Posts in Shoes
6 of the Best Pants for Working From Home or the Office AND the Shoes that go with ALL of them

As a personal stylist for women, I’m hearing lots of questions about how to navigate your wardrobe when it’s unclear whether you’ll be working from home or the office. I hear you.

Many of the large tech firms in Seattle were planning to head back to the office in September and now that date has been pushed back to the first of the year. And for folks who are in the office right now, many of them are only there a few days a week with the rest of their schedule taking place from the comfort of home. That can be a blessing and a curse.

Whether you are working in the Pacific Northwest or somewhere else in the country, COVID-19 is undoubtedly affecting your daily wardrobe decisions. A number of new clients are wondering if they need two wardrobes: one for the office and one for home. That, my Dear Reader, is not how we roll.

Here at Poplin, we’re all about functionality. You dress for yourself first and foremost. When you feel like your authentic self, you will conduct. your work with more self confidence, less brain power spent on body shaming or worrying about your look and more time spent kicking ass all day long.

So, how do we do this? It’s all about intentional dressing. One aspect of this approach is ensuring that your pieces are functional for your life and with minor tweaks, can work in various scenarios. For example, swapping your house shoes or sneakers or flats, heels or boots. The same pair of pants has an entirely different vibe when its paired with a different shoe.

Need proof? Every pair of pants on this list will work with all of the shoes listed below. Believe it.

Here’s your go-to for styles that are comfortable at home, but don’t make you feel like a slob AND can work just as well when you head off to the office. Have fun and let me know how it goes!

P.S. One key aspect of the Poplin approach is ensuring that all your pieces will work with one another now and into the future. How do we do that? One way is to limit your new pieces to your color palette. Everything in that palette will work with everything else, some bolder and some less so. You can see that in action below.

Comfortable and Stylish Pants for Work AND Home

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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

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In It Together #6: What to Wear While You are in Quarantine

As a personal stylist for women, this is a very weird time. I want to provide my community with the support you need while also not pretending that we live in a vacuum. I’ve been laying low on clothing suggestions, but I’ve had SO many questions about what to wear now. As your resource for how to wear pieces that make you feel like your authentic self by embracing your personal style, I’m hearing from many folks that you need me now more than ever.

So, let’s solve this problem of what to wear each day, shall we? And, as always, thanks for letting me know what content you need right now.

By the way, today’s recommendations are all from Nordstrom. After all, shopping local right now is VERY important and Nordstrom is our hometown hero. The company’s HQ is here including thousands of incredible folks who have my life and likely yours much better over the last several years. So, let’s help make sure this company is with us on the other side. If you are shopping, start with local shops, brands and makers, if you can.

How to Choose Your Outfit of the Day During the COVID-19 Crisis

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Buy 2nd Hand Pieces at Nordstrom. That's Right. Nordstrom.

As a personal stylist for women, it’s important that my recommendations align with my client’s values. Whether she is going for affordable options to keep her budget in check or she’s more interested in sustainability or Fair Trade, it’s all about honoring those values as best we can.

Over the past year or so, the requests for second hand pieces have sky rocketed. While we always catered to our the values of each client, now things are more explicit with sustainability modifications on every package. But things just got a whole lot easier.

Seattle Fav Nordstrom Offers Curated Second Hand Pieces

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Must Know Now: How to Stay Warm When You Are Wearing Ankle Length Pants

As a personal stylist for women, I’m getting questions about cropped pants all the time. Yes! You can actually wear ankle length pants all year and be comfortable. Believe it. Here’s how.

How to Stay Warm While Wearing Cropped Pants

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The VERY Best Shoes from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

As a personal stylist, I know how much my clients adore the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Our hometown store holds a special place in the hearts of many and of course, we all simply refer to it as, “Anniversary,” well aware that THIS is the time to pick up all your favorites for fall. I know. It’s weird, shopping for fall in early stages of summer. But Anniversary allows you to pay the sale price on fall pieces and watch the price rise when the sale is over. Items go FAST and right now we are enjoying Early Access. If you have a Nordstrom card, you can shop now, too.

Whether or not we’ve got time scheduled together shouldn’t prevent you from seeing some of my favorite deals. Here’s an assortment of the women’s shoes I’m swooning over. Enjoy!

Before we begin, please remember that Poplin is an affiliate so when you are ready to purchase, click through from the images on this post. if you do, Poplin may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions are small but mighty. Let me assure you, they add up and help keep the lights on. Or more accurately, they help make it possible to spend time writing blog posts that are 100% my views without tinkering or influence from anyone else. Thanks for being here. Enjoy!

The Best Women’s Shoes at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

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FREE Beckett Simonon Shoes that are Beautiful + Good for the World? Yes, Please!

Yes, yes, you’ll hear all about my recent trip to Panama — hats, resort wear, swimsuits, all the things. And, get ready for my upcoming trip to Amsterdam, too. It’s all about research from your very own personal stylist.

I HAD to hold off on those updates because of the stellar giveaway that one of my favorite partners is holding right now. You know when I like something enough to share, I really like it. And I really like shoes made by Beckett Simonon.

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Over 25 Super Memorial Day Weekends Sales

Nothing says holiday weekend like a great sale. And this weekend is full of them. Below is a list of some of my favs. Remember to click through the links when you are ready to shop as Poplin is an affiliate. That means that Poplin may receive a commission on your purchase at no additional cost to you. Thanks very much! Enjoy yourself and hey, have a great weekend, will you?

My Favorite Memorial Day Sales

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Must Have: Crochet, Macrame or Anything Woven

For one of my husband’s stocking stuffers this year, I found myself I buying him a black macrame plant hanger. It seemed insane and awesome, simultaneously. As a personal stylist for women, I’m always watching trends and yet I also need to be sure that these trends fit into my clients’s lives. Are they practical? Are they authentic to her personal style? Are they a smart way to spend her money? So, when I was reminded of my love of macrame, crochet and really all things woven, I started thinking about which of my clients would respond to this trend, too. I also, naturally, started to channeling my deep adoration of Carole King and played Tapestry on repeat. (If you haven’t done it, I highly recommend that you do.)

While I do adore a vintage inspired plant hanger, there are countless other ways to integrate this trend into your life.

5 Ways to Wear Macrame, Crochet

or Something Woven

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Finally! Shop Your Personal Style Key Words Easily

At Poplin Style Direction, it’s all about balancing a client’s personal style, budget, body type and lifestyle in a cohesive strategy that helps her keep her style elevated, authentic and EASY. After all, who has the time to figure all this stuff out? We’re on our sixth year of providing personalized attention to hundreds of women. Throughout this journey, it has been very important to me to empower each woman to own her personal style. I don’t want her to be depending on Poplin to make decisions or to question how she ended up with various pieces or what to do with them. Therefore the process is structured to ensure that result. (You can see what clients think here).

Get Inspiration From Real Poplin Clients

Yes! We’ve always had an array of magnificent Poplin clients on the website. Now, you can click through the image of any client on the home page and be taken directly to her story. Of course, there are new clients added regularly. It’s addictive.

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Elevate HIS Style with Luxury Goods from Beckett Simonon

As a personal stylist for women, my blog posts tend to focus on style advice for women. However, when I find something I simply adore for the fellas, you can be sure you are going to hear about it. Currently, I’m obsessed with Beckett Simonon. From the business model to the value and of course, the product, there are an array of reasons to discover this beloved brand.

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5 Must Have Shoe Brands That Will Bring an Edge to Your Style

As a personal stylist for women, my goal is to ensure that every woman looks and feels like her authentic self. This ensures she has confidence and power when she’s out in the world. If you’ve been a part of the Poplin community for some time, thank YOU. We hope you are enjoying the new Poplin website which includes pages to shop by body type. Each page links to Pinterest boards that are constantly updated with new pieces just right for your figure.

Soon, you’ll also see pages focused on shopping for your personal style! If you don’t feel like waiting, just jump onto the Poplin Pinterest boards and see what speaks to you.

One of the most common client requests is to bring an edge to her style. Of course, each woman wants that edge to be appropriate for work, home, going out and to feel just right for her age. The obvious gateway to edge is a leather jacket. But, after that, then what? I vote for shoes. And this post will get you started. Jump onto the Edgy style board for more ideas. I’m ELATED that my recent client photo shoot featured Ashley, who’s style is Preppy Punk. She’ll be our model for a few of these. Off we go!

5 Edgy Shoe Brands That You Won’t See on Everyone Else

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Your Downtown Retail Shopping Options Just Got Smaller…. sort of

Just because we have more cranes than any other major city in the country doesn’t mean that more amazing retail chains are moving in. All those cranes help facilitate a constantly changing city, which is a fun adventure until you drag yourself to a destination and discover it isn’t there anymore. As your very own personal stylist, I want to be sure your time is used efficiently. Here’s what you need to know.

Two Downtown Seattle Staples That Have Moved On

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How to Look and Feel Great at the Pumpkin Patch

As a personal stylist for women, sometimes I have clients who want to save their "good stuff" for special occasions. Think of this as your good china staying in the cupboard until Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.

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10 Fall 2018 Trends. Go!
How Do I Style White Shoes?

Poplin Style Direction is an affiliate. That means that when you click on items on this site, Poplin may receive a commission on your purchase with no additional cost to you. So, please consider clicking when you are ready to purchase. 

In the very early stages of Poplin, I won a pair of shoes (of my choice!) from one of my very favorite retailers, the now defunct SoleStruck. I really wanted a pair of giant platform clogs. They were the result of a collaboration between Opening Ceremony and Chloe Sevigny. What could be better. There were two options: black leather or white patent leather. I was on the fence, but kept coming back to the white and since they were free, I decided to take the plunge. At the time, white shoes seemed like insanity. Naturally, there were few places to look for style inspiration and I found myself experimenting with them with much success. In fact, this blog post details that journey. 

That experience was just the beginning of my white shoe phase. Next up, platform white Birkenstocks, white sneakers and so many others. My latest love is my white pair of Vince slides. As a personal stylist who works with real women using pieces in their existing collection or purchased using their actual budgets, it's vital that I know how to maximize pieces for my clients. White shoes and the challenges of styling them have come up often. That brings us to white shoes. They are ubiquitous, so if you don't already have a pair, you soon will. Now, let's make sure you know how to wear them so you get the most out of this hot trend. Off we go!

 

5 Ways to Style White Shoes

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Win a FREE Pair of Shoes from the re-souL Collection!

As a personal stylist in Seattle, I've been very fortunate to develop relationships with lots of local businesses, makers and all around incredible people. As if time with great people isn't enough, I also get to share all sorts of beautiful pieces with you, Dear Reader. I've been a long time friend and fan of re-souL in Ballard. In fact, one of the owners, Maggie, also volunteers doing styling sessions with me at YouthCare each month.

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5 Real Life Fashion Hacks That Will Make Your Life Much Easier

As a personal stylist for women, I've discovered that the smallest issues are often the ones that really derail our days. Surprisingly, the average office doesn't employ a tailor. I often tell our 7 year old, there's always a solution. You may not like it. But there is one. The same is also true for fashion mishaps. Hopefully, these will fall under the, "I'm so glad I know this," column. 

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