Maria Risso Rowbotham - On staying fresh and functional

Maria Risso Rowbotham - On staying fresh and functional

Meet Maria Risso Rowbotham : Mom, Wife, Personal Stylist and Wardrobe Curator. She brings a dynamic and exciting edge to everyday styling and offers up great tips for keeping our wardrobe fresh and functional. We caught up with Maria to see how she spends her day, what being a stylist is like, and to get some of her favorite tips.

 

Briefly share what a day in the life of you looks like

My typical day starts with a workout at 5:45 am. Movement is my therapy; it gives me a moment to prioritize myself so I can focus the rest of my day and be present with my family, friends, and clients. Then I get dressed and prepare breakfast for my two boys, Easton (8) and Grayson (6), my husband, Ben, and our new puppy Sir Ollie Von Rippin’.  After everyone is sorted, packed up, and going about their day, I respond to emails and texts, click through Women’s Wear Daily news, process client orders and returns, and catch up on accounting and billing. Then it's client time, from closet edits and packing clients for upcoming trips to client online shopping. During the pandemic, one-on-one client time has been challenging, but I have managed to fulfill everyone’s needs through social distancing, masks, or Zoom. Accommodating the client is my priority. 

Before I know it, it's bedtime. The five of us, puppy included, snuggle into the master bed and read. My mom did this with me when I was a child. I have such fond memories of reading with her that I continued the tradition in our family. We sometimes will FaceTime my parents, who are on the west coast, so that the boys can read to them, too. At the end of the night, I make my to-do list for the next day, check my emails one last time, send a few text messages to my best friends, kiss my husband goodnight, and I am out. 


Clearly, you've got style! You've made it your profession. What are your top 3 tips for dressing the everyday woman and/or mom?

  1. Show up for yourself and get dressed! There is nothing more empowering during this difficult time than getting dressed, even if you are working from home or facilitating distance learning for your kids, put on the clothes. 
  2. Have a go-to outfit. This can be leggings and a button down with sneakers, jeans and a t-shirt with booties, whatever makes your feel good! Our days can be crazy so if there is always one outfit you can throw on in a pinch, it will be one less thing on your to-do list and you will always feel good. 
  3. Invest in wardrobe staples. The perfect button down, a wool coat, tailored blazer, great pair of jeans. These interchangeable pieces will give you outfit options for days.

 

How do you use color and accessories when styling your own wardrobe or that of others? 

I use color to create pop. Every client is different in how they want to express color. Some love a bright lip, others want a bright shoe and there are some that want an all over colorful outfit. One important thing is to be aware of what color is closest to your face, because that color is what will make your eyes shine and your skin radiate. 


Why has Mother Oxford made it into your closet, and why should it be in others’?

I love a great button down. The white button down is a closet staple because it is so incredibly versatile and so damn classic. I was drawn to MO because it is run by women who put motherhood at the forefront of their design, it’s spill-friendly and has a fun and functional silhouette!


Any tips for fabulous mirror selfies? 

  1. Don’t stand straight at the mirror, stand like you are walking, one foot in front of the other. It makes a great silhouette for your ensemble.
  2. Clothes look best when they are moving, use photo burst to capture a great moment.
  3. Smile! Let the joy of your outfit show your face. 

 

Make sure to follow Maria @stylebyrisso to learn more about how to create, refine and evolve your wardrobe!