I have great news to share with you.

Many of you have asked what the experience is like working with a style and personal branding consultant so we decided to “demystify” things.  What fun!

In this inaugural post for Client Spotlight, we’re featuring Amy M.  Amy is one of L Squared Style’s clients who has told us many times that “you’ve changed my life!”  To be honest, she has a strong sense of style.  All she needed was a bit of coaching to understanding what cuts and colours of garments were best for her.

Enough from me.  Let’s hear from Amy.

Why did you originally reach out and contact L Squared Style? 

I knew I had a lot of great pieces in my closet but I was stuck in a fashion rut. My Mom (and shopping partner in crime) was constantly telling me that I needed to wear colour and pattern but I was slightly terrified at the thought of wearing anything other than a solid black or grey. I had a lot of fantastic shoes and accessories but felt I could only wear them with solid black or, on a really adventurous day, black & white. I was also having a tough time transitioning into my “ahem” late 30’s.

One thing I really struggled with was casual clothing. I went from office appropriate wear to yoga pants, there was nothing in between. And I don’t even do yoga!

What were your initial thoughts once you had your first discussion with Lazina?

I thought Lazina was really friendly, professional and fun. She was well organized, which I really appreciated! I loved the questionnaire she sent before the closet consultation. It asked all the right questions and really made me feel like she understood what I was after and what I most wanted from the experience.

What was the style coaching experience like for you? 

There’s a few things I’d say:

• The closet consultation alone was brilliant. Lazina highlighted the good and the not so good pieces in my wardrobe and showed me how to re-love pieces I already owned by taking them to a tailor and making some small changes. I had a green blazer in my closet I had for probably 5 years and wore only a couple times. She showed me how to take up the sleeves to a ¾ length, move a button and shorten it and now I wear it all the time!
• The other thing that was life changing was when I was talking about my struggle with casual clothing as Lazina was looking through my mountains of t-shirts and jeans. She looked at me and said “You aren’t a t-shirt and jeans girl, so why are you trying so hard to be one?” LIGHTBULB MOMENT! I discovered my casual style, which was a maxi dress and denim jacket or trouser jeans, a button up shirt and a blazer…all things I already owned!
• I loved the tip sheet that was sent after the closet consult as well as the photos that were included. This was pretty handy. I would bring it up on my phone when I went shopping in case I needed some help or inspiration.
• The personal shopping was fantastic, I learn by doing, so it was helpful for me to watch Lazina mixing patterns and colors and understand that they were not going to look ridiculous. It was also helpful to bring a few items from my current wardrobe so she could help me style things I already owned. Whenever I go shopping I can hear a certain someone in my head “Amy…look at that sweater. It’s shaped like a box, are YOU shaped like a box??” It was a lot of fun.

What have you told others about your experience? 

I have told quite a few people.  One of my friend’s husband bought her a closet consult and some personal shopping time for her birthday right before a girls trip to New York. She loved her experience as well.  She even out shopped me in NYC which is tough to do! A lot of my friends didn’t even realize a service like this exists.

Why do you think people should have a style and personal branding consultant in their coaching corner?

For me, it was about confidence to wear what I really wanted to. I’m certainly not a size 2 and often times very self-conscious about my body. I love fashion but felt that because I didn’t look like a supermodel I had to hide certain areas of my body and was limited to specific styles. Boy was I wrong! This whole experience has made me realize that I have great instinct when it comes to clothing and I no longer worry about what people will say if I wear those shoes with that top. I wear what I feel great in and it shows.

How has this experience inspired you?

• The first thing I did was purge my closet of everything that I knew wasn’t right for me. I just let it go!
• I shop with a whole new attitude. I know what works for me, and if I see something I like but it’s not quite right, I know what can and cannot be done to it at a tailor. I would say about 80% of my clothing gets some sort of alteration. The little bit of extra money is well worth it.
• I started wearing color. There are many days when I will wear no black or grey. This is a major big deal.
• I can look at a magazine or a blog, love an outfit on a model, and instantly know what parts of that outfit will work on me and what won’t and I pull inspiration from it instead of trying to copy specific looks which usually left me frustrated. Most of the time I shop for specific pieces instead of going shopping and waiting for something to jump out at me.
• There is also something I like to call “Project Closet”, I created a large closet/dressing room out of an empty spare bedroom. It is my favorite room in the house!

Stay tuned to learn more about Amy’s Project Closet.