So you’ve taken the Style Quiz and received your 1st batch of Short Story goodies. You open up the box to find pretty prints and soft fabrics. You see the usual invoice like any other package, but you also find a personal note written by your very own Personal Stylist! She offers styling advice about her picks and you can’t believe how much she seems to get your style without even having met you?! How is that possible?! We absolutely love getting to know our clients, so now we want to share a few things about ourselves with you, too!
Our Stylist Spotlight series gives you a peek into the lives and personalities of our very own Short Story Stylists! First up, Kathryn—better known as “Kat” to her clients.
Q: What’s your favorite part about being a Short Story Stylist?
A: It would have to be the relationships I get to build with my clients, or as I like to call them, my pen pals! I get to send "letters" to petite gals all around the country while doing my best to make them feel confident and beautiful in their own skin. I love when clients really share their lives with me—career promotions, engagements, motherhood, even divorce. Sharing pieces of who they are and the changes in their lives help me style from a place that’s truly personal. One day, it’s a new mom looking for comfort without sacrificing style. The next, it’s a newly single gal who’s ready to start dating and wants clothes she’ll feel amazing in. This service is more than just styling, it’s helping women feel their best as they navigate through life.
Q: What sets you apart from other Personal Stylists?
A: I’d have to say that my background in fashion design helps set me apart. Construction and fabrication of a garment go hand in hand with how something is going to fit, and that’s really important for us petite gals. I know that a dropped shoulder seam design won’t be the best for someone who’s trying to minimize broad shoulders. When someone with a larger bust needs more than just an open neckline for a more flattering fit, I know fabrication with stretch is key. Being a fashion designer has helped me understand the body better, so I make sure to utilize it!
Q: How does styling petite clients differ from styling non-petite clients?
A: There is definitely a difference! I’ve styled clients of all heights, shapes and sizes and in all honesty, petites can be really tricky. The main issue petites run into is height, but being petite doesn’t just mean you’re short and skinny and that’s what much of the fashion industry is overlooking. Shorter frames like mine (5’3”) usually struggle with length, but it all depends on your body proportions. Maybe you need shorter bottoms paired with regular tops to better fit your longer torso. Maybe someone with the same proportions would rather find a way to combine high-waisted bottoms and cropped tops to create the illusion of longer legs and a shorter torso. It’s truly about finding balance so that a petite frame isn’t overwhelmed, which we all know happens easily.
Q: How do you get styling your petite clients right?
A: The most important part to getting it right is paying close attention to detail. I take everything provided to me in a Style Profile and paint a picture in my head of what my clients look like—if I don’t already know through social media photos linked to their profiles. I pull inspiration from her Style Profile, Pinterest boards and especially from the helpful notes left for me to get a better idea of who she is, what her style is and what she's looking to add to her wardrobe. Does she have a much smaller waist in comparison to her shoulders or hips? Is she my height but with an inseam much longer than mine, which tells me she may be shorter in the torso? Is there a reason she says, "Comfort is key" in her notes? Maybe she's recently retired and wants to look good without all the fuss. It's important to pay attention to all these things to really provide an exceptional experience for my clients.
Q: Ok, something more personal—music! If I opened up the music app on your phone and hit play right now, what would I hear?
A: Oooh! "U & I" by Sylo Nozra (feat. Goldchain) - A good friend of mine sent this over to me recently and I can't stop playing it, along with the rest of his album. It just puts me in such a good mood. What more can I ask for?
Ready to get to know your Short Story Stylist? Take the Style Quiz to get started!
Already took the style quiz and want to order a box? Shoot us a message at hey@shortstorybox.com. We can't wait to style you!