Laurel Pantin: On Timeless Style, Morning Rituals, and Motherhood
Discover how Laurel Pantin curates a life of authenticity, creativity, and joy through intentional style, mindful rituals, and motherhood.
Laurel Pantin on Timeless Style, Morning Rituals, and Motherhood
In the ever-evolving world of fashion and creativity, Laurel Pantin stands out for her ability to blend intention, authenticity, and personal connection in all that she does. Her journey, marked by celebrated editorial stints, a thriving creative consultancy, the launch of the Earl Earl newsletter, and the joys of motherhood, serves as inspiration for anyone seeking to live a life of meaning and style. This article explores Laurel’s approach to cultivating a timeless wardrobe, how she shapes her mornings for productivity and joy, her career evolution, and the rituals that keep her grounded.
Contents
- About Laurel Pantin
- Cultivating Intentional Style
- Career Evolution & Lessons Learned
- Laurel’s Morning Routine
- Creating a Joyful Daily Life
- Building a Timeless Wardrobe
- Motherhood and Creativity
- Wellness and Personal Rituals
- Frequently Asked Questions
About Laurel Pantin
Laurel Pantin is a writer, stylist, and creative director with a storied career in the fashion and editorial industries. She honed her skills as a fashion editor at acclaimed magazines such as InStyle, Teen Vogue, and Glamour, and later brought her eye for style and narrative to the retail world as the Fashion Director at large for ByGeorge. Now based in Los Angeles, Laurel splits her time between personalized styling for private clients, creative consulting, and her celebrated Substack newsletter, Earl Earl, where she shares insights about style, design, and life’s meaningful details.
Alongside her professional pursuits, Laurel is a mother, an advocate for intentional living, and someone constantly seeking out new sources of inspiration. Her willingness to share her journey candidly makes her an influential voice for those balancing ambition, family, and the pursuit of authenticity.
Cultivating Intentional Style—And Building a Timeless Closet
What sets Laurel’s fashion philosophy apart is an unwavering commitment to authenticity and depth. Rather than chasing ephemeral trends, she advocates for curating a closet with intention, focusing on pieces that serve both the wearer’s needs and personal narrative. Through her work, she encourages clients and readers to explore what truly resonates with their identity, building a wardrobe that endures beyond changing seasons.
- Curate over accumulate: Choose each item deliberately, seeking out quality, versatility, and personal meaning.
- Signature pieces: Invest in foundational staples—a great blazer, classic denim, perfect white shirts—that form the base of your style story.
- Emotional resonance: Prioritize clothing and accessories that evoke confidence and joy.
- Edit regularly: Periodically reassess your wardrobe, letting go of items that no longer serve.
Her perspective is not just about aesthetics but also about helping others see themselves more clearly, empowering them through thoughtful style choices.
Career Evolution & Lessons Learned
Laurel’s path to creative independence is punctuated by pivotal shifts and courageous decisions. After years in the fast-paced magazine world, she transitioned to retail and, eventually, to independent consultancy and writing. Her journey is marked by:
- Building experience: From editorial fashion shoots to retail curation, her skills grew through diverse and rigorous roles.
- Launching Earl Earl: In 2021, she began her fashion-focused newsletter, slowly building a dedicated audience while still employed full-time.
- Going independent: The leap from established brands to her own business taught her the value of intentional risk and the benefits of careful planning during transitions.
Reflecting on this evolution, Laurel notes the importance of preparation: “I was lucky that I built my Substack up while still employed full-time, so the transition was relatively smooth.”
Biggest Learning of the Past Year
- Embracing autonomy: Laurel highlights the challenge and liberation of running her own business after years in structured corporate roles.
- Overcoming fear: Acknowledging the risks involved, Laurel attributes her smooth transition to the groundwork laid while still employed elsewhere.
Laurel’s Morning Routine
Morning rituals are crucial to Laurel’s sense of balance and wellbeing. She approaches her AM hours with intention, blending productivity, personal reflection, and family connection.
If You Had One Extra Hour Every Morning…
While the fantasy may be to spend an hour quietly reading or lingering in bed, Laurel admits she would likely invest the time in work or exercise—underscoring her natural drive and the demands of a multifaceted life. “I always feel like I have too much to do and too little time, so I think I’d fill that hour pretty quickly.”
Daily Essentials for a Joyful Morning
- Exercise: Both a mental and physical necessity, exercise is non-negotiable for Laurel’s wellbeing.
- Sobriety: Quitting alcohol was a transformative step—Laurel credits it with improving her life “200%.”
- Family connection: Moments of physical affection and playful time with her children anchor her days in love and purpose.
| Activity | Purpose/Benefit |
|---|---|
| Exercise | Mental clarity, physical energy, stress relief |
| Quiet moments (ideally, reading) | Reflection, self-connection |
| Family time | Bonding, joy, emotional grounding |
| Work prep | Productivity, readiness for the day |
Creating a Joyful Daily Life
To live more joyfully, Laurel champions consistency in healthy habits and open-hearted presence with loved ones. Exercise, sobriety, and affectionate moments with her children form the foundation of her daily joy.
- Physical movement: Establishes a positive baseline for the day.
- Mindful choices: Sobriety and healthful habits create lasting benefits.
- Intentional time with family: Laurel makes a point of ‘snuggling and rolling around’ with her children, recognizing the grounding power of touch and love.
Building a Timeless Wardrobe
Laurel’s approach to personal style is methodical yet deeply personal. For her, timeless style is about knowing oneself and making sartorial choices that reflect that knowledge.
- Essentials: Curate a small collection of reliable, high-quality basics.
- Investment pieces: Splurge only on items that align with your authentic style and will be worn often.
- Avoid overconsumption: Focus on utility, comfort, and genuine preference over fleeting trends.
- Edit without guilt: Let go of clothing that no longer fits your life or identity.
Her styling philosophy, whether applied to private clients, consulting projects, or her own closet, centers on clarity and a sense of narrative.
Motherhood and Creativity
Motherhood is both an anchor and an ongoing source of creative inspiration for Laurel. The demands of parenting have sharpened her ability to prioritize and find joy in simplicity, while also fueling her commitment to growth—in style, work, and personal life.
- Flexible routines: Parenting requires adaptability—a principle Laurel applies to her own schedule and expectations.
- Presence over perfection: She values the connections created through play, conversation, and shared time above meeting rigid goals.
- Role modeling: By living authentically and pursuing her passions, Laurel hopes to instill these values in her children.
Wellness and Personal Rituals
Laurel’s wellness philosophy is pragmatic, rooted in self-awareness and the importance of daily incremental habits. Fitness is a cornerstone—she admits that it’s as much for mental health as physical. Sobriety is another wellness pillar, and she encourages others to find the small shifts that yield big improvements. Her rituals are simple but effective, built for busy lives but always designed to allow room for self-discovery and connection.
How Laurel Winds Down
- Quiet evenings: Laurel prioritizes winding down with her family, enjoying calm activities that ease the transition to rest.
- Reflection: Brief moments of gratitude or intention-setting help her stay centered.
Key Takeaways from Laurel Pantin’s Philosophy
- Intentionality is at the heart of a fulfilling wardrobe, a successful career, and a joyful life.
- Balance is an ongoing process, not a fixed state—especially for parents and creatives.
- Authenticity—building a life and style that reflect your truest self—is more rewarding than chasing external validation.
- Self-care is both a necessity and a creative act, empowering us to bring our best selves to every role we play.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How does Laurel Pantin define intentional style?
A: Laurel’s definition of intentional style is about curating your closet with purpose, choosing pieces because they make you feel confident and truly suit your life—not because they’re trendy. She emphasizes editing your collection regularly and prioritizing quality over quantity.
Q: What are Laurel’s must-have clothing essentials?
A: She favors foundational pieces like a well-fitted blazer, classic denim, crisp white shirts, and durable shoes. Accessories are kept timeless and versatile.
Q: What advice does Laurel have for balancing motherhood and career?
A: Balance isn’t static; it requires continual adjustment and self-compassion. Laurel suggests focusing on what matters most each day and letting go of rigid expectations—connection with her children and joy in her work are her guiding priorities.
Q: How does Laurel maintain her wellness and avoid burnout?
A: Daily exercise, maintaining sobriety, and fostering moments of joy with family are key. She also recommends preparing for transitions (like going freelance) in advance, and allowing room for flexibility and self-reflection in routine.
Q: What is one thing that keeps Laurel motivated and inspired?
A: Curiosity and the desire for self-improvement keep Laurel motivated. She often finds herself always striving to do better and explore new challenges, which drives both professional and personal growth.
References
- https://camillestyles.com/wellness/morning-routine/wake-up-call/laurel-pantin/
- https://coveteur.com/2016/01/12/one-fashion-editors-experience-with-burnout-at-work/
- https://camillestyles.com/wellness/morning-routine/wake-up-call/
- https://camillestyles.com/wellness/morning-routine/wake-up-call/page/2/
- https://camillestyles.com/wellness/morning-routine/wake-up-call/page/3/
- https://camillestyles.com/wellness/morning-routine/
- https://camillestyles.com/author/isabelle-eyman/page/4/
- https://camillestyles.com/style/beauty-tips-40s/
- https://camillestyles.com/wellness/morning-routine/wake-up-call/radhi-devlukia-shetty/
- https://laurelpantin.substack.com
