Are these ALL the same type of style expert?

Recently in ads I’ve been seeing companies like MM.LaFleur and Stitch Fix, Trunk Club, and department stores refer to their ‘personal stylists’ which can help you select clothing.

With a 0$ styling fee.

As an independent personal stylist working here in NYC since 2001 this trend really gets under my skin.

For a couple of reasons. Stylists that are employed by a big company bug me because:

1. They work on commission
2. I can assure you that these ‘personal stylists’ are merely sales women for each company. They won’t recommend other brands or that you buy less than you have picked out.
3. They have no idea what’s actually in your current closet. Beware of the statement, “you can never have enough pairs of black pants.” (This is NOT true as some women do NOT look good in black.. I am one of those women)
4. Good for you if you know your style and you just need a few pieces.
5. They are lacking in training in color and shape analysis.
6. They will not help you edit your closet or help you make outfits with existing items in your closet.
7. Can only show you outfits with their limited merchandise.
8. Merchandise may be subpar quality or a result of slave labor.
9. Are limited by the amount of time they spend with you.
10. Are not looking at the full picture of your style – hair, makeup, skin care, optics, ect.

So what is the difference between ‘personal stylists’ working for a company and someone like me who has been helping women transform their lives and style.

What’s different about me?

1. 18 years experience as an independent stylist and style expert, meaning my opinion is unbiased and not based on a commission.
2. Spend a lot of time getting to know each client so I can help her best and translate her ideas into a cohesive professional style.
3. Show my clients tips and tricks in the closet to stay organized.
4. Trained and certified in color and shape analysis which means I understand the science of what looks good on you and why.
5. I teach you about what is flattering for your body and coloring.
6. I keep track of and document what you already have in your closet so we only build upon clothing that you already own.
7. It’s in my best interest to save you money.
8. I will tell you when something isn’t for you.
9. We can shop together anywhere online or off and then created outfits with new and existing items.
10. Create a master plan of what’s missing and what you need.
11. Help in sticking to your new style plan.
12. Define a unique style which makes you an original.
13. Control over what companies you deicide to support.
14. Great for women who need total style transformations and who are only wearing less than 20% of their closet.
15. Helpful for women who are struggling to find clothing that looks good on them or have trouble verbalizing their style.
16. I can recommend and bring in other services and vendors to complete your style makeover.

So after seeing the differences have you figured out which route is right for you?

I specialize in top to bottom inside and out style makeovers that are permanent.

I have a 95% success rate because I’m selective about who I work with.

The post Are All Personal Stylists the Same? appeared first on Alexandra Stylist | Personal Wardrobe Stylist.

Alexandra during her university days in a better fitting blazer.

I’m in a store looking at a pink plaid suit with 3/4 length sleeves.

The sales girl is telling me that these 3/4 length sleeves are ALL the rage on the Paris runways and that everyone will be sporting them soon.

I think why not and purchase the skirt suit even though I have a niggly little feeling in the back of my gut saying…..”I don’t know about these sleeves”.

I was excited never the less.

And then I got the pink skirt suit home and tried to wear it out for an interview.

But every top I tried with it looked weird because of the sleeves and it just never looked right.

I think I wore the skirt a few times but then forgot about it.

When I gave it away a few years later during a big clean out, I thought to myself, ‘well that was a lesson learned about trends’.

I should have listened to my gut. Lesson learned: I should have avoided that trend.

It was around that time that dressing myself was very important and I was beginning to realize that what was good on one person may not be universally good on everyone. Just two years later I would get certified in color and shape analysis and was able to crack my own code to wearing clothing and accessories that suit me, specifically me.

Unlocking this world was huge and allowed me to stop feeling like such a dork or geek in the world.

NOTE: There are women who I have dressed in my styling work where a 3/4 sleeve is flattering, it’s just not every woman.

So my stance on fashion trends is you don’t have to wear them if they don’t flatter you.

The business of fashion where new styles come out at alarming speeds is hurting our environment and women and children working in terrible conditions.

But as a consumer you can do something.

What you can do:

• Look at trends from a ‘is this for me’ perspective
• Before you buy something you can ask yourself, ”is this my color and shape? Do I need it? Will I wear it? Will it work with other items in my closet?”
• Buy from companies who provide fair wages and safe working environments
• Buy less and higher quality clothing
• Buy second hand or vintage clothing
• Become a more conscious consumer and only buy only things that you will love and wear. (This applies to all purchases)
• Learn about your body and what styles and colors best suit it

A personal stylist such as myself can help you with this last one so that you wear 80%+ of your closet and not the average of 10%.

Want more information, apply for a style call with me here. 

The post Should you wear trends? appeared first on Alexandra Stylist | Personal Wardrobe Stylist.

(Side note I love how elevated theatre going has gotten with reservable recliners and food service almost at a restaurant level. 
Just having way less people in the theatre I find is super luxurious and relaxing. Almost like first class on a plane.)

Anywho, I ended up watching I, Tonya and found it to be funny, but also insightful. I remember being glued to the Olympic figure skating as a teenager and saw the whole fiasco play out. I watched them skate live and loved seeing all the beauty, poise, grace, and stylish costumes.

I remember thinking Nancy Kerrigan was like a skating Grace Kelly. She was so poised and calm.  I also remember not loving Tonya. She seemed less feminine and too athletic for my taste. I honestly didn’t like her or her look. She rubbed me the wrong way. I couldn’t put my finger on it at the time.

I followed up the movie about a week later by watching the ABC special which interviewed Tonya and I got more perspective on the matter. What struck me was both the movie and ABC emphasized how different Tonya was and her sheer talent as a powerful skater.

They kept bringing up the fact that she was the first female skater to land a Triple Axel and how rare that was. 

Both showed her as an outsider to the skating world and not liked by the judges.

At one point she wanted to know why she wasn’t getting the scores she believed she merited based on her skating. Finally a judged clued her in that appearance, presentation, and her lack of a happy family reflected in her overall scores. Basically IMAGE matters and she wasn’t counting on that. She was focused on just her talent.

The ABC special made it became clear that Nancy was from no better of a family, but had mastered the art of IMAGE and poise. She was raised in a blue collar family and in 2010 her father and brother were involved in a violent altercation and her brother went to jail.

Now with many years of style expertise and knowing what I do about the power and language of color, it’s clear that Nancy knew how to become one of America’s sweethearts while hiding her snotty attitude about not coming in first place.

Her costumes reflected and projected an angelic image.  White is a symbol of virginity and purity.

Nancy wore white, nude, black, red, bascially classic colors only. A couple times she wore a Vera Wang custom skating costumes. Aligning her image with purity. Whose master plan was this? Who is to know..

While Tonya tended to wear bright neon and bright cheap looking colors. Her costumes were often made by her and her style was more street, punk, or shocking to the eye. Fake low cleavage with mesh inserts. Hair big and high. Tacky and colorful eye shadow but frankly, a trend of the times.  Her embellishments were often overly sparkly.

The International Skating Union, which governs the sport, has ruled that skaters’ clothes cannot be “theatrical.”

If I had to use two words to describe Tonya’s style it would be: Cheap and tacky.

Tonya wanted to stand out and be in your face.

I don’t think Tonya ever thought about the visual message she might be sending to the world.

And so I see that this contributed to her demise. While Nancy’s style and image helped her rise. Was she without faults, no, but she was better at disguising them.

Tonya Harding vs Nancy Kerrigan which the press made out to be evil vs good in my opinion was just a battle of image, style, and popularity.

Nancy certainly mastered the art of winning over the public with her image and style. This allowed her to be the more successful athlete and be seen as the victim.  Despite the fact that she had a bad attitude about not getting first place in everything. She was not perfect.

How do I know that Nancy was a master of planning her outfits and messaging?

She wore the same white skating costume as the day she was clubbed to an the olympics practice session February 17, 1994 sending a very strong message to mess with Tonya’s head.

So how does this all relate to you, the real woman?

Understand that style can be your secret weapon and if you ignore it, you may lose.

If you’re up for a job promotion as partner, how much money you stand to earn if you get that job? 

A couple extra hundred thousand? A million more?

And isn’t it worth an investment in an upgraded look that helps you be the woman that gets the promotion?

Your return on investment could be 10, 20, or 100 fold. 

And you will feel different.

My clients often relay the experience is priceless.
Want to find out about your own priceless style upgrade experience?
Sign up for a style call with me here>> 

The post The hidden lesson from Tonya vs Nancy appeared first on Alexandra Stylist | Personal Wardrobe Stylist.

We’re both personal stylists so we have a lot to talk about.

And when we get together it’s pretty darn powerful.

So join us today as we share the inside scoop about all things subscription boxes. Yeah, I’m talking about companies like Stitch Fix and Le Tote.

Let’s start by defining the difference between subscription boxes and rental boxes. And then we will dish about each company.

Stitch Fix and Trunk Club have you answer a few questions and a ‘stylist’ ships you a box every month and you decide what you want to keep or send back. It’s a surprise what’s in the box every month.

There is a set subscription price and then you’re charged for whatever you keep.

Rental companies like Rocks Box, Le Tote, Rent the Runway, Armoire, Gwynnie Bee, Bag Borrow Steal, send you a few pieces at a time and then you wear them and then return them.

You get to decide what they send you. They charge you a set rent per month and if you choose to keep them instead of returning they will charge you for the item.

Tune in for the video and get the full scoop.

Companies discussed in the video:

Subscription boxes:

Stitch Fix
Trunk Club

Rental boxes:

Rocks Box
Le Tote
Rent the Runway
Armoire
Gwynnie Bee
Bag Borrow Steal

Am I missing any? Would love to hear from you what your experience has been with these kinds of companies

Xoxo
Alexandra

You can find Rachel and her latest book here.

Want a real stylist to style you in person? <<Sign up for your style assessment call here>>  (Not to worry the call is complimentary)

The post Subscription and style rental boxes..friend or foe? appeared first on Alexandra Stylist | Personal Wardrobe Stylist.

She worked hard and had a very full home life as a mother and wife.

But instead she went through periods of not shopping and then over shopping.

After having kids her body shape changed and she became so frustrated that she just stopped buying anything and wore the same black pants and black knits to work every day. Then one day she was invited to fill in to speak at a work summit which would be packed with all of the top leaders in her field.

She was absolutely excited and yet filled with fear at the same time.

What was she going to wear?

The event was coming up really soon.

She looked at her closet and realized that it was finally time to hire a stylist.

That’s when she found me. Together we solved her ‘problem’ of feeling like she only had one outfit to wear.

And now she is always prepared for any last minute invitations that may require something special style wise.

Last year I solved one of my multi-layered problems by joining a high level author mastermind group.

 I invested more in myself than I ever had, but a huge mindset shift occurred.

And then I tackled another one of my problems head on and invested in myself. 

Both investments paid off in so many ways.

And it has been a huge lesson to me in how much solving your problems affects your life in such a positive way.

I now feel more at peace and that I can take on any challenge.

How long do you wait to solve your problems?

With your wardrobe are you a planner or more spontaneous?

Do you wait to hit absolute bottom or do you nip things in the bud?

xoxo
Alexandra

If you are hitting your style rock bottom and find yourself with nothing to wear let’s chat. Together we can explore how I can help you solve your style problems.  Sign up for our call here.

The post DO YOU MAKE SOLVING THE PROBLEMS IN YOUR LIFE A PRIORITY? appeared first on Alexandra Stylist | Personal Wardrobe Stylist.

It was a boxy khaki Nehru jacket with skirt.

The skirt was boxy and long on me so I rolled the waist band to make it shorter and cuter. The jacket wasn’t flattering on my hourglass shape, but it had pockets which made it handy.

It was a uniform I was proud to wear because the Armani cafe was the hot spot for all the international kids in Boston for college.

And it was a major score to have that job.

The tips were good and my flirting skills came in handy.

My tips were so good I was able to sock good money away during my studies at Boston University.

My previous uniform experience had been negative. A sailor type uniform with a pinafore at my first private school in kindergarten was something I couldn’t wait to take off after school. I hated the whole uniform. It seemed dorky to me and did not at all reflect my personality.

I write to you, many years later in a uniform of organic sweats during a health retreat.

Part of me was looking forward to not needing to pack for being in this enclosed facility for two weeks. They provide sweats, sandals, organic toiletries, and most everything you would need.

As a stylist to not have to worry about what to wear sounded like another thing taken off my plate.

Giving me the opportunity to focus on health and healing.

I guess that’s what my previous school had wanted for us. To focus on my studies.

I’m curious to discover how I will feel after wearing the uniform for two weeks. Will I feel bored, penned in, and unable to express my creativity?

We’re not even supposed to wear jewelry here which feels even worse.

Makeup -nope-that one I don’t mind.

But jewelry I love wearing.

I wonder how will the other people know that I’m a stylist?

I realize that being identified as a stylist is important to me.

My whole identity and persona is wrapped around that fact.

Now I’m just a human with no super powers.

I definitely identify with being a chameleon with my style and don’t like being boxed in.

Stay tuned for how it all works out for me…

In my latest book Love What You Wear I talk about uniform dressing vs. chameleon dressing.

For some women, creating a uniform is soothing and helps them focus on work and their full lives. Blending in is comfortable to them.

And for other women they want to wear new looks all the time and express their individuality. Standing out is comfortable to them.

I’ve helped women do both.

Which one do you identify with?

If you’re looking for a partner in style to help you create your dream wardrobe schedule your style assessment call now.

The post UNIFORM DRESSING – FRIEND OR FORM OF TORTURE appeared first on Alexandra Stylist | Personal Wardrobe Stylist.

I’m sure no one else noticed, but it was clear to me that the top was not fitted to her correctly as the bust and the neckline was buckling a bit.

With some insider info I knew that she has a high-end stylist who sends her boxes of clothing every month and they Skype to talk about things.

I understand why that approach is perfect for the woman who is short on time, but in the end this style subscription model isn’t serving her at all.

Why?

Because they are skipping over the fitting part. The HUMAN part. The ART of styling part.

And there is no substitute for having the stylist face to face with the client in the outfits. There are so many details to notice that often aren’t conveyed well over Skype.

A well trained stylist or designer is going to see things in the garment and how it fits you in a much more precise way.

They are going to have your garments tailored so they fit you like a glove and make sure that they are comfortable to wear and will move with you.

Also anytime you have weight fluctuations, you need to make sure you try things on a day before to make sure it still fits you well.

Woven fabrics that have no stretch aren’t recommended when you know your weight goes up and down.

Yes, there are time saving factors that make these style subscription service’s and stylist’s appealing, but it’s much better to have a REAL stylist hand pick each piece based on your coloring, lifestyle, desired image, shape, and budget.

A good stylist will remember small details, like the fact that you hate polyester and you are allergic to wool.

Yes, working face to face and having fittings is more time consuming but it yields a better result. If you think celebrities just wear things off the rack and look fabulous in a second you are mistaken. Celebrities spend time in fittings where the garments are tailored to them so that they fit flawlessly. They spend hours in hair and makeup and the stylist spends hours selecting options for the client. Going the extra mile is what creates a style that is obviously worthy of awe.

So the next time you’re thinking you will cut corners and save time, I suggest doing it once and doing it right with a stylist in person.

And now you know a fabulous stylist who will pay attention to the small details so that you will look unstoppable.

Want to see if it’s a fit to work together? Sign up for a style assessment call here>>

The post Why Style Subscription Box ‘STYLISTS’ Could Hurt Your Style appeared first on Alexandra Stylist | Personal Wardrobe Stylist.

They put comfort above all else.

Yes they want to look elegant, chic, sophisticated, but most of all be comfortable.

While comfort seems like a simple enough request there are many different levels of comfort and I address all of them.

There is the first layer of comfort which is a physical feeling of comfortable.

Like is your skirt too tight?

Or is your dress itchy?

Or is the fabric soft and cozy?

The next layer is comfortable in the style you are wearing. 
Is it aligned with what you feel inside. For example, the boho dress might be pretty, but doesn’t feel like you.

And then there is the comfort layer pertaining to the world and how they perceive you.

Are you comfortable with the image that the world is seeing and perceiving of your image?

Are your colleagues respecting and hearing you? 

Are you making the impact on the world you want to?

For example you could show up to work comfortable in your Snuggie, but all of your co-workers are mortified.

And then the other layer is being comfortable in your own skin like when you are naked.

This one is an inside job.

I could find you the perfect dress that conveys the perfect message in the most perfect cut and color that feels comfortable to wear, but if you don’t feel confident to rock it, you are not going to shine.

And I want you to shine.

The question is, do you want to shine inside and out?

If you do why not explore us working together.

Sign up for your style assessment call here.

Can’t wait to help you get comfortable.

Xoxo
Alexandra

The post The 5 Layers of COMFORT How to be Comfortable and Chic appeared first on Alexandra Stylist | Personal Wardrobe Stylist.

This is a rare occasion and I was excited by the adventure.

Generally when I do shop for myself I know exactly what flatters my shape, coloring and features, so it’s a painless, easy and quick process.

This is a result of yes, being a stylist, but learning my own best colors and shapes when I went for stylist training.

I was in Carolina Herrera in the Copely Plaza poking around and found two stunning red dresses worth trying on. The added bonus was that they were on sale. Something which is nice, but I don’t let sway my decision. I make sure I ask myself if I could pay full price as a test.

So the sales girl said something while I was in the dressing room that ticked me off,

“The only rule I have is you have to show the dresses to me when you try them on”.

Like hell I do!
(My initial reaction in my head)

I chose to bite my tongue and stay silent.

Because I’m so honed in what is flattering and the exact image I want to show to the world, I’m really NOT interested in an outsiders perspective.

Especially a sales girl making a commission.

This sales girl doesn’t know me.

Doesn’t know if I even need this kind of dress.

Doesn’t know my lifestyle, my budget, or what I have at home.

In short she has no business giving an opinion.

If she where to really service she would ask questions to find out if it’s truly a good fit.

Bottom line.
I ended up sleeping on the decision and going back the next morning to get the dress.

When I want an opinion of an outfit or a dress I generally ask a friend or fellow stylist’s opinion. Or for fun I post something on facebook to my friends and followers who know me.

It’s fun to see who likes which dress but I don’t take other’s opinions as the last word.

I sit quietly with myself and go through my own gut.

My mental checklist:

• Is it in my budget?
• Will I wear it and love it ALOT?
• What sort of occasions will it work for?
• Is the color and shape amazing on me?
• Does it convey the right image?

How does it FEEL is the primary factor.

And when I feel love, confidence and desire to dance.

I say YES to the dress.

I know this is totally working for me because during that sweltering hot shopping day dressed in my red and white striped belted skirted shirt dress I heard  an unsolicited comment from a woman in Copley Square,

“You look COMFORTABLE!”

Often when my private clients start working with me they don’t have a strong style compass and often feel overwhelmed by shopping and trying on new garments.

Step by step through the process one of the key principals they learn is to listen to the inner style voices within.

I am a trusted advisor and mentor in the process because I don’t make more money based on what you spend. I don’t work on commission and instead charge flat fees for the style makeover experience.

If you are ready to feel amazing in your clothing sign up for a style assessment call today.

The post Be Careful Who You Take Advice From appeared first on Alexandra Stylist | Personal Wardrobe Stylist.

She hates shopping so much that when she needed outfits she would go shopping with her sister and her sister would tell her what to buy.

When she needed a bra, her sister would tell her which one to buy.

She was now reaching out me (a professional) because she had shopped, but was still only wearing 10% of her closet.

She felt that she was stuck in her yoga pants and envied other Mom’s who were able to pull of casual looks without sweat pants.

She wanted her basics to be better.

She thought she just needed her closet edited, organized and do a little bit of shopping.

She was feeling overwhelmed with her life and the idea of doing a whole ‘process’ sounded stressful to her.

On the surface she is totally right. But her issue is much deeper.

The root of her issue is that she never defined her own style clearly and was borrowing other’s style.

And she also didn’t know the full spectrum of what looked good on her.

Sure, she knew that halter tops looked good, but she didn’t know what colors suited her natural beauty or which pants styles were best.

What length her skirts and dresses should be.

What fabrics would best suit her shape.

How she can create an hourglass shape without having one.

The multiple necklines which work for her.

What shapes of dresses will make her look amazing.

She needs my Style Prescription. Which everyone I work with does.

It’s like a recipe for success.

I can see this clearly.

Can she? I can explain it but can she hear it?

Is she ready to solve her problem?

And is it a priority?

Side effects from my signature process include:

• Showered with compliments from strangers and love ones
•  Easy and fun to get dressed in the morning
•  Fully prepared style wise for any sort of occasion that may arise
•  Wearing everything in your closet
•  Extra boost of confidence
•  Close bigger deals
•  Attract higher end clients
•  Look amazing on your zoom conferences
•  No need to panic when you get that media appearance

Would you like to see if we are a good fit to work together?
Schedule your own style assessment call now.

Xoxo
alexandra

The post Are you wearing another person’s style? appeared first on Alexandra Stylist | Personal Wardrobe Stylist.