I'm Petite. When Should I Buy Petite Clothing and When Should I Buy Standard Sizes and Have Pieces Tailored?

As 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!

The 31 Best Boho Pieces at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2023

As 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.

How to Shop for the Best 46 #EdgyPieces at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2023

Few 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.

My 27 Favorite Minimalist Pieces from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2023

As 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.

Discover How to Communicate Your Classic Style with 75 Essential Pieces from the 2023 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

As 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.

The 30 Best Pieces to Communicate Your Effortless Style from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2023

As 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!

My Fashion Inspirations and More Secret Stuff in the Poplin Interview in WomanCake Magazine

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?

Fashionable Sun Protective Clothing for Under $100

Summer 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.

Not Loving Your Neck? Here's What to Do.

As 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.

What is Adaptive Clothing and Where Can I Buy Cool Adaptive Clothing?

As 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.

A Deep Dive into Vulnerability, Courage and Making New Memories

As 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.

Love Your Body in a Swimsuit

As a personal stylist for women, I have the opportunity to connect with women about body confidence and style. How do you choose pieces when your weight is up… or down? How do you embrace your personal style when you get dressed for work, especially when the appropriate clothes for the environment seem so unappealing? What do you buy when everything feels disappointing, uninspiring or overwhelming?

Yes, loving your body at every size and every age is the goal. And yes, sometimes that can feel very difficult, if not impossible. When pieces aren’t flattering or when we feel uninspired, it’s easy to blame our bodies. But, our bodies aren’t the problem. It’s the clothes.

Don’t change your body, change your clothes.

Entire companies exist simply to provide clothing for our bodies and when those pieces aren’t size inclusive or when they don’t flatter our frames, it can feel like we are the issue, like we need to make some changes. It’s time to reframe the way you view clothing. If you feel like your body is the problem, it’s time to upgrade your wardrobe to flatter your frame and celebrate all of you.

Understanding how to dress your body type is the solution and we can help with that.

For today, let’s start with finding you the ideal swimsuit for your frame. Feeling good about how you look in a swimsuit is a game changer for your vacation and for your life. Let’s do this.

Get Out of a Style Rut: 25 White Shoes to Step Into Spring

As 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!

Poplin's Once-in-a-Decade Flash Sale

As 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.

Stripes: The Ultimate Spring Trend on 25 Essential Pieces

As a personal stylist for women, I’ve seen a lot of stripes. There’s something comforting about the perfect striped Breton tee that is really the symbol of spring. But this print can go well beyond your horizontal striped shirt. This season we’re seeing an array of pieces- some familiar, some groundbreaking, all just right for warmer weather. If you’re looking for some inspiration, we’ve got you covered.

AAPI Brands You Need to Know Now

As 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.

Featured Client: Bridget

As a personal stylist for women, sharing client stories with the entire Poplin community is one of my very favorite things to do. Personal styling is an intimate business and I have been extraordinarily fortunate to work with hundreds of truly inspiring, kind, brave women who are beautiful on the inside and out. They say that things will happen when you need them to and Bridget was the perfect client for me at exactly the right time. A Creative who exudes generosity and strength, Bridget lives with intention soaking up every day. She went all in with the Amplified 360 Package. It includes the traditional services: Closet Edit, Uber Wishlist, Tailoring, Virtual Styling and Outfit Creation PLUS an Intimates Wishlist and a Photo Shoot. This is my attempt at making you feel like you were with us along the way. If you find half as much joy as I did, it will be a success.

BRAND NEW SERVICE: Take Your Outfits to the Next Level

As a personal stylist for women everywhere, I hear a lot of women’s struggles with creating outfits. When Poplin opened our virtual doors a decade ago, one very popular component of the secret sauce was the outfits. After editing, shopping and tailoring, it's time for outfit creation. We create photos using her new and existing pieces (clothing, jewelry, accessories, shoes and coats). Every item in a photo works with everything else, giving her the power to make multiple outfits with one photo. Then, the collection of outfit photos are uploaded to her very own password protected webpage, so she choosing what to wear each day is stress free. This approach has been wildly popular over the years with various clients ordering more outfit photos after a few years of buying their own pieces. There were two downsides to this service. 1. Women outside of the Seattle area did not have access to the outfit photos and 2. We prioritized the number of outfits over the aesthetics, with some images more attractive than others.

Everything has changed.

Mellicia MarxMarch 3, 2023Comment

Join Poplin at the YouthCare Luncheon and Work to End Youth Homelessness

As a personal stylist for women based in Seattle, giving back has been a part of my ethos since, well, forever. With a lifetime of volunteerism, a past career in philanthropy and a strong connection to the community, working to be a part of the solution has always been very important to me. Each of us has the power to make change and even what seem like small efforts add up over time.

As many of you know, Poplin started in 2013 and our partnership with YouthCare started within a few months. Over seven years we held styling workshops for youth experiencing homelessness. These folks were in a job training program in partnership between YouthCare and FareStart in which they learned valuable customer service skills and job training. As a crucial component of this program, each young person also received emotional and practical support as they worked to obtain housing and long term paid employment.

It’s easy to forget the impact that having a safety net can have on someone and the advantages that come from a sense of security and someone taking the time to share with you all the little things you need to know to become a successful member of society. In the clothing realm, that could mean taking you for your first bra, buying you school clothes or teaching you how to tie a necktie. Support also means helping you gain self confidence, learning how to open a bank account or helping you navigate the school system. Most unhoused young people have missed out on all of this and more.

20-40% of homeless youth experience sexual abuse, compared to 1-3% of the general youth population. 60% of houseless youth have experienced physical abuse at home before ending up on the streets. Up to 40% are LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, or Questioning).

Those styling sessions gave me the opportunity to style Trans youth. For many of them, I was the first person they had ever spoken with about the possibility of wearing clothes that were not stereotypically associated with their gender at birth. We talked about how their body shapes would change with hormones and how to dress those changing figures. I measured them for bras and taught them about undergarments, sizing and how to embrace your unique personal style. Thanks to these generous young folks, Poplin evolved into working with Trans clients, which has been life changing for me.

In those early days, my husband volunteered with me. We piled donated clothes, accessories and shoes on top of a table in a conference room. He often taught a handful of youth how to tie a necktie while looking at their reflections in an office window. Back then, we didn’t have mirrors or the incredible “basement boutique” that exists today. Youth changed in the bathrooms and did their reveals in the midst of the hardworking YouthCare staff. At the end of one session during our sharing time, one of the young people thanked him for taking the time and said that no one had ever shown him how to tie a tie before. It clearly meant a lot to him and to both of us.

Homelessness is a devastating problem that can feel completely overwhelming and unsolvable. Over the years, it feels like it just gets worse. And, it’s very difficult to engage with it when we see folks struggling on a very high percentage of our streets. But, without commitment and resilience, we will certainly lose out on a society where everyone has not only shelter, but a home.

YouthCare works with young people ages 12-24. Yup, 12-24 living on the streets in our city. Many of them may not be able to work because they don’t have an ID, something you need a birth certificate to get. They may not choose to go to a shelter for fear of abuse or because they need to be separated from their partner or friends because of gender. How many young people do you know who want to be separated from friends, especially when friends are their only support system?

YouthCare recognizes the complexity of empowering unhoused youth and is up for the challenge. This is why we host a Poplin table at the YouthCare Luncheon and why I’d love for you to join us there. It’s an incredible place to learn more about the problems and more importantly the solutions associated with youth homelessness. It’s a place to hear from young people who have persevered and show us all that if we continue the work, we can make a difference, one young person at a time. (If you are interested, you can also see What I learned from Styling Homeless Youth so many years ago.")

Finally! Pinterest Decoded

As 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.