You may love your stretched out Go-Go’s T-shirt, but the world doesn’t. And thus the reason for StyleLab, a Seattle-based, wardrobe ‘reality check’ for men and women who may be sending out the wrong message by the way that they dress.
We sat down with Jeannie Oliver of StyleLab to find out what’s a ‘do’ and what’s a ‘don’t’.
A Grand Wedding.com (AGW): What's StyleLab?
StyleLab: We are personal wardrobe stylists specializing in bridal and menswear styling. Your wardrobe sends a powerful message to the world about who you are and what you have to offer and I created StyleLab with the goal of helping individuals discover their best personal style and boost their confidence.
I opened the bridal styling arm of the business in 2008 after hearing clients and friends complain about how stressful, overwhelming and expensive it was to find the right wedding gown and bridal party attire.
AGW: StyleLab is such a great gift for a bride to get her man who may be fashion-impaired. Walk us through the process of a man's closet makeover.
StyleLab: Every StyleLab project begins with getting to know the client and what goals they want to achieve, both personally and professionally.
The next step is to clear out items from their wardrobe that don’t work and give suggestions of how to wear the good pieces they do have. After the closet audit, we have a clear picture of where the gaps are and plan shopping trips according to their needs and budget. For guys who absolutely cannot bear to go shopping, we bring items to their home or office.
AGW: What can a bride do to make sure the groom looks as good as she does [on their wedding day]?
StyleLab: The bride is often too busy to focus energy on the groom’s wardrobe, so they’ll default to large chain stores for rental tuxes, thinking this is the most economic approach when in fact it is one of the most expensive and worst options. Having a stylist—who can execute the bride and groom’s vision and ensure that every detail of style, tailoring and budget are right—can be priceless.
AGW: Tell us about your bridal styling services.
StyleLab: We help brides find the right gown, veil and accessories and can even help style the groom, bridal party and parents depending on her budget and needs. Our stylists guide the bride and groom through the process in a fun, stress-free manner, helping them avoid common pitfalls and offering objective advice they may not get from friends or family. Many local boutiques offer StyleLab clients exclusive discounts brides won’t get when shopping on their own.
AGW: What are the biggest 'everyday' fashion mistakes men make? And what advice would you give a man for looking his best on his wedding day?
StyleLab: Here in the Northwest we have many stereotypes, which are unfortunately, a reality. The most common being bad shoes, especially Crocs and Birkenstocks with socks. This look says “I’m unmotivated, sloppy and put no effort into my appearance.”
I also see a lot of men wearing very nice clothes with an old fleece or athletic jacket thrown over them, thereby ruining the whole look. A great coat—one for winter and a lighter one for spring—is one of the most important fashion investments a man should make. He can be wearing jeans and a t-shirt, but with the right outerwear he can look fantastic!
On their wedding day, my advice to men is to focus on a timeless, masculine look and make sure that your tux is properly tailored. Avoid a suit or tux with a super trendy silhouette and keep accessories limited to a classic silver dress watch and quality cufflinks.
AGW: And what about the ladies? What are the biggest 'everyday' fashion mistakes women make?
StyleLab: One common fashion faux pas gals make is following trends that aren’t right for their body type. We’ve all seen that girl spilling out of the low-rise skinny jeans or the woman in her 40s whose trying to look like her teenage daughter. Find out what styles, shapes and fabrics are age-appropriate and most flattering on you, not the model on the H&M poster.
But my style advice to brides is to keep an open mind when shopping for your gown; try not to get too hung up on that “princess ball gown” you’ve been dreaming of since you were twelve. Focus on finding a dress that represents who you are now and the styles that are most flattering on your body type.
AGW: How much do you charge for your services?
StyleLab: Our services start as low as $200 and the money we save our clients often more than covers our fees.