“I love a classic summer dress in an unexpected color. It can just as easily take you to the office, to the grocery store or to a wedding,” said Grace Van Cleave, founder of Amazing Grace Styling. (Graphic: Amazing Grace Styling)
By Libby Nichols
When it comes to getting dressed for the office during an Iowa summer, many women face the same challenge: finding outfits that feel polished enough for work, comfortable enough for the heat and versatile enough to wear beyond the office. That’s where Grace Van Cleave, founder of Amazing Grace Styling, comes in.
Van Cleave launched her Des Moines-based personal styling business in 2021 after years working in politics and helping friends navigate their wardrobes. Today, she works one-on-one with clients across the country to create personalized wardrobes that fit their lifestyle, career and budget.
“It’s not about putting someone in a costume. It’s about bringing out what’s already there,” she said. “It’s you, but better.”
Rather than following trends or relying on one-size-fits-all style formulas, Van Cleave takes a personalized approach. She gets to know each client’s daily routine, professional needs and personal preferences before curating pieces that make getting dressed easier.
Many of her clients are professionals navigating career growth, returning to the office or simply looking to refresh their style. “Usually there’s some kind of transition happening,” she said. “They’re leveling up somehow, and they want their wardrobe to reflect that.”
To show her approach to summer office dressing, Van Cleave styled two versatile looks that can easily move between work and everyday life.
The first, pictured above, features a bright yellow dress that can be dressed up with a blazer or lightweight layer for the office, then worn on its own for dinners, events or weekend outings. The look highlights one of Van Cleave’s core styling principles: investing in pieces that work for multiple occasions.
The second look centers on a matching two-piece set, which she loves for its flexibility. “Summer sets are a lifesaver. This lined suit gives relaxed, cool-girl vibes on its own, but each piece works well separately too for endless outfits,” she said.
For Van Cleave, smart summer style comes down to versatility, quality and confidence. “These aren’t the days of having a work wardrobe and a weekend wardrobe anymore,” she said. “Most women want pieces that can do both.”
Whether she’s helping a client build a wardrobe from scratch or simply making busy mornings easier, her goal remains the same: helping women feel confident in what they’re wearing and ready for whatever the day brings.
You can schedule a consultation or shop the wardrobe Van Cleave curated for dsm contributor Libby Nichols, the creator and founder of Meet DSM.
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