Interview with Carrie Colbert of Wear + Where + Well

A few weeks ago, I had the absolute pleasure of meeting the sweet Carrie of Wear + Where + Well at Jo’s Coffee in South Austin. I’ve been following her blog and Instagram @carriec for months, and I knew we connected on levels of blogging and engineering, so I was thrilled to sit down and chat!

{image via “My NYFW Looks“}

If you’re unfamiliar with Carrie, she’s the talented and stylish lady behind her luxury fashion and travel blog Wear + Where + Well, but she also graduated with an undergraduate degree in Petroleum Engineering and a Master of Business Administration from The University of Texas at Austin. (Hook ’em! See more details in her bio here.) She’s been successful in the energy industry, but she also has an amazing eye for fashion and a deep passion for travel. Luckily for us, she shares the most amazing photos of her outfits and helpful travel tips from her trips around the world!

{image via “Must See: Las Vegas Neon Museum“}

Since she had a tight schedule and I had class the morning we met, we didn’t speak for long, but I was thrilled to have an instant connection with her. We talked about her college days, future career plans, college fashion, travel tips, and her advice for young women in STEM majors. Basically everything you would want to know. Read on below!

How has your style changed from your college days?

College style? I had none. Ha! I grew up in a small town, and I came from very limited means.

But I’ve always believed in the adage, “Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.” So, as I progressed in my career, I began to learn about fashion and style. It was definitely a slow, gradual process. But eventually, it clearly became my passion. Now, I’m drawn to beautifully designed, colorful, unique pieces. I don’t shy away from bold pieces.

{image via “2 Ways to Style a Statement Dress“}

Where should college girls save and spend when it comes to clothing and beauty (skincare and makeup)?

Good question. In fact, this question applies not only to college girls, but to all women. No matter which stage of life you find yourself, chances are you don’t have an unlimited budget for clothes. Yes, disposable income likely grows with time, but it’s still not unlimited.

So, we all face the decision of: how should I allocate my spending money?

When it comes to fashion, I strongly advise investing in three areas: handbags, shoes, and outerwear (like a trench or blazer). A classic handbag, a couple pairs of versatile, high quality shoes, and a timeless trench will last you years. Then, use the remainder of your budget to play around with trendy items that come and go.

How should students balance work and play?

Good question! I’m probably not the best to answer this, as I was into my academic career full force during my time at UT. I took it very seriously. I was super disciplined with my studies. I did have some close friends (besides petroleum engineering colleagues), and I was very active in the college ministry at my church in Austin. But other than that, I tried to minimize activities that would distract from my studies. Heck – I never even went to sixth street until well after I graduated!

Looking back, I have mixed feelings…on one hand, I’m grateful for the disciplined path I took in college. I graduated with a 3.98 GPA (one B my first semester in college, and yes I cried!) And that discipline has brought me much success and many opportunities in my career. However, I also wish I would have had a more balanced experience. Austin has so much to offer in so many ways! So, I admire students like you who are able to balance academic pursuits and creative hobbies.

Thanks so much, Carrie! So how should young individuals plan for their future careers?

Career planning is an interesting subject that we could talk about at length. The one truth I can assure you of is this:

Things will not go according to plan.

While it is great to plan, it is also great to remain open to possibility. You never know what twists and turns life may take. My career path may look different from I had planned in college, but at the same time it has been exciting and exceeded my expectations.

{image via “Top 13 Spring Dresses From Milly“}

What are some places you think everyone should visit in Austin?

Austin is such a great city! Right now, I’m on a big South Congress kick. I usually stay at Hotel Saint Cecilia and Hotel San Jose. My favorite restaurants in that area are Perla’s and Elizabeth Street Cafe. And I can’t get enough of By George for shopping.

Actually, I’m working on a travel guide for a weekend in the South Congress area of Austin. Stay tuned.

I love Elizabeth Street Cafe, too! Do you have any tips on how to travel lightly? 

Ha. I get asked this a lot. Even for a trip to Europe or elsewhere overseas, I always try to constrain myself to a carry-on suitcase. The bottom line is that you simply don’t need as much as you think you do when you travel. Stay tuned to Wear + Where + Well for a more complete answer to this soon.

What’s your “go-to outfit” when traveling?

I have to give some thought to this. I gave some tips and tricks for what to wear on long flights here, if you want to reference that!

{image via “71 Best Off-the-Shoulder Tops for Every Budget“}

What’s one piece of advice you have for young women in STEM majors?

There is so much advice I would love to pass along to you young women! Narrowing it down is difficult. But if I had to give just one piece of advice, it would be this:

Believe in yourself.

Be confident. Be your own best advocate. Never give up.

{image via “9 Tips for Wearing a White Dress“}

To see more of Carrie, follow her on her blog and social media accounts. She loves introducing emerging designers, spotting new trends, and sharing her travels across the globe! (She wrote one of my favorite travel posts ever here.) She’s definitely someone I look up to, and I hope you learned a thing or two from her! Happy Wednesday, y’all!