Amanza Smith’s Fashion Evolution From ‘Selling Sunset’ To Motherhood

In the glittering world of high-stakes real estate, where multi-million dollar deals hang in the balance and first impressions can make or break a career, fashion is fundamental. Just ask Amanza Smith, the reality television star and interior designer who has turned her wardrobe into what she calls “physical armor.”

While Selling Sunset may be known for its jaw-dropping mansions perched atop the Hollywood Hills and dramatic waterfront properties, there’s another element driving viewership: the fashion. According to an LA-based stylist Sammie M who spoke to VICE in 2023, the show’s evolving style has become one of its primary attractions. But for Smith, fashion represents something far more profound than entertainment—it’s a strategic tool for confidence, career advancement, and self-expression.

Unpacking Smith’s Personal And Professional Style

Sitting in the lounge of a London hotel as her glam team prepares her for an upcoming engagement, Smith reflects on her journey. Coming from humble beginnings, she notes how she had to dress creatively and be crafty when putting together outfits. In the first season of Selling Sunset, she wore pieces from her own closet. “In the following seasons, I worked with various stylists who pulled items from showrooms, different brands, and tried to piece it together. I continue to test the water and I don’t think a single stylist has nailed my look because I am constantly changing vibes.”

Her approach to getting dressed is deeply intentional. “Some days I prefer a mock turtle neck or shorter sleeves to show off my arms. I love mom jeans. But, if I’m going to a house listing, I assess the nature of my client and the vibe and dress accordingly,” she says. This adaptive strategy speaks to what fashion psychologists have identified as the crucial link between clothing and professional success—the ability to read a room and dress accordingly.

Smith’s intuitive understanding of fashion’s psychological power is backed by compelling research. The phenomenon known as “enclothed cognition”demonstrates that wearing specific clothing can affect psychological processes and performance. A 2020 survey by YouGov revealed that 62% of respondents felt more confident when wearing their favourite outfit. According to McKinsey’s “Women In The Workplace 2024” report, women now make up 29 percent of C-suite positions—up from just 17 percent in 2015—how professional women dress has never been more significant. The stakes are higher, the visibility greater, and the need for strategic self-presentation more crucial than ever.

How Smith And C-Suite Women Prove There’s A Uniform Of Power

Leslie Zane, Founder and CEO of Triggers—the first consultancy founded on behavioral science—believes that C-suite attire functions as symbolic armor and a visual signal of leadership and power. “The unspoken language of wardrobe carries equal if not more weight; a large-faced watch, a cuff bracelet, high-heeled pumps, a structured blazer shows that female leaders can use fashion to neutralize any inherent workplace bias.”

Zane’s observations highlight the delicate balance professional women must strike. She notes how wardrobe choices, consciously or instinctively, reflect the tightrope women walk: trying to appear authoritative without being called cold, feminine without being dismissed. Every outfit becomes a negotiation between authority and approachability.

Many women in high-visibility positions develop signature looks- just think Hillary Clinton and her powersuits. But Smith resists being pinned down to a single aesthetic. While she doesn’t have non-negotiable elements of her style armor, she loves that she can be edgy. “I have often pushed boundaries and taken risks with my style, such as tattoos or tooth gems, but I think there’s a space and place for how you dress that is suitable for the role.”

This evolution reflects broader trends in professional fashion. While power suits and solid silhouettes with sleek tailoring have made lasting impressions, the one-size-fit all dressing doesn’t work. In 2025, the rules have shifted from rigid formality to authentic expression. As Smith demonstrates through her ever-evolving aesthetic, modern power dressing allows for personality, creativity, and strategic adaptability.

Smith On Interior Design, Motherhood, And Mental Health Investment

As a single mother balancing career demands with parenting two children, Smith has strong views on how fashion choices model values. While she justifies and prioritizes investment in her wardrobe, seeing shopping as a form of self-care, she’s equally committed to teaching her children that true beauty comes from within.

“I am thrifty and I don’t spend a ton of money on my wardrobe. My daughter loves thrifting even my son who appreciates designer items understands that fashion is an investment on your appearance and mental health,” she explains. “The three of us are a team.” Everything she does, she does for her children.

Besides a mom, she also curates spaces for a living and notes how the parallels between creating powerful room presence and powerful personal presence are striking. “I think I dress a room very much how I dress myself. I think about the client and I set a color palette based on preferences. Personally, I’m a huge fan of mixing antiques and moderns both through interior design and my personal style.”

This holistic approach to aesthetic choices reflects a deeper understanding of visual communication. Whether she’s styling a multi-million dollar property or selecting her outfit for a client meeting, Smith applies the same principles: understand your audience, create a mood, and make every choice intentional.

As women continue to advance in the workforce, the conversation around power dressing has fundamentally shifted and is geared towards strategic authenticity. For Smith, this understanding comes naturally. Whether she’s showing a Beverly Hills estate in a perfectly tailored blazer or mixing vintage pieces with contemporary cuts, she’s demonstrating what power dressing looks like in 2025: intentional, adaptive, authentic, and unapologetically confident.

As she continues to expand her creative pursuits—with her first solo art exhibit earlier this year and growing presence in London and Spain—Smith’s fashion evolution shows no signs of slowing. Her art, described as fine art and abstract based on robots in an increasingly “robotic” and AI-centered world, hints at yet another aesthetic transformation on the horizon. Because at the end of the day, as Smith proves, the best armor isn’t borrowed from someone else’s playbook. It’s the one you design for yourself.

Selling Sunset Season 9 premieres on Netflix on October 29.