Reinventing My Style

When I decided to hire Summer Robbins to evaluate my closets I felt euphoric about treating myself to a personal stylist, nervous about what it would cost, and frantic about getting all of my clothes out of storage and into my closets.  This required me to rummage through my basement to open up my black hefty bags full of clothes I wouldn’t normally wear, and revisit clothing I never wore any more, but wouldn’t get rid of!  What was great about this part of the process was that it not only reminded me that I was taking time out for myself, but it also forced me to organize and simplify my wardrobe before she even came over… and I really enjoyed that feeling.

Hiring Summer became more than just waiting for someone to come over to tell me ‘what to wear.’  The two weeks before Summer came into my home I began asking myself, “What is my style?” “Are my closets as organized as they could be?”  “What if she doesn’t like any of my clothes?”  “What will this shopping adventure cost?”  I knew that fashion just wasn’t my field, so hiring someone in the field to answer that question was just what I needed to do.  I can’t say I waited patiently until she came to my home last Thursday, but I can say I walked up to the door to let her in smiling, knowing I had clean, organized closets.

The first part of our session was therapeutic, recognizably an eclectic word choice, but it was in fact therapeutic.  Sitting on my couch and answering questions about what I enjoyed most about my body, my style icons and where I enjoy shopping are questions I rarely entertain.  This mini-session forced me to think a lot about how I present myself and how I would like to be seen.  The next part of her visit is what I will call, the ‘pruning’ process.  There are times in our lives where we have to let things go in order to move on, and that is exactly what happened to me.  As Summer pulled an 8 year old dress suit out from my closet, I felt like I finally had a reason to let that piece go.  Afterwards, my clothes were piled onto a chair and then Summer explained to me why these pieces just won’t work for me any more.

Next I was to try on the remaining pieces in my closets, these were called my core pieces.  She then made a list of the core pieces I was missing, and finally I was off to shopping.  She told me that I was an Anthropologie girl which I was thrilled about, but she mentioned that Century 21, Saks Off 5^th, and other outlet stores which carried name brand pieces would work just as well for my budget.  The four-hour shopping spree that followed had me feeling like a famous rich girl who was being spoiled with her stylist- Summer took her list and piled pieces into carts while I ‘modeled’ them for her at the fitting room.  If we both agreed on a piece, I purchased it.  This was by far the most fun I ever had shopping.  The next day, while I was at work she went into my home and put outfits together, re-organized my closet with my new additions and then took pictures for my look book which I keep next to my closets now at all times.  The excitement I felt throughout this process continues to be matched by the excitement I feel as my friends, students, and colleagues continue to compliment my new look!  Thanks Summer!