Stepping into Spring with Trim & Taylor
THE PERFECT PLAID SHIRT. DON’T KID YOURSELF, WE ALL NEED ONE, AND TRUST ME – THIS ONE FITS SO WELL | {Visit site}
With warmer temps on the horizon, it’s time to transition our wardrobes for spring & summer!! Since it’s time to leave the heavy clothes behind us, I’m turning to classic pieces for easy layering, while adding in some chic items to strike the perfect balance of style and comfort. I know I am not the only one out there with the need to do some spring shopping, which is why I am stepping into spring with Trim & Tailor. Just like cleaning out our homes for spring, I am cleaning out my closet and picking up a few pieces that will get me through spring and into the much anticipated hot days of summer. I’ve also interviewed the creator of Trim & Tailor on all things beauty, fashion, and her life as a successful entrepreneur. Drumroll please…Bridget Trimble Simonson.
How did you get started with your own clothing line?
I graduated with my Bachelor’s in Apparel Design, and I had dreams of launching my own clothing line one day. I wanted to gain industry experience before going out on my own, so I worked in the fashion industry in various roles for the past ten years before creating Trim & Tailor.
The first big job after my design program was a lead patternmaker position for a company called Princess Paradise (Owned by Rubies Costume Company). This position traveled overseas to work with factories and led me into a second role at the company which was costing and sourcing costumes (mostly princess dresses). My husband called me “Sparkles” during this time in my life because every day I would come home covered in glitter, haha J. This position is what made me fall in love with the entire design process. I loved traveling to our factories and being responsible from the stage of a design concept to a finished product hanging in a store.
My last position is what brought my husband and I to Bozeman. My position was an Apparel Product Developer for Simms Fishing Products. I had an amazing opportunity to manage the apparel development for the Women’s Relaunch at Simms! I also had a very rewarding opportunity to rework the fit of the garments in both the Men’s and Women’s apparel categories. This position also took my overseas to work with apparel factories.
I am so grateful for all my past industry experience and the support I have received to start my own line!
SPEAKING OF LAYERING FOR SPRING, THIS SWEATER IS MY SPRING HERO. THROW IT OVER A PASTEL TEE AND HIGH WAISTED JEANS FOR A LAID-BACK WEEKEND LOOK. | {Visit site}
How do you always start your day?
Almost every morning during the week, I start my day with a quick 30-minute workout. This is followed up by catching up on emails, social media and enjoying my favorite coffee (A latte with raw sugar and cinnamon).
From Start to finish what would be your ideal food day?
Breakfast – A latte with raw sugar and cinnamon and a Tillamook farmstyle greek vanilla yogurt with fresh strawberries.
Brunch on the weekend, definitely Jam’s Mia Benedict (try it with avocado and prosciutto)
Lunch – Red Chair’s Southwest Cobb Salad or Gammardella’s Cheese, Tomato Bacon Sandwich
Dinner – Blackbird! I love, love this restaurant J Black Bird’s Kale Salad and a Mostarda Pizza…
What are your morning and nightly beauty regimens?
Every morning I use Beauty Counter 1 Brightening + Vitamin C Oil (If you have skin on the drier side like me this will change your life!) and the Beauty Counter Nourishing Day Cream. At Night I use the Epionce Balancing Toner, Epionce Pigment Perfecting Serum, and if my skin needs it I use the Beauty Counter 1 Brightening + Vitamin C Oil.
What are the hair & makeup items you cannot live without?
*Too Many to Count.. Haha
Hair
Kevin.Murphy Repair-Me.Rinse
Bumble and Bumble Pret-a-powder
Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo
IGK Broken Dreams Texture Paste
Makeup
Mac Pro Longwear Concealer
Mac Peony Petal Powder Blush
Bare Minerals READY Eyeshadow *Color – The Sexy Neutrals
Mac Lipglass *Color – Candy Box
Advice to women looking to start their own business…
Ask yourself how you are different from other businesses in your industry. The first year of a new business can be very challenging because your customer is currently buying a product or service from someone else. How do you make that person switch to your brand or company? What do you offer that is better or different from your competition?
Find something that you can build your business model around. How can you make this business a full-time career? How does your business model make money?
*Example, before starting Trim & Tailor I was always looking for high-quality apparel at affordable price points. I wanted more high-quality wardrobe pieces every season that fit within my budget. I decided there was a real market for a contemporary brand with high-quality goods at retail price points under $100.
Use your contacts and resources! Talk to local business owners and find out what they are looking for before putting all your eggs in one basket. Talk to an accountant, a banker or a friend who can help in your budget planning (This is so key! Especially your first year!). Talk to other professionals who have started businesses. It truly helps to learn from other people’s success stories and the mistakes they have made.
Finally, find a business that you truly live for because owning your own business takes long hours, hard work, and living your passion every moment of every day!
A fashion mainstay that you haven’t changed since your teen years?
Skinny jeans and the perfect Tee!
What’s in your handbag?
My planner, lip gloss, mints, phone charger, sunglasses, and my wallet J.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received in your career? What’s the worst?
Do not let anyone tell you that you can’t do something and when making a business decision always run your numbers, the numbers will not lie!
I have had my fair share of bad advice, but if you can review your results from the advice quickly to know if something will work for you or not it helps you to learn more about yourself as an owner and what is right for your business to make you a stronger company.
What’s the most exciting thing about starting Trim & Tailor? Have you been surprised at the great response it’s gotten?
The most exciting thing about starting Trim & Tailor is living my dream. Fall 2017 was our true breakout season for T&T. I was downtown Bozeman one night last October and saw three women wearing Trim & Tailor and could not believe this was all happening! Totally a surreal night for me!
As for the great response, I would not be here about to launch the Fall/Winter 2018 season without the Montana Boutiques. We sell to Montana Boutiques in Bozeman, Livingston, Ennis, Big Sky, Billings, Anaconda, Helena, Great Falls, Glendive, Whitefish and Kalispell.
How do you practice beauty from the inside out?
For me, it starts with being happy with who you are and the talents you have been given in this world. Surround yourself with positive people and help those that you can because we all have received help from someone along the way to get us where we are today.
What is the new black in fashion?
Ending 2017 I would have said Navy is the New Black, but for 2018 I would say Pantone’s Meerkat (A toasty tan/brown)
What 5 pieces are you coveting right now?
My top 5 coveted pieces from the T&T collection are the Chloe Sweater, Parker Denim Shirt, Ava Stripe LS Tee, Celine Crystal Necklace, and the Charlotte Tee.
What’s your go-to date night with your husband?
A glass of wine at Plonk, followed by Dinner at Blackbird!
What are your favorite restaurants in Montana?
Gallatin River Lodge, Chico’s Dining Room, Red Chair, Dave’s Sushi, Blackbird, Olive B’s, and Jam!
Where do you draw inspiration from for your clothing line?
I love reviewing the runway reports from Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue. It is inspiring to breakdown design lines from runway inspiration to create styles that fit the Trim & Tailor Customer. I also love to take a day when traveling to big cities to focus on trend research and color inspiration.
What are you most excited about for the future of Trim & Tailor?
Each year we have plans to introduce a new category to outfit our customer. 2017 we launched jewelry with our apparel, and 2018 we are launching headwear starting Fall/Winter 2018. I am excited for the day we can outfit our customer from head to toe!
I WANT TO LIVE IN THIS SWEATER ALL SEASON LONG – SUMMER WHITE, COZY, PAIRS EQUALLY WELL WITH JEANS AS IT DOES LEGGINGS – ENOUGH SAID, RIGHT? | {Visit site}
A few other T&T favorites:
Photos by the very talented Lo Magee Photography!
