What is Adaptive Clothing and Where Can I Buy Cool Adaptive Clothing?

As a personal stylist for women, my role is to really see someone. I’m here to listen to observe and then to create a helpful strategy for her to harness her authentic personal style and simplify her life. This highly personalized process includes a deep dive into her values (would she prefer to support BIPOC makers, female founders, sustainable brands?), her mindset (is she struggling to accept her body as it is now or does she lack confidence in her stylistic choices?) and her lifestyle (what actually works for her day to day?).

I spend a great deal of time listening, researching and sharing my knowledge with individual clients and the Poplin community. Sometimes, information is directly applicable to you, the reader. Other times, it makes more sense for a friend or family member and is worth sharing. And then there are times when the information may not feel applicable, but knowing it changes you in some small way. I’m curious which of these camps you fall into.

Few things are as inspiring to me as watching a woman with power use her voice to make the world better. Sure, you can negotiate world peace in your efforts to improve the planet. But, for many of us, day to day choices have a significant impact on the people around us and the future direction of society. The women who have put their energy into offering truly inclusive clothing are making big changes in the industry and changing the conversation around inclusivity.

In the past few years, inclusivity sparks thinking about brands who offer sizes for every body type. Universal Standard was a front runner in this journey and our culture is forever changed thanks to that brand and other like it. No longer do “straight sizes” end at 14. Many retailers offer pieces up to size 18 or well beyond. That’s real progress.

Amplifying brands with female founders and/or founders of color is another big part of our journey to true inclusivity. Venture Capitalists who fund these brands have propelled them forward. We can also thank shows like Shark Tank that give opportunities to folks who may not otherwise have them and retailers like Nordstrom who started selling lesser known brands and introduced them to a huge consumer base.

Now, it’s time to take our conversation about inclusivity in fashion to another level. Let’s talk about Adaptive Clothing.

Love Your Body in a Swimsuit

As a personal stylist for women, I have the opportunity to connect with women about body confidence and style. How do you choose pieces when your weight is up… or down? How do you embrace your personal style when you get dressed for work, especially when the appropriate clothes for the environment seem so unappealing? What do you buy when everything feels disappointing, uninspiring or overwhelming?

Yes, loving your body at every size and every age is the goal. And yes, sometimes that can feel very difficult, if not impossible. When pieces aren’t flattering or when we feel uninspired, it’s easy to blame our bodies. But, our bodies aren’t the problem. It’s the clothes.

Don’t change your body, change your clothes.

Entire companies exist simply to provide clothing for our bodies and when those pieces aren’t size inclusive or when they don’t flatter our frames, it can feel like we are the issue, like we need to make some changes. It’s time to reframe the way you view clothing. If you feel like your body is the problem, it’s time to upgrade your wardrobe to flatter your frame and celebrate all of you.

Understanding how to dress your body type is the solution and we can help with that.

For today, let’s start with finding you the ideal swimsuit for your frame. Feeling good about how you look in a swimsuit is a game changer for your vacation and for your life. Let’s do this.

Get Out of a Style Rut: 25 White Shoes to Step Into Spring

As a personal stylist for women based in Seattle, I get VERY enthusiastic about spring. After all, the sun is out and it’s time to dive back into joyful clothes that reflect our collective lightening. This time of year is can also bring anxiety about what to wear. Rest assured, you can count on bright white shoes for another year. If you have a pair that you adore but aren’t so bright anymore, try using a magic eraser. My husband and I used to have a routine during which I painted my nails and he cleaned up our shoes.

If your white shoes are beyond repair or you are just jonesing for some new styles, we’ve got you covered. Take a look at my favorite 25 for spring and summer. Have fun!

Stripes: The Ultimate Spring Trend on 25 Essential Pieces

As a personal stylist for women, I’ve seen a lot of stripes. There’s something comforting about the perfect striped Breton tee that is really the symbol of spring. But this print can go well beyond your horizontal striped shirt. This season we’re seeing an array of pieces- some familiar, some groundbreaking, all just right for warmer weather. If you’re looking for some inspiration, we’ve got you covered.

AAPI Brands You Need to Know Now

As a personal stylist for women, I can’t get enough of new, interesting brands. And as a human doing my best to live my values and help my clients do the same, few things are as exciting to me as discovering new brands that are making the world better with beautiful pieces AND a commitment to their values.

It’s true, I often have clients ask for more brands founded by women, people of color or other folks that don’t often have the same funding opportunities. If you are looking for new black owned brands making innovative pieces, this blog post is for you. Fortunately, we are also seeing an increased presence of creative brands with Asian American female founders. Let’s make sure they are on your radar, too. And rest assured, there are more coming everyday.

Before you dive in, you might be asking why it matters that a brand has women of color as founders, and that’s a fair question. Historically, women-led startups receive just 2.3% of Venture Capital funding. Every purchase you make from a brand with a female founder or a founder of color communicates to funders that there is a market for these ideas and that these founders should receive investment. Brands that are size inclusive are also sending a message to investors. We can’t do everything and it’s pointless to try, but when you are able, shopping your values (whatever they are) really does make a difference.

One more thing, you’ll also find brands embracing size inclusivity, sustainability, designed in the US and more on this list. It’s important to shop YOUR values, when the opportunity strikes, whatever those are. I find that including this information helps folks realize that they do care where or how something is made and may have not considered this before. We’re all evolving on so many issues. Ideally, these posts give you more information to marinate on and some super fun eye candy.

Simplify Your Wardrobe with these Cozy Pieces that Align with Your Values

As a personal stylist for women based in Seattle, few things come up in conversation as often as comfort. Feeling good about how you look does not have to mean being uncomfortable. The key is finding pieces that communicate your authentic personal style, flatter your shape, align with your values AND work with your lifestyle. Sound like a tall order? That’s what Poplin is for. We’re here to create a strategy for you to get dressed with ease everyday.

A client recently reached out to me about packing for an international trip. She wanted to look as amazing as she does each day, but be comfortable enough to fall asleep on the plane. She also likes to support brands and retailers who care about equity and inclusion. So, we like to opt for brands that have female women of color founders, give back to applicable causes and/or include models of color and all body types.

I was ELATED to share my latest obsession, LEZÉ THE LABEL.

Founded by two women of Asian decent, this brand has a limited number of silhouettes that are flattering on most body types and feel fresh. All the while, they are insanely comfortable as they are made from super soft fabrics. Pieces are sustainable, size inclusive and even Oprah recognized the brand by crowing a handful of items amongst her “Favorite Things.” If Oprah’s on board, it’s time to take notice.

Below is a collection of my go-to’s. While you are on the site, enjoy the gender neutral options and travel sets.

Before you dive in, you might be asking why it matters that a brand has women of color as founders, and that’s a fair question. Historically, women-led startups receive just 2.3% of Venture Capital funding. Every purchase you make from a brand with a female founder or a founder of color communicates to funders that there is a market for these ideas and that these founders should receive investment. Brands that are size inclusive are also sending a message to investors. We can’t do everything and it’s pointless to try, but when you are able, shopping your values (whatever they are) really does make a difference. Okay, to the clothes!

The Most Flattering Jeans for Your Body Type

As a personal stylist for women, I know what struggle it can be to find a great pair of jeans. They should make you look and feel your best, celebrate your shape and communicate your authentic personal style. The ideal denim is comfortable, flattering and makes you feel like you.

Balancing all of that can be tricky and with evolving trends, it may feel daunting. Not to worry! We’ve got you covered. Here are the most flattering jeans for every figure. Start with your body type then choose a pair that aligns with your styles and values. Enjoy!

25 of My Favorite Midi Skirts for Your Unique Style and Values

As a personal stylist for women, I’m all about style that is values based and embraces inclusive sizing, whenever possible. From my perspective, choosing pieces that communicate your authentic personal style, flatter your frame and are functional for your lifestyle are essential. Pieces that reflect your values are ideal, but not always possible. When I find those options that are all the things, I’m ready to shout it from the rooftops.

One of my favorite things about my job is my commitment to the individual. Her values may or may not be my values. Her style may not be my style. But, working together we create a wardrobe that is authentic to her and one that we both see as beautiful. Personal values can range from preferring companies run by woman, those that offer sustainable pieces, perhaps a company that only uses ethical practices with workers and is committed to avoiding slavery. Other folks prefer companies with commitments to LGBTQ+ rights, empowering women in developing countries and so on. It’s all about what feels important to her and how we can integrate her values into her purchasing decisions.

With that, I also love to stay on top of trends and see what current trends align with her style. And the trend of the moment is midi skirts. Skirts that hit mid calf are midis. I love them because they are modest enough to be super functional for life and also look lovely with boots or (often) with sneakers. In the Pacific Northwest, a midi skirt is a dream because it doesn’t get wet from touching the ground in the rain, yet provides more warmth than a shorter skirt as the weather cools.

Yes, they can be unflattering as a midi skirt does have a tendency to cut off her legs and make them appear shorter. First, two essential style tips when rocking a midi skirt. If it appears that her legs aren’t looking their best, keep two things in mind.

Opt for hosiery or boots of the same or similar color to elongate her legs.
If she’s short waisted, embracing the midi can actually balance her vertical shape, giving the impression that her torso is longer in proportion to her legs.

Feel ready? Let’s dive into 25 of my favorite midi skirts including some with inclusive sizing, others made from BIPOC designers, some sustainable choices, others committed to fair labor practices and some made in the US or sold at local boutiques. Congrats on using your power for good. Remember look good. Feel good. Do good. Let’s go!