As a personal stylist for women who’s been blogging for over a decade, we have a sea of quality content tucked away in the Poplin blog. Sometimes, the products aren’t current, but the style tips absolutely are. If you read this blog with any regularity, you might think you’ve seen it all. But, I bet you haven’t. The following Poplin blog posts saw the most web traffic in 2024. Think you know what’s in them? We’ll see…..
Read MoreAs a personal stylist for women, I see lots of trends come and go. Some clients prefer a classic look and if that’s your vibe, this silhouette is likely not your jam. But, if you are into options that feel current (as opposed to timeless) and are pushing the envelope, this may just be a style for you. I got my first pair in Montreal last spring. At the time, they seemed insane and yet I loved them. Mine have a crinkled black fabric. This coupled with the unexpected silhouette makes them feel pretty fashion forward. I’ve been surprised to discover that I wear them all the time. After all, they are super comfortable and once you understand how to pair them, you’ll find they are a go-to.
Read MoreHappy Anniversary from your very own personal stylist for women. Sure, Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale is a special occasion for a huge number of people. But in the Seattle area, we think of this as a hometown holiday. That means that every year I put together a collection of blog posts featuring my favorite products from Anniversary. With thousands of items on sale, it’s helpful to have a cheat sheet. And I have the time of my life digging into the year’s deals.
If Anniversary is new to you, it’s essential to understand the approach. It is unique, to be sure. Rather than kicking off fall in September, then marking down items late in the season, Nordstrom puts a collection of fall items on sale in July. Then, the prices GO UP when Anniversary is over. Nordstrom card holders get “early access,” meaning we can shop before non-card holders. And the sizes go FAST. So, if something is speaking to you, dive in before it’s gone.
Here in Poplin-land, we like to help you shop according to your authentic personal style. While each woman has her own unique style, typically at least one of five archetypes resonate with her. That’s why we have Pinterest Boards for those archetypes and many, many Pinterest boards organized by personal style keywords, body types and more.
So back to the archetypes. They are: Classic, Edgy, Creative, Boho and Effortless. As is our custom every year, I’ve created a blog post filled with my favorite items from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale organized by personal style. You can access each blog post below. Sizes are selling out quickly, so don’t delay. I was just in two Nordstrom stores yesterday only to discover sizes and items disappearing before my eyes.
Fun Fact: Pieces can be categorized in multiple styles. Rather than repeat a product in multiple posts, we give you the most bang for your buck. So, even if Classic, for example, isn’t exactly your thing, you’ll likely find pieces on the list that resonate with you. Okay! That’s it. Now, have a great time shopping and once again, Happy Anniversary!
Read MoreHappy Anniversary from your very own personal stylist for women. Sure, Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale is a special occasion for a huge number of people. But in the Seattle area, we think of this as a hometown holiday. That means that every year I put together a collection of blog posts featuring my favorite products from Anniversary. With thousands of items on sale, it’s helpful to have a cheat sheet. And I have the time of my life digging into the year’s deals.
If Anniversary is new to you, it’s essential to understand the approach. It is unique, to be sure. Rather than kicking off fall in September, then marking down items late in the season, Nordstrom puts a collection of fall items on sale in July. Then, the prices GO UP when Anniversary is over. Nordstrom card holders get “early access,” meaning we can shop before non-card holders. And the sizes go FAST. So, if something is speaking to you, dive in before it’s gone.
Here in Poplin-land, we like to help you shop according to your authentic personal style. While each woman has her own unique style, typically at least one of five archetypes resonate with her. That’s why we have Pinterest Boards for those archetypes and many, many Pinterest boards organized by personal style keywords, body types and more.
So back to the archetypes. They are: Classic, Edgy, Creative, Boho and Effortless. As is our custom every year, I’ve created a blog post filled with my favorite pieces and give you ideas for pairing each. Now, it’s time for pieces that communicate your Creative Style.
What is Creative Style? Well, in my mind, these pieces are unique, expressive, unconventional, just unexpected. Creative pieces are often pushing the envelope and pairing multiples together can take things even further. So, opt for one creative piece in an otherwise classic outfit, go full force with all creative options or find your happy place in the middle. Either way, I’m a superfan of Creative style and I can’t wait for you to find some favs in this list.
Fun Fact: Pieces can be categorized in multiple styles. Rather than repeat a product in multiple posts, we give you the most bang for your buck. So, even if Creative isn’t exactly your thing, you’ll likely find pieces on the list that resonate with you. Okay! That’s it. Now, have a great time shopping and once again, Happy Anniversary!
Read MoreHappy Anniversary from your very own personal stylist for women. Sure, Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale is a special occasion for a huge number of people. But in the Seattle area, we think of this as a hometown holiday. That means that every year I put together a collection of blog posts featuring my favorite products from Anniversary. With thousands of items on sale, it’s helpful to have a cheat sheet. And I have the time of my life digging into the year’s deals.
If Anniversary is new to you, it’s essential to understand the approach. It is unique, to be sure. Rather than kicking off fall in September, then marking down items late in the season, Nordstrom puts a collection of fall items on sale in July. Then, the prices GO UP when Anniversary is over. Nordstrom card holders get “early access,” meaning we can shop before non-card holders. And the sizes go FAST. So, if something is speaking to you, dive in before it’s gone.
Here in Poplin-land, we like to help you shop according to your authentic personal style. While each woman has her own unique style, typically at least one of five archetypes resonate with her. That’s why we have Pinterest Boards for those archetypes and many, many Pinterest boards organized by personal style keywords, body types and more.
So back to the archetypes. They are: Classic, Edgy, Creative, Boho and Effortless. As is our custom every year, I’ve created a blog post filled with my favorite items from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale organized by personal style. We kicked things off with my Classic picks to get you started. Then, we moved on to Edgy pieces. And now, it’s time for your Effortless style.
Fun Fact: Pieces can be categorized in multiple styles. Rather than repeat a product in multiple posts, we give you the most bang for your buck. So, even if Effortless isn’t exactly your thing, you’ll likely find pieces on the list that resonate with you. Okay! That’s it. Now, have a great time shopping and once again, Happy Anniversary!
Read MoreWe’re finally here! This is the last installment of Black Friday Sales organized by body type. Our annual “Shop the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale by Personal Style Key Words” is so wildly popular, we decided to try something different this Black Friday.
We’re organizing Black Friday Deals by Body Type to simplify your life, streamline your shopping and bring a spark of joy to your week. Here’s what you need to know.
Read MoreAs a personal stylist for women based in Seattle, I spend a very high percentage of my time with women. One of the benefits of this lifestyle is the constant trading of resources. We’re always sharing books, shows, products and more with one another. Regularly referred to as, “Idea Girl” in my family, offering resources and solutions is one of my very favorite things to do. I also LOVE learning about new options. This personality trait brings us to one of my periodic blog post themes: My Favorite Things Right Now. Here we go!
Read MoreIf you, like me, have become totally enamored with silk slip dresses, this is the blog post for you. Yes! They are everywhere. And Yes! They are feminine, functional and can be flattering. They can also be challenging to work with as the weather cools off. If you adore the idea of a silk slip dress but find that it doesn’t feel flattering on your frame or is a chore to style, we’ve got you covered.
Before we begin, All Saints has a stellar collection of “2 in 1s” or “two-fers.” Either name refers to a sweater that comes with a silk slip dress. They are beautiful and not inexpensive. This is one of my favorites. Enjoy a wide variety of prices and several styling options just for YOU. As always, I’d love to hear how it goes. Happy Fall, Dear Reader.
Read MoreAs a personal stylist for women everywhere, I’ve spent over a decade working with hundreds of women to harness their style. At a Poplin client event a few years ago, we took a group photo. It wasn’t until looking at the photo that I realized how many of my clients are petite. Of course, it makes sense. Finding pieces that fit your body is an essential component to feeling amazing in your clothing. And whenever retailers and brands make that process difficult, the result is often negative self talk and always frustration. This can happen thanks to the limited number of pieces available in certain size ranges- petite, tall, plus and especially petite plus.
Whether or not you are petite, defined in the US as 5’4” or below, you’ll find some real gems in this blog post. (As an added bonus, this post also features petite Poplin clients so you can dive into each woman’s style and see the magic of great fitting clothing and hear her perspective on working with Poplin.)
Before we begin, it’s helpful to truly understand the impact that having limited options has on a woman’s approach to personal style. Over the years, I’ve discovered that when a woman is limited to a small selection of pieces because of her size, she has often closed herself off to the idea of truly wearing what she wants. (This can also happen for women who don’t have access to desired retailers or brands because of their location or Trans women who are new to women’s clothing altogether.) Regardless of the reason, when a woman can’t even SEE the clothes she is interested in available to her, she an easily internalize that those styles aren’t for her. So, when I ask her to think aspirationally, if she could have any style without concerns about budget or lifestyle, she has no idea how to answer.
This is only one of the many reasons that fashion’s more inclusive approach to showing models of all body types and sizes is extraordinarily beneficial. Of course, there’s a long road ahead. But, we’re absolutely seeing progress.
Now, back to our original question: Should I buy petite clothing or buy standard sizes and have things tailored? The answer is: it depends or both, depending on who you are. Let’s dive in!
Read MoreAs a personal stylist for women, few events are as impactful as Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale. Yes! Seattle is the home to Nordstrom HQ and that alone makes us love this sale. But, what truly sets anniversary apart from the others is that the sale consists of items for fall that are on sale first. When the sale is over, the prices increase. So, we have the opportunity to stock up on items that we’ll be wearing as the weather changes, rather than items that are from last season.
As a member of the Poplin community, you know that seeing something you like that is within your budget and available in your size is not reason enough to purchase it. The most important factor to determine whether or not you make a purchase is confirming that this piece communicates your authentic personal style and is available in a color that works for you. This color can bring you joy or be in your color palette. Ideally, it will do both.
Every woman has a unique authentic personal style and our goal is to help her harness that style and have the confidence to wear pieces that make her feel like the best version of herself. Anniversary is a great place to start that journey. The Poplin Pinterest Boards are another resource to get you there.
So this week, we’re combining the two. Each day we’ll share a blog post featuring my favorite items from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2023 organized by style key words. You’ll see incredible finds in a range of price points and sizes for your Effortless, Minimalist, Edgy, Boho and Classic Style. So, get ready to shop and as always, let me know how it goes! Welcome to Day 5- Boho Style.
Read MoreFew events are as impactful as Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale, at least when you are a personal stylist for women:) Yes! Seattle is the home to Nordstrom HQ and that alone makes us love this sale. But, what truly sets anniversary apart from the others is that the sale consists of items for fall that are on sale first. When the sale is over, the prices increase. So, we have the opportunity to stock up on items that we’ll be wearing as the weather changes, rather than items that are from last season.
As a member of the Poplin community, you know that seeing something you like that is within your budget and available in your size is not reason enough to purchase it. The most important factor to determine whether or not you make a purchase is confirming that this piece communicates your authentic personal style and is available in a color that works for you. This color can bring you joy or be in your color palette. Ideally, it will do both.
Every woman has a unique authentic personal style and our goal is to help her harness that style and have the confidence to wear pieces that make her feel like the best version of herself. Anniversary is a great place to start that journey. The Poplin Pinterest Boards are another resource to get you there.
So this week, we’re combining the two. Each day we’ll share a blog post featuring my favorite items from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2023 organized by style key words. You’ll see incredible finds in a range of price points and sizes for your Effortless, Minimalist, Boho and Classic Style. So, get ready to shop and as always, let me know how it goes! Welcome to Day 4- Edgy Style.
Read MoreAs a personal stylist for women, few events are as impactful as Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale. Yes! Seattle is the home to Nordstrom HQ and that alone makes us love this sale. But, what truly sets anniversary apart from the others is that the sale consists of items for fall that are on sale first. When the sale is over, the prices increase. So, we have the opportunity to stock up on items that we’ll be wearing as the weather changes, rather than items that are from last season.
As a member of the Poplin community, you know that seeing something you like that is within your budget and available in your size is not reason enough to purchase it. The most important factor to determine whether or not you make a purchase is confirming that this piece communicates your authentic personal style and is available in a color that works for you. This color can bring you joy or be in your color palette. Ideally, it will do both.
Read MoreAs a personal stylist for women, few events are as impactful as Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale. Yes! Seattle is the home to Nordstrom HQ and that alone makes us love this sale. But, what truly sets anniversary apart from the others is that the sale consists of items for fall that are on sale first. When the sale is over, the prices increase. So, we have the opportunity to stock up on items that we’ll be wearing as the weather changes, rather than items that are from last season.
As a member of the Poplin community, you know that seeing something you like that is within your budget and available in your size is not reason enough to purchase it. The most important factor to determine whether or not you make a purchase is confirming that this piece communicates your authentic personal style and is available in a color that works for you. This color can bring you joy or be in your color palette. Ideally, it will do both.
Every woman has a unique authentic personal style and our goal is to help her harness that style and have the confidence to wear pieces that make her feel like the best version of herself. Anniversary is a great place to start that journey. The Poplin Pinterest Boards are another resource to get you there.
So this week, we’re combining the two. Each day we’ll share a blog post featuring my favorite items from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2023 organized by style key words. You’ll see incredible finds in a range of price points and sizes for your Effortless, Minimalist, Edgy, Boho and Classic Style. So, get ready to shop and as always, let me know how it goes! Welcome to Day 2- Classic Style.
Read MoreAs a personal stylist for women, few events are as impactful as Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale. Yes! Seattle is the home to Nordstrom HQ and that alone makes us love this sale. But, what truly sets anniversary apart from the others is that the sale consists of items for fall that are on sale first. When the sale is over, the prices increase. So, we have the opportunity to stock up on items that we’ll be wearing as the weather changes, rather than items that are from last season.
As a member of the Poplin community, you know that seeing something you like that is within your budget and available in your size is not reason enough to purchase it. The most important factor to determine whether or not you make a purchase is confirming that this piece communicates your authentic personal style and is available in a color that works for you. This color can bring you joy or be in your color palette. Ideally, it will do both.
Every woman has a unique authentic personal style and our goal is to help her harness that style and have the confidence to wear pieces that make her feel like the best version of herself. Anniversary is a great place to start that journey. The Poplin Pinterest Boards are another resource to get you there.
So this week, we’re combining the two. Each day we’ll share a blog post featuring my favorite items from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2023 organized by style key words. You’ll see incredible finds in a range of price points and sizes for your Effortless, Minimalist, Edgy, Boho and Classic Style. So, get ready to shop and as always, let me know how it goes!
Read MoreSummer is here and that means it’s time to stock up on sun protective clothing. The challenge is that so many options are functional but not fashionable. Not to worry. Your very own personal stylist is here to help. Take a look at an assortment of my favorites. Whether you are looking for extended sizes, various lengths or just something that feels fresh, there are options for you. Have a great time out there.
Read MoreAs a personal stylist for women, my conversations with clients go well beyond clothing. Naturally, we often discuss weight fluctuation, shifting identities and aging. Yes! There are a zillion clothing options for you to choose from and of course, flattering your frame has a major impact on how you feel. But the most important filter when choosing an item is whether or not it aligns with your authentic personal style. Does it fee like YOU? Does it feel like the YOU that you want to be, not the one that avoids risk of rejection or embarrassment. We’re talking about the you who wears that leather jacket or those wild shoes. Or perhaps this is the you that feels more comfortable in “menswear” or clothes that feel genderless. Whatever your innermost desire, that’s the you that the world deserves to see.
I’m in my late 40’s and am well aware of the changes in body, skin and hair that women my age are experiencing. Body acceptance is about loving your body where it is right now and finding beauty in it at every age and every size. This is absolutely achievable.
Body acceptance does not mean that you have to embrace changes that you don’t love. After all, we’ve got tools to address this. One of the most common concerns I hear from women over 45 is a sudden awareness of their necks. And not in a good way. When we’re younger, our necks aren’t really a thing and then one day… they are. So, if you’ve suddenly discovered your neck, here are some tips to help you love it again.
Read MoreAs 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.
Read MoreAs a personal stylist for women, I get lots of questions about style from clients, readers, friends and members of the Poplin community. Recently, someone shared with me her struggles about brands. Here’s her question:
For people like me who have never really paid attention to brands but are now starting to get pricier/nicer clothes, I'm super curious about brand ethos and what it says if I wear that brand.
For example, I was out shopping for a winter coat to replace my beloved Michael Kors one that I got at Costco before I knew anything about the MK brand. Now I'm trying to replace it and wondering what an "Eddie Bauer" logo says about me vs... I don't know, a Kate Spade or a Eileen Fisher or a Canada Goose logo.
I'm starting to learn some brand ethos (Kate Spade is young but classic but colorful! Eddie Bauer is for people who actually go outside, Mark says!) but I have no idea about so many of them, and I'm hesitant to buy anything with any brand identifier in case I accidentally wear something that is not the vibe I want to convey! I envision myself going to a business meeting with the equivalent of JUICY on my butt and not realizing it ha! But so many clothes, especially outerwear, have some kind of identifier.
Excellent question! Fortunately, there are answers. Off we go!
Read MoreAs a personal stylist for women based in Seattle, few things come up in conversation as often as comfort. Feeling good about how you look does not have to mean being uncomfortable. The key is finding pieces that communicate your authentic personal style, flatter your shape, align with your values AND work with your lifestyle. Sound like a tall order? That’s what Poplin is for. We’re here to create a strategy for you to get dressed with ease everyday.
A client recently reached out to me about packing for an international trip. She wanted to look as amazing as she does each day, but be comfortable enough to fall asleep on the plane. She also likes to support brands and retailers who care about equity and inclusion. So, we like to opt for brands that have female women of color founders, give back to applicable causes and/or include models of color and all body types.
I was ELATED to share my latest obsession, LEZÉ THE LABEL.
Founded by two women of Asian decent, this brand has a limited number of silhouettes that are flattering on most body types and feel fresh. All the while, they are insanely comfortable as they are made from super soft fabrics. Pieces are sustainable, size inclusive and even Oprah recognized the brand by crowing a handful of items amongst her “Favorite Things.” If Oprah’s on board, it’s time to take notice.
Below is a collection of my go-to’s. While you are on the site, enjoy the gender neutral options and travel sets.
Before you dive in, you might be asking why it matters that a brand has women of color as founders, and that’s a fair question. Historically, women-led startups receive just 2.3% of Venture Capital funding. Every purchase you make from a brand with a female founder or a founder of color communicates to funders that there is a market for these ideas and that these founders should receive investment. Brands that are size inclusive are also sending a message to investors. We can’t do everything and it’s pointless to try, but when you are able, shopping your values (whatever they are) really does make a difference. Okay, to the clothes!
Read MoreAs a personal stylist for women, I’m all about giving each client concrete tools to help her look and feel her best every day. Her clothes should communicate her authentic personal style and give her confidence. Each piece should flatter her frame and whenever possible, align with her values.
My client, Jane, was ready for a change. It was time to elevate her look and embrace her feminine side in a sophisticated way. After going through a divorce, she was ready to wear clothes that made her feel confident, sexy, edgy and still functional for life with her little one. As a woman in her early 40’s, she opted for pieces that felt appropriate and pretty, but often ended up feeling forgettable. Her closet edit revealed 50’s inspired fit and flare dresses with some bohemian pieces thrown in.
Giving her both the permission and the tools to embrace her feminine side and celebrate her figure transformed the way she showed up at work and in life. In her words,
“Working with you has given me so much confidence. I wore one of the All Saints dresses yesterday to work. OMG. I could have hugged you, I felt so great.”
In the case of this All Saints dress, the secret is ruching.
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