Guest Post: Why Hire a Sex and Embodiment Coach?

As a personal stylist for women based in Seattle, I like to think of the Poplin newsletter and blog as a resource that brings surprise and delight to your inbox every other Friday. Yes! There are all sorts of style tips. And there is so much more. For folks who subscribe to the newsletter, I include my favorite things from articles to books, products, TV shows and more. My goal is for the Poplin newsletter to be a feel good experience jam packed with useful information in this world that often feels filled with dark perspectives. I especially appreciate connecting with you, hearing feedback and shouting from the rooftops when I have exciting finds to share.

Because of this, it’s very rare that we feature guest posts on the Poplin blog.

But an insanely inspirational acquaintance of mine introduced me to Cass, a Sex and Embodiment Coach. Honestly, I had no idea that this was even a thing. Sure, I am familiar with Sex and Dating Coaches (which can be super helpful to folks), but a coach specifically focused on the individual’s connection with their own sexuality, loving and accepting their body at all sizes? I had no idea.

Then I met Cass. I’m not going to lie, I’m very private about all things sex-related. But, ever since our son was born, almost 13 years ago, I’m also very aware that it’s important to have open conversations about sex, sexuality and our bodies. As a personal stylist, I am fortunate to have women confide in me about how they view themselves and over the years I’ve been amazed by the self talk women developed that can be traced directly back to an older woman’s feedback about her body as well as what she “can and cannot wear”. Understanding that comments by a mother or an aunt or a friend to a 14 year old girl can still drive the way she perceives herself in her 40’s make me very committed to paying attention to my own language with my son, my clients and myself.

Enter Cass. She brings a fresh perspective to something I had thought about, but not like this. So, I hope you enjoy hearing from her and as always, please let me know how the Poplin community can better serve you on this journey to love and accept your body and understand that changing your clothes can be just as powerful than changing your body. Enjoy!

-Mellicia

What is Adaptive Clothing and Where Can I Buy Cool Adaptive Clothing?

As a personal stylist for women, my role is to really see someone. I’m here to listen to observe and then to create a helpful strategy for her to harness her authentic personal style and simplify her life. This highly personalized process includes a deep dive into her values (would she prefer to support BIPOC makers, female founders, sustainable brands?), her mindset (is she struggling to accept her body as it is now or does she lack confidence in her stylistic choices?) and her lifestyle (what actually works for her day to day?).

I spend a great deal of time listening, researching and sharing my knowledge with individual clients and the Poplin community. Sometimes, information is directly applicable to you, the reader. Other times, it makes more sense for a friend or family member and is worth sharing. And then there are times when the information may not feel applicable, but knowing it changes you in some small way. I’m curious which of these camps you fall into.

Few things are as inspiring to me as watching a woman with power use her voice to make the world better. Sure, you can negotiate world peace in your efforts to improve the planet. But, for many of us, day to day choices have a significant impact on the people around us and the future direction of society. The women who have put their energy into offering truly inclusive clothing are making big changes in the industry and changing the conversation around inclusivity.

In the past few years, inclusivity sparks thinking about brands who offer sizes for every body type. Universal Standard was a front runner in this journey and our culture is forever changed thanks to that brand and other like it. No longer do “straight sizes” end at 14. Many retailers offer pieces up to size 18 or well beyond. That’s real progress.

Amplifying brands with female founders and/or founders of color is another big part of our journey to true inclusivity. Venture Capitalists who fund these brands have propelled them forward. We can also thank shows like Shark Tank that give opportunities to folks who may not otherwise have them and retailers like Nordstrom who started selling lesser known brands and introduced them to a huge consumer base.

Now, it’s time to take our conversation about inclusivity in fashion to another level. Let’s talk about Adaptive Clothing.

Featured Client: Bridget

As a personal stylist for women, sharing client stories with the entire Poplin community is one of my very favorite things to do. Personal styling is an intimate business and I have been extraordinarily fortunate to work with hundreds of truly inspiring, kind, brave women who are beautiful on the inside and out. They say that things will happen when you need them to and Bridget was the perfect client for me at exactly the right time. A Creative who exudes generosity and strength, Bridget lives with intention soaking up every day. She went all in with the Amplified 360 Package. It includes the traditional services: Closet Edit, Uber Wishlist, Tailoring, Virtual Styling and Outfit Creation PLUS an Intimates Wishlist and a Photo Shoot. This is my attempt at making you feel like you were with us along the way. If you find half as much joy as I did, it will be a success.

Finally! Pinterest Decoded

As a personal stylist for women based in Seattle, I’m all about teaching my clients how to dress themselves and leveraging technology to make getting ready as easy as possible. It’s true, technology can be a blessing and a curse sometimes. But, it’s all about how (and how much) we use it. Is it making our lives better? My goal is to ensure that when it comes to harnessing your authentic personal style and getting ready every day, the answer is a resounding, “yes!”

Each Poplin client has a password protected webpage just for her. It tells her instantly what pieces flatter her frame, what colors make her look her best and more. Her profile defines her authentic personal style, shows photos of outfits made from her new and existing pieces and is a vast resource for her moving forward. It includes a list of brands a retailers that are ideal for her and a collection of Pinterest boards that can inspire her when she’s ready to dream or to shop. Sure, the online profile is only available to Poplin clients, but if becoming a client isn’t in the cards for you right now, you still have access to those magical Pinterest Boards. They are organized by body type, personal style key words, values and a few bonuses just because. (I’m looking at you undergarments and loungewear boards.)

If you check out the Poplin Pinterest Boards regularly, you may think you’ve seen it all. But, with 45 boards, it’s easy to have missed some. So, here’s your chance to find some inspiration, outfit ideas, product options and just all around eye candy. And remember to pin from the blog to help drive more traffic to Poplin. Every action makes a difference, my friend. Thanks very much for being here and have a great time.

Must Have: Negative Underwear

As a personal stylist for women based in Seattle, I spend a great deal of my time creating online shopping lists for clients. We call them Uber Wishlists. If you haven’t already seen them, check out some samples from real Poplin clients.

Yes! We create lists that supplement her existing collection and create a cohesive, user friendly and inspiring wardrobe. Fun Fact: We also create Intimates and Loungewear lists. When the weather is cold, those are some of my favorites. The past few months I’ve become completely OBSESSED with Negative Underwear. The pieces are luxurious, super soft and equally sexy. Most of them are sheer! Yes, you can. The colors are spectacular and I’m personally VERY enthusiastic about the Whipped Collection, especially the base layers.

I recently recommended them to my client Isa. At first she was apprehensive because they are an investment. Then her order of a handful of items came and she sent me this text.

OH MY GOD THE NEGATIVE UNDERWEAR…. OMGGGGGGG OBSESSED.

And then she ordered lots more from the company. I had Negative Underwear on my Christmas list and was ELATED when my husband got me a loungewear set. So, it’s only right that I share this magic with you, Dear Reader with a discount code of course. Enjoy!

My Favorite Things Right Now

As a personal stylist for women based in Seattle, I spend a great deal of time helping women to ensure that they feel like their authentic selves. I also chime in with tips and tricks pretty much constantly. Every once in a while, that means that it’s time for a, “my favorite things,” blog post. Honestly, I have so much I want to share, that putting everything in one post is the most efficient way to give you maximum impact. The goal here is to improve your style AND your life. Enjoy!

What is a Catsuit and When (Why and How) Would You Wear One?

As a personal stylist for women, I’m all over researching trends for each season. it’s true. I guide each client to choose pieces that are authentic to her personal style, flatter her frame and are functional for her lifestyle. But, it’s also important the style feel current, so adding in a few pieces each year (or season) is a great way to do that. The key is to select items that are just right for you rather than pieces that will just camp out in your closet with tags on.

One of this year’s breakout items is the catsuit. And while I can hear you gasping and wondering why I’m even bringing this up, I can tell you that for some women there are times and places that this beauty is just the thing. Let’s see if that means you.

The 50 Best Labor Day 2022 Deals Including Choices with Inclusive Sizing and Sustainable Options. It’s Time to get your Retail On!

As a personal stylist for women, I’m not sure what’s more exciting- a 3 day weekend or the stellar sales that Labor Day brings. This is the ideal time to stock up on pieces you’ve been waiting for or find something new that catches your eye. I’ve included several sustainable, fair trade and plus size options. There are also maternity and petite finds. Just keep your personal style key words, color palette and body type in mind and get your intentional shopping on! Here’s a list of some of my favs. Expect some familiar faces and some fun new ideas to explore. As always, let me know how it goes.

Welcome To The World Of Shapewear

Editor's note: Below you'll find another blog post from Jessica Burton. Jessica brings her wealth of knowledge including an expertise in undergarments and her warm personality to this post. Love her and you will, too. Enjoy!

Shapewear has been around for quite some time now. Depending on the clothing you’re wearing, you’re likely to find just about any type of design when it comes to shapewear these days. The real question though, is what do you do with those particularly hard to wear outfits? Do you often find that those tricky dresses and skirts just sit and collect dust in your closet? As a personal stylist, I’m here to give you some inspiration and show you that you can confidently wear those items. Below you will find choices for shapewear that will properly fit under those difficult ensembles, along with new, innovative styles.

When A Bra Won't Do The Job: 5 Bra Alternatives for Tricky Dresses

Editor's note: Below you'll find another blog post from Jessica Burton. Jessica brings her wealth of knowledge including an expertise in undergarments and her warm personality to this post. Love her and you will, too. Enjoy!

With warm summer days ahead, it’s time to break out your favorite sun dresses and sleeveless tops. While backless, one-shoulder and strappy dresses are a great option, it can sometimes be tricky finding the right type of bra to pair with them. Well, fear not. Your personal stylist is here to help! You can rock these looks while feeling supported regardless of your bust size. Say goodbye to the days of feeling limited with purchases just because finding the right type of bra can be intimidating. Below is a list of fun and functional alternatives to help take the place of a traditional style bra.

Life Changing Seamless Underwear

Editor's note: Below you'll find a guest blog post from Jessica Burton. Jessica brings her wealth of knowledge including an expertise in undergarments. Love her and you will, too. Enjoy!

Whether you are working out at the gym or wearing a new dress at a wedding, having underwear lines can truly ruin an outfit (not to mention just be plain embarrassing). Finding the right style of underwear can be intimidating to begin with, but as a stylist, I’m here to help educate and provide guidance to help you choose the style that will be best for your body type and aesthetic preference. Below are the top brands for each style of underwear to fit your lifestyle needs, comfort level and ensure that you feel confident. With new, modern techniques for removing underwear lines, you’ll want to ditch your old pieces and start wearing these cool, comfy options on the daily.

5 Essential Bras To Fit All Your Lifestyle Needs

Editor's note: Welcome to Underneath it all: 5 days of Undergarments. Below you'll find a guest blog post from Jessica brings her wealth of knowledge including an expertise in undergarments and her warm personality to this post.

Finding the right type of bra for your outfit can be a challenge. I know just how important it is to be comfortable but also fashionable at the same time. Depending on your body type and the outfit you’re wearing, specific styles of bras will be needed. While most women ditch their bra the second they get home from work, the goal here is to make sure you feel both comfortable and beautiful at the same time. You no longer have to sacrifice comfort while looking good. You can have the best of both worlds! Below is a list of bras to help for every day or those very special occasions in your life.

Top 5 Bras For Your Wardrobe

Elevated Loungewear: Hip Options for Home

As a personal stylist for women, I’ve had a hybrid work schedule for over 8 years. I’ve spent that time hopping from a client’s home to a retailer to creating online resources for her from my desk at home. Throughout the pandemic, I’ve heard from a number of clients struggling to find the balance of comfort and style while working and often parenting from home and now heading into the office one day a week or a month or maybe never. It’s tricky, but it absolutely can be done. And fortunately for all of us, designers and retailers have doubled down on loungewear so there are more attractive options than ever before. Here are some of my favs.