I Attended Nordstrom's Summer Style Master Class—These 3 Tips Are Game Changers

I don't love to admit it, but I'm a total creature of habit when it comes to my summer style. When the clock strikes midnight on June 1, so begins my monotonous routine of the daily sundress and sneaker combo. I blame NYC's heat and humidity, but really, it's a lack of outfit creativity that I'm determined to overcome this year. Luckily, I'm already off to a strong start after getting insider tips from our Summer House style master class with Nordstrom. I sent fellow editor Eliza Huber to report back with the most important recommendations for switching up your summer style from personal stylist Kelly Augustine and Nordstrom stylist Coulson Bingham. To nobody's surprise, they delivered simple, effective ways to amp up your outfit creativity this summer. Keep scrolling to discover their insight and shop Eliza's über-chic look.

Tip #1: Tailoring Is Your Friend

"One major takeaway from the master class was the importance and regular practice of tailoring. It would be impossible for every single clothing item to fit everybody just right, which is why Bingham suggested Nordstrom's tailoring services. Every item can be tweaked one way or another to make it perfect." — Eliza Huber, fashion editor

Tip #2: Go Minimalist and Maximalist

"The two trends we talked through most at the master class were minimalism and maximalism and the ways that you can check both off this summer without having to get too far outside of your comfort zone or straying away from your personal style. I usually sway more minimalist, but Bingham and Augustine were very convincing when it came to trying out louder and more out-there silhouettes that still came in my go-to muted color palette." — Huber

Tip #3: When in Doubt, Mood Board It Out

"The master class made me dive deeper into my summer mood and style, things I don't really think about ahead of time. I've always struggled with defining my style, so to have to talk it through with professionals and create a picture of it using magazine clippings forced me to consider why I've been steering toward certain trends, colors, and silhouettes for the season ahead. The mood-boarding process also gave me something to look at when I'm feeling uninspired that will remind me of what I'm loving and what will make me feel most like myself this summer." — Huber

Shop Eliza's Look

"When I first tried on the look Augustine picked out for me, I wasn't sure if the proportions were right. But right as I stepped in front of the mirror, she took the V-neck slub tee from AllSaints, tied it in a knot in the back, and suggested I style the blazer over my shoulders rather than wearing it normally. Those two subtle tricks transformed the entire look. That's the work of a genius stylist—they can make already great items infinitely better with tiny tweaks." — Huber