A Fashionable and flattering coat.
After all, when you are out and about, your coat and shoes may be the only thing people see. Entering a room filled with strangers? If it's winter in Seattle, you are wearing your coat. So, use it to make the very best first impression. Here are a few of my favorites right now:
Read MoreI strongly believe that your clothes should help you achieve your goals, not inhibit you from reaching them.
That means that if your heel is too high and you opt out of a great adventure simply because your feet are killing you, your clothes aren't doing you any favors. Conversely, if you are convinced that comfort is your paramount goal, opportunities may pass you by.
Remember when skinny jeans were just entering the lexicon? Not because we didn't understand the term, "skinny jeans," but more likely that men and women were a little concerned that their bodies weren't going to play nicely with them.
And now? Now, how many other cuts of pants are in your closet? Probably not many. But, as we all know, skinny pants aren't flattering for everyone. Of course, we try a few tricks to make them work. After all, feeling current feels good.
Whether you have a sea of skinny pants or you finally gave in and just have a few, now is the time to look beyond your skinnies. New silhouettes are here.
Read MoreThe holidays equal massive fashion magazine consumption for me. Today, I'm sharing that lovely feeling of escapism with some useful and motivating fashion information.
Enter the eternal question: "How can I wear ankle boots or open toed shoes with a skirt and not freeze to death? After all, it is winter."
Read MoreOne of the most frequent replies when I tell someone that I'm a personal stylist is, "I'd love to do that. I'll definitely call you after I lose X number of pounds." Ugh. And, the holidays are the worst when it comes to weight gain.
With the exception of my very slim husband who has some magical gene, there are very few people who don't experience some sort of weight fluctuation. Sadly, as we gain, we tend to stop investing in ourselves and taking pride in our look.
Over Thanksgiving I, like millions of other Americans, had the opportunity to spend time with my extended family. During the visit I discovered that someone in my family recently had a double-mastectomy. This wasn't the first time that someone I know has battled cancer. But, it was the first time since I started styling people for a living. Naturally, this lead to a conversation about what you wear after a mastectomy. It would seem that a woman could employ various strategies to balance out her frame (if she is struggling with symmetry, for instance). And, simplistically, that's true. Try ruffles or asymmetrical tops, for instance.
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Thanks to everyone who shared the post about our contest on Facebook! The winner will receive one free closet edit. This includes: an online personalized style plan that that can be viewed via a computer or mobile device. we edit your current closet to feature items that flatter and decide together what pieces are still needed. Knowing that your closet should feel like a boutique, we merchandise so that you can shop your closet with a smile each morning.
Value: $325 value (up to 2.5 hours).
And, and all services include one complimentary wish list.
So, who is it, already?
Read MoreI heart a good platform. But, in a city filled with hills and a lifestyle involving a toddler and a substantial amount of walking, comfort is almost as important as style. (Yes. There are limits.)
Therefore, one of my very favorite things, is finding a beautiful, memorable shoe that is also functional. My current obsession, the J Fresh loafer from Steve Madden. Observe it's awesomeness:
Read MoreI do. An old friend of mine always says, "don't take away the joy of giving." Translation: Just say thank you and allow someone to do something nice for you. After all, giving feels good.
In the spirit of the season of giving, I'm going to do a little extra giving of my own.
One glorious reader (that means you!) will win one closet edit just by sharing this post on Facebook. Not on Facebook? Not to worry. Just shoot me an email and I'll enter you in the drawing.
What's a closet edit, you say?
Read MoreWelcome to yet another holiday party season. A good friend recently said to me, "finding a dress for a holiday party is one of the most stressful things you can do." Oh, my. As it turns out, this is a pretty common feeling.
So, last weekend when I was loaning another friend some of my favorite party pieces for her work holiday gathering, I realized that there are some tried and true ways to ensure that you look incredible at the party, in the photos afterward and most importantly, in your own mind.
Read MoreWhenever I work with a client, we focus on four things: body shape, lifestyle, budget and the impression he or she wants make via his/her clothes. Specifically, I ask clients a question: What three words would you like people to use to describe your style? Then, we use those words as a final filter when determining if a piece works for the client.
Read MoreAh, the eternal question: I own it. Now, how do I <insert need here>? Iron, wash, protect, the list goes on. As you may have noticed, Dear Reader, I'm all about the vegan leather/ pleather (let's face it, usually plastic) fabrics that are all the rage right now. After purchasing a few items, I quickly realized that I wasn't exactly sure how to address wrinkles. Hence, this post.
Happy Cyber Monday!
Legend goes that once you are back at the office on the Monday following Thanksgiving, your super online shopping begins. We're pretty sure that started when we all had dial up internet at home and something slightly above dial up at work. So, whether or not Cyber Monday is still relevant is questionable.
Something we can count on? The absolute gloriousness of a good deal.
Now this is how you start the week….. Looking good and rocking something that was free. Congrats to the winner of our Hook & Stem Designs luxury infinity scarf contest, Carly Ralston. Here she is modeling the Genesee in navy blue.
Read MoreA HUGE thanks to everyone who started to follow @Poplinstyle on Twitter, shared Poplin and/or "liked" Poplin for the the first time on Facebook.
Here's a special guest to announce our winner:
Read MoreBaby, it is crazy cold outside. And that means it is chunky scarf season. You know how I love the local Seattle companies, so I've partnered with HookandStem Designs to celebrate the season with some hand-made functional fashion.
And you, Dear Reader could win this chunky infinity scarf. Here's how:
Read MoreThis year is the 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. It got me thinking about the impact that black fashion designers and moguls (hello Russell Simmons!) have had on our culture and our clothes. My thought was that it would be fun to share a top 10 list of influential designers with you, Dear Reader. But, who can narrow it down to 10? I cannot.
As an alternative, I'd encourage you to check out this list of the Top 25 Greatest Black Fashion Designers. It's addictive. Anyway, in an effort to avoid writing a PhD thesis on this subject, I've decided to focus on one that is very popular with a number of my clients:
Read MoreWelcome to our first really rainy work day in some time. This is the sort of morning you wake up and have two options: 1. put on something super comfortable that may or may not be super flattering. Or, 2. put on something really put together that may or may not be foiled again by your cozy cardigan half way through the work day.
Cardigans. I love them. I hate them. I am constantly on the hunt for real alternatives. And, I'm happy to report that I have one to share with you.
Read MoreWho hasn't been there? You roll over in the morning, look inside your closet and feel utterly uninspired. Worse. You feel overwhelmed. Whether you are overwhelmed or underwhelmed, sometimes we all just want something new. And, sadly, our bank account is not hearing why we MUST have that new pair of boots.
What to do?
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