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PrintConfessions of a personal shopper
Fashion consultant Shannon Schroeder shares how she solves clients’ style challenges.
When I first met fashion consultant Shannon Schroeder, it was clear that style is her specialty. She was fashionably dressed in skinny black pants, a billowy blue tank and a boyfriend blazer. Her accessory for the day — a large, vintage-looking gold and silver necklace that she’d picked up at the local shopping mall, though you’d never suspect it.
It was a Sunday afternoon, and my mission was to join her in shopping for six clients, all with style challenges and all with very different personal aesthetics.
As a fashion consultant, it’s Schroeder’s business to know how to craft an outfit that will showcase an individual’s style. She also knows how to be fashionable on any budget — from inexpensive buys at local chain stores to extravagant purchases at some of Tulsa’s ritziest boutiques. And Schroeder knows her way around them all. She’s been in the beauty industry for 10 years but has been engrossed in fashion for as long as she can remember.
“I’ve always been interested in looking good,” she says.
She’s the girl who studied the latest edition of Vogue, Glamour and every other fashion magazine from the newsstand. She was also the rare person who was then able to recreate looks, as well as invent some of her own.
“In the fashion world, people are six months ahead of the curve,” she says. “I translate that so people can use it in everyday life. I love to bring insight to people who don’t have the means or the time to do it.”
She started in the industry as a makeup consultant, and as people were introduced to her and to her style, they began seeking her advice. Sometimes it was seeking her help to clean out their closets, assessing which items should be given away and which items could be incorporated into an entirely different look. Sometimes they needed her advice for shopping for an upcoming season, finding new uses for basic pieces, buying a new wardrobe after shedding pounds or changing their personal styles after breaking old habits. Over the last year she’s been slowly building up her clientele.
She has the eye and the insight, and she knows how to match the client’s personal style as well.
“There’s a niche for this in Tulsa,” she says.
Here, Schroeder shares the unique challenges facing six of her clients and the solutions that turned dull wardrobes into fashion magazine-worthy ensembles.
The Client: Kelly
Age: 32
Occupation: Sales representative and soon-to-be mother
Style challenge: Kelly recently discovered she’s pregnant with her first child. This working mom wants to remain fashionable despite her changing body.
The mission: To find Kelly clothing that is comfy, colorful and will expand with her waistline. Maternity clothes can be pricey, so it’s important to locate separates that can be mixed, matched and worn even after the baby is born. Breathable, lightweight fabrics are also a must with warmer weather and a larger belly approaching.
The result: The perfect outfit for every scenario. A long, black cardigan covers the rear and can be taken off when the heat creeps up and becomes overwhelming. Underneath is a billowy tank in bright colors that will conceal the belly in the first and second trimesters but hug it in the third. For pants, a slimming black legging was chosen in cotton — a soft, cozy and stretchy fabric. To top off the outfit, Schroeder chose a neutral ballet flat with a punch of girlishness so Kelly can feel ethereal yet flirty despite the lack of a heel. A large white purse was selected that can be worn over or across the shoulder and can hold snacks, vitamins and other soon-to-be-mom needs.
Mirror black leather cuff, $75, Flirt; Splendid black cardigan, $72; Parker silk tank, $150; BCBG black leggings, $118; Stuart Weitzman jelly flats, $140; and Badgley Mischka hangbag, $265, all from Saks Fifth Avenue.
The Client: Vanessa
Age: 25
Occupation: Public relations
Style challenge: Vanessa is attending the wedding of a college friend she hasn’t seen since graduation. As a young, single woman in a room full of other young singles, she wants to appear flirty, womanly and successful.
The mission: Fashion Vanessa in a colorful dress that is feminine in shape yet has hints of girlishness throughout. She also needs a shoe that will allow for endless hours of dancing.
The result: A lively print dress. The ruffle and vibrant colors make the look youthful and fun, while the silhouette gives it feminine appeal. Pale-pink flats with an accent flower complement the outfit yet ensure Vanessa’s feet are comfortable from ceremony to reception. A structured clutch is a nice contrast to the flutter of the dress.
Jenny Han “Balenciaga” dress, $164, and Serpue Marie clutch, $275, Flirt; Seychelles “Bette” leather flat, $75, Shoe Gypsy.
The Client: Liz
Age: 46
Occupation: Working mom
Style Challenge: As a modern mom with three teenagers, Liz is always on the move. She wants clothes that can take her from work, to soccer practice, to dinner parties with friends.
The mission: To find Liz an ensemble that’s flattering, stylish and age appropriate but versatile enough to last from sunup to sunset.
The result: A lightweight jean with the right cut can take any mom from daytime into night. A bootleg cut and a dark wash are especially slimming. To accompany the pants, Schroeder added a white blazer with a floral top. The blazer is professional and fashionable for work attire, as well as functional in the cool evenings of spring. The floral top is flirty for nighttime activities. Oversized sunglasses and a ruffled heel add youthfulness to the outfit.
Seven jeans, $165, and Tory Burch sunglasses, $165, Saks Fifth Avenue; Tibi ivory blazer, $388, and floral tank, $198, Miss Jackson’s; Jeffrey Campbell “Pacific” black leather heels, $104, Shoe Gypsy.
The Client: Rose
Age: 28
Occupation: Traveler
Style challenge: An avid vacationer, Rose needs styling for a warmer climate. She wants her wardrobe to look sophisticated yet still have a hint of playfulness.
The mission: To find Rose an outfit with vibrant colors and funky accents in a lightweight material. Accessories play a large role in a tropical style, so finding the perfect shade and shoe is a must.
The result: This emerald-green sheath dress is the perfect solution for Rose. The color pops and the material is breathable and flows away from the body, keeping her cool. The beads give the simple shape just the right amount of detail in just the right amount of space. The metallic, braided shoe adds sophistication to the outfit, as well as allows Rose to go from the beach to an elegant dinner. White aviator sunglasses complete the look.
Tibi seafoam dress, $415, and Tory Burch purse, $450, Miss Jackson’s; Seychelles “Get outta town metallic” pewter leather flats with braided detail, $75, Shoe Gypsy; Marc Jacobs aviator sunglasses, $110, Saks Fifth Avenue.
The Client: Susan
Age: 52
Occupation: Housewife
Style challenge: Like many women approaching middle age, Susan struggles with looking stylish without the frump. She wants her clothes to look polished all day, with the option of taking off pieces when a hot flash hits.
The mission: Putting together an outfit that makes Susan feel radiant, is well-tailored, hides unwanted flaws and that looks just as good in two pieces as it does in three.
The result: Shannon chose a wide-legged white pant in a non-transparent material. The wide leg slenderizes her figure from waist to ankle, and the light color looks crisp and youthful. A coral top adds a splash of color and will look fresh even after hours of wear. When Susan goes outside into cooler temperatures, she can cinch a denim trench around her midsection, creating a waistline and adding sophistication. A popped collar and a fancy Jimmy Choo shoe add even more polish.
DKNY trench coat, $595; Sinclair 10 white slacks, $198; Elie Tahari coral top, $88; Jimmy Choo heel, $375, all from Saks Fifth Avenue.
The Client: Mark
Age: 31
Occupation: Graphic designer/entrepreneur
Style challenge: As a business owner, Mark must look professional throughout the week. But during the weekend, he wants to exude a hip, urban vibe that differs from his weekday attire.
The mission: To find Mark an updated version of the T-shirt-and-jeans look. This outfit should show off his personal style while being flexible enough to wear while running errands, shooting pool or spending Saturday night out on Brookside.
The result: A Diesel jean looks good on every guy, no matter his height or weight. Match those with a graphic tee and Mark can really showcase his personality — from what kind of music he’s into, to his political stance, to, in this case, his sense of humor. A lightweight jacket with a bit of color detail shows he cares about what he’s wearing. TOMS lace-up men’s shoes complete the look.
Diesel jeans, $190, Saks Fifth Avenue; Blood is the New Black T-shirt, $40; Ben Sherman jacket, $139; TOMS woven cordones shoes, $69, all from Shoe Gypsy.
