Putting an End to Style Victims, One Woman at a Time

This, is why I love being an Image Consultant! 

Being able to help women feel confident about their personal style, is beyond rewarding. Wendy and I talked by Skype last month.

Wendy-

Two years ago, I left my corporate job to pursue a long-held dream of creative writing. I wasn’t sad to leave the world of navy suits and heels behind. But I didn’t expect the style crisis I would experience, without my work uniform.

Since then, I’ve “tried on” many styles. I’ve struggled to find what felt right for me, and my 50+ year-old-body. I tried colours, sparkles,  preppy, boho and funky.

I took just about every piece of fashion advice, from style bloggers who seemed to know “just what I ought to wear”.  (which seemed to be what they liked to wear).

After two years, I knew one thing and one thing only. Building a chic wardrobe for my “work at home life”, was a unicorn. It didn’t exist. And yet, I still dreamed of simplicity, comfort and elegance. I wanted to exude the same confidence in my new realm that I’d exuded in my old realm. But where to begin?

And then – Jennifer.

I’m not going to lie; I had my doubts. After all, I’d had more than a couple of people “help” me define my style over the years. Most were completely uninterested in helping me unearth the “real” me. They seemed incapable of helping me articulate why I wore some things from my closet, all the time. But avoided the rest, despite them being expensive, pretty things that fit well.

Enter Jennifer.

From our pre-Skype, questionnaire, to the two plus hours she spent talking with me, I felt someone was finally able to put it all together for me. I felt exhilaration and understanding. I finally knew why I was making the same mistakes over and over. And I had a plan to stop doing that.

I now know what to look for when I’m shopping. I know what will look good on me. I also understand what I can admire, but must leave for others to wear. I understand myself and my wardrobe in a way I never did before.

In the two weeks since I’ve worked with Jennifer, I’ve cleaned out my closets. I’ve also shopped, but only bought one or two new things. I’m now wearing things I already own. Simple, chic pieces, that worn correctly, make me feel like a million bucks. I feel like myself in what I wear. The many compliments I’ve been receiving have been astounding.

I believe Jennifer is going to save me money in the long run. In the past, I’ve purchased clothing in a misguided attempt to find my style. Now that I know how I want to present myself, it’s easy to bypass 98% of the clothing I see.

Best of all is how fun Jennifer made the process. Her passion for style and helping people find, and understand their best style is inspiring.

There are few things I can say, have actually changed my life. I can honestly say this has been one of them. I appreciated everything about the process and most of all, I appreciated Jennifer.

Wendy McLeod MacKnight, reformed style victim

 

34 Comments

  1. What a lovely letter! I look forward to seeing Wendy’s style transformation over at her blog. Worlds collide!

    1. They do collide. It was so fun working with Wendy!!

  2. Janice Wald says:

    Hi Jennifer,
    I just wanted to pay you a visit and thank you for retweeting my post link on Twitter this morning. Nice site; I hadn’t been here before.
    Janice

  3. It’s so nice feeling pretty and being comfortable at the same time. Thanks for sharing this insightful post!

    1. Thanks for stopping by Carolann.

  4. “What I admire but must leave for others to wear.” Brilliant advice! I went to a fashion show at Neiman’s yesterday and bought a bag I admired. Today I’m returning it because I must leave it for others to wear. xoxox, Brenda

    1. It’s great you realized it Brenda. It’s so easy to be caught up loving something, then getting it home and finding it isn’t really you!

  5. What a fantastic idea. It is like you have been on the tv show “What not to wear” without being on the show! I never knew this was actually a thing. I too do not know my style and struggle everytime I shop. I thoroughly enjoyed this and am quite curious now about the details.

    Thank you so much for linking up at #themommylife

    I would love if you came to take a peek at my blog
    http://www.abigaildaybyday.blogspot.ca

    1. It’s very rewarding for me and can be very helpful for the women I work with. Contact me if you’d like more specifics. I’d love to help you.

  6. how wonderful that you were able to help her find her own style! thanks for the inspiring post 🙂

  7. Wonderful testimonial! It’s a great feeling to know ‘a job well done’. Now I want ‘before and after’ pics!
    Kimberly XO

  8. What an awesome testimony!!! This is so cool, I can’t wait to see her post on what you put together for her. So awed by people like you who can go into your wardrobe and see combinations of clothing that you never saw – and wearable combos too. I just did that with a friend who like you, has the gift!
    Well done you Jennifer

    (just one question about GooglePlus sites – where do you look for your most recent blog post? I could not find it, have a hard time with Google PLus sites)

    1. Thanks Jody. For all I know my posts aren’t getting to google plus! I’ll check and see if they are:) Shhh…don’t tell Google, but I detest Google+!

      1. Hi Jennifer, when you make a comment, it leads me back to your GooglePlus site, so that’s why i’m there looking around for your most recent post.
        Sounds like you would actually want it to lead straight back to your blog, to your most recent post?

  9. I find I need to re evaluate my wardrobe every decade. its very easy to get stuck on “but I always bought this” and getting frustrated that it no longer feels right. Great post!

    1. Thanks Elena. It is so easy to get in a rut and need a helping boost to figure it out.

  10. I love that you’re able to do this Jennifer. I’m so glad you shared her feedback and that you really take the time with the client to help find her style and ‘shop’ her own closet. Reminds me of doing Skype calls from Switzerland to CA with my mom when she says she has ‘nothing to wear’ for her teaching job. Keep it up and thanks for sharing!

    xoDale

    1. Thanks Dale!
      I get texts from my daughter, when she’s shopping, just for a second opinion:)

      1. Second opinion? Come on! I put things on hold until I hear back from you… And make sure you pre-approve all of my online purchases!

      2. Too bad we don’t live closer. For MANY reasons. Shopping together is the least of it. Love you sweetie!

  11. WOW WOW WOW…………………all GOOD.SO< many WONDERFUL things happening in your LIFE right now!Keep it going!
    XO

    1. Thanks Contessa! Lunch Friday??

  12. Jen,
    I am so late here.
    I knew that I needed a whole “cup of” to catch up with you.
    First of all, I am beyond honored and touched by your feature of my blog in your recap of Style Focus. I looked amazing framed by “A Well Styled Life”.

    Then I read your tribute to your mother. Tears. Hugs for you my friend.

    I took some time from my blog for self care and to work on a new creative process.
    I never was away from you and your inspiration.
    I was just silent for a bit!

    Your style and honesty moves hearts and minds, my friend!
    ~Lynne
    w/L

    1. Thanks so much Lynne! I think taking time for ourselves is so important! You are so very creative!! xoxo

    1. We have only met virtually through email and by Skype.

  13. YES! This is what the French do everyday — they have very few clothes but they are quality items that are classic designs and match with an array of other styles. Good job Wendy and Jennifer!

    1. It was really moving when I read her email. I won’t say I cried, but I did mist up with joy!

  14. Bluebooby says:

    Another job well done. “Work from/at home” clothes really are kind of a unicorn. I do hope Miss Wendy does a few fashion posts about her experience.

    1. They are a tough call. I struggle with mine from time to time, now that I spend so much time at home, on my computer.

  15. When I was working as an Image Consulting it was very rewarding to get such wonderful feedback as you have shared here. I used to think that sometimes it was not a career that was valued as much as it should be when done well as you obviously do.

    1. The reward of knowing you’ve really helped a woman with her styyle and comfidence is so satisfying!

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