Styled & Straight to The Bin

An example of my capsule wardrobe for a weekend away with a favorite client

Disclaimer since I know I'll be seeing "Not liking *insert whatever current thing I like & feel passionately about doesn't make you edgy or cool!" And huge defending of material items and justification of over consuming in a capitalism hellscape posts, you're right and I am sorry in advance. Not everyone makes a living by having to see the latest fashion trends, follow where the items end up, critique most of it and wear a lot of it. Unfortunately, I do so now I dislike most of everything and would rather wear a garbage bag or go naked than choose these things. You're welcome, I guess!

A typical work day look for me during warmer weather

For a few years now, I've been lightly freelancing as a stylist and personal shopper. Most of my clientele for this is based back in the Carolinas since I started my online shop and styling work there. Atlanta is more tricky since most people here are already stylish, have a stylist or have curated their personal sense of style. Being in film and fashion here in Atlanta has really helped a lot with both my personal taste as well as my ability to recognize and source items for styling my clients.

Everyone has their personal style even if the fashion world finds it repulsive and annoying. Do you, but be aware! I've always been minimal denim & clashing patterns as a personal preference when going out.

Things I have noticed spilling into the the escorting world (since we live for and often time dictate what is considered class, high fashion and on trend since the dawn of people dressing themselves) are: having style or being trendy/stylish does absolutely not equal having taste. I've seen women in my industry buy up expensive items just because they are expensive or for the name.

Racks on racks on racks.

Typically the materials are not appropriate for the weather where they live or even tour or just are not right fit wise for most bodies. The brands themselves are also often problematic in many ways. The quality, cut & fit of these items up close or in person are abysmal. Not to mention that most trends aren't appealing for very long or are forced, not a natural appreciation. They are also hard to wear, hard to properly store & not easy to style for a daily wear look. Most (straight cis) men taking us on dates are not enjoying these trendy fashion looks that women are drawn to. Given the price tag & the high fashion elements, the fickle nature of fashion is all about The Moment. Often, these items are quickly shoved to the back of a closet or immediately donated or resold for pennies.

I don't make the rules, even the entertainment industry and fashion world have had it

If you wonder where your very expensive gift (that you likely don't appreciate the look or style of yourself) your favorite material girl escort was squealing loudly about needing on socials ended up after the unboxing: unfortunately, my guy..the bin, consignment, online resale or the thrift. This isn't shade or a cautionary tale, this is the whole point of fast fashion (even in the high end market).

A casting agent posting that they are sick to death of one item or another. It's always something haha

How do I know? I shop. Not for myself, for my customers. Some of their requests for items that are on the hot list are atrocious. I ask if they are certain they want *this* thing, they emphatically say they need it for an event (for the socials selfies). Once I've sourced the items, they get photos, pricing etc. my main thing is second hand if possible since I prefer to be ethical & sustainable. These items, still being sold in high end stores are very easily found second hand. Why? Because they are worn once or tried on, the person is highly disappointed in some element of it and then the once proud and delighted owner quickly passes it along. It's a win for me, but my clients have stated that once they have pieces from a brand that are flimsy, ill fitting and disappointing in real life, they too wish to re-home them, quickly. There is almost always a financial loss too as these items lose their value more quickly than exotic, vintage or limited items.

An example of what I put together for clients based on color theory but for my own closet

My fashion clients aren't courtesans, but I have places for sourcing in my rolodex that I can't help feel are filled with expensive gifts & castoffs from escorts that were trophies for social media and then quickly discarded (or other wealthy people who fall for the hype and are disenchanted by the feel or fit once they have it in their hands). Typically, when we think of "fast fashion trends", we think of online shops filled with mass produced items, made of poor quality material. Unfortunately, influential and elite brands have produced just as tragic items & we lap it up & beg for more.

The latest pirate maiden looks from Zimmermann. These aren't so bad.

I'd never yuck anyone's yum, but if you follow social media & follow the designer/high ticket value item trail, it's usually a bag or boot that becomes our entire personality once gifted or one makes that big purchase and that lasts maybe all of about a month, tops.

Viewing this daily plus being a stylist, working in the busy and ever changing worlds of film and fashion, I constantly keep seeing the disappointment, the dire need to ride it out and keep wearing something you don't like or outright hate because it was pricey and the buyers remorse has made me very mindful when I shop for my own closet.

The many racks of items in the wardrobe department on set, surprise surprise are almost never brand new, they are sourced second hand and they are high end brands but very low quality. Some brands material and quality wise are the exception but finding bodies to make the fit work gracefully is the struggle beyond the exact measurements for the runway team. The Zimmermann (just an example of a brand that has been easily found on racks at set since a lot of actors are slim) dress that your escort begged & screamed for 2 months ago has since the gifting:

Been sent from her hands to consignment

Was selected via wardrobe dept for a film production

Purchased for a small fraction of the original cost

Sent to a warehouse in a box of similar items

Has been fondled with sighs of disappointment

Placed on a rack for as many people to wear as possible

Met daily with less than thrilled looks & checked off by a fashion assistant making minimum wage on a streaming app tv show

(likely paired with wild, unnecessary footwear choices and a very ugly clashing belt because fashion bends the rules, baby!

Hard truth to swallow. I can see why a lot of clients really aren't (eagerly) buying it, preference looks wise and price wise. I applaud the ones who do indulge our girlish whims, but if you can't or see no reason to, I still don't blame you a bit. Protect your wallet and avert your fashion inept eyes, king (sarcasm). I adore some of the high end designers & fashion houses, don't ever get me wrong. However, a vintage or very well made item compared to anything made of mainly polyester should be experienced. I have older jeans and high grade material trousers (back in style and trending now but you were expected to toss that out a decade ago when the trend went away) that new materials just can't hold a candle to. Intricate bead work, very good tailoring & well made leather goods in timeless, classic styles are chef's kiss. Vintage furs, good silk and wool items aren't to be missed either.

Generated examples of what should work for me, in theory.

I never shop on latest trends, my clients have made it known that prairie/milk maid/pilgrim/grandmother's duvet look dresses and cropped everything needs to just fade away and I wholeheartedly agree. I'd rather have good, classic or timeless tastes and long lasting items than consider myself trendy or stylish in the modern sense of the word. If you have a daughter, you remember the Stanley & the items that came before that being a live or die must have. When I shop online for myself now days, it's for athleisure wear that I expect to give out and get rotated through and the almighty trashy (one size fits all) lingerie that you guys go bananas for, paired with a Dior robe of course.

The one size fits most attire that is enjoyed & requested most

When it comes to receiving gifts lately, I have had to deprogram and anti influence my own greedy, lustful brain. I have since then become more intentional and thoughtful on my choices. Will I keep it for years? Do I know that I will enjoy this material? Is this a brand I trust? Are they consistent?

This is why wishlists are crucial. Your hard earned money shouldn't give me a short lived delight, I prefer items that I can use and cherish for years. Please note that I am also making sure to wear all of the jewelry pieces I have been gifted when I am being filmed for movies and shows. Fewer items as well, hoarding and clutter just aren't for me (books, kitchen goods, gift cards, cash for experiences and bookings to keep my dreams going are ideal and take up less space). I rarely part with handbags, shoes, scarves or accessories & I do get to incorporate those both into my personal life and work life (on and off screen). You may just see an item you've bestowed upon me while you are flicking through things to watch one day wink.

Xoxo

Your somewhat materialistic but mindful dream girl in Atlanta & beyond