Corridor40

Working her way up the fashion industry ladder, Lindsey Calla has already made a name for herself as a fashion-savvy woman with a knack for looking fab on a budget—thanks to her inspiring and informative blog, Saucy Glossie. With editorial experience at Cosmopolitan and Seventeen, Lindsey is currently a sought-after fashion writer, blogger and stylist. Recently, C40 got the scoop from Lindsey on everything from her style secrets to her one “amazing/bad” vice.

C40. A lot of girls dream about writing for well-known fashion magazines and working for high-end fashion labels. Having worked in fashion, what advice would you give to those considering a career in the industry? What challenges have you run into along the way? What have been your most memorable experiences while working a stylist, blogger and writer?

LC. Make sure that you realize that the industry is not glamorous and it takes a lot of hard work, thick skin and determination. Try to find a mentor or someone who you can trust and learn from. I didn’t study fashion in school, so I felt secure knowing that I had a different degree to fall back on just in case I didn’t like the industry. Challenges include working in really, really high-stress environments, working primarily with all women and not getting paid a ton of money.

That said, I strongly believe that, if you are doing what you love, the rest will all fall into place. One of my best experiences at a magazine was at Seventeen. My boss there is still a mentor to me, and working for her really set a great foundation for me. Blogging wise, I’ve been able to meet some really awesome people and take part in some really exciting projects. Blogging allows me to have my hand in different things, which I love.

C40. How would you describe your personal style to someone who may not be familiar with Saucy Glossie? What are some of the key elements to your sense of style?

LC. I am a bit of a chameleon when it comes to style.  I really like to experiment with different looks and try out different trends. If I were to describe my style in a few key words it would be: urban, bohemian, global, glam girl-on-a-budget. I definitely love slouchy silhouettes (harem pants, dolman sleeves, etc.), and I love anything that looks like it came from a different country or culture (especially jewelry).

C40. What is your biggest vice?

LC. Cherry Coke Zero.  It is amazing/bad, but I can’t start my day without it!

C40. With experience working for both fashion magazines and now for yourself via your own fashion website, which fashion medium do you prefer? What are some of the pros and cons of each?

LC. That’s really tough because I’ve had great experiences doing both. I’ve enjoyed working in a short lead, rather than so far ahead, and I also love to have full creative control on the website. Working at a magazine, you have so many resources—like messengers, supplies, a whole team of people and an already-established brand name behind you. For the website, you get all of the control, but that also means you do everything (art direct, edit, market, etc.). It is really fun to be a part of the online space because it is still so new and exciting; the entry-level might be low, but the sky is the limit when it comes to creativity and innovation.

C40. How has your sense of style evolved since starting Saucy Glossie?

LC. What I love about having a style website is that it’s almost like a timeline of my style evolution. I get to see myself trying different things out and experimenting. I’ve definitely gone through a number of different trends and styles, but I always keep going back to really high shoes and slouchy pants. I’ve also been traveling more lately, so my style reflects that a bit.

C40. What are you currently coveting?

LC. A really cozy faux fur jacket, a great printed blouse, Tucker for Target dresses, more platforms, a cute backpack for my laptop and rugged silver jewelry.

C40. What blogs are you stalking?

LC. Miss Pandora and Studded Hearts for inspiration, and The Glamourai.

C40. Who do you consider to be your role models or muses when it comes to your personal style? Is there a certain person or style that you try to emulate?

LC. Hmm, I actually don’t have a specific person that I try to emulate. I feel like I get more inspired by art, architecture and travel—but I do like Rachel Bilson, Taylor Tomasi Hill and Zanna Roberts.

C40. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Where do you see Saucy Glossie in the next 5 years?

LC. Wow… hmm… Well, I’d like to be doing more TV segments, and maybe hosting my own style show. I’d like to be working with different brands on fun projects, and maybe be a spokesperson.  I would also like to be traveling abroad more often. For my site, I want it to be full of TV and video, and I want to continue to do more shoots.

C40. What advice do you have for women who may be struggling to establish their own sense of style? As a woman who works great style on a budget, what advice do you have for women who think they can’t look good or dress a certain way because they can’t afford expensive clothing?

LC. Find a style that really suits your personality, lifestyle and environment. If you are focused too much on pushing a certain trend on yourself, you will be stuck with a closet full of pieces you like, but never wear. If you do have pieces that really suit your lifestyle, then you will just need to fill in gaps season to season, and pieces will last longer. Lastly, don’t be afraid to be different! There are no rules; make your own, and love them.

I feel really strongly that you don’t need to own expensive clothing to look good. Finding pieces that fit your budget forces you to be really creative and different. Plus, dressing on a budget has really never been more accessible, thanks to some amazing online boutiques that sell items that are really well-priced—and I strongly believe in shopping TJ Maxx and Gilt Groupe to find deals.

Images via Saucy Glossie