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Writing this Wake Up Call series has been one of my greatest joys. This is your chance to step behind the scenes and step into the lives of women who inspire with their light and ambition. There’s something special about going beyond superficial success. In these interviews, we experience the rhythms of their daily routines, learn about the rituals they cherish, and share real, unfiltered conversations. In this way, Laurel Pantin’s journey becomes more than just a success story. It’s a reminder of connection, creativity, and the beauty that can be found in following your curiosity to the limit.
Laurel’s fashion and editorial career includes extensive experience at top publications such as InStyle, Teen Vogue, and Glamor. Now based in Los Angeles, Laurel is forging a unique path that combines this background with her passion for storytelling through the brands she consults and her newsletter. R R. She doesn’t just dabble in creativity. She has mastered the art of making others see, feel, and connect through style and story.
Laurel Pantin talks cultivating intentional style and building a timeless closet
What sets Laurel apart is our commitment to authenticity. She doesn’t just follow trends. She digs deeper and explores what it means to connect with your own style. Her wardrobe philosophy is not to accumulate pieces, but to curate them with purpose, a practice that is reflected in how she guides her clients and readers. Laurel’s eye for timeless fashion and ability to interpret design in subtle ways has made her stand out in the creative field.
In the coming days, we’ll delve into Laurel’s life and uncover the joys, challenges, and inspirations that shape her work. From her morning ritual to the wardrobe essentials she swears by, this conversation provides a glimpse into how Laurel stays inspired and, above all, true to herself.
Please tell us about your career and recent activities.
I worked for magazines as a fashion editor for many years before moving into retail, working as an overall fashion director at ByGeorge. Along the way, I started writing a fashion newsletter on Substack in 2021. Currently, my main focus is my newsletter Earl Earl, and I also have a small group of private clients that I style, as well as a few consulting clients.
What has been your biggest learning over the past year?
The biggest thing was that I decided to work completely on my own rather than working for a magazine or other brand. I had always been interested in working independently, but I felt that if the risks were too great, I wouldn’t be able to do it. Luckily, I was able to build Substack while employed full-time, so the transition was relatively smooth.
How would you describe your personal style?
Practical, masculine, and silly.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I have two kids, ages 6 and 4, so mornings are really hectic. I get up with the kids, get them ready for school, make breakfast, pack their lunches and shove them in the car. I’ll give it my all until I drop it off at school! After a drop, I usually try to exercise. I take Lagree’s classes four times a week. I have a lot of physical energy, so I get anxious if I don’t exercise. Then I go home and start writing or working, or I run to an appointment or meeting.
Every day is different, and working my way allows me a lot of flexibility.
What time is the wake-up call?
I often write at night after the kids are asleep. I usually log off around 11:30. When you log off, outside. I’m always too tired to read or do anything before bed, I just pass out. And I often wake up when the kids wake up, usually between 6:30 and 7:00. I’m so glad the kids finally went to bed after 6pm.
What is the first thing you do when you wake up?
Pee! Ha! Then I always start by changing out of my nightgown (I wear my old grandma’s cotton nightgown to bed…) and getting the kids downstairs and feeding them. For kids this age, it’s literally like throwing two bouncy balls across the living room and trying to keep them both under control. It’s busy! I often don’t brush my teeth until I get home from training.
What rituals lead you to success?
My morning routine isn’t very good, other than making sure the kids are ready for whatever happens. After working out, I like to eat something. It’s usually two eggs, vegetables, avocado, yogurt, and sliced almonds. Fast and satisfying. Then I brush my teeth, do all my skin care, take a shower if I have somewhere to go, but otherwise sit down and start working.
Describe your morning beauty routine from start to finish.
I keep my mornings and afternoons super simple. Over time, I’ve learned that my skin looks better when I touch it less. Or you can use 2-3 products and still look just as good as 700 products. I use a few other things at night, but in the morning I wash them and use them right away.
What do you eat for breakfast?
I try to eat something high in protein in the morning. One of my favorites, kind of disgusting, but great…. A bowl of edamame and steamed spinach is topped with two fried eggs, topped with nutritional yeast, and served with hot sauce. You become obsessed with something, eat it every day for about four months, and then decide you can never look at it again. For breakfast, I also like plain yogurt with chopped and peeled cucumber and sliced almonds. Or freeze-dried blueberries and almonds. I can’t really cook so everything has to be plain and simple. I also don’t like cleaning up after meals, so I try to avoid making a mess as much as possible.
What is always in your refrigerator?
Seltzer, yogurt, cheese, tortillas, and Gia, Kin, Athletic Brew, and more. I don’t drink alcohol, but I like to have something like alcohol at the end of the day.
What is your favorite book?
I love reading! I always keep my Kindle under my pillow so I can read for a minute or two before bed. I usually read at least one page, even if I’m completely exhausted.
What is your favorite Substack?
What is always on your nightstand?
Lip balm and water! I’m allergic to beeswax, so I have a few favorite lip balms. These three are my favorites.
What is your favorite prep soundtrack?
I don’t have a cool taste in music, I love cheesy girly pop. My best warm-up song is “Run Away With Me” by Carly Rae Jepson. I love it too This is a remix of The Very Best album.maybe it’s a kind of thing nice. Maybe my music is cool!
Do you exercise in the morning?
I would love to finish it! Also, your brain will warm up, so you’ll come up with a lot of ideas while you exercise. If I’m not taking a Lagree class, I like to go on super long walks. I have some friends that I meet once a week to walk on the beach. This is one of the perks of living in LA.
What is your daily uniform?
I love wearing clothes, but over the past few years I’ve kind of fallen into a rut or routine and it’s starting to feel like a chore. routine. So now I’m taking the time to get ready and enjoy the clothes I’ve collected.
But when I’m in a hurry to leave the house, I tend to throw on my favorite Wrangler jeans, a Comme Si button-down, and The Row loafers. It’s a totally effortless outfit, but it makes you look sophisticated.
What are the top 3 most treasured items in your closet?
- Junya Watanabe Fishtail Skirt
- Bright orange Hermes Victoria bag
- dry the evening coat
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start collecting fashion more carefully but doesn’t have an unlimited budget?
- resale. Identify references that you really like. For example, if you’re really drawn to Christy Turlington from the ’90s, find out who the designers from that era are and search for them secondhand.
- be patient. It took more than 15 years to assemble the pieces into the collection.
- Please accept the search. I found Prada heels on The RealReal for $120.
Are there any fall trends you’re into?
I don’t follow trends. Instead, [I recommend following] Your Emotional Response: Buy things you love, value, and can actually wear. If you don’t know what you like or how to put things together, ask someone to help you or keep doing your research. Don’t try to fit into a mold that doesn’t feel authentic to you. Fashion has a certain flow that I really like, but what makes fashion interesting is how people express themselves through their clothes.
Don’t try to fit into a mold that doesn’t feel authentic to you.
Oh, I don’t know either! I want to read quietly alone You can spend an hour every morning, or just laze around in bed. But in reality, you’ll probably be working or exercising. I always feel like I have too much to do and not enough time, so I try to fill that time right away.
What is one or two things you do every day to live a more joyful life?
Exercise is the most important thing, but I know that I can’t really function if I don’t do it. Quitting drinking was another thing. My life has improved 200% since I quit. I also have to spend some cuddle time with my kids! She is very sensitive so she loves to scoop up and roll with her.
If you could pin your success down to one thing, what would it be?
Oh, maybe I’m like, I’m always trying to feel successful? It sounds bleak, but I’m always thinking about what else I can do and try to do better. That was true in my work, and it’s still true in my solo career.
Sentence finisher:
I never leave home without the following: my phone.
If I had more hours in the day, this is what I would do. Don’t stress about what you’re going to do with that extra hour.
Healthiest morning habits: I’m working out.
Worst morning habit: I didn’t brush my teeth before getting off the train.
One thing I want you to know is: Being warm and kind.
What I fear most is: I let my kids down.
When I feel that fear, this is what I do. spiral!
Books I always recommend: fielding’s art and alone.
One of the characteristics needed to be successful in life is: tenacity and kindness.
Is it a bath or a shower? What is your favorite product? both! I love baths, but I usually take a shower. I love it Honey splash ointment In the shower. I can’t be bothered to moisturize after taking a shower, so this is enough for me.
Source: Camille Styles – camillestyles.com
