Category: Career and work

A few months ago I introduced my stylist and the process we were going through (see post). Now I am happy to close the loop and let you know how it turned out. This has been an educational and fulfilling process for me and I am so happy that I did it. While I was already comfortable in my skin, I now feel much more confident in my clothes and in my ability to shop and create looks for my body going forward.

At the point of the last post we had finished the consultation phase and Jen was in the middle of planning and sourcing my wardrobe. I know it was not an easy task for her, especially since it was all happening online. No trying on or even just window shopping together. Plus, we had the time constraint of getting everything ordered in time to be shipped to my sister’s address in Northern Manitoba before she came to visit in April with our Mum and Aunt.

Everything I purchased came from Banana Republic and Simons. In the end I spent a little more than I intended to, like every shopping trip I have been on. Not because of any pressure or expectation from Jen, but because I wanted almost every item she suggested.

**I made several attempts to buy from RW&Co but was unsuccessful due to issues with my credit card address (according to the emails) and their customer service was polite but not helpful.

**A shout out to Banana Republic though, who had a similar problem but a great customer service process to resolve it.

Jen built many looks for me using the Smart Closet app with the hopes that I could log in to the same account and go from there. That didn’t work out due to technical difficulties so instead Jen sent me screenshots of the looks using our Google Drive. I did like the app though, so I set it up on my phone and recreated those looks as well as more.

Here are some of the looks sourced and styled by Jen for me:

To conclude, I wrote this testimonial for Jen. You can find her online at: jendstyle, and on social media- Jen’s LinkedIn and Jen’s Instagram

What can I say about working with Jen. The experience has been fun, educational, enriching and a confidence builder. I also feel like I have made a friend.

I approached Jen in between job postings in Africa, looking for help designing a wardrobe with some specific limitations: business casual with ability to pull together full on business, culturally appropriate for more conservative countries, suitable for warm (very warm) climates and able to fit in two suitcases.

Probably the most challenging limitation was location. I would be in Africa the whole time so Jen would have to find a new way to work with me.

Jen accepted the challenges with enthusiasm. Despite the time and geographic differences she always seemed accessible and attentive. She found ways to use technology to accomplish virtually what is usually done in person – assessing my body type, size and current wardrobe. And the shopping!

She listened to what I said and what I didn’t say to ensure the final result is even more than I hoped for.

I now have a wardrobe I love, examples of several outfits to choose from and the knowledge and confidence to pull together additional looks.

Getting ready in the morning is far less stressful now. It can be quicker except when I have trouble deciding which awesome outfit to wear.

Achieved:
-positive educational style experience
-looks still feel like me
-budget fully respected
-fits in 2 suitcases
-culturally and climate appropriate

Jen was a pleasure to work with. She respected my wishes and insecurities and was well worth the investment. I found her rates quite reasonable for the level and quality of services I received.

5 out of 5! Highly recommend!

I have been working with my Stylist virtually for a little over a month.  It’s not something I ever thought I would do but as a fan of What Not to Wear for it’s entire run, I have believed in the value of a professional stylist for a long time.

How it happened for me is actually related to my first layoff, from Oil & Gas in late 2016.  I was one of a great many let go from Finance, and so was my stylist.  We didn’t actually ever work together but I remember admiring her skill in the company arranged yoga classes we both attended (you didn’t know that, did you Jen?)

Our paths crossed again in our next roles – mine in corporate finance of a large health care provider, hers as a recruiter with a firm my organisation engaged.  Jen made her own path out by following her passion for fashion.  I wasn’t so brave and didn’t pursue my dream until I was once again laid off.

Just a few months into my new life/career path, on my Christmas trip home from Africa, I saw a posting of Jen’s on LinkedIn, talking about her services **unsponsored plug for LinkedIn – connect with people, you never know where it can lead ** I thought – hey, I’ve been fumbling around this fashion/style thing for 30 years, why not get some professional help?!  And support a fellow corporate defector and dream chaser at the same time!

We connected for just one face to face meeting at Second Cup (how Canadian!) Jen agreed that we could try this virtually since I was off to Uganda days after we talked.

My end goal – a wardrobe that can fit in two large suitcases, that will take me to work, through the weekend and even the odd fancy night out.  Work will be largely business casual, but I still need a few fully professional business outfits.  I love dresses but need them to be culturally appropriate (not more than an inch or so above the knee) for some more modest countries, since I don’t know where I may land.  Climate – well I hope to focus on warm if not hot countries, so fabric is also a constraint.

We are now more than a month into the actual process and I am so happy and confident that I will end up with even more than I hoped for.

We have been creative with how we share information.  I needed to show her my wardrobe which meant sharing pictures of everything I have here in Kampala.  It took the better part of a Sunday for me because I brought much more than I thought; and in two suitcases!  How to get that many pictures from East Africa to Western Canada? Why share a shared Google Drive of course!

Also shared via email, the shared Drive and Instagram – my body shape, using leggings and a tank top and my outfits for several days to better show what I have and how clothes look on me.  I learned to cover my face to hide the stern looks of concentration 🙂

How can we discuss what I like without going to a mall?  Jen created a private Pinterest board and I pinned away.  Then, another Pinterest board for her to share potential items with me.  It’s been a very smooth process actually.

And regular Skype meetings.  Not a simple task finding times that work for us since we are 10 hours apart.  We have settled into morning for her/ evening for me.  Usually between 8 and 9 am MST, which is 6 to 7 pm EAT.

We are now at the buying stage – most exciting!!!!  Over the next few days Jen is going to send me links to purchase items we’ve agreed on.  Some I never would have thought of or looked at without guidance.  And I have to let my Mum know that I’m shipping them to her in Manitoba so she can bring them to me when she visits in April!  (sorry not sorry Mum)

You can reach Jen and learn more about her and her services on her website  jendstyle, and social media- Jen’s LinkedIn and  Jen’s Instagram and I highly recommend that you do.  You don’t have to sign on for a full meal deal like I have.  She has great content and suggestions, and she is just a very real, positive person.

This post is already long, so I will leave off here.  In another post soon to come I will talk about another side of Jen’s services.  She is  building me a look book of how to mix and match what I have and what I am getting.  I’m excited to learn how many more ways there are to wear what  is already in my closet.  I even had the nerve to order this piece from a Uganda designer!  I hope to have it in hand this week!