Hi, my name’s Nicole and I’m a camper.
I’m also a personal stylist.
Does that make me a glamping stylist? Perhaps.
I’m pretty adamant about the fact that long and drop should never be used in the same breath. Friends refer to our set up as the Taj Mahal of campsites. And while stilettos have never actually ended up in my camping pack, a pretty little dress (or eight) may have slipped in there from time to time.
Other than that, I’m an earthy, back to basics, unpowered site kind of camping queen. Now there’s an oxymoron for you.
Now all of this camping talk might come as a surprise to anyone who understandably makes the assumption that a personal stylist would not be caught dead anywhere other than the shiny end of a shopping mecca.
But it’s important to know this about me. Especially if we’re going to get hands on in a fitting room together.
Because the stereotypical view of a personal stylist, or anyone who takes a keen interest in fashun darling, can be that they are precious, high maintenance and overly concerned with appearances. Harsh. And not entirely unfair.
It’s true. I am concerned with appearance, image and, quite frankly, thinking deeply about it occupies a large part of my cognitive capacity and time. I take a keen and serious interest in the clothes we wear and the reasons we wear them. The fashun part is also quite delicious.
But I’m also a realist.
And the two can co-exist. This is what makes me good at what I do. This is the value I bring to my clients.
I accept and deal with things as they are. I understand what’s possible in any circumstances.
When I’m camping, I know my hair won’t be perfect. If it ever can be. I understand that there will be dry and wet sand in my bed, along with the occasional breaking and entering, scrap seeking wombat. I’m also fully across the fact that dirt will get into all of the cracks, and they will not be easily dislodged by the meagre trickle of a campsite shower. Don’t get me wrong, this trickle feels like heaven when I’m three days into an outback adventure and in those particularly testing tent-side moments the daily drip wash is the only thing that keeps me sane. Ok there’s wine too.
All of this ‘reality’ has taught me that the only way to survive enjoy my camping hell experience and create first-rate family memories is to embrace the conditions. Together with my crone like tangled tresses and heavily stained camping fleece fabulously paired back with flesh coloured split toe thong socks for both warmth and style. It’s most definitely a look. Just ask me. Or any one of my camping mates, who I just know will be delighted to provide photographic evidence within the blink of an eye.
And it’s this realistic approach that I also apply when I create ‘put together’ outfits that fit seamlessly with the very real lifestyle needs of my clients and the very real shape, proportions and features of their bodies.
No runway ready dressing required. Or even welcome really.
Rather, an intelligent and intentional wardrobe that gets the job done while radiating style, supporting you to feel completely you and bringing ease to your day. Regardless of what your day brings.
Now that I can handle. And I imagine you might feel the same?
As an added bonus, if it’s your thing, I would be pleased to recommend a range of technical, functional and not all together unattractive puffer jacket options for your next camping-outdoor adventure. I’ll even throw in a can of ‘wombat off’ to boot.
How’s that for real world style!
Tell me, are you a camper, glamper or nothing but the pamper kind of woman? And what are the key wardrobe items you need to support you to get things done in your day?
I’m Nicole, and I’m a personal stylist obsessed with helping women in business and corporate roles to experience effortless, stylish dressing, allowing them to stand out for all the right reasons. I bring strategy, solutions and expertise to my clients. I fully understand the challenges women face when trying to achieve a wardrobe that actually works and I take the pain out of shopping for clothes and deciding what to wear. I transform something that feels fraught and complex into a streamlined solution expertly tailored to you.
Image: Unsplash – Roxanne Desgagnés
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