Goodness & Mercy presents an interview with Jermy St. Louis
1. How has your personal style progressed over the years and what is your take on today’s fashion climate?
Age and body image really made a difference in my personal style over the years. There is just certain level of confidence that I have now that I just didn’t have in my twenties. Embracing femininity is huge to me and how I present myself. Expressing myself in colors and patterns and really just highlighting my natural figure.
Today’s fashion climate is really interesting depending on your viewpoint, right. So there’s the “Instagram Model” fashion where every thing is tight and shows a body image that’s not realistic. Theres this “90s mom jean” trend that coming back and popular. And there’s also this leggings to go every where trend that I can’t even name. Culturally, there’s this urge to buy black and support those businesses. Though I personally do not consume all of these trends I’m here for them. What's always been amazing to me about clothing choices is that the person wearing them is really what makes it work. If leggings everyday is your thing and it makes you feel awesome do it! We’ve entered a space fashionably late that you can wear what you want as long as you feel good about you…. that goes a long way.
2. Being an educator, how do you balance your personal style with the dress code at school?
As an educator it has always been important to me to dress as I am going to work, a place of business. When I was student teaching there was a veteran teacher who literally wore suits everyday. Like in the 3 years I worked with her I think I saw her wear jeans twice. And she said her suits commanded a presence in the room. It established who she was and that she came to work to work. I also watched my mom do the same thing back in the 90s when a power suit had meaning. Taking these lessons in my work wardrobe I am dressed to do my job everyday.
I am reminded of when I first started teaching, I was trying to establish myself as an adult in a career and I had only shopped at Up Against The Wall in college or Journeys lol. So my brother actually took me shopping and we got like staple pieces that could hold me over. But I detest sneakers with dress clothes….charge it to the game but I just cannot..so I didn’t have shoes to go with these outfits that I thought were so awesome. I used to wait and leave for work after my mom so I could borrow her shoes. 23 years old with a Limited or New York and Company special and an open back mule slide before they were a thing. LOL you couldn’t tell me anything. I also learned quickly that the concrete floors most schools are built with are not made for cute shoes. And I invested in some Cole Haan flats ASAP. And I think that’s what I’ve learned about my style vs fashion.. Style is your investment. An investment in items that are timeless, classic, and will speak to the person I am or want to show that day.
3. You are the mother of two daughters, how do you think your style has influenced them and what are some of the similarities and differences between them both, in comparison to yours?
My daughters are two very different children and its actually really cool to watch them find their own personal style. Raising them in a school uniform era has been very helpful. I haven’t had to go through as many struggles as my mom did. She wanted me in skirts and frills and I wanted to dress like Queen Latifah or Rudy in the third grade. So it was always a struggle. My 9 year old believes that the show doesn’t start until she and her outfit have arrived. She is in sparkles, colors, skirts, and dresses. All the things I did not want at 9. She’s been extremely fun to watch since the stay at home order. She has truly embraced dressing according to her feelings and how she wants to represent herself even if no-one is watching. And I personally think that’s awesome. Like imagine that confidence as an adult. I am wearing this because it makes me feel good, even if no-one sees me I want to look like this for me! I love her confidence already, especially on the days she wears a ball gown to the couch. All fine with me.
My oldest is soon to be 17 and she is discovering herself and I think that’s a perfectly fine phase as well. I am extremely proud to be with her as she discovers the pieces that represent her. I try to impart on her to start with classic staples that will last through multiple seasons. I think everyone, no matter the age, should have a go to pair of jeans, white blouse, a go to sweater or lounge jacket, black skirt, and a couple quality tees. Once you have those everything else is a build around. So in dealing with my oldest I try to give just little nuggets and let her shop in my closet every once in awhile I really want her to just be free and not ridged in her choices, have fun with her style. I appreciate that she is comfortable with what is comfortable for her. I respect her so much in that space. She is not influenced and I think that speaks to who both of my girls are as people. One of the most important things I can give as a parent is the space for them to be who they are.
4. Exercise is a great part of your daily routine, how much effort do you put, if any, into workout attire?
Exercise is a huge part of my daily routine, especially in this quasi quarantine. I have to be honest and admit I have put zero energy into my work out gear. I have seen trainers that have pieces that I think are super dope but I just haven’t been able to make my brain accept the investment. I work out at home so I just want to be comfortable so I kind maintain a less is more mentality when I workout.
5. Being a single mother and dating, what are some tips or advice on making a great fashionable impression on the first date?
Listen, getting dressed for the first date had truly been the bane of my existence for a while. However now that I’ve really started dating with intention and purpose my outfit choices feel a lot more seamless. I don’t feel the pressure to try be physically enticing anymore and that has really allowed me to actually be more physically enticing I think. lol Because ladies, men don’t care! If you can go out and have a great time, laugh, and create a space where you can both be yourselves, these moments go so much further than him seeing your whole body at hello. That is a secret they don’t want us to know. Over sexualized has never been a desire of mine. Now, don’t get me wrong I don’t do Little House on the Prairie covers either, I just have decided that I present myself much better when I feel cute versus worrying if he is going to think it, because clearly he already did if he is asking me out. Watch this, a quality white button down will take you a lot further than the leopard print see through leotard every time. The white button-down is such a classic I think I may own 6 different ones, collars and cuts all different. Style it with a good jean or a jersey skirt, red lip, and a hoop…. you’ve won! Now here’s the key…. how many buttons you leave open provides the suggestion. Femininity is the art of the subtle suggestion. 2-3 buttons gives enough skin for him to be hopeful but enough mystery that if you choose he will never know.
6. Summer is quickly approaching, what are some style trends that you are look forward to?
Summer is here! I am aiming to embrace the biker short trend actually. That is something that is totally different for me. However I have seen it styled with blazers and different button downs that I am excited to try. And of course the sundress is an always….I try look for the out of the norm sundress. I have often been heard saying how much I love a surprise in the back… so backless items are aways a win for me. I am also appreciating the paper bag cut or high waisted cut shorts. If anyone else gained the “quarantine 15” like me these are going to be an easy go to item.
7. Do you love to travel?
I absolutely adore traveling. It has been one of the most difficult things I have missed since being home.
8. What are some places that you have visited so far?
I have been to every direction of Africa, quick drops in Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. I still have a couple of places on my bucket list though; Turkey — Capadoccia to be specific, I have a thing for hot air balloons, Senegal, Greece, and Bali are on the long term list. But this year I want to explore the states more. There are places in America that I think are just not getting enough tourist love, like Arizona, Texas, and Savannah, GA. I travel to see the beauty with my own eyes. While Africa has by far been the dopest to me, and eye opening as to how each region is different, each section has been my favorite for vastly different reasons. Ghana for me gives an essence of Africa that you can just feel internally as soon as you get off the plane. Northern Africa has such devotion to history and religion I enjoyed the colors and the architecture. South Africa was a lot more modern and jaw dropping natural beauty. The night life in South Africa is unforgettable as well. Zanzibar has to be, hands down the most beautiful, friendliest, beyond exquisite place I have ever seen. The pictures don't do it justice. Completely humbling beauty.
9. How do you approach packing for your trips? What are some key tips for having the best vacation wardrobe?
I am a self proclaimed horrible packer. I can easily over pack for an overnight trip, simply because I don’t know what I am going to feel like when I get there. Packing is probably one of my most toxic qualities, lol. I have however gotten better. I learned my lesson on my trip to Ghana. I over slept for the flight, like got to the airport 30 min before take off late. They did let me board however would not let me check my bag. Thankfully I had an empty carryon so I literally scooped two hands inside of my suitcase and shifted it into my carry on. I literally did not know what I had until I got to Morocco. And it was the best trip ever! Of course I had to buy somethings but I had over packed so meticulously that I was actually ok with the bare minimum. So the lesson I learned there was to be very focused about where I am going when I am packing. I have invested in packing cubes which have been awesome. On my recent trip to Egypt and Zanzibar I had to pack for two polar opposite climates. I used the cubes and packed by excursion and that faired pretty well. Planning ahead works well for me, I research and develop ideas of what I want to do and how I want to look when doing activities while on vacation. And I plan ahead, last minute stress packing is no good for me. The best vacation wardrobe advice I can give is research the culture, know the activities you want to do, and go for whatever makes you feel good. Vacation isn’t your regular life. You can demonstrate whatever beauty you wish to share as long as it doesn’t offend the culture… go for it!
10. What is your style approach now that you are working from home?
I have only slightly adjusted my style for working from home. I still get dressed as if I am going into the actual building. That “commute” became very important to me when adjusting to being home all day. So I still listen to the radio, some days I have to put socks and shoes on to just get in the mood of work, I also do not go back to my bedroom at all during the day. I figured out early that for someone who has never worked from home I had to feel like I was still going to work in order to function. I have completely adjusted now but getting dressed has not stopped. I might focus more on my accessories or outfits that have a great collar or dramatic shoulder. I still put earrings and necklaces on. I still sit in front of the camera, prepared for every meeting, looking and feeling my best.
11. Uniforms or free dress? (At schools)
I am in favor of uniforms in school. As a parent budget wise it is cost effective and truly does eliminate that competitive factor for kids. Although I see the effects of it now with my oldest not really sure about what to wear that makes her feel like her all the time. I think the positive effect is that she did have to worry about not being good enough in that area ever. She’s made decisions about who she is a person first and not what people told her was acceptable or ok. These kids have so much to worry about. Parents have a great deal of financial stress. New wardrobes every season can get out of control and quite frankly unnecessary for a 6 year old.
12. Any last words of encouragement for anyone that may need it?
Put on what feels good to you. Embrace the things that make you smile. Pay attention to the colors that catch your eye or the fabric that feels good on your skin. You don’t have to buy something new every week or follow any specific trend. If you are like me and gained your “quarantine 15” enjoy it, work to lose it if that’s what you want, but make sure its what YOU want. Fashion is about other people, style is about you. Just be you….AND invest in a quality white button down shirt with a strong collar.
