Welcome back to another instalment of Style Profile, a series of light and insightful Q&As with stylish folks from around the internet!
Today’s guest is the inimitable Andrea Hartman of Seasons + Salt, one of my favourite style bloggers and dearest internet friends. Andrea and I have been blogging buds for many years and there’s no question, she’s one of the kindest and most stylish of all the people I’ve come to know in this weird and wonderful space. There are few who’s outfits compel me to send a DM for immediate intel and she’s definitely one of them!
Andrea is an incredible content creator and manages to share scroll-stopping looks, great style advice, insightful videos, and so much more, all while co-managing a household of 3 kids and 2 dogs. I can barely keep the fridge stocked for Dave and I! haha. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, her morning workouts put my most active days to shame.
I’m constantly inspired by Andrea’s take on trends and how she manages to make bold choices look entirely at ease within her outfits. In our Q&A, Andrea has graciously shared some of her hard-earned expertise and talks about how personal style plays a key role in her life as a mom.
Read on for the Style Profile Q&A with our guest Andrea Hartman.
All images throughout this post have been used with permission. You can find all sources on Andrea’s beautiful website and instagram, both of which I highly recommend you visit, follow and spend some time on.
This post also contains affiliate links, which means if you shop through the links below, you’re supporting Andrea’s creative work!
A FEW QUICK FACTS ABOUT OUR GUEST
- NAME: Andrea Hartman
- PRONOUNS: She/Her
- WEBSITE: www.seasons-and-salt.com
- INSTAGRAM: @andrea_hartman_
- YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/c/AndreaHartman
- LOCATION: Portland, Oregon, USA
- OCCUPATION: Content Creator, Mother of 3.
WELCOME ANDREA!
PLEASE TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. HOW DID YOU FIND YOUR WAY INTO CREATING SEASONS + SALT?
I am a lifelong creative. When I was younger it was drawing, in my teens it was painting, I even designed a fledgling website at one point. After I had kids, I picked up photography so I could take better pictures of them. I have always loved to create. When my youngest was born in 2014, I found myself very drawn to style blogs. I couldn’t get enough of them and a year later I started my own. It fed my need to create and it helped my practical need of learning to style myself.
WHAT ARE 3 OF THE MOST WORN/LOVED ITEMS IN YOUR CLOSET?
1 // Vintage Levi’s 501s. I found them at a fabulous all-denim thrift shop in downtown Portland that is no longer there. They have been a style touchstone for me over the years. They connect me with my innate sense of style that loves cool and vintage or vintage-inspired items. I love testing out new purchases with the jeans to make sure they make sense for my overall style. If something happened to them I’d be very sad, but I might just dig further into my AGOLDE denim obsession.
2 // Jenni Kayne Cashmere Cocoon Cardigan. I found it like so many before me on the internet, haha. It’s so soft, and all encompassing with its oversized shape. It looks good with so many outfits and I wear it year round. I would say it’s helped me lean into my love of oversized items. If I were to re-purchase it I might consider this color instead.
3 // Acne Studios Musubi Bag. I actually bought this secondhand (thirdhand?) from my friend Elaine. I was drawn to the structure and functionality of it. It shapes my style by making the most basic outfit look chic. If something happened to it, I would definitely want to replace it, but I might consider this year’s beautiful camel version!
HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE IN 5 WORDS OR LESS?
This never gets easier, but right now my words are:
classic, cool, preppy 90’s-inspired
YOU HAVE SUCH AN EYE FOR MIXING UNIQUE PIECES INTO HIGHLY WEARABLE OUTFITS. ANY TIPS FOR KEEPING AN OUTFIT INTERESTING & STILL FUNCTIONAL?
For me, an interesting outfit usually comes from the details. For example, it’s the just-right wash on a pair of faded jeans, or the extra chunky sole on a pair of boots, or the way a button up isn’t just a button up, but an oversized, wear in all kinds of ways, type shirt. A sweater takes on visual interest when it’s a few sizes bigger. The drape hits differently.
WE DEFINITELY SHARE A LOVE FOR EXPLORING PERSONAL STYLE. WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 3 TIPS FOR FOLKS WHO MAY FEEL THAT THEY’RE STRUGGLING WITH THEIR PERSONAL STYLE?
1 – Document/self track your outfits and examine what works and what doesn’t; figure out why.
2 – Find inspiration in Pinterest rather than Instagram. It’s very visual, but without all the sales. If you see outfits you like on Instagram, pin them to your boards.
3 – Buy slowly and intentionally. It’s really easy to get style confused when you add too much too fast.
YOU’RE A MUM TO THREE, WHAT’S YOUR GENERAL PHILOSOPHY WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR KIDS CLOSETS?
Fewer and better. Lots of secondhand when I can. Quality shoes because that’s so important for growing feet. My daughters are at ages (10 + 12) where they can fit into some women’s clothes so they love thrifting because the creative options are endless, so that’s really fun.
WHAT ROLE HAS STYLE PLAYED IN YOUR LIFE AS A MOM?
Nearly everything I wear needs to be practical. Shoes especially. I’ve also used style as a way of grounding myself in who I am. It’s easy to get lost in the vastness of motherhood, and having clothes that make me feel like myself is an important way to feel like ‘Andrea the person’ in addition to ‘Andrea the mother.’
SWITCHING HATS TO STYLIST MODE: WHAT ARE THE TOP 3 STYLING TECHNIQUES YOU KEEP COMING BACK TO?
Keep it simple. If you have curated your wardrobe well, you don’t need to overcomplicate your looks.
Lean in to your instincts. Have fun and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Experiment, don’t always play it safe.
Use contrast as an element in your outfits, it will make them more interesting and impactful. (Contrast = pairing casual and dressy or masculine and feminine pieces, etc.)
WHAT MAKES A GREAT OUTFIT FOR YOU?
A look that’s both bold AND understated.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ITEMS ON YOUR WISH LIST CURRENTLY?
I have my eye on this new jumpsuit style from Alex Mill. I love the straight leg and flap pockets. I also adore these oversized, baggy jeans.
+ FOR FUN: WHAT ARE YOU:
LISTENING TO: Princess Goes to the Butterfly Museum, this really eclectic band that I heard about because the lead singer is one of my favorite actors (Michael C. Hall). They remind me of Radiohead or Depeche Mode a little bit.
READING \ Way too much news.
WATCHING: We recently watched MAID and it was so good and eye-opening. Next up: Succession or The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
DOING THESE DAYS: We have tickets for three concerts this spring and summer, including bringing our kids to two of the shows. I am a live music junkie so I can’t wait!
Thank you so much for sharing your style wisdom with us Andrea!
BE SURE TO FOLLOW ANDREA ON INSTAGRAM & EXPLORE SEASONS + SALT FOR ENDLESS STYLE INSPIRATION!
HERE ARE SOME OF ANDREA’S WORDS THAT REALLY STOOD OUT TO ME:
On personal style as a Mom: It’s easy to get lost in the vastness of motherhood, and having clothes that make me feel like myself is an important way to feel like ‘Andrea the person’ in addition to ‘Andrea the mother.’
On tips for personal style: Document/self track your outfits and examine what works and what doesn’t; figure out why.
On a her favourite pair of denim: They connect me with my innate sense of style that loves cool and vintage or vintage-inspired items.
If you enjoyed this Style Profile, you can explore past interviews right here.
This is awesome! I didn’t know you were blogging buddies. I discovered you through following Andrea and now I’ve been following you both for a few years. Thank you (both!) for all the inspiring content : )
How fun to see worlds collide! I really enjoyed learning more about Andrea – thanks for this fun post!
Ooh yes, loved this style profile of one of my favorite bloggers! Also yay so happy the thirdhand Acne Studios bag made Andrea’s list 🙂