desire to ‘help one person feel really good about themselves at one point throughout their day’.
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Overcoming imposter syndrome regarding fashion industry pedigree, realizing her diverse background and hardships equipped her with compassion for client work.
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Approachability as style word emphasizes importance of being relatable while maintaining professional polish.
Psychological Research & Harvard Studies (51:35 – 59:34)
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Applied psychology of fashion evolved into broader ‘applied psychology of style’ to be more inclusive than intimidating ‘fashion’ terminology.
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Harvard ALM Psychology program allows self-directed focus on style psychology, unique opportunity not available elsewhere in US.
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Core coursework includes self and identity, women’s brain health, neuropsychology, and upcoming aesthetics class studying visual environmental impacts.
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Enclothed cognition research from 2012 shows clothing affects both physical experience and symbolic meaning, influencing performance and self-perception.
️ Practical Applications & Client Stories (01:02:07 – 01:05:57)
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Framework necessity helps clients navigate overwhelming choices in stores and personal presentation decisions.
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Environmental influence research shows cognitive stimulation from surroundings applies to both workspaces and clothing choices.
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Creativity redefinition – getting dressed is creative act for everyone, even those who don’t consider themselves creative.
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Financial psychology connection to Morgan Housel’s work on emotional money relationships paralleling emotional body/appearance relationships.
Entrepreneurship Lessons & Accountability (01:09:50 – 01:18:20)
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Chanel bootie incident early in business when client’s donated shoes had emotional significance, led to important accountability lesson.
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Accountability framework includes owning mistakes quickly, explaining briefly, offering solutions, then listening to client response.
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Lost shoe situation resulted in stronger client relationship through proactive accountability and apology flowers.
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Permission mindset shift realizing need to speak up at nonprofit board meetings without waiting for invitation or permission.
Services & Contact Information (01:20:52 – 01:23:20)
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Styling consultation begins with 20-minute complimentary video call, followed by closet edit and virtual platform onboarding.
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Speaking engagements available for conferences and organizational workshops, both in-person and virtual formats.
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Contact methods include website, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Substack newsletter ‘Style and Substance’.
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Name spelling clarification: Laura S-A-W-Y-I-E-R (silent I) distinguishes from other Laura Sawyers.
Personal Growth Practices (39:47 – 01:24:48)
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Gratitude evolution from external appreciation to acknowledging personal actions taken, such as sending difficult emails or showing up with dignity.
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Daily self-affirmation practice of saying ‘I love you, Laura’ each morning as recommended by mentor.
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Resilience muscle philosophy of not wanting to be too far from last failure to continue building strength through challenges.
Content Notice
This podcast and all She Lift Project content represents the opinions of Cynthia Kirkpatrick and her guests. The content here is for informational purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice – financial, legal, medical, or otherwise.
Views and opinions expressed in the podcast and across all She Lift Project media channels are our own and do not represent that of our places of work. While we make every effort to ensure that the information we are sharing is accurate, we welcome any comments, suggestions, or correction of errors.
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