Twelve Years Later: What Real, Sustained Style Actually Looks Like
Poplin client Kate 12 years after her initial package.
Poplin began in 2013 when I left my career in philanthropy to dive into what had, until then, just been a hobby. Now, more than a decade later, I’m having the time of my life with an assortment of new and ongoing clients. Between styling services and Continuum, our exclusive membership for clients, I spend my days getting to know an extraordinary group of women and help each one communicate her authentic personal style.
At Poplin, our goal is to teach her to fish. That is, I want her to understand how to harness her own unique style, choose pieces that flatter her frame while making her look and feel her best everyday. Gone is the stress and overwhelm associated with getting dressed. Few things are as gratifying as seeing your vision realized.
Over the past couple of years, I’ve discovered just how well these women are fishing. When I see them at gatherings (or for client services), I’m reminded of how far they’ve come and how easily it all seems to come to them now. I often think that even they have forgotten how lost they felt when we met.
Because of this, we’re launching the Sustained Style Series. Over the next few months, we’ll share stories of long term Poplin clients. You might remember that we don’t have a “before and after” in Poplin-land. We only have today and moving forward. You’re going to see the “today” that each of these women emerged from her original styling package. You’ll hear her story and my approach. THEN, you’ll see her today. Each one is wearing clothes currently in her closet. Some of them were recommended by Poplin over the years, a few are even from the initial Uber Wishlist, and some of them she’s selected and purchased on her own. Many were recommendations from Continuum or the blog. She then took those recommendations and integrated them into her existing collection, expressing who she is each and everyday.
You’ll see a more comprehensive approach to all of this in the coming months. For now, here’s a sneak peek from Kate’s recent photo shoot. I hope you enjoy it and I can’t wait to hear what you think.
Kate’s Original Transformation
Urban-Boho, Polished, Funky
Kate's clothes were a major form of self expression in her college days. As time went by, she found herself struggling with pieces that were both age appropriate and still very hip. Working in technology for a fashion retailer, she has freedom to express herself at the office, but had lost sight of how to do that. At the time of this shoot, Kate has been a client for over two years receiving regular wishlists that keep her style current.
Approach: Make sure that Kate's style distinguishes her from the mainstream, but is still polished and functional for her life as a mom of a young daughter. Also, work with her body type to highlight her assets and show her ways to mix patterns and prints for a more fun wardrobe that is authentic to her naturally hip style.
See Kate’s 2014 Review on Yelp
Finally! I feel like *ME* again - but a better, more confident version. I had been searching to rediscover my style since the birth of my daughter three years ago, but was struggling big time. I'd sought the help of stylists in the past (I even work for a large retailer with stylists on staff) but just kept feeling like I was being put into a "working mom" bucket I wasn't feeling whatsoever.
Where Mellicia stood out from the pack was her genuine interest and dedication to get to know ME - my interests, my passions, what made me tick, and how I aspired to feel and and present myself to the world. She spent a good hour with me, just asking me questions - it felt like getting to know a new good friend! I was beyond impressed that just from that one conversation she picked up so much. I had no idea how she was going to blend "Funky, Feminine with an Edge, Urban Boho, Polished" but she totally nailed my style.
Before she readied my list of perfect clothes, :) ... she gave me some SUPER helpful tips that I was able to use immediately with my own tired old clothes and I couldn't believe what happened - I was so excited I texted her about it. After feeling like I received zero compliments for the half-decade prior in one day on my lunch hour I received THREE compliments from total strangers about my outfit. If I could feel this good from what I already had, what was my uber wish list going to look like?
WELL - from the minute I opened up my list I was drooling over every selection she made for me. It screamed "KATE" from the rooftops and I had to order just about everything on it that day.
I feel amazing. I get compliments every day. My husband says I've been looking "sassy" lately and it reminds me of when we first met. Up until now I was trying to deny the "working mom" look but I actually feel more like one! A fabulous one who exudes confidence, makes it all happen in the office, and then comes home to whip up an amazing dinner for her family.
Who knew some new clothes and some helpful tips could change how I feel about myself so much? Mellicia is top-notch. She's worth every penny, and then some. I'm a changed woman!
“Looking back, this investment over the years in ME has been soooo worth it! Not only do I refresh my clothing items, I now know how to understand my own style - and this is something I have honestly taken for granted for the last decade +.”
Kate Over the Years
Kate has been engaged with Poplin on and off over the years. Specifically, she:
Has taken advantage of Poplin’s “once a client, always a client,” philosophy, empowering clients to purchase in-person or virtual services by the hour. Kate’s services have included:
Wishlists of various sizes
Collaborative and Solo outfit sessions
Styling sessions
Closet Edits
Leveraged the Poplin blog, newsletter and other content to inspire and inform
Kate is a member of Continuum, our membership exclusively for clients
Poplin knows that style does not operate in a vacuum. Because of this, we encourage clients to share their other resources so that we can bring everything together to give her maximum results. In Kate’s case, she:
Utilizes rental services and AI as tools for her style. We’ve supported her by leveraging these tools- integrating rented pieces into outfits, recommending rentals for wishlists and encouraging (or discouraging) the purchase of some rental items.
Integrated Kate’s AI research into our wishlist recommendations including investigating new retailers, shifting her style goals and more.
Sneak Peek of Kate Today
I first worked with Mellicia back in 2014 ...12 years ago. I wanted to update my review because honestly, I don't think I fully appreciated back then - when I wrote my original review how much Mellicia has helped me over the years at different times and stages of my life.
Because Mellicia knows me, my style, and what I like, we don't have to start over each time I reach out. She's helped me over the years refine what we started together back in 2014 - sometimes my priorities or budget is different, sometimes my size and situation is different, but she gets it - she knows that that's how life is - and is always helpful AND supportive as she gives me these bursts of inspiration and guidance.
Over the years, I've gone back for updated wishlists, closet edits (I choose to have her help me configure new outfits with what's in my closet in that moment - it's been so helpful to have a gallery of options on my camera roll for busy mornings) or the occasional one-off help with something specific for an event. All of these combined services that I can choose from takes the overwhelm out - it's like a menu of services that can be curated. Choosing from those services helps me cut through the noise and create options that just work for whatever situation I find myself in that feel and work just for ME, not just what's trending - and that's always been so important because I value my personal style, that she's helped me find!
I've also really loved being part of her online community (Continuum) this past year - I'm so glad I've got access to this group, which is basically a wonderful community of women who share shopping and styling ideas, inspiration, gift ideas, tips and tricks - there are even moments to connect monthly live - as we put the tools and guidance that Mellicia has taught us all into practice with each other - it's like a force multiplier! It's been quite unexpected how valuable it's been.
What I think I appreciate most - is that working with Poplin has never felt like just a one-time styling service, which is what I've experienced before with other stylists. Working with Mellicia feels like a genuine relationship - honestly, I can go a couple of years without checking in, and then come back for a little refresh, and we just pick up where we left off - like an old friend that gets you! Mellicia always meets me in the moment I'm in with zero judgment - and I'm so grateful.
Looking back, this investment over the years in ME has been soooo worth it! Not only do I refresh my clothing items, I now know how to understand my own style - and this is something I have honestly taken for granted for the last decade +. Thank you Mellicia and Poplin! I have recommended her to several of my friends over the years - and I (still) recommend her whole-heartedly to you! Mellicia is much more than a stylist to me - she's like a stylish friend and a genuine life-hack, which is what we all need!
I can’t wait to share more images of Kate with you AND more Sustained Style stories. Considering becoming a Poplin client? Check out our services here.
Pin This!
Come on In!
Holy crow there are a lot of benefits to being a member of the Poplin community. You’ll receive my Top 100 Favorite Retailers Organized by Personal Style AND the Wildly Popular Six Weeks of Style Tips. Poplin email subscribers also get the newsletter directly to their inboxes every other Friday PLUS all sorts of bonus content that is not published on the blog. Sign up! We won’t spam you or share your info with anyone else. Already on the list? Share Poplin with a friend who’d love this content, too!
