Meet Stylist – Jenilee Samuel

Do you have clothes/accessories hanging in your closet that you never wear? Do you go shopping and can’t decide what you like? Have trouble with size, color, or matching up? Do you want to look nice, and at the same time, feel comfortable?

These are the things I struggled with until my friend, Jenilee Samuel – Stylist who currently works for Stitch Fix, came to help me go shopping in my own closet. She mixed and matched things I would have never put together, but looked amazing once she did. I have a bad habit of buying something, and then it hangs in my closet for months with the price tag still on it.

I asked Jenilee to share a few things that will help others when trying to choose what to wear, but first let me introduce you to Jenilee.

What influenced your decision to become a Stylist?

A few years ago various people that I had never met would walk up to me and comment on how much they admired my outfit I was wearing. They would ask me to come style them out of their closet. There was a spotlight over my fashion. It was very bizarre. There was a reoccurring pattern of people commenting on my fashion. I even had a couple dreams that pointed to it, as well as. Several close friends would pray and give me prophetic words that I was called and gifted to help others with their fashion.

What do you love about being a Stylist?

My most rewarding aspect is when my clients tell me how confident they feel about themselves out in public. When they tell me about the positive emotional impact it has on them, that makes it really valuable to me.

What is the most common issues you have found that people have with fashion? What are your suggestions to resolve those issues?

Dressing their body shape is number one. Dressing their age is number two. Reading articles about clothing for particular body shapes. Pinterest is an incredible resource. Know your body shape and search (ex. how to dress my pear body shape, outfits that flatter a post baby body, Petite styles, etc.). The way people dress is very personal. If you don’t feel like what you’re wearing reflects how you feel on the inside, you might be betraying yourself to some degree or feel uncomfortable in your own skin. If you don’t find the right fit, fashion can be frustrating and can feel like a big challenge.

What would you say to someone who doesn’t like clothes? Whether it’s because they don’t know what to wear or they just like to be comfortable?

Sometimes people don’t like clothes because they don’t like their body and restrictive clothes reminds them they don’t like their body. Sometimes they just have a laid-back personality and just want comfort. Stay-at-home moms will sometimes say,” Ain’t got time for  polyester!” (laughs) What I would like to say to people is that you can be comfortable and still look cute/nice. As long as it fits right, it’ll look better on you.

New mommas could wear high rise jeans with spandex or skinny jeans. They should be fitted on your legs. Maybe wear knit tops. Short people could wear v-neck knit shirt. If you wear a crew neck, wear a nice necklace with it or cute earrings, cute flats or oxfords. There’s ways to polish the look that doesn’t require you to be uncomfortable. If you would like a pop with your shoes, but still want to be comfortable, metallic flats is the way to go (even with jeans). The sheen elevates your look without wearing high heels. A lot of times in fashion, it’s about breaking certain rules strategically. (ex. leather with lace or combat boots with a flirty little dress). It’s about doing it in the right proportions.

Can you explain about dressing for the appropriate age.

Coverage and quality!  When I’m styling women who are older, I tend to style them with more quality fabrics, such as, silks, satins, velvets, tweed, corduroy, etc. anything with texture or sheen. Quality fabrics and cuts is more flattering. When they’re dressing up for special occasions, they could go with dramatic cuts and texture.

Aging is beautiful and classy! When fashion represents classiness, at any age, it’s beautiful. That being said, showing less skin is more appealing. Of course, for formal occasions, it’s okay to wear something off the shoulder or a good push-up bra, so that everything sits right. Modesty is about occasion-appropriate, as well. If you have an asset, it’s okay to show it off a little, again, depending on the occasion. (ex. wedding vs church, etc.) Being tasteful is the key.

As I’ve learned from Jessica Simpson, the way to show skin and still be classy is to pick where you’re going to show it. (ex. If you’re going to show skin up top, keep things covered below or wear long sleeves. If you’re going to show more legs, wear a turtle neck or long sleeves.) When you’re showing more skin, both up top and down below, you’re giving a message that you don’t have any secrets, so to speak.

Any suggestions on shopping in your own closet?

Organizing your clothes is the most helpful thing you can do. If you’re not organized, there will pieces that you will continually overlook. Keep all your shoes organized. (ex. flats together, sandals together, booties together, etc.) The same applies to tops and bottoms (ex. jeans together, leggings together, long sleeves together, like colors together, etc.) If you have a piece that you’re struggling with how to wear it and what to wear it with, take a picture of it and send it to a few friends and ask them how they would wear it. They may all suggest something different, but it will give you different options. Pinterest is a great resource for this, as well. I did a search for wide- legged stripped pants, and it pulled up the rhythm in how people were wearing them. Most people wore something fitted on top, they tied their shirt in a knot, they tucked it in and belted it, etc.

What can you tell us about hats?

I will add a hat in various situations. If I’m looking at my outfit and it’s kind of simple or if I want to add something extra, I’ll put on a hat. If I don’t want to wear a lot of jewelry, a hat is a nice touch. If I’m traveling and I want to bring a hat then I will wear it, rather than pack it, so that it doesn’t get smashed in my luggage. Of course, to keep warm in cooler weather is always a great option. I try not to wear a hat if it’s windy because it will, most always, fly off. 

Questions or comments?Please post below in the Comment Section 

How did you come to work for Stitch Fix?

A friend who worked for Stitch Fix told me they were hiring in our area and suggested that I apply. Within a matter of weeks, I was hired and trained. I love what I do and I love the company.

What is your favorite aspect of Stitch Fix?

I love the flexibility of working my own schedule, and that I can work anywhere there’s a wifi signal. I’ve literally worked on a plane; I’ve worked on a train; I’ve worked in a car. It’s kind of like a Dr Seuss poem – I can work most anywhere. (chuckles) The leadership is very supportive and encouraging. They want to know and help, if I’m not happy with something. They’re not afraid to tell their employees where they need to grow, but they do it in a way that is so encouraging, affirming and supportive. There is a client-love department who reach out to clients who are going through tough times. It’s incredible!

Who is eligible for a Fix from Stitch Fix?

Men, Women and now we have Stitch Fix Kids for sizes 2T-14. Stitch Fix is not merely curated, it’s truly personalized to your taste, budget and lifestyle. Stylists handpick items just for you. Stitch Fix makes shopping not just convenient, but effortless. 

What is the process for those wishing to order from Stitch Fix?

It is an online company, so go to StitchFix.com and sign up. There’s an app for that, as well. (smiles) There will be a few questions to enter your size, styles you like/dislike and what pieces you’re interested in receiving. There’s a $20 styling fee. Stitch Fix will send you five pieces (children receive 8-12 pieces). If you keep none of the items, Stitch Fix keeps the $20 to cover the resources used to create and send you the fix. If you keep one item, the fee goes towards the cost of the item. If you keep all the items, the fee goes towards your items, and additionally, you will receive a 25% discount off the total. If you need to exchange an item for a different size, generally, that is acceptable. You have three business days to check out, but if you suddenly have to go out of town or an unexpected emergency arises, you can choose the date you will be able to check out, within two weeks.

You may select automatically scheduled shipments at the frequency of your choosing or ship-on-demand allows you to schedule each shipment as often as you like. Returns are easy. Simply place the items you’re returning into the prepaid mailing envelope and drop it into any USPS mailbox. Shipping is always free!

Another benefit of Stitch Fix is a one-time $25 credit for referring a client, after they’ve checked out for their first Fix. Plus the client receives $25 credit towards their first Fix. (Just make sure they use the link that you send them.) The Stitch Fix app makes it so easy. Open the app and tap the “Refer” button on the bottom of the screen. Post to Facebook, “Copy Link” to email or private message, or tap the “Message” button to text. Scroll down to view you Credit, Friends who joined (registered using your link) and Friends who have been Fixed. Who couldn’t use an extra $25?

Gift cards are an excellent option because it not only gives someone a gift towards Stitch Fix, but when they use your referral link, you receive the $25 referral credit, after they’ve checked out their first Fix.

If you would like Jenilee to be your personal stylist, enter in the comment section during your schedule in the box titled Note to your stylist: “I would like Jenilee Samuel to be my stylist.”

Update – Jenilee is no longer working for Stitch Fix. She is an independent Stylist now and can be contacted at JSamuelStyling@gmail.com for all your personal styling needs.

Additional Styling Suggestions From Jenilee

Tips and Tricks

Half tucks, cuffing your jeans, wearing a necklace that gives a look of a V-Neck, layering to slim. For husky guys, wearing  dark top and colored bottoms gives a slimmer look, etc. The Stitch Fix blog is very helpful with what and how to style your outfit.

If you’re wearing a loose poncho-style top, wear it with leggings or fitted jeans and high heels. If you’re wearing wide legged bottoms, wear something fitted on top. Anyone who is frustrated at putting an outfit together might want to get some staples (ex. white tee, dark jeans, pumps, flats, little black dress, etc.). Keep a list of certain items you need, so that when you go shopping, you will not wonder aimlessly. When picking pieces out at the store, think about what you already have, and try not to duplicate. Also, think of three things you already have that you could wear that piece with. If you cannot think of at least three things you already have to wear with it, skip on it. You want pieces that can interchangeably work with one another. Otherwise, you will find yourself frustrated and saying, “I don’t have anything to wear.” Some people like to keep capsule wardrobes, which is basic pieces in neutral colors. Starting with those basics is a great idea. Then if you want to add pops of color, that works.

Books

• The One Hundred Essentials that Every Stylish Woman Needs by Nina Garcia
• The Cheap Chica’s Guide To Style by Lilliana Vasques

For a private consultation with Jenilee, you can contact her at JSamuelStyling@gmail.com