Chic Fashionable Mom on the Street: Tori J Jones
Any outfit will look fabulous on Chic Fashionable Mom on the Street Tori J Jones – who has elevated the Hampton Roads fashion scene. Read on to learn more about Tori’s style, blog, fashion professor life, and family.
Meet Tori
Tori is a Coastal Virginia Fashionista who loves God, People, and Fashion! She has multiple degrees in Fashion Marketing, and she’s a College Instructor at The Art Institute of Virginia Beach. She works as an independent Fashion Stylist and a TV Wardrobe Stylist. Tori has been working in the area for several years in various fashion-related vocations. Her newest specialty is “the wardrobe remix,” where she will restyle what you already have to help you save cost and the planet. My style philosophy is “To bring out the best in you.”
Chic Fashionable Beginnings
When did you first know you were interested in style and wanted it to be a big part of your life?
I discovered fashion and style as a little girl. I used to want to be a designer, and I would design outfits, and then my mom would make them. But then I discovered Fashion Marketing in high school and fell in love with the business side of fashion. I then got my first fashion retail job at 16, and the rest is history. That’s where I discovered styling and the love of serving people in that way.
What shops, boutiques, campaigns, and fashion shows have you been a part of?
I have been a part of the fashion retail scene since 1994, from retailers like Limited, Express, and Gap to Free People. I have been a part of shows for many local boutiques, businesses, Art Institute, Urban Sophie, Fashion Week Virginia, and Foster Beauty.
What did you major in in college? And what were some of your favorite classes you took?
My major was Fashion Marketing and Management and Fashion Marketing for my Master’s. My favorite classes were styling, fashion history, visual merchandising, trends, and fashion show production.
Chic Fashionable Professor
You are now a professor at the Art Institute of Virginia Beach; when did you decide you wanted to pursue teaching and why?
Actually, I have known I wanted to be a teacher since I was four years old, but I totally tried to run from it. After taking one class in my first quarter, I instantly knew that I should teach, and now I have twenty years of experience to go along with teaching. I thought, “wow,” I can actually add to the students with real-life industry experiences.
What sort of classes do you teach?
Some classes I teach are: Styling, Fashion History, Visual Merchandising, Trends and Fashion Show Productions, and Business and Innovation Marketing.
What is your top piece of advice to your fashion students?
Build your brand, show up, be a hard worker, network, and don’t burn any bridges.
How do you see the world of fashion changing in the future?
I see the fashion world becoming more sustainable, less fast fashion, and resale is here to stay.
Chic Fashionable Blog, Social Media, and Family Support
Tell us more about your blog.
I started it one year ago. You can find fashion and lifestyle tips, places to visit, and fashion deals.
What is your favorite thing about blogging and social media?
I love sharing and hoping that I inspire someone or make their day brighter. The way you can connect with some across the world.
Do your family and friends support you in your fashion, professor, blogging, stylist, and other endeavors? How so?
Yes, my family supports me in every way. They share and highlight me all the time. I even have my husband as my photographer, videographer, and editor, and my sister is my administrator for my blog.
What is your go-to/favorite outfit right now?
My go-to look is monochromatic and suits.
Where can people find you on social media and your blog?
@the.torijjones IG, Facebook Tori Jones, Pinterest @thetorijjones, my blog: https://www.torijjones.com/
Chic Fashionable Style
Which three words best describe your style?
Chic, 70’s Glam, Simple.
What are your favorite places to shop?
Right now, Zara, Vici, Express, Vintage.
Who’s your favorite style icon?
Audrey Hepburn, Cher, Diana Ross, Victoria Beckham. Jennifer Lopez
What’s your best style advice?
Wear monochromatic and mix statement pieces with classics.
What article of clothing/accessory would you not want to live without?
Flare jeans.
Which trend would you want to see make a comeback?
I feel like right now, every era is having its moment.
What should NEVER make a comeback?
I feel like you should wear what makes you feel your best. I wore bell-bottoms in the 90s when it was not a trend, but then I had people asking where to find them.
What fashion/style did you love at the time but now cringe when you see old photos?
Super low rise. Or overtly styled. I have a simpler approach now.
What’s your best style secret?
Monochromatic. It always works. I always get tons of compliments, and I’m literally just in one color head to toe.
Chic Fashionable Family
What’s your favorite way to spend time with your family?
Just being in the room with them makes me the happiest.
What’s been your best family vacation?
Disney World
Best parenting advice:
Parent with love and discipline with God as the center.
Parenting true confession:
It’s the hardest lifelong job but the most rewarding.
What’s your go-to family dinner?
Baked chicken, broccoli, and brown rice.
What’s your favorite family restaurant?
I guess Chick-fil-A because everyone likes it. My boys are picky eaters.
Chic Fashionable Life
What’s your favorite show to binge-watch?
Anything Housewives or Decorating/Real Estate shows.
If you could pick anyone to star as you in a movie based on your life, who would it be?
Not sure.
What’s your favorite beach read?
Anything from Sheila Walsh.
What song would you dance to when nobody’s watching?
I will dance to anything. I love to dance, and I don’t care who’s watching and don’t mind if they join in.
If you could go shopping with anyone from history, living or deceased, who would it be?
Audrey Hepburn
What’s at the top of your travel bucket list?
Malvedes, Hawaii, Paris.
What’s your favorite way to unwind at the end of a long day?
Watching TV, sitting on the deck, or going to the beach.
Fashion Forward Lifestyle
Tori has perfected her chic look with her flair for bright colors, bold accessories, and naturally glam beauty. We love how she knows how to punch up the color and sophistication in her look but still keeps it fun. Whether she’s pairing bell bottoms with a neutral top or a brightly colored monochrome suit look, she always looks gorgeous.
One of the best parts of her style is that it’s so accessible to her fashion students and readers on her blog and social media accounts. Be sure to check those out, and you can read more Mom on the Street profiles on FamilyApp.
