As a personal stylist for women, I spend my time highlighting my clients and empowering each one to dress like her authentic self effortlessly everyday. It’s not often that I talk about myself. So, when the powerhouse creator of WomanCake Magazine, an online magazine highlighting women over 40, I was delighted to share my insights on all sorts of things.
Have you seen WomanCake yet?
Read MoreAs 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.
Read MoreAs 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.
Read MoreAs a personal stylist for women based in Seattle, I get VERY enthusiastic about spring. After all, the sun is out and it’s time to dive back into joyful clothes that reflect our collective lightening. This time of year is can also bring anxiety about what to wear. Rest assured, you can count on bright white shoes for another year. If you have a pair that you adore but aren’t so bright anymore, try using a magic eraser. My husband and I used to have a routine during which I painted my nails and he cleaned up our shoes.
If your white shoes are beyond repair or you are just jonesing for some new styles, we’ve got you covered. Take a look at my favorite 25 for spring and summer. Have fun!
Read MoreAs 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.
Read MoreAs a personal stylist for women, I can’t get enough of new, interesting brands. And as a human doing my best to live my values and help my clients do the same, few things are as exciting to me as discovering new brands that are making the world better with beautiful pieces AND a commitment to their values.
It’s true, I often have clients ask for more brands founded by women, people of color or other folks that don’t often have the same funding opportunities. If you are looking for new black owned brands making innovative pieces, this blog post is for you. Fortunately, we are also seeing an increased presence of creative brands with Asian American female founders. Let’s make sure they are on your radar, too. And rest assured, there are more coming everyday.
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.
One more thing, you’ll also find brands embracing size inclusivity, sustainability, designed in the US and more on this list. It’s important to shop YOUR values, when the opportunity strikes, whatever those are. I find that including this information helps folks realize that they do care where or how something is made and may have not considered this before. We’re all evolving on so many issues. Ideally, these posts give you more information to marinate on and some super fun eye candy.
Read MoreAs 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!
Read MoreAs 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!
Read MoreI like the idea that COVID won’t permeate every aspect of our lives, especially when it comes to the holiday season. Based on conversations with clients and friends, it’s clear that trying to find the ideal gift often also means considering how that relates to our current very strange state of being. As a personal stylist for women, I often tell people that my job is to “see” people. When I meet a new client, I listen to her and try to see what she sees as her aspirational style. Then, using her budget, body type, lifestyle and personal style, I translate that into a strategy to help her embrace her authentic personal style. Uber Wishlists are a solid representation of how I translate her words into actual items. This, my Dear Reader, is essentially spending 8 years of my professional life gifting.
Read MoreAs 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!
Read MoreAs a personal stylist for women based in Seattle, I see fleece jackets and puffer jackets in nearly every client closet. Most of the time, we have a hilarious conversation about why she needs one or several of these and in many cases, I agree. But, this isn’t without caveats.
First, you dress for yourself above all else and you are the same person whether you are at work or at play. This means, that it’s as important that you feel good about how you look when you run into the neighbors while walking your dog as when you step into the office. Of course, the attire is not the same, although here in the Pacific Northwest, it often is. The goal for each situation is to feel comfortable, powerful and like your authentic self in all situations. Your clothes are just the leverage you need to achieve that.
In general, I’m an advocate for your main coat not being a puffer or fleece. Ideally, it’s a wool blend, leather or some other option that makes you feel elevated without sacrificing functionality, and communicates to the world that you are here to be seen.
But let’s face it, puffers are useful. So, if you are ready to pick up a new one, let’s make it cool, shall we?
Read MoreAs a personal stylist for women, I’m all about style that is values based and embraces inclusive sizing, whenever possible. From my perspective, choosing pieces that communicate your authentic personal style, flatter your frame and are functional for your lifestyle are essential. Pieces that reflect your values are ideal, but not always possible. When I find those options that are all the things, I’m ready to shout it from the rooftops.
One of my favorite things about my job is my commitment to the individual. Her values may or may not be my values. Her style may not be my style. But, working together we create a wardrobe that is authentic to her and one that we both see as beautiful. Personal values can range from preferring companies run by woman, those that offer sustainable pieces, perhaps a company that only uses ethical practices with workers and is committed to avoiding slavery. Other folks prefer companies with commitments to LGBTQ+ rights, empowering women in developing countries and so on. It’s all about what feels important to her and how we can integrate her values into her purchasing decisions.
With that, I also love to stay on top of trends and see what current trends align with her style. And the trend of the moment is midi skirts. Skirts that hit mid calf are midis. I love them because they are modest enough to be super functional for life and also look lovely with boots or (often) with sneakers. In the Pacific Northwest, a midi skirt is a dream because it doesn’t get wet from touching the ground in the rain, yet provides more warmth than a shorter skirt as the weather cools.
Yes, they can be unflattering as a midi skirt does have a tendency to cut off her legs and make them appear shorter. First, two essential style tips when rocking a midi skirt. If it appears that her legs aren’t looking their best, keep two things in mind.
Opt for hosiery or boots of the same or similar color to elongate her legs.
If she’s short waisted, embracing the midi can actually balance her vertical shape, giving the impression that her torso is longer in proportion to her legs.
Feel ready? Let’s dive into 25 of my favorite midi skirts including some with inclusive sizing, others made from BIPOC designers, some sustainable choices, others committed to fair labor practices and some made in the US or sold at local boutiques. Congrats on using your power for good. Remember look good. Feel good. Do good. Let’s go!
Read MoreAs a personal stylist for women based in Seattle, I’ve spent nearly a decade working with hundreds of women to elevate their style. At Poplin, every client is different, but the structure is the same. We identify her body type, personal style key words, color palette, budget, lifestyle and values to create a strategy for her authentic personal style. Each client has a password protected webpage that gives her the tools to get dressed every day. We call that her online personal profile. Next up, we use her personal profile to guide every decision as we edit her closet. Does this piece communicate her personal style? Is it flattering for her figure? Does it communicate the level of success she’s achieved? If not, it’s out. Those questions and more are integral to the Closet Edit experience.
During the edit, I make a shopping list of items that would supplement her existing wardrobe and use that list to create her Uber Wishlist. An Uber Wishlist is a list of up to 40 items from a variety of retailers that work in tandem with her existing pieces to create a cohesive wardrobe that is functional for her life and helps her look and feel her best.
After ordering from her Uber Wishlist, we collaborate to ensure each piece is an essential piece to accomplish her style goals. I show her how to style it, how it should fit, when she’ll be wearing it, and more. Often, we also tailor a number of pieces both from her Uber Wishlist and from her existing wardrobe. After all, why buy something new if your existing piece can simply be tailored to do the job?
The styling process all comes together with her outfit session. This is when I create images using her new and existing pieces (including accessories) that she can view each morning on her phone, empowering her to understand what to wear in less than 5 minutes. I know. Right?!
Whether you are an existing client, a member of the Poplin community or new to Poplin, it’s both fun and helpful to see how another woman is harnessing her authentic personal style. That’s why we’re doing 7 days focused on 7 different clients. You’ll see the Uber Wishlist and Outfit photos for each. You won’t see photos of the clients. If you’d like those, check out the client stories page.
After all, we don’t do photo shoots with every client. But, this shouldn’t keep you from the opportunity to hack a client’s style. So, enjoy the next 7 days and please let me know what you think, how these are helpful to you and any exciting discoveries. From items to retailers to pairings, it’s time to hack her style.
Read MoreAs a personal stylist who also happens to be obsessed with resilient design (where good design meets climate resilience), I’m all about finding ways to live an intentional life that is aligned with my values. And, I’m all about doing that while making sure everything is beautiful.
So, the idea that our family is contributing to landfills and ocean pollution by throwing away our disposable face masks was brutal. Near the beginning of the pandemic, I went on a hunt for a company that would accept disposable masks to ACTUALLY recycle them. I found it!
Read MoreAs 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.
Read MoreThe Vixen Collection and I go way, way back. If I didn’t already adore owner Courean Napolitano, I truly fell in love when she supplied the location for the Poplin Microsoft ad a few years back… after all, as a personal stylist for women not tied to any retailer, I don’t have a storefront.
If you haven’t been to Vixen, or you haven’t been lately, it’s unlike any other boutique. Vixen isn’t a store, exactly. It’s a community. Anyone in Magnolia knows it well. Pop in to see what’s new and you’ll likely walk away with a few pieces including jewelry, a hat or even that adhesive strapless backless bra you need for tonight’s dinner. Or perhaps you’ll stock up on gifts or the array of delightful dishtowels. So many options.
It’s not just clothing, accessories and home goods. Vixen also has a FULL range of spa services from lash extensions to nail services, massages and the list goes on. And when I say it’s a community, I mean it’s a full on community. Courean and team track client birthdays, offer personalized holiday shopping experiences for partners and hold unexpected events like palm reading and parties. My husband and I went to the friends and family pre-opening of the brand new store in Queen Anne and were greeted by a lively, fun, packed house that also included margaritas, tacos and a DJ.
I know it’s challenging to find new spots to pop in and do some shopping and self care, so I’m happy to send you over to either of the Vixen locations for your next outing. The prices are really reasonable and Courean personally curates the inventory.
The vibe is effortless, beachy, a little boho. Essentially, when you are shopping at a Vixen location, you feel like you are planning for your next vacation, even if it’s in Seattle. Can’t make it in? You can shop online! Here are some of my favs. Enjoy and as always, LMK how it goes.
Read MoreThings have changed in the fashion industry since 2013. That’s when your very own personal stylist for women wrote a blog post about my then favorite black designer. I researched for hours in search of other options that spoke to me. Sadly, there were very few black voices that were being amplified. There’s still a long way to go, but for now, I’ve got some real favorites.
After finding myself lost in the rabbit hole of the interwebs, I found my favorite resource for Black owned brands and spent the rest of the day totally immersed. So, how about I save you some time and share?
One of my favorite aspects of this list is the purpose behind nearly every brand. Helping clients shop their values is a passion of mine and this list is filled with values based options. From shopping BIPOC makers to brands that have an unwavering commitment to the environment or those that give back to communities in the US or Africa, this is one inspirational list. A few of the brands have manufacturing in the US. Others, are dedicated to inclusive sizing and color palettes. Many are embracing multiple paths to make the world better. Shopping them is a great way to support this approach.
Read MoreIt’s time for your very own personal stylist for women to shout from the rooftops everything you need to know from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Yes! Using your authentic personal style key words helps you filter items before you buy. This ensures that your closet is only filled with pieces that communicate who you are without using words. With this approach in mind, I’ve got 5 lists for you. Each one is jam packed with pieces that communicate one of the following archetypal key words: Edgy, Boho, Classic, Creative and Effortless. Kick things off with the posts that speak to you the most. But, don’t stop there. Remember, chambray shirts are classic and leather jackets tend to be edgy. So, you’ll likely find items you adore in every post. And they are ALL ON SALE. Items are always super functional for your life and sell quickly. So, keep that in mind and have a great time.
Welcome back to a Nordstrom Anniversary Sale worth shopping!
Read MoreAs a personal stylist for women based in Seattle, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale used to be a key milestone in my year. After all, Nordstrom is a beloved hometown company and this sale is the opportunity to shop fall pieces on sale before the prices increase. Genius. Clients would pre-book shopping trips during the sale. I’d plan for a sea of wishlists highlighting items. Then, came COVID.
Not only did clothing needs change rapidly in 2020, but the ripple effects on the fashion industry continue to have a very real impact. Ongoing supply chain issues, halts and delays in production due to COVID cases, shortages of qualified retail staff and more have made it easy to forget all about Anniversary. If those weren’t enough, my visits to Nordstrom stores over the past few years have been disappointing as the better finds were available online and not in stores.
Until now. I hit a local Nordstrom early last week to see the pre-sale and to peruse summer clothes. I was ELATED to find pieces I wanted to buy. Full disclosure: I was deep into warm weather clothes that weren’t on sale, so if that’s your jam right now, Nordstrom is still a solid go-to. As for fall pieces on sale, I’ve got those, too!
So, we’re back to my annual list of anniversary finds. In fact, there are 5 lists- Each one devoted to one of five archetypal style key words: Effortless, Classic, Edgy, Creative and Boho. Fun fact, those are also on the main Poplin Pinterest personal style boards on the website. So, if you enjoy the list, hop onto Pinterest and see recommendations from other retailers. One more thing, make sure to explore all the boards. After all, you may not see yourself as having a classic style, but a chambray shirt or pair of jeans is pretty classic. So, you’ll find those in the “classic” group. Have so much fun and LMK what you think!
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