In Person Styling: Jen

In Person Styling: Jen

I'm really, REALLY excited to show off my new friend (met her through Hannah, so you know she's good people!) Jen. She and I talked about having a day in her closet months ago, and Jen was so patient with Hannah and me as we cancelled on her again and again.

Last week, we finally got together to play dress up, putting together outfits for Jen to wear to work, for play, and on stage, too!  I'm going to let the pictures do the talking because I think you'll see just how gorgeous she is-and how that beauty radiates to the outside, too!

Thanks to Hannah for snapping most of these pictures and for pampering Jen with some hair and makeup!

In Her Words

Here's what Jen had to say:

 

StartCloseIn: What were you hoping to get out of our time together?

I needed help with my style, focusing it and naming it.  And calling in the experts (you and Hannah) was a dream come true.  I had ideas of what I might do or who I wanted to emulate but couldn’t quite put my signature on it.  I was also looking for an outside perspective on what to keep and what to donate (pieces that weren’t working at all – no more hiding underneath shapeless sweaters).

What was the experience like for you?

Fantastic and exhausting.  I can’t remember a time I changed clothes so many times in such a short period.  There were only a couple of outfits that you put together that were similar to what I already wore, but the majority of the time you kept coming up with combinations that blew my mind.  And when I showed you the “Promise” closet of dresses and coats that I hoped to one day wear again (or for the first time), you were like, “Try it on, let’s see” and stuff actually fit.  Having tangible proof that the diet and exercise changes I’d been making were working was incredible.  And inspires me to keep up the hard work and see what else I can pull out of that Closet.

Has anything changed for/in you since our time together?

I ordered a black bomber/biker jacket to mix in with my outfits (and a white one!), since I couldn’t keep Ms. Hannah’s J.  And I had fun trying on different accessories while I was out shopping with my aunt last week, keeping an eye out for longer necklaces that I can layer with ones I have at home.  I also grabbed two new fashion scarves to work in.  Even though I have to wear a lanyard at work for identity purposes, doesn’t mean I can’t layer up on the necklaces and / or scarves too.  I realized I have a pretty awesome collection at home that wasn’t getting enough limelight.  I’m still on the lookout for striped shirts and more of the fun/quirky T-shirts.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

I had a rough couple of days at work after our consult and having the outfits ready to go in my closet was such a relief.  And, I felt my confidence level rise with each piece I put on, almost as if I was putting on a suit of armor.  I could take on that day’s trouble because I looked GOOD.  That piece of mind was my calm in the storm last week.  I knew we’d have a great time and we did.  Also, the “Look at that hourglass”, “What time is it? / Time is Up!” comments were hilarious and encouraging.  Notes I distinctly remember:

o   Show off your wrists – roll up your sleeves

o   Show off your ankles – roll up your skinny jeans

o   Lengthen your leg line by rolling long pants under or have them tailored; don’t cuff them on the outside

o   Think of it as combining at least three pieces to create the “Look”

o   If an item has conditions (e.g. these cutes shoes are fun for about 15 minutes), get rid of it and invest in something that you can wear with no limitations

Thank you so much for sharing all of this, Jen! I had such a good time, and I can't wait to see your new bomber jacket and celebrate that "What time is it?!" hourglass figure! Xo.