Thrifty Styling
I am really good at clothing shopping, and I love it.
As someone who doesn’t fit into the world’s expectations for me (hello queerness! hello fatness!), I get why shopping for clothes is HARD. Maybe for these exact reasons, combined with a love for re-loving discarded things and a knack for a good deal, I’ve become stellar at finding good clothing — for myself and others (just ask my family!).
I want to use this to help you get clothing that makes you feel and look great, while having a supportive shopping environment. I cannot promise you won’t be tired at the end of it, but I do believe we’ll find you some great stuff.
Thrifty Styling
I am really good at clothing shopping, and I love it.
As someone who doesn’t fit into the world’s expectations for me (hello queerness! hello fatness!), I get why shopping for clothes is HARD. Maybe for these exact reasons, combined with a love for re-loving discarded things and a knack for a good deal, I’ve become stellar at finding good clothing — for myself and others (just ask my family!).
I want to use this to help you get clothing that makes you feel and look great, while having a supportive shopping environment. I cannot promise you won’t be tired at the end of it, but I do believe we’ll find you some great stuff.
Does this sound familiar?
-You want clothing that make you feel like yourself
-You feel overwhelmed, discouraged or exhausted shopping
-You theoretically like thrift/online/clearance shopping, but don’t know where to start
-You never find anything when you go shopping and want to experience having lots of options
-You have changed size and want to see how new sizes of clothes look and feel okay
-You want to have the support of someone with a good eye that won’t say things like “that makes you look so slim!” as though it should be a compliment.
-You find the binary gendered sections unhelpful and confusing.
Then you may be looking for someone like me!
This is me by the way! I love the colours and shapes and lines of clothes. I also love the smile on my clients’ faces when they look and feel great.
As a photographer and an artist, my eye is drawn to colour combinations, interesting shapes and patterns, and unique looks. I am always interested in the specific and unique styles of those around me - particularly my queer and fat bodied friends. As I feel most comfortable when wearing my own style, I am compelled to help others dress in THEIR styles. This is both great for you, and (bonus) offers me the joy of artistically creating numerous possibilities for every amazing body! What fun!
I also know that for many people, shopping can be hard and tedious. For me, pulling clothes in peoples’ sizes that they both like, and feel good in comes easily. For example, I love thinking about many different factors including material, feel, cut, colour, function. In fact, this comes so naturally to me that it actually took me awhile (and some encouraging friends) to realise that this was, in fact, a unique skill set. It was then I realized that my passion for aesthetics and fashion could team up with my body politics and my emotional support skills to make shopping for clothes a more positive and life affirming experience for others.
It’s also good for you to know that I am particularly passionate about the needs and enjoyment of bigger bodies - it brings me great joy to see the feels on your face when you’re wearing something you like! (Don’t worry, smaller-bodied people, I have lots of skill and experience working with you too! All bodies welcome!)
I know it can be hard to reach out for support with something as personal as your wardrobe. I want you to know you can trust that I will honour and respect who you are, what you need and what is important to you- aesthetically and practically. But don’t take my word for it, check out some testimonials here!
Photo by Caitlin Reilley Beck
Photo by RF._.studio from Pexels
A note on size: I love helping people find great options, no matter their size. I typically wear a 16/18 and frequently see how the options drop off quickly at thrift stores. The unfortunate reality is that there tend to be fewer options in larger sizes everywhere. For folks who wear larger sizes, I would love to work with you and we may just be more creative about how and where we shop together. A Torrid clearance rack may be more successful than a thrift store for example. We can talk about these options together!
A note on gender: Gendered expectations on clothing has been a blight on us all, and I’m sorry that the world has done this to you. I will be delighted to help you navigate your own gender creativity and will likely pull items from multiple sections. My priority is listening to you and understanding what you are looking to express about yourself. My priority is not the gendered labels on the racks.
A note on accessibility: Thrift stores have a strong smell, retail often has fluorescent lights, and overwhelming layouts. For some people (including me!) these, and other things, are things that can make shopping harder. In our consult, you can tell me about what makes shopping inaccessible to you and we can talk about how to make it more available. For example, I have lots of experience getting that “thrift smell” out of clothes, so we can negotiate an add-on for me to wash it out. We could adjust packages for you to spend less time in stores, or only go places with wider aisles, etc. Let’s talk about it.
A note on expectations: I am very good at this, but I am not magic. I will be your support and your cheerleader. If you are able to bring an open energy to the process, I think you will find yourself pleased with the results.
Styling Packages
Things are a little strange in Covid times, so these packages may change depending on the current recommendations of the provincial government and the risk tolerance of my family system. If you have any concerns, let’s talk about that!
All packages include:
- a 30 minute intake session, which will be conducted via zoom
- shopping support & encouragement (as outlined in package)
- try-on support
- tips for more successful clothing shopping
Once I’ve worked with you and have a sense of your size, style, etc you will have the option of my ongoing subscription service!
Styling Packages
Things are a little strange in Covid times, so these packages may change depending on the current recommendations of the provincial government and the risk tolerance of my family system. If you have any concerns, let’s talk about that!
All packages include:
- a 30 minute intake session, which will be conducted via zoom
- shopping support & encouragement (as outlined in package)
- try-on support
- tips for more successful clothing shopping
Once I’ve worked with you and have a sense of your size, style, etc you will have the option of my ongoing subscription service!
Refresh
Good for: Getting a few new items to spruce up your wardrobe
Takeaway: Min 5 pieces. Most clients end up with 10+.
Cost: $200 + cost of clothes (estimate average of $10-15/item for thrift, in store shopping will depend on your budget). $20 credit toward a subscription fee or photography service.
Process:
30 minute Zoom intake
1 hour guided in-person shop (I will arrive 15 min early to start puling things)
Virtual follow-up to see how your clothes are working and/or help you put together outfits. Done via email, text or 30 min video call.
Online refresh
Good for: Getting a few new items to spruce up your wardrobe, but you are more interested with support for using online retailers.
Takeaway: At least 5 pieces. This will be mostly budget dependant.
Cost: $200 + cost of clothes (depends on your budget). $20 credit toward a subscription fee or photography service.
Process:
30 minute Zoom intake
90 minutes of online shopping support (this can look a couple of different ways — if you have specific items you need, ie denim shorts, I can do research independently and send you a few rounds of options, with chatting in between. Alternately, we can do the shopping together via zoom and I can show you how I look and help you narrow down the options into an actual order. My default will be a hybrid of these two.)
Virtual or in person follow-up to see how your clothes are working and/or help you put together outfits. Done in person or via video call.
Update
Good for: A slight change in your size or style, a wardrobe pick me up, a new job, etc.
Takeaway: At least 15 pieces. Likely 20+.
Cost: $330 + cost of clothes (estimate average of $10-$15/item for thrift, online shopping will depend on your budget) $35 credit toward a subscription fee or photography service.
Process:
30 minute Zoom intake
90 min guided in-person shop (I will arrive 30 min early to start pulling things)
1 hour online shopping support (see above for description)
90 minute try-on and wardrobe integration session
The above times can be adjusted based on your specific preferences. We can do more in one bucket or another, and can decide that during the intake call.
Overhaul
Good for: A significant change in your size or style, change in your gender expression, etc
Takeaway: minimum of 20+ pieces. The sky (or your budget) is the limit!
Cost: $500 + cost of clothes (estimate average of $10-$15/item for thrift, online shopping will depend on your budget). $50 credit toward a subscription fee or photography service.
Process:
30 minute Zoom intake
2 hr guided in-person shop (I will arrive 30 min early to start pulling things). Could be split into 2 outings and/or multiple stores.
2 hr online shopping support (see above for description)
90 minute try-on and wardrobe integration session
Subscription (Local only)
Once we’ve worked together and I have gotten a sense of your size, style, and general preferences, I offer an ongoing wardrobe update subscription package. I will keep you in mind when I’m shopping and pull pieces that I think will work for you!
When you opt in, you can have access to receiving 2 new pieces a month. How does it work?
You will let me know what kinds of things you are generally interested in (I can’t take specific orders, but things like “i’m interested in fun skirts” or “my business casual wardrobe is needing some pieces” will work great), and opt in by the 15th of the previous month.
I will keep an eye out for great pieces for you while I’m out. All pieces I select will be washed through my de-scenting process 1x. This will likely not remove all the smell for thrift-store pieces, but will definitely get it started.
You will have a bin with your name on it on my porch (like picking up a CSA, but for clothes!) at the beginning of the month.
The bin will contain at least 3 pieces for you to select from. Take the 2 you like best*
That’s it — you never have to enter a store!
Cost?
3 months — $135 ($45/month — 6 items)
6 months — $240 ($40/month — 12 items)
12 months — $450 ($37.50/month — 24 items)
* If you like more than 2 of the pieces, you can opt to buy out the extra. If this month’s haul didn’t do it for you, you can carry over up to 2 item credits to another month and take more pieces in the future. Additionally, if there are smaller items I’ve found for you (like tank tops or accessories), they may be more like half a credit each. I will make sure anything like that is clear when you open your bin!