16 Fall Dress Trends that will Leave You Yearning for Colder Weather

As a personal stylist for women based in Seattle, I know a thing or two about getting dressed for cooler weather. One benefit of living it the Pacific Northwest is our weather variation. We’ve had weeks of sunshine followed by a few days of cooler temperatures and rain then back to sun. This means that we never really put away our rain gear and that we have a love/hate relationship with the fall.

It’s beautiful and we love it. AND it means our sunshine is coming to a close. Fortunately, the 2024 fall dress trends are so magnificent that fall is getting more appealing everyday. Let’s get you started, shall we?

A Setback Soulsaver

Giving Back, In It Together, My Favorite Things, Pick Me Ups, Poplin around the web, Women's fashion, Values Based FashionMellicia MarxJuly 8, 2024WomanCake Magazine Mellicia Marx, WomanCake Magazine Poplin Style, WomanCake Magazine, Inspirational stories from women, Inspirational songs, Personal Style Blog, Personal Stylist, Personal Stylist SeattleComment

Is Sustainable Fashion Just Another Thing for Women to Feel Guilty About? It Doesn’t Have to Be.

As a values-based personal stylist for women in Seattle, sustainability is a very popular topic. When people discover that values are one of the filters that each Poplin client uses to determine what pieces are right for her, they often think those values mean sustainability. And, of course, they can. Importantly, my focus is on identifying each client’s personal values and encouraging her to use her values as a lens as part of the overall picture when developing her authentic personal style. For example, those values can range from encouraging connection (OMG. I love that bracelet. Where’d you find it?) to supporting BIPOC makers or focusing on the best return on investment for her purchases.

Values can also mean any number of topics under the sustainability umbrella.

The purpose of this conversation is not to force her to make sure that every purchase she makes aligns with her values. Instead, it’s an encouragement to lead with intention and remind her of the power that she has as an individual and the power we all have as a collective. On an individual level, purchasing items that align with her values empowers her and gives her self confidence that carries over to other aspects of her life. On a larger level, working as part of the collective, she has the potential to see her values reflected in the choices companies make. It was, after all, the body positive movement that led to more inclusive sizing from retailers and more models that resemble “real women” rather than the Plutonian ideal.

I love this part of my role and over the years, I’ve seen the impact that this realization has on my community. When it comes to sustainability, the more we see articles about the perils of climate change in the zeitgeist, the more clients want sustainability to be an important part of their personal style strategies. While it’s important to me that the values she identifies are hers and not mine, as someone who is concerned about the changing climate, I’m grateful for the opportunity to help women understand how to make choices that benefit the planet and the individual.

However, as part of this evolution, I’ve started to see the dark side of women’s efforts to make sustainable choices.

The Perfect Sheer Pieces for Your Body Type and Your Authentic Personal Style

As a personal stylist for women I am always on the hunt for new trends. Sure, there are shifts on runways that don’t translate to real life and yes, there are ready to wear movements that, while popular, aren’t super flattering. So, when we see trends that work on a runway and in real life, I’m all over it.

Sheer pieces are one of those trends. Considering wearing see through or semi-see through pieces tends to evoke a strong emotional response. You are likely either in the “no thank you” camp or in the “intrigued to yes, please world.” Most often, sheer pieces are one of those, “I’d love to if I can pull it off” trends. And my Dear Reader, I’m here to show you how you can absolutely pull it off.

Specifically, knowing which sheer options are right for your authentic personal style and your body type will give you the confidence to rock them on the regular. A few years back, I gave a friend a sheer grey long sleeve fitted top for her birthday. I’m guessing she was in her late forties then and she was surprised by the gift. Her initial response was gratitude and a clear message that she was unlikely to ever wear the item. But now, in her early fifties, she told me she was wearing the top for her birthday dinner. Few things have made me so happy.

The right sheer pieces can be timeless, age appropriate and still super sexy. (As an aside, if you’e been with me for some time, you likely know my stance on “age appropriate.” Essentially, just imagine you are living to 90 and be sure you aren’t wrapping up one phase too soon only to be left with the same four items for a good thirty years. Anyway, I digress.)

Don’t be afraid to embrace sheer pieces. Below is a collection of some of my favorites organized by body type. After all, if you know what flatters your shape, you are able to filter out all of the noise and start to build a sustainable, authentic collection that will be with you for years. Off we go!

Effortlessly Elevate your Style Game: 5 Sustainable Tips for Embracing your Powerful, Evolving Self.

Before I became a personal stylist for women, I loved clothes. I had an ever evolving wardrobe and would vacillate between joyful exuberance and overwhelm as I’d feel guilty for spending money, using resources, consuming, you get the idea. Then, I’d buy some new pieces and the cycle would start again.

This eternal inner conflict was a driving force in creating Poplin Style. Over a decade ago, I developed a clear system to help clients simplify shopping. As a client, she now knows how to find pieces that flatter her body type, focus her choices on colors in her color palette, stick with decisions that communicate her authentic personal style and when possible, opt for clothing that aligns with her style.

A Deep Dive into Vulnerability, Courage and Making New Memories

As a personal stylist for women, I’ve spent years working with individual clients, writing newsletters and blogs spending time with truly extraordinary women. If you’ve been following the blog for some time, you may have never even heard my voice. If that’s the case, now’s the time to hear me on the most recent episode of the Courage Effect.

If you’ve heard me on various platforms, you might be thinking that you’re in the know already. Not this time.

My recent conversation with Suzanne Weller, host of the Courage Effect, is unlike any public conversation I’ve had before. It’s intimate, with me sharing about some very difficult aspects of my upbringing and simultaneously, full of hope, joy and actionable tips for rewiring your brain.

Love Your Body in a Swimsuit

As a personal stylist for women, I have the opportunity to connect with women about body confidence and style. How do you choose pieces when your weight is up… or down? How do you embrace your personal style when you get dressed for work, especially when the appropriate clothes for the environment seem so unappealing? What do you buy when everything feels disappointing, uninspiring or overwhelming?

Yes, loving your body at every size and every age is the goal. And yes, sometimes that can feel very difficult, if not impossible. When pieces aren’t flattering or when we feel uninspired, it’s easy to blame our bodies. But, our bodies aren’t the problem. It’s the clothes.

Don’t change your body, change your clothes.

Entire companies exist simply to provide clothing for our bodies and when those pieces aren’t size inclusive or when they don’t flatter our frames, it can feel like we are the issue, like we need to make some changes. It’s time to reframe the way you view clothing. If you feel like your body is the problem, it’s time to upgrade your wardrobe to flatter your frame and celebrate all of you.

Understanding how to dress your body type is the solution and we can help with that.

For today, let’s start with finding you the ideal swimsuit for your frame. Feeling good about how you look in a swimsuit is a game changer for your vacation and for your life. Let’s do this.

Poplin's Once-in-a-Decade Flash Sale

As a personal stylist for women based in Seattle, I work with women all over the country to help each one up her style game. It’s essential that you feel like YOU when you interact with the world. After all, when you feel confident in what you are wearing, when it’s comfortable and not distracting, that’s when you show up differently. That’s also when you are empowered to make big bold moves.

I made a big bold move ten years ago when I left my career in philanthropy and started this business. A decade later, we’ve worked with hundreds of women to help each one look and feel her best. Yes! We pretty consistently have a waistlist for services and yes! My clients really are the most wonderful, kind, brave, delightful women. And that’s why I’m so crazy excited to kick off our once in a decade flash sale. That’s right. Once in a decade.

Only twice in ten years has there been an opportunity to get bonus time when you purchase a Poplin package. And there has NEVER been an array of deals like the ones we’re offering to new and existing Poplin clients until Friday, April 14th, 2023.

I’ve saying for some time that 2023 is going to be a big year for Poplin and it’s true. Last year, we were in Forbes and Huff Post. This year, we launched our Endless Outfits, empowering each client to add or subtract from her Poplin wardrobe over time making adding new outfits effortless for years to come. This means that, with the exception of tailoring, Poplin clients now have access to the full array of personal styling services from every location.

2023 has more to come.

The next item in our 10th Anniversary Year of Celebration is this insane Flash Sale. If you’re ready for Poplin love, THIS is the time for you. We won’t be doing this again, at least not in this decade, so make your move. This sale exists as a personal thank you to each of you who has made the business possible. I love what I do. I love who I do it with. And I’m grateful for the opportunity. I look forward to seeing you very soon.

Connecting with other Women in the New Year

As a personal stylist for women based in Seattle, I spend the vast majority of my time with women. It’s rare. I know. Until I started this business nearly a decade ago, the majority of my friends have always been men. My female friends were typically women who weren’t into clothes or style and predominantly didn’t wear makeup. So, my interest in style often stood out.

Things are very different now. It is a true gift to have met a diverse collection of extraordinary women who continue to be supportive, inspiring and authentic. And while I am grateful for my existing community, I know there are even more like minded women out there. Women that I can learn from, that make my life better just by knowing them AND that also want to make the world a better place.

I’ve had lots of questions about how I find these women. And that, my Dear Reader, is what this post is for. Full disclosure- so many of them are Poplin clients! It’s true. I absolutely adore my clients. Here are some other ways that might help you if you are on the hunt for a similar collection of incredible women. As always, let me know how it goes!

Act Now to Protect the Right to Contraception, Really, Right Now

Yes, we’ve been reading for some time now that Roe v. Wade was in danger. (After all, Rebecca Traister has been talking about this for years.) But when the Supreme Court actually overturned the precedent that provides federal protection for a woman’s right to choose an abortion, it was a huge, weirdly unexpected, blow. Yes. There is much work to be done to offer access to all reproductive services to women throughout the country and yes, every little bit you can do matters.

But, there is a HUGE opportunity right now to ensure that each of us and the next generations of women have control over our lives by guaranteeing the right to contraception. It may seem crazy that this right could be in jeopardy, but that’s what so many folks thought about Roe. There is truly no downside to passing a law protecting this right.

Celebrate Lunar New Year and Black History Month with Hollaback's Bystander Intervention Training

As a virtual personal stylist for women, one might expect that all my blog posts are about clothing and accessories. If you’ve been a part of the Poplin community for some time, you know that isn’t the case:) Personal style is about communicating who you are without saying a word. Your clothes can do that. Values are also a part of your personal style. We often talk about sustainable choices when it comes to clothes from shopping second hand and tailoring your pieces to opting for choices that keep the planet in mind.

Living your values is also how you show up for other members of your community. While I’ve been in Seattle nearly 20 years, I’m still a Northern Californian at heart. That means that I constantly interact with strangers, a very not Pacific Northwest practice. My willingness to interact with random folks also means that while I’m not afraid to intervene when I see harassment or discrimination, I have wondered if I could do things in a more effective way. Enter Hollaback.

Top 5 Reasons Why I’m Taking my Personal Styling Business off of Facebook and Instagram

For those of you who have been with me for some period of time, you know that I feel very strongly that each of us has the power to make change for the better. It’s why we vote. It’s why we give back to our communities. It’s also the reason we make intentional choices about our consumption and the way we treat one another. I believe that we have more confidence to be our best selves in the world when we know that we are communicating who we really are via our clothing. It’s highly likely that you believe all of this, too, which is why you are a member of the Poplin community. Thanks very much for being here.

I’ve made no secret of my general values and also do my best to acknowledge that not everyone shares those values. And that’s just fine. I’m not interested in a world where we are all the same. It’s often been said that my superpower is to “see” people. And, I certainly work very hard to do that. I say all this to make sure that it is clear that I’m not interested in villainizing anyone for participating in any platform or for working at any company.

In fact, a large portion of my client base works in technology, including a number of people at Facebook. I absolutely believe that these folks are doing the best they possibly can to change the system from the inside. I don’t fault them for it. In fact, I admire the commitment and the willingness to do the very hard work it takes to change the machine. Any of us who have worked at large organizations know that just working somewhere does not give you power to control that organization.

But, Facebook absolutely does need to change in order for our society to flourish.

Each one of us has the voice to help push the company in that direction. The most powerful way to do that is to leave the platforms, and wait until they have addressed their issues before we return. And so, despite the danger that it may pose to my business, that’s what I’m doing. Many of you have asked why I’m leaving and I’ve avoided getting too specific thus far. But, I’ve realized that this is not helpful to you and diminishes the impact of my actions. Because I am not just leaving for myself, I’m leaving for all of us. And between you and me, I hope you decide to leave, too.

So, here’s a high-level list of the reasons that make it clear to me I can no longer participate in Facebook or Instagram. After all, if I’m still on Instagram, I’m just taking the easy way out. Yes! I’ll miss seeing you and your updates. Yes! It will be much more difficult for me to stay engaged in my local community. And yes! Connection is extremely important to me, now more than ever. But it must be done. And it must be done before the next presidential election. So, here I am. Doing it. And here’s why.

Big Changes for Us and for You: We’re Leaving Facebook and Instagram

I know, we’ve always got exciting developments over here. And that isn’t stopping now. In fact, these are some VERY big updates and I’m happy to share them with you first.

Like any good team meeting, let’s start with some big celebrations, shall we? Poplin celebrated eight years of personal styling in October. Huzzah! I can’t possibly thank this community enough for propelling me through eight years of adventures, creativity, connection and the opportunity to make an important impact in the lives of others.

Poplin on a Podcast: I just spent an hour not talking about clothes.

It’s been a while, my Dear Reader. Choose Clarity founder, good friend and client, Aga Lawrynowicz, pulled me out of hibernation for her video podcast series, “Moms Who Dare.” Aga is a life coach for busy moms. Like so many of my clients, my adoration for Aga runs deep. It also transformed this conversation which is intended to be about how motherhood has shaped my life into a much more intimate conversation between friends. We touch on parenting during the pandemic, living your best life despite shame from trauma, identifying who you once were and who you are becoming. It’s all the things. Naturally, there’s some technical craziness in there, too. We wanted to keep it consistent with 2020, after all.

Right now, so many folks could use some love. Here it is, virtually, if nothing else. Enjoy and let me know how it goes.

Giant hugs to you from over here.

Moms Who Dare with Mellicia Marx

How About Some Good News?

It’s true that whenever I write a blog post, you, Dear Reader, could be going through anything. It could be a tough time for you, or a joyous one or one filed with anxiety. Weirdly, writing during COVID-19 is sort of still like that. While we are all under threat of serious illness (some more than others), our experiences are often wildly different.

Are you struggling because it’s hard to be isolated from friends? Or are you working from home and find yourself surprised by how much you actually enjoy it now that you’ve adjusted? Maybe you are you hoping Congress will get it together and make sure that you are able to pay the rent next month or keep your car. It’s possible that you are mourning the life of someone you’ve lost or other awful unexpected stressors thanks to this unprecedented time. Perhaps, you are surprisingly watching your bank account grow as your expenses have decreased. Maybe you are trying to perform logistical jujitsu to create a successful fall as your kids prepare for online school while you may or may not be working.

And then, of course, there are the protests that are still continuing, despite a lack of news coverage about them. It’s a lot.

On my end, I haven’t been as interested in talking about clothes. I guess that’s an understatement. I’m not at all interested in talking about them. BUT, I am interested in sharing good news with you, because after reading the paper this morning, it’s clear we all deserve it.

So, that’s what we’re doing today, my Dear. We’re having some good news updates. I hope you enjoy them. I hope that your COVID experience is one filled with silver linings and that if you need help, you make sure to ask your community for help. After all, isolation and mask wearing also means that sometimes your friends don’t realize that you need some extra love. It’s important. Go get some love.

All Good Things (20 of them, in fact)

IIT #15: Expert Advice on Lashes and Skincare from my Favorite Aestheticians at Cake Skincare

As a personal stylist for women, I get lots and lots of questions about referrals for hair, lashes, skincare, all the things. The good people at Cake Skincare and I go way, way back. This is my absolute favorite place for a luxurious skin treatment. The owner, Katrina, gifted me a set of Radical Skincare products years ago and I’ve been hooked ever since. When a client asks for a recommendation for the ideal place for skincare (lashes, facials, waxing, etc.), I always think of Cake.

We kicked off the In It Together Series a few months back to support the Poplin community during quarantine. I’ve been holding off on sharing a few posts until now, expecting that this situation might go on longer than originally anticipated… which it has.

Fortunately, Cake is slowly reopening with extra precautions to protect clients and the team. You can check the site to see when/if Cake is open thanks to an impressive effort to make educated decisions based on data from King County. If you are ready to get back into the world, you should book now as I expect the wait is a long one. If you are more comfortable holding off on personal care services, this guest post from one of my very favorite people, Kelly, will help you enjoy the spa at home. Enjoy and remember to take good care of yourself and shop local.

Last but not least, I learned recently from a therapist friend, that when you hug someone for at least 3 minutes without talking, your heart beats sync up. I love everything about this. Think of it as your free self care tip for the day.

How to Treat Yourself at Home with Cake Skincare’s Kelly Perez Snyder

IIT #14: 6 Easy Steps to Your First Vegetable Garden

As a personal stylist for women, I am fortunate to connect with a wide array of fascinating, fun, unique women as part of my job. Since we’ve been home, I’m hearing from my community about the pros and cons of quarantine life. The In It Together Series is a way to connect both sides of my Poplin community: clients and blog readers + small businesswomen in Seattle in an effort to make life at home easier, simpler and more enjoyable.

We’ve spent a great deal of time these past couple of months outside. In fact, I’m writing this from the backyard. Despite building planter boxes two years ago, we finally planted our first vegetable garden a few weeks back. And by we, I mean, our 9 year old. I’ve done nothing but eat the tasty radishes. He’s been watering everyday before dinner and as it turns out, it’s working!

We weren’t sure how to dive in and expected finding a simple, “how to” to be much easier than it was. So, I asked my friend and gardening guru, Lucinda O’Halloran of Spirit Garden Designs to share her expertise. I hope this helps you dive into your first garden. Have fun!

Getting outside is one of the best ways to reduce stress, and enhance your overall being. And getting outside in your own yard is a great way to enjoy nature and still stay safe.

Have you ever wondered:

“I wish I knew how to grow my own fruits and veggies. How do I get started?”

“I love puttering in the garden but have no idea what I’m doing—I need help.”

“I want to help the birds, bees and butterflies. What should I plant?”

Do any of these questions sound like you? If so, it’s time to work with a garden coach!

As a garden coach I enjoy teaching my clients how to understand gardening and feel more connected to their gardens. I encourage and empower gardeners with one-on-one assistance to connect with their gardens.

I help novices and experienced gardeners, and everyone in between. I introduce people to their new gardens, offer basic garden care instructions, pruning and transplanting tips, advice on small design challenges, ways to grow food and more.

Coaching sessions are one hour long and are tailored to each property and client. Coaching packages are available for those who really want to dig in.

I also meet with my clients virtually, especially during this time of sheltering in place. Just bring your cell phone or tablet and we’ll meet in your garden!

Whether you want to start a veggie garden for the first time, tame the jungle that used to be your yard or attract birds and pollinators, I’m here to help. For now here are 6 easy steps to start your own veggie garden.

6 Easy Steps to Starting Your Vegetable Garden from Spirit Garden Design Owner, Lucinda O’Halloran

IIT #13: How Can I Keep My Kid Safe Online While I'm Working From Home?

As a personal stylist for women, I spend my days divided between time with my clients and time with my family and friends. Because my clients are women, I spend a disproportionate amount of stretches with members of my own gender. Consequently, my pre-pandemic life involved lots and lots of conversations about the things my clients and I have in common. I’ve learned a lot from my clients over the years: from summer camps for the kids to new brands on the horizon, my clients and I share info freely on a wide range of topics. The In It Together Series is an attempt to replicate that relationship for the entire Poplin community while we are all in quarantine.

I’ve learned SO much from my client and friend, Delight Roberts. She’s unbelievably knowledgable about keeping kids safe online. With copious amounts of us working from home while the kids hop on the computer, I hope that her tips are as helpful to you as they have been to me.

As an online safety expert and the parent of a ten year old child, I know first-hand how hard it is to manage the online activity of children—especially now as we’re staying at home and our routines have been upended. As we are all spending more time online here are some guidelines that may be helpful as you contemplate screen time for your child.

Keeping Your Kids Safer Online

IIT #12: Twelve Must Have Accessories to Make Your Walks Feel Like a Stroll in the Park

The In It Together Series is designed to help you solve your D List Daily Crises in Quarantine. From how to do your own mani/pedi to cooking with limited ingredients and wearing clothes that make you feel good everyday, this collection of expert advice aims to improve your life one day at a time.

If there’s one thing we are all striving to do, it’s take walks outside. If you have safe access to the outdoors, even a few minutes a day will improve your mood. Fortunately, the weather has been gorgeous and there will be more of that as we get closer to summer. As a personal stylist based in Seattle, my clients are always looking for pieces that help them embrace their authentic personal style AND are functional for real life. It’s time to make sure you are stocked up on the proper must haves for a successful series of walks in warm weather. Here are my favorite dozen must haves- find each one at a Seattle based retailer. Whether you are off to Nordstrom or Clementine’s, shopping local makes an impact and most boutiques offer some version of pick up, drop off or free shipping. Off we go!

12 Must Haves for Your Pandemic Inspired Walks

IIT #10: Roots Bringing Down You Down? Not Anymore.

Who knew that this crisis would bring about so many existential questions? There are some big ones that instantly come to mind about equity and classism, as an example. Let’s call those “A list” crises. Just like there are B, C and D list celebrities, there are D list crises. We adore our D list celebrities and they matter to us — think Jerry on Cheer (by the way, this will make you feel very good.)

In the same way, we’ve got “D list” quarantine crises. Some of the most prominent involve how to look and feel good everyday without regular visits to the hairstylist. That can be hard to do when your grey is growing out or your roots are four inches long. Whether or not to go natural is a big decision for women. Are you someone who wants to embrace the grey and find beauty in the natural or do you find it depressing? We’re all strongly in one camp or the other.

Personally, my roots are dark brown and fortunately, they work as they grow out. But, if all of my hair was brown, I would feel that a large part of my identity was lost. After all, can you imagine me without red hair? I didn’t think so.

With that in mind I asked my hairstylist, Lindsay Brabank, to help the Poplin community solve two of the biggest hair challenges in quarantine: 1. How do I cut my own bangs and 2. What do I do about my roots? She has generously offered up advice for both. So, this post will be split into two.

Before we dive into her post, you should know that Lindsay has been the genius behind my hair color and cuts for the past few years. Every product she uses is chemical free and she has a wealth of information, having been a hairstylist for over 17 years. She also gives back to the community generously including hosting a successful fundraiser to help provide food and water to folks crossing the border. In short, she’s amazing and I hope that you find her info helpful AND that you support her as a small businesswoman hit hard by the pandemic.

Here we go!

A Professional’s Guide to Hiding Your Roots from Lindsay Brabank, Spruce Salon and Spa