It’s hard enough pulling together a decent work outfit, but what if your job entailed helping others dress for theirs?
Nordstrom Pacific Centre personal stylists can’t really have an off day while they’re on the job, especially with a goal to motivate other women to dress sharply for their everyday lives.
Pulling clothes for clients and going over their looks is, like a lot of fashion jobs, as much grunt work as glamour. In other words, they gotta work hard, but still look really good doing it. Tall order…maybe for most of us, but not for a couple of seasoned pros, who started with Nordstrom when it opened in September, but have long histories as personal stylists and bloggers. Here’s their take on getting dressed for work: what should be avoided, and what should be sought after, for doing the nine-to-five in style.
Bring the classics to work
Jessie Carlson
A personal shopper and wardrobe consultant, known for her trademark classic style, Jessie Carlson nails effortless chic with work staples that include Common Projects high-top sneakers, STRÖM jeans, Rachel Comey sweaters, and/or a favourite A.L.C. blouse.
Three work essentials every woman should have in their closet, the stylist says, include a well-tailored blazer that you can wear with jeans, a skirt, or trousers. The grey Akris blazer is an in-store standout, she says. Next, grab a quality pair of black pants (check out Stella McCartney) and a skirt – it could be a fun colourful skirt, a short swing skirt, a carwash skirt (an offshoot of the fringe trend, the style was featured in Dior’s 2015 collection).
Carlson recently had the chance to meet the matriarch of modern fashion, Vogue’s editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who stopped by last month for an in-store private customer event. The expert stylist says she didn’t struggle over what to wear the day of Wintour’s visit, opting for a simple Chloé dress and Manolo Blahnik heels.
“That was so fun, that was such a great day,” says Carlson. “She’s lovely, and she is very polite, and she just elevated the whole room.”
As for work-wear mistakes women make, Carlson, a mother of two young daughters, says they often forget about themselves in the busy shuffle of family life.
“What I find with women, in particular, where their wardrobe is concerned, they put themselves last, so they don’t go spend the money to make their wardrobe work for themselves,” she says. “Here’s the other (mistake), not having time to go shopping, so you are wearing the same old stuff and you think it’s just OK, but if you make an appointment with a stylist and you come and get that taken care of with a professional, then you can get your whole wardrobe set up and then you don’t have to think about it for the rest of the season.”
Build a solid fashion foundation
Michelle Addison
When it comes to work wear, personal stylist Michelle Addison typically mixes comfortable basics with eye-catching accessories and ankle boots to get her through the day in style.
“My go-to wardrobe items start with my shoes, as I am on my feet the entire day. I have many shoes because I need to switch them out each day – for example, if I wear a high-heeled boot one day, you will certainly see me in flats the next,” she says, noting her fandom of Chloé ankle boots, IRO T-shirts, Helmut Lang sweaters, Equipment blouses, and Frame denim.
Her trusted go-to work look usually includes skinny jeans, with a statement belt, Chloé or Céline boots, and an Equipment blouse.
“I love dressing my customers with a range of high/low essentials, and I am a walking example on how to save and splurge,” says the stylist and mom of a six-year-old daughter.
Addison recommends her clients build a solid collection of quality basics into their work wardrobe before they branch out into trends.
“Invest in a great blouse, quality pants, and have a heel height that works for your job requirements,” she explains.
Her three work essentials are: a black pump or black ankle boot, as black is dressier and more versatile than brown, a well-tailored suit, and a classic – again, start with black – handbag.
“A great bag elevates any look, but especially when dressing for success,” explains Addison.
The free personal stylist service at Nordstrom is open to every customer with any budget, Addison says.
“We can dress the entire family from head to toe, from kidswear to active to weekend to cocktail. Whether someone is looking for a full wardrobe update, a perfect dress or suit for work or a special event, or even some help inserting the latest trends, a personal stylist makes shopping easy and stress-free,” she says, adding they can do gift shopping and even help take care of boxing and shipping.
Now, no more excuses, get back to work…in style.
