With 20 days left till Christmas you might start feeling the crunch to find a perfect gift. Mabelle Style does offer Gift Certificates for the holiday season. How would you know if someone special in your life would want to be gifted a personal stylist? Here is a few common statements current clients have mentioned before hiring a stylists. If you have heard some of the below points then you might be on the right track for a perfect gift idea.
I have nothing to wear (says this every morning!)
I hate to go shopping.
Nothing fits!
I have a closet full of clothes but no outfits.
I don’t have time to go shopping and don’t want to deal with all the sales people in the stores.
Services offered for gift cards have been listed below. Email for more details mabellestyleconsultant@gmail.com
Do you get overwhelmed when you head into the stores to look for holiday gifts? Since I spend the majority of my time in the malls and shopping for the latest fashion styles I thought I should share some of the most common items loved by my clients (falling under a reasonable price point.) Click the images to shop away!
This first option, created in partnership with Jillian Harris continues to be a favorite with women, The Melanie Auld (local designer) Adorned Necklace. You can choose any letter in either sterling silver, gold vermeil, 14k gold and add on pave diamonds!
The second gift giving option is the perfect black jean. Who doesn’t love a jean that feels like a legging, but is actually a jean! This Citizen of Humanity Style Rocket comes in mid rise or high rise and you want the colour plush black. They can be found at Nordstroms, The Bay or Aritzia. The ‘plush’ is what makes them so soft with lots of stretch!
The third option, cashmere at the right price! I find cashmere can be overpriced at times, I finally found a perfect fit cashmere sweater at Nordstroms under their house line Halogen for $118. The fit is a bit looser but not to lose and they offer a ton of fabulous colour options and most importantly its sooo soft. <link not available need to shop in your local Nordstrom>
Most clients of mine end up with at least a couple of options from the Vancouver based brand Aritzia. It doesn’t matter the age or size, they always seem to have something. Could be a basic knit or a full workwear wardrobe. You can’t go wrong with a gift certificate to this store but if you really want to pick-up an item vs giving a gift card I would suggest the Botanie Puffer in short or long. It’s a flat puffer so it doesn’t feel overly thick but it keeps you warm with it’s goose down. They come in a bunch of colour options!
Knowing a shoe is going to be comfortable, especially when giving it as a gift can be tricky. I have yet to hear anything but positive feedback on how comfortable these Vince sneakers are from clients. They have a classic style that can be paired with casual looks or dress them up with a fun dress or even a blazer! They come in neutral colours perfect for year round.
Wallet on a chain can be a great option for use from day to evening. It will be a smaller size handbag with a crossbody strap and have all the wallet inserts so you don’t need to carry both a handbag and a wallet in one. I’ve linked a style from Coach, it will be quality leather! They have many different styles and price ranges as well.
Lastly, if you’re looking for a splurge item for the holidays Louis Vuitton seems to be the one! Whenever I have a client wanting to make a splurge or get that first designer piece they usually ask for the Neverful handbag. I’m not sure if it’s the heritage (being a staple bag for years!) or what exactly it is but this bag has definitely been a fan favorite. I recommend the MM size (middle size) for everyday use.
It’s that ‘special season’ time of year again! Whether a holiday office party, a big Christmas dinner or a glamorous New Years Eve event, it’s time to begin the search … look through your wardrobe or trek through the stores to find that perfect look. I personally have styled two holiday looks using my favorite satin pant from Aritzia. It is not necessary to wear your best dress to feel holiday ready!
Tip 1 – Save time on finding that perfect item – reach out to a locat personal stylist to do the hunting for you! For a few tips and some of my personal fave holiday looks of the season, see below.
Tip 2 – Review and take a closer look at your own wardrobe. I have noticed during my wardrobe consults that a number of clients have one or ten dresses (or special pieces) that have only been worn once. They feel uncomfortable wearing it a second time because they tend to be with some of the same people at different gatherings. My recommendations for this dilema are two things; first, consider accessorizing by giving each outfit a new look. This could be achieved by adding a belt or velvet blazer, head piece or jewelry. The second option is to take the dresses to consignment and then use those earnings towards a store credit within the same store and find a vintage piece or put the extra $ towards something new.
Tip 3 – Search online for special brands and styles that you prefer before you start the hunt. This will save you time and costly mistakes as you can narrow down your shopping by going to the specific stores that have that item or a favorite brand you love. Remember, you don’t have to spend a lot of money. There are stores like H&M and Aritzia that carry several great options that are cost efficient and can easily be styled to wear on future occasions after the holidays.
Tip 4 – The number one option is to accessorize! There are times you can find a low price item or a simple style which you love, but need to spice it up for the holidays. Search for that perfect accessory. Could be a headband, statement earrings, necklace, clutch, fabulous shoes etc. So many options in the accessory area when you keep it simple!!
A large amount of online shoppers have been very satisfied with Mabelle Style services, but there are others who may wonder how it would work to have their own personal stylist for online shopping! Do you find yourself searching and searching online for the right pieces and latest trends to order? Do you dislike heading off to a mall in search of new items, but still don’t know where to start when looking online? Then it is time to consider having your own personal stylist for online shopping.
With this type of service… working with a personal stylist for online shopping will save you hours of time and costly mistakes. The stylist will create a profile and shopping list with you beforehand, and then I (the stylist) would begin searching your requests… different sites, different brands where there are so many options that fall into your shopping list & budget!
What would you receive from Mabelle Style? A moodboard with images (for a visual idea) and links to more than enough options for you to just do a quick click – all on your own time. You get to make the official decision on your orders and click the purchase button. If an item or two happen to not be the perfect fit all you have to do is slap on the return label and send it right back (still avoiding the malls.)
If you like the idea of having your own personal stylist for online, another quick note about how this service can be beneficial is if you’re needing gift ideas. Not sure what to purchase for upcoming holidays? (which are just around the corner) Have your personal stylist search and source gift ideas and then send you a simple easy-to-understand mood board with links to lots of options. You will then be able to click and view numerous links and make the final decision on that perfect gift!
Mabelle Style is known for its flexibility. This service follows the motto: Age is just a number, size is just a number, personal stylists work with everyone.
There is a need for everyone, at some time or other, to look put-together, polished and have a little style in your outfits. A great stylist will find the perfect pieces, fit and age appropriate items for each individual, no matter the age.
I recently styled a client who falls into the 65+ category… from the baby boomer generation, fitting into the definition of ‘retired senior’. I asked if she would let me style her in a couple of outfits to share, so you could see a visual on what a ‘senior’ looks like when working with a local personal shopper. Brands range from Aritzia to H&M, stores that several 65+ believe are too youthful and are past-the-age of checking them out. But, that is not the case! It’s about the search, discovering the right items with-in the brands & stores.
First Look: Can’t go wrong with a blazer. This cream double breasted corduroy blazer was $60 from H&M layered with a cream turtleneck from Dynamite. Jeans from Nordstrom (Mother brand) and boots we recycled from the closet, from Browns circa 2010.
Second Look: Fun plaid pants on trend this fall from Aritzia with a mustard yellow knit top. Who doesn’t love an oxford lace-up which we discovered at Aldo and I happened to fall upon the perfect mustard yellow shades to wear on a sunny day.
Casual wear, age appropriate, comfort fit… it’s a great look for any senior wanting a little trend in their wardrobe. Mabelle Style can do this for all ages.
Yes! Mabelle Style does a personal shop for men. The client ratio currently is approximately 40% male. I am aware that a lot of my blog posts happen to be geared to women’s fashion & outfit posts. I want to make sure that I include a mens blog whenever I can .
Last week I wrapped up three mens shops & two had lookbooks created for Fall; I’ll share some photos below. Each one had very different styles. The first shop being geared toward business casual/professional, wanted a more polished & conservative look sticking to a sports coat & denim with a focus on the colours navy, charcoal, a burgundy. I did add a pop of print with a fun but stylish pocket square for the sports coat.
The second shop client looked for an eclectic style with fun prints and colours, as he says “I like my clothes to be a conversation piece.” I went with the theme of burnt red for fall, tying the colour together with a fun floral print blazer from Etro & a floral shirt. Perfect looks for fall and great pieces to add to his ever evolving, captivating wardrobe. (We have shopped together for a very long time!)
For my third client, who flew into Vancouver from Victoria, BC knew exactly what he needed. He was in need of 3 suits for work and one sports coat for casual Fridays. Since he wears a suit daily, we wanted to make sure we found lasting brands, going with Canali & Armani. This client is a perfect example of showing why a personal shopper can be so important for a busy business professional. Because I select the merchandise ahead of time, he saves himself a great deal of time, as we took only one-and-a-half hours for fitting, tailoring and finalizing our 4 selections. He also saved money by making sure he got the perfect fits and correct purchases on a one-stop-shop while avoiding any wrong/bad purchases. Costly mistakes are nothing more than poor decisions – look sharp, use a professional!
Do you have a summer dress you just love and aren’t ready to put it at the back of your closet quite yet? (Even with the wind and rain that literally arrived the first day of September!)
Mabelle Style recommends a lot of summer dresses (not all!) that would be great transitional pieces for September / October. When I say ‘not all’ dresses, what I mean is don’t wear a dress full of spring & summer colours / prints. Try to stick to dresses that have neutrals, camels, blacks, grays, pinks, browns, reds … think fall colours.
What do you need to take summer dresses into fall, successfully? Transitional coats are a must when I personal shop for clients. These are what make so many outfits work season to season. Layering a leather jacket, bomber style coat or blazer over a dress with an appropriate scarf, if need be, does the trick. Take a closer look through your existing fall outer apparel and enhance something you love into the next season. This will give you a few more weeks to wear that favorite dress from your spring / summer collection.
How to complete this look? It’s always in the shoes… for the fall/autumn season, the perfect addition would be to go for the ankle booties or cool sneakers. Check out my personal style below… I fell in love with this smock Ganni dress for day & night this summer. To carry it into fall I wanted to give it some edge by wearing my moto leather jacket and some cool boots … I also felt this gave the dress an entirely different look from a feminine girly-vibe to edgy.
Why is it so important to have a shopping list when shopping for apparel?
Mabelle Style believes that you can avoid impulse buys, overspending, bad purchases and it can be a time saver when shopping in the stores…. if you prepare a detailed shopping list beforehand.
Before I shop with my clients, new or regular, we work together to come up with a shopping list for each season beforehand. As an option, I suggest a budget to the list for overall total and /or per item. No shopping list is one and the same, as everybody’s needs are different. Recently, I did a poll on Insta stories asking who would like to see my personal shopping list for fall? I got an overwhelming response of YES! Keep in mind the list I prepared below is based off someone (me!) who shops a lot and enjoys it. (opposite of most my clients) which means I don’t need many basics or a large number of items, mainly a few refreshers and trendy pieces.
Footwear ~ My favorite area is shoes, which can be problematic as it’s the one section of my wardrobe I have too many. This season, my list consists of knee high boots to wear with both midi skirts/dresses and over a pair of denim. The style shown below is my fave (Tamara Mellon) but they have been sold out for some time now. Hopefully, they restock soon!
Secondly, an update for my Vans, now having a platform sole. Only $85 and they will look great with any outfit.
The third choice is a pair of Golden Goose sneakers, they have a good selection of different prints and patterns, I should wait till next spring for this style and I’ll definitely wait till a good sale but they are on the list!
Outerwear ~ I have a few coats but I don’t have a robe coat like the one on the right from Zara. I’ve added that to the list as I am fond of the winter white and I have nothing like it in my current wardrobe.
The second coat on my list is this specific trench on the left from Mango. This colour is a love for me and would coordinate with my boots that match perfectly.
Sweaters ~ My shopping list for each season should be focused on tops as I find that’s the biggest opportunity to update in my wardrobe. I don’t have a lot of options. I have 3 sweaters on my list; one a poncho style like the left image from Anthropologie and a couple of options that match the fall coats with creams and brown tones. Also, fair isle sweaters, like the one on the right, is a very big trend this season. Another big trend that I have selected is a Neon Pink sweater, this colour is everywhere right now! I won’t forget to add my staple black & cream turtlenecks to the list (that is a basic refresher I pick up every fall.)
Dresses ~ I personally do not wear a lot of dresses, but the look of a dress with the knee high boot is both classic and fashionable. I have two dresses on my shopping list, one is a casual sweater style. Comfortable, approachable and able to wear for any occasion. The second option is a holiday dress. One of my favorite brands for an event or holiday dress is A.L.C. I love the colour blocking on this one and the turtleneck. This look is very true to my personal style.
Denim ~ I don’t need any denim so this would be something at the very bottom of my priority list for shopping but each season I do look for a sale on a couple of favorites to add to the shopping list. The styles shown are from Mother Denim a brand that currently seems to be the best fit for my body type.
Handbags & Belts ~ I don’t have a black tote, this item is always on my list season to season I just haven’t found the one. Celine Cabas…. maybe one day i’ll find it at a consignment store (fingers crossed!). I have added a crossbody to the list in colour cognac to tie in with the creams and camels I’m wearing for this fall.
Lastly, I have one black waist belt on the list as I have not shopped for a waist belt in years. This is a must accessory for update and style this upcoming season!
I am far from ever being a Mommy Blogger. As my knowledge and strength has always been in Fashion, that’s what I stick to, with blogging, social media and most importantly, my work. With that being said, while this is a mom blog, it is focused on talking about styling your body after baby!
Over the years I have received numerous inquiries from women needing a personal shop for a new wardrobe as their body had changed since having a baby. This is something I can relate to since having a baby two years ago. Not every mom is going to have the same challenges in styling. You may have become smaller after baby, stayed the same size but different shape, or have become curvier. It doesn’t matter what has changed, my goal is to make you feel great and comfortable which means finding that perfect fit for your body type.
Talking from personal experience, I was the same size but nothing fit the same! All my pants were too low and uncomfortable against my stomach. My back felt wider (how on earth did that happen?) and well lets be real, does anyone have the same upper body after babies? Here are some style tips that worked for me and my problem areas …
First off, I had to buy a lot of new pants … they don’t call them Mom jeans for nothing! It doesn’t matter how hard I work out, it seems the shape of the tummy will never be the same. The higher the waist the better, in both jeans and dress pants. Thankfully, they are easy to find and feel soooo good on. Tip – Aritzia has amazing dress pant options with an elastic hidden in the back, even better than a high waist. Comfortable, cool & flattering!
I also found that tops had become too fitted or body hugging and I did not feel comfortable wearing them. When shopping I looked for tailored at the waist-line. Tip – blazers layered with any style of shirt can give you a tailored waist, and a dress-up a look. Loose fitted shirts work well, but keep in mind this style should be half-tucked or full-tucked into the front of your high waisted pant so you don’t lose your waistline and end up looking bigger than you actually are.
With dresses, it’s either find your waist with a wrap or a belted look or go for the loose fitting tunic. Tip – The loose fitting tunic with no belt needs some leg or heel showing to keep the style slim and streamlined.
Lastly, the accessory that has saved me is the belt. I’m talking all sorts of styles for belts. With a high waisted pant, cinched at the waist of a dress, shirt or blazer, a belt is a must or any wardrobe!
Overall the key to styling is to find your waist again and make sure your showing it! If that’s not an option or you don’t feel comfortable with that look, then I recommend lots of tunics, flowy blouses that sit just below the waist line. Tip – Flowy tops need a skinny pant to complete the look. Why? the look can make a body look bigger than it actually is, but if you have a bottom that is skinny-pant, it will elongate your legs and show slim features (like ankles) – Nude heels can do this too:)
I would like to say that the band tee (a t-shirt representing a band … usually from the 70’s) is a trend right now but I think this look has become a staple in many wardrobes. It’s an easy way to take a casual outfit and make it cool. You could style the simple T with jeans, skirts or even take the look to the office by adding a blazer (see below outfit.) I will say, be mindful of prices when shopping for this item as they can run from as low as $15 to as high as $100! Best places to shop for this look? Women’s options, Urban Outfitters, H&M & Anthropologie and for Men Lucky Brand and John Varvatos.
