When Laura Gregory moved from the fashion capital of New York City back to the rolling hills of Loudoun County, Virginia, she brought a mission to help people reclaim their wardrobes, rediscover their confidence, and reject the fast-fashion churn in favor of elevated, sustainable style.
Now a personal stylist based in Lovettsville, Laura Gregory serves clients across the greater D.C. metro area, using her unique background to create refined but refreshingly real, sustainable looks.
From Uniforms to Unique Style
Growing up in Fairfax, Gregory wore uniforms nearly every day of her life, from Catholic school to military college. So when she did get a chance to dress up, she took it seriously, showcasing her personal style.
After college, she moved to New York City and worked in finance, also moonlighting at a fashion startup. “That side hustle lit the fire,” she said. “That’s where my styling instincts really grew.”
When she returned home to Virginia, friends started asking for her help with outfits. One lookbook turned into another until six years ago, she turned styling into a full-time business.
Fall Fashion 2025: Elevated, Not Excessive
This fall, Gregory says, the focus is on quiet luxury, layered basics, and intentional spending.
“Think structured blazers, quality denim, tailored knits. These are timeless pieces you can wear on repeat,” she said. “You don’t need 20 new things. You need a few great ones.”
She’s less enthusiastic about the official “color of the year”: mocha mousse. She prefers something more unique, like last year’s butter yellow. “That being said, I’m pleasantly excited that it’s brown because for most people, they gravitate to black,” she said, “and this is an opportunity for people who don’t have a lot of brown pieces or accessories to experiment with those and see how they work for them.”
See her sample lookbook pages incorporating a monochromatic office style with this year’s color. “This elevated style is trending for both men and women,” she said. “Gone are the days of really dressing up for work. Most offices today have a more casual vibe now, but that doesn’t necessarily mean jeans and sneakers or T-shirts. You still need an elevated, professional presence if you’re going into the office.”
The biggest shift she sees? A move away from fast fashion toward conscious investing. “Millennials are over loud logos and one-season bags,” she said. “We’re spending on fewer pieces that last longer and investing in quality basics like denim, a T-shirt, blazer and good handbag for work that will stand the test of time and as a unit look amazing but also function as quality and standout separates.”
An example of quiet luxury, she said, are Khaite jeans, which are taking the internet by storm. “They’ve taken over women’s wardrobes, mine included, as I recently invested in my own pair,” she said. “It’s these quiet luxury items that people who are tuned in will notice.”
As an advocate for denim, she shared lookbook pages including two outfits on this theme, again emphasizing quality over quantity, with basics that can transcend time.
“There are these structured layers for both the men and women’s look,” she said. “The women’s look mimics what the designer Celine recently showcased in Fashion Week for spring 2026 with these really structured layers and tailoring: a white turtleneck underneath a cream-colored silk button-up that is paired with quality denim, a structured yet oversized blazer and simple accessories with just a belt or handbag, boots or flats. This outfit can easily be made into 20 outfits using the pieces as separates.
“Similarly for the men’s look, it’s a structured button-up with just a quality knit sweater on top,” she added. “So tailored blazers, sculptured coats and waist defining outerwear are going to be the key accessories that complete the outfit for men and women going into the fall.”
Building Confidence, One Closet at a Time
Gregory offers closet audits and digital lookbooks that help clients see their clothes in a new light.
“People often think they need a whole new wardrobe, but really they need fresh eyes,” she says. “We take everything out, play a game of keep/toss, and start fresh. I create digital lookbooks with the pieces they already own, plus a few thoughtful additions.”
For new moms, returning professionals, and anyone unsure how to dress their current body, Gregory offers honesty and empowerment.
“More often than not, they just need to be told we will make your wardrobe at whatever weight you are,” she said. “Every body is beautiful, and I’m giving them confidence that they haven’t lost themselves in process of motherhood. They just need to be retold that.”
Gregory often advises starting with a nice button-up shirt. “One that translates from work to date night to lunch with girlfriends, or picking out a good quality denim, a satin skirt, or quality knitwear, a nice sweater that can pair with jeans to trousers to a slip skirt,” she said.
She also recommends a nice blazer. “Quality is personal, and you can still get a quality blazer or knit that doesn’t immediately translate into $500-1,000,” she said. “You can get one for under $200, and that’s what I would advise.
“People often think spending $1,000 translates into buying 30 pieces that are from fast fashion like H&M or Zara, but that $1,000 actually translates into four or five quality pieces you can mix and match,” she explained.
Local Shopping with Purpose
Gregory loves shopping vintage and consignment stores or local boutiques in Loudoun County.
“Something that I feel like blew up two years ago and I wish would continue is the thrifting trend,” she said. “If you’re looking for unique, quality pieces, consignment is amazing. I don’t mean popping into every single goodwill store, although I have found amazing pieces in them. But try local vintage shops and boutiques; see what they have to offer before you go online.”
She’s also skeptical of influencer culture. “Unboxing videos have made people feel like they need whatever a stranger is showing off,” she said, “but most of those items are returned or resold in a month. It’s a huge waste.”
Instead, she helps clients build a “uniform” of quality basics, then adds personality through accessories, outerwear, or a bold shoe.
Once Gregory has created a styled lookbook, clients have head to toe pieces including accessories and can shop for themselves from links. “I’m giving them the versatility and tools to be creative on their own by mixing and matching,” she said. “The lookbook is a fun way to always have virtual closet at your fingertips. I do one for myself, and I always have an outfit to wear. It makes getting dressed every day so much easier.”
Gregory focuses more on styling, she said, than fashion. “Trends and designers and runways, that’s not something I personally follow as closely as other personal stylists will. My specialty is styling, making a ton of outfits with what you already own and making you think a different way about outfits you already own. Reframing what you already have is where I shine.”
People no longer want to rip an entire outfit off a mannequin, she said. It’s about what’s authentic to them and having the confidence to wear it.
“People just need to be reminded frankly and honestly that they have a smokin’ bod, and they can wear that dress that’s been in their closet for five years,” Gregory said. “The whole idea of hiring a stylist is to help clients look at their wardrobe in a different way, depending on what fits your body type, your lifestyle, your work, then to give them the tools and hand over reins to them.”
To learn more about Laura Gregory’s services, go to https://www.lgstyling.com/.
"For millennials, the trend is away from materialism. We are now valuing experiences more rather than materialistic things," said Laura Gregory.
“You don’t need 20 new things. You need a few great ones.” —Laura Gregory
“If you’re looking for unique, quality pieces, consignment is amazing." —Laura Gregory