5 Ways to Ensure You Feel as Good as You Look at the Holiday Party

Being a part of a community of driven, kind and philanthropic women is a true gift to me. One of my favorite members of that community is realtor, connector and all around community bad ass, Cassie Walker Johnson. The content below was shared with Cassie’s community first as part of her amazing monthly newsletter. I read it every time, not just because she’s a friend, but because I love the content ranging from trends in the housing market to giving back and tips for the family. Sign up now and be entered to win a gift basket filled with items from her favorite local businesses including a $50 gift card to my ideal retailers for sustainable hosiery, Swedish Stockings. And hey, have fun at that holiday party!

As a personal stylist for women, I spend a great deal of timing helping each client ensure that her overall look not only communicates her authentic personal style, flatters her shape and reflects her values; but also that her pieces are functional for her life. Here in Seattle, it’s easy to sacrifice style for comfort, but that’s really not necessary.

If it’s time to shop for your upcoming holiday party, be sure to opt for pieces that flatter your frame and communicate your style. Now, let’s dive into how we’ll make sure you are comfortable, too.

The Most Flattering Jeans for Your Body Type

As a personal stylist for women, I know what struggle it can be to find a great pair of jeans. They should make you look and feel your best, celebrate your shape and communicate your authentic personal style. The ideal denim is comfortable, flattering and makes you feel like you.

Balancing all of that can be tricky and with evolving trends, it may feel daunting. Not to worry! We’ve got you covered. Here are the most flattering jeans for every figure. Start with your body type then choose a pair that aligns with your styles and values. Enjoy!

15 Holiday Gifts You've Never Thought Of

I 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.

The Top 20 Obstacles to Great Style and How to Overcome Each One

As a personal stylist for women based in Seattle, I’ve spent nearly a decade listening to women talk about their struggles with style. These are among the most common challenges I hear from women. What resonates with you?

Identifying your problem is only the first step. Rest assured, there are solutions. As a Poplin client, we take a deep dive into creating a strategy and providing tools to solve your problem on an ongoing basis. For now, here are some approaches you can take right now. Looking for even more perspective? Most also have a client testimonial that is applicable. Enjoy the resources available and as always, let me know how it goes. I always love to hear from you.

The Top 20 Obstacles to Great Style and How to Solve Each One

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 Can I Wear Besides a Traditional Puffer Jacket?

As 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?

25 of My Favorite Midi Skirts for Your Unique Style and Values

As 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!

11 Fall 2022 Fashion Trends

As a personal stylist for women, it’s my job to stay on top of trends, but also to guide each client to stay true to her authentic personal style and choose pieces that flatter her frame. This can be a major challenge for a woman as the new shiny objects are so alluring, but can also end in disappointment. If you have tags on clothes still in your closet, I’m talking to you:)

Not to worry! The key is to choose pieces that communicate your authentic personal style while also staying current. One way to do that is to see what’s out there right now, then narrow down your choices to see what’s right for YOU.

This fall, it’s all about the 1970’s or the 1990’s. If you lived through one of both of these, you’ll likely have feelings about both. But just remember, inspired by doesn’t have to mean pieces that are literal copies of items from the past. Avoid costume-like looks by including vintage inspired pieces with more modern touches. To get you started, here’s what’s happening right now in Fall Fashion. As always, I’d love to hear what’s resonating with you.

Hack Her Style: Client #7, Ranya

Hack Her Style: Client #6, Beth

Hack Her Style: Client #5, Ella

Hack Her Style: Client #4: Taylor

Hack Her Style: Client #3, Chandra

Hack Her Style: Client #2, Nikki

Hack Her Style: Client #1, Jessica

7 Days 7 Clients. Countless Ways to Hack Her Style

As 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.

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.

Why Shopping with Intention is Good for You AND the Climate

As a personal stylist for women, I spend my time pouring over websites, articles and all things style related. As a human being, I spend a great deal of time thinking about Climate Change. Yes, of course, consuming anything comes at a cost, especially clothing. I often think about the most extreme alternative- suggesting that women wear white cotton items until they start to fall apart, then mend them, then opt for something new. But, years of working closely with women of various income levels, sizes and lifestyles has shown me that abandoning self expression via our clothing simply isn’t going to happen. After all, we communicate so much about ourselves without saying a word- and that is powerful.

This doesn’t mean that we just throw our hands up in the air and consume away. In fact, the very small but real bright side, is that emphasis on the changing climate reminds us of our personal impact. We have an opportunity to express our creative side, communicate our values and be thoughtful about our environmental impact.

Featured Client: Caitlyn

What can I say? I’m pretty much losing my mind over here. As a personal stylist for women, I’m always absolutely delighted to share a client transformation with the Poplin community. It’s taken ages to make this photo shoot happen and it was well worth the wait. Not only is Caitlyn a powerhouse at her job as a leader in tech, she’s also crazy photogenic, up for anything and ready to show the world what style looks like. Enjoy the photos and a video to make you feel like you were there with us.

Oh! If you happen to notice another stunning woman, that’s Poplin client Laura. We’ll share her photos and video soon, too!