Love Your Wardrobe

Photo by John Wagner

More and more women (and men!) are looking to the pros to help solve the age-old wardrobe woe of what to wear.

Shops 2009

By Jayne Haugen Olson

E-MAIL
PRINT

We seek the advice and professional eye of interior designers, landscapers, and hair stylists. So it doesn’t seem like a stretch that personal shoppers and wardrobe experts would be the next great frontier. But isn’t that just for the movie stars? Or the wealthy? Hardly.

“Do you have items in your wardrobe with the price tags still attached? Have favorite pieces but are unsure what to wear with them? Feel overwhelmed with the amount of items in your closet and wish you were more organized?”

Photo by John Wagner

If this quote speaks to you, you should be calling StyledLook. The personal wardrobing business launched by Kevin Quinn who also owns Minneapolis’s StyledLife his high-style accessories boutique. Quinn and his team are at the forefront of a fashion revolution to help clients define their personal style.

“People come to us because they want to advance their career, or their bodies have changed. Some are newly single or are in the midst of some other kind of lifestyle change,” says Quinn. “Clothes are the metaphore for self-esteem, self-acceptance.” And as he points out, a lot of people are stuck.

But where do you start? Who do you call? It depends on your need. Quinn is quick to say he’s not an image makeover expert, nor a closet makeover expert. “If that’s what you need, we can help direct you to those experts.” The StyledLook approach is to work with what you have to create ten new looks with your existing separates and well-chosen accessories. And it’s not just good taste that StyledLook brings to the table. “Our secret weapon is layering, with a keen eye on body composition,” says Quinn. But editing also plays a significant role. Through the process they arm clients with the knowledge—and a shopping list—to take to the stores.
*As the trend grows, there is a broad spectrum of services available locally from personal shoppers at the department stores (which Quinn highly encourages as a great place to start) to the more specialized in-home services, such as StyledLook.

So who needs a little help? Probably most of us. From what Quinn calls the “blank slates” who are “acceptionally open to advice.” To the “formed opinions” who are “open to a fresh opinion.”

Find Your Size

Photo by John Wagner

From complimentary personal shopping services at department stores to a more exclusive—even ongoing—relationship with a personal wardrobing expert, there is a service available to fit your pocketbook and lifestyle. Here are a few sources to help get you on your way. —Elizabeth Doyle

[ Ann Prentice ]
Personal Style Consultant

With Prentice’s detailed four-step Overhaul Package, clients are an active part of the edits and additions to their closet. She does a pre-shop on her own prior to shopping with her clients in an effort to make the trip as enjoyable and efficient as possible. From $1500 for the Overhaul Package. 612-719-2181

[ Anthropologie ]

Although all the staff at Anthropolgie can help with fashion choices, Carrie Levin is the appointed full-time personal shopper at the Edina outpost. Bring in a few of your wardrobe favorites and basics, and Levin will analyze your style and help pick out new additions. Plus, she’ll help with looks for your home to get that Anthro-look. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are accepted. Complimentary. 4999 France Ave. S., Mpls., 612-285-9164

[ BBInStyle ]
Fashion Consultant/Personal Shopper

Whether it’s a new look for a special event or a full wardrobe makeover, Boun Borth and her team are at the ready. Services include closet analysis, wardrobe cataloging, personal and online shopping, and fashion styling. Full- and half-day packages available. Wardrobe/Closet Analysis: $175/hr (two-hour min), $125 Additional hour; Personal Shopping/Styling: $200/hr (two-hour min), $150 Additional hour; Wardrobe Catalog: $200/hr (two-hour min), $150 Additional hour; Virtual Shopper: $100/hr (1 hr min). 651-714-8789

[ Gwen Leeds ]
Wardrobe Consultant

With an impressive resume of fashion work as an editorial and commercial fashion stylist, Leeds has one of the best eyes in town. During her three-hour consultation, Leeds edits the closet, organizes it seasonally, and coordinates outfits. $75–$100 per hour for a three-hour session. 612-810-4357

[ Macy’s By Appointment ]
Personal Shopping Service

The personal shoppers can create an outfit for a special occasion or help you update your existing wardrobe with seasonally appropriate additions. Devotees love that these pros will shop the whole store, including clearance racks, to help with your look and budget. Appointments are recommended. Minneapolis, Maplewood, Southdale, Ridgedale, Rosedale, 1-800-272-2450

[ Neiman Marcus ]
Personal Shopper Service

Customized service is widespread at Neiman Marcus. Based on what you are looking for, Neimans can direct you a salesperson who has an expertise in couture, contemporary, shoes, the dress collection, or gifting. Want a runway look not available in the store? If there’s a designer look (or bag) you want, the staff here will probably be able to get it for you. Complimentary. 555 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612-339-2600

[ Nordstrom ]
Personal Touch Personal Shopping

Nordstrom is not new to the personal shopping bandwagon and had been offering this complementary service since 1979. One of the four personal shoppers can help you tap the steadily increasing number of greet designers at the MOA store. There is no minimum purchase for the complimentary service. Appointments are recommended. 952-883-2121

[ Rhonda Rhuland ]
Fashion Consultant/Personal Shopper

Galleria’s trend and retail consultant is also available to offer wardrobe consulting and closet cleanouts. As a trend stylist, she has extensive knowledge of the area’s best stores. $75/ hour for four hours. 612-481-6968

[ Sara Rogers ]
Wardrobe Consultant/Personal Shopper

Sara Rogers may be the most recognizable name on our list. (The multi talented style maven is also Mall of America’s trend specialist.) Rogers brings her keen eye for style to work with clients one-on-one. During her three-hour The Real You Consultation, Rogers looks at body type, lifestyle, and accesses colors and fabrics. If you like what she has to say, you can also hire Rogers for personal shopping. The Real You Consultation, $300. Other services, $100/ hour. 612-396-4720

[ Styledlook ]
Wardrobe Experts

A styling service that has nothing to do with buying anything new. Kevin Quinn, Tim Creagan and the team behind StyledLook come to your home and create ten, head-to-toe, new looks from the your existing wardrobe. Far beyond just a play date in your closet. From $250 per hour. $800/half-days. $2,000/full-day, including lunch. 612-746-5800


Shops Guide Shopping Fashion Beauty StyleMakers \| Blog: Style Parlor Style Parlor