My friends and family think it’s HILARIOUS that I get to go shopping for a living. With other people’s money. It’s like getting my retail fix without melting the plastic.
Well, last week they were laughing even harder. Not only did I get to go shopping for a living. I got to take a friend – blogger Bronwyn from Maid in Australia - and we were BOTH styled by a Westfield Chermside stylist. Oh, and we both had $500 Westfield Gift Card to spend.
Yes, I had to pinch myself. And pick my jaw up off the floor after meeting our stylist, the drop-dead-gorgeous Christie Nicholaides. I then clocked her Easton Pearson dress (I. Die) and quickly picked my whole body up off the floor to set her two very different challenges.
Together we had one hour with Christie. Yup, 30 minutes each for her to work her magic, whipping up a new look based on spring-summer 11-12′s hottest trends.
Westfield’s Style Guide has narrowed these trends down to include: Colour Pop, Minimal White, Floral and Ladylike.
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Style mission no.1
Bronwyn was searching for a head-to-toe outfit that would be versatile for her day-to-day work and family lifestyle, as well as a planned visit in October to Melbourne for a blogging conference. Check out the video below for she got started.
In the change room at Sussan, Christie worked her magic, summing up Bronwyn as a hybrid hourglass and rectangle shape and quickly gathering pieces and accessories from the Tribal trend for Bron to layer on and enhance that shape. The combination of tribal print maxi, black tank, stone vest and necklaces worked to elogonate Bron’s shape. Nude wedges from Joanne Mercer and pops of turquoise in a necklace and ring from Adorne completed the picture.
What Bron thought: I loved that there was no pressure to buy the outfits that were suggested to me. They were suggestions, just that, and I was able to leave things on hold, go away, and come back and buy when and if I decided they were right for me. Having initially been a sceptic about personal shoppers, I would totally recommend the service now, and I would go back myself. And next time, I may be brave enough to try colour blocking!
Budget: $100 under!
Christie’s key styling tips for Bron
1. Always choose a scoop or v neckline
2. Show off the waist by choosing garments that skim the body and cinch in under the bust.
3. Choose a 3/4 sleeve to bring focus to small wrists and hands.
4. Choose straight or a-line skirts.
5. Add two long necklaces to elongate the neck.
6. A pair of neutral wedges give height as well as wearability.
7. Change the tribal look by adding a flash of colour – red or turquoise. Or a white jacket.
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Style mission no. 2
I was keen to embrace the Minimal White trend, or specifically find a white blazer that would become my hero piece for the season. For me it was about finding a couple of key pieces that would update and bring a new-season lift to my wardrobe. Watch the video to see how it unfolded.
Christie took me to Country Road after quickly checking out a white blazer at Veronika Maine (too formal). I’d seen the ivory Country Road jacket online but hadn’t tried it on. And the orange dress was a huge surprise. Feminine and flattering. I’m planning to add key bright accessories and nude shoes for a Melbourne Cup outfit. Love how my tuckshop arms are nicely covered, thank-you very much. The jacket will be on high rotation this season. Over maxis and dresses, as well as with jeans. And yes, I’ll get paranoid about washing my hands and taking it off to eat but it will be SO worth it.
What I thought: I tell you, it was SO lovely to be on the receiving end of some styling advice. And seriously, Christie was just the most gorgeous person to do it. She worked in a very limited time and absolutely nailed it. Once I planted the seed of the white blazer she knew exactly the stores where we would need to look and she confirmed to me that more should be spent on a purchase like this. I’m not worried, on a cost-per-wear basis it will have paid for itself by the end of summer.
Budget: Oops … $29 over
Christie’s key styling tips for me
1. Spend more when investing in something like a white blazer so that the cut, shape and sleeve length is perfect for you (push sleeves up to create most flattering length).
2. Treat white like you would black in winter, working back with everything as your neutral.
3. Keep on choosing classic, beautiful pieces, which you can update with statement accessories.
4. Use white as a way to link to the colourbomb trend without colourbombing from head to toe.
5. With these two pieces, change the look of them each time by adding in a yellow belt, hot pink bag, turquoise ring … anything that pops the colour.
6. Wear different tones of white together, for example a crisp white shirt under the ivory jacket. It works!
7. Wear the jacket with navy pants, a red and white striped top and layers of pearls for a new take on the nautical look.
For more information about Westfield’s fashion services, visit here. There are even free 20-minute Style Lounge sessions at selected Westfield centres all around Australia. Check here for details.
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THIS COMPETITION HAS NOW CLOSED
WIN
Have you ever had a personal styling session? How do you think it would help you get ready for the season ahead?
Well have I got a treat for one lucky Styling You reader. Thanks to Westfield, I’m giving away a one-hour styling session with a Westfield stylist PLUS a $1000 Westfield gift card to spend at your session. Uh-huh. Amazing.
Entering is super easy. Just leave a comment below telling me what’s your favourite trend for spring and why it would best work in your life? Australian entries only, sorry. And you need to be able to get yourself to the nominated Westfield nearest you. The winner will be selected based on creativity and originality, notified via email and name posted here. Competition opens 7am Tuesday, September 13 and closes 5pm Friday, September 23. For full terms and conditions, please click here.
