Tan France to the Rescue!

December 13, 2022 8:35 PM

I am seeking a stylist to help improve my wardrobe. I am 60 years old and wear women’s size 18. I tend to dress in an androgynous style, but I would like to spiff up a bit, while still staying within a moderate budget.

I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. When I looked on Google, I didn’t find anyone local. I understand that Nordstrom has free stylists. But Nordstrom is fancy for me, and there is only a Rack store here. I might be willing to go to Tucson, Phoenix or Denver for a stylist (not necessarily Nordstrom).

I am open to subscription services but wary. This is partly because I am unsure how well they will suit me, and partly because I don’t really want to think about clothes every month. I would rather buy things one to four times a year and be done with it.

Do you have any suggestions?

posted by NotLost to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (6 answers total)

Response by poster: Also, much of my wardrobe is from the men's department.
posted by NotLost at 9:42 PM on December 13, 2022

No guarantees, but there is a certain probability of a Nordstrom stylist in in a given store who is actively living for you to come in to their store, because you are who they would love to style, because they know where you are. I think it's worth a shot. I admit I don't know Albuquerque but I think if you seek them out there are a lot of people on your side.
posted by away for regrooving at 12:31 AM on December 14, 2022 [1 favorite]

I also wear about a size 18 and had good luck with Dia & Co, a styled clothing box service for plus size women. There are subscription options but you can also try a one-time box. For a while author Roxane Gay was endorsing It on her Instagram and that's how I heard of it.
posted by lizard music at 7:05 AM on December 14, 2022 [1 favorite]

I believe that Dillard's has a personal shopper service. You could call and ask if it's available at their Albuquerque locations. They also sort of unofficially offer this at most women's boutique type stores- I know a woman (in Albuquerque, who always looks very well put together and professional) who would go seasonally to Talbot's and say "this is my budget, make me a wardrobe." She would just wear combinations of those clothes until the next trip, when she would just get rid of everything and start with the new. I don't recommend that for budget reasons, but she looked amazing. If you wanted to go that way, I would browse some of the stores online and try to find a place that looks consistent with your style, and then call them and ask.
posted by Missense Mutation at 8:17 AM on December 14, 2022

Best answer: I would look for someone who does online style consults - I bet you could find someone who will do an hour long discussion with you talking about what you wear now and what you could change up. Then, you could take some time to buy things in your price range, then maybe do another hour to have the stylist help you put things together.

I’d probably look for someone who promotes themselves as being inclusive/affirming to lgbtq+ clients. Regardless of your own gender identity or sexual orientation, someone who works with more queer people is likely to be better with androgynous style and helping you figure out how to spiff up in a way that feels right to you.
posted by maleficent at 11:24 AM on December 14, 2022 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: Thanks for the advice. I hadn't thought of looking for a stylist with a focus o LGBT, but that now makes a lot of sense.
posted by NotLost at 7:19 PM on December 14, 2022