Crystal Truong’s work at Styled by Stal is not just about creating beautiful looks, it’s about uncovering the essence of her clients’ brand identities and telling their unique stories through fashion.

Hailing from Boise, Idaho, Crystal took a leap of faith to New York City and jumpstarted her career in fashion in 2018. She has since styled many fashion shoots and red carpets. Additionally, Crystal is Founder/CEO of a sustainable underwear company for all body types—Dylan Underwear.

With a deep commitment to understanding her clients’ values, inspirations, and aspirations, Crystal builds strong, trusting relationships that form the foundation of her creative process. She believes that true style is about more than appearances, it’s about the deeper narrative a personal brand conveys to the world.

As a wardrobe stylist and creative director, Crystal oversees every aspect of her projects, from conceptualization to execution, to foster collaborative and inclusive environments, bringing together diverse teams of artists to realize a vision. Crystal is passionate about pushing creative boundaries and elevating brands with style.

HEAR from Crystal

The best part of having the privilege to write this article is the hope that whoever reads it will feel a sense of connection and inspiration. As a wardrobe stylist, promoting trends is not what motivates me; instead, it’s about providing tools that help you express yourself more fully. We’re here as creators, and I find expansiveness in personal style.

After styling for many years, I’ve learned that my job as a stylist is not to change your look but rather to bring out your confidence in wearing what you truly want to wear. I can show you tricks on how to elevate a look, but at the end of the day, I’m here to empower you, not change you. I look forward to seeing you step into your power.

– Crystal Truong

Crystal’s 4 style tips to Elevate Your Look

1. Shop Consciously

We hold significant power in deciding where to spend our money. In a world where finding designers or brands that align with our goals is just a click away, there’s really no reason to shop at major fast fashion brands. From independent sellers to flea markets, we have access to so much.

When I’m looking for something specific, like a red shoulder bag, I check platforms like Depop or Poshmark. There are many great sellers, and I’ve found brand-new items for half the price of regular retailers. When I’m shopping for fun, I usually explore flea markets.

Having lived in New York, LA, CDMX, and now Miami, I can confidently say there’s an unlimited amount of fresh ideas, concepts, and designs everywhere. Not only are you helping a new designer’s dream come true, but you’re also collecting something unique.

2. Don’t Follow Trends

In the world of social media, it’s easy to get swept up in whatever is being advertised to us repeatedly. The harmful part about this is how quickly and often trends change. This brings in fast fashion, which is not only harmful to our environment but also exploits workers and pushes us further away from our goal of finding our individual style.

Not all trends are bad, but it is important to invest in pieces you can see in your wardrobe for longer than a year. When you do big hauls from Fashion Nova, Shein, or Zara and only wear items once or twice before tossing them, that’s when it becomes a problem.

3. Wear Things That Complement Your Shape

The fit of an outfit is 90% of its appeal. You know the feeling when you put something on and it fits like a glove or exactly how you want it to. It can literally change your brain chemistry; you walk into a room with more confidence and shine a little brighter because you feel good in what you’re wearing.

Don’t underestimate the power of a good tailor, either. It can cost you $20-30 to add a pleat or a hem, but it can dramatically increase how much you love an item in your wardrobe. I’ve found blazers at thrift stores for less than $10, and with a tailor’s touch, I can easily elevate their value to $100.

These habits take more effort, but in the long run, you’ll want to keep these pieces forever.

4. Experiment and Be Playful

When did we get so serious about clothes? Fashion trends are starting to make us look like clones, and it’s making me nervous that we’re afraid to express our individuality. I challenge you to wear an item in your wardrobe in a new way and be playful with it. Great style comes from not being afraid to try something new, and the key is to do it with confidence. If you love something, wear it and own it.