Once Upon An… unexpected Stylist

“I LOVE to mix colors and patterns to make beautiful, unique outfits that really express who I am inside!”, she exclaimed rhapsodically.

I was standing in a store, staring skeptically at a daring outfit combination hand-selected for me by Once-Upon-A–Stylist founder (and my new fashion guru) Nancy Renaud. My dubious gaze bounced back and forth between the boldly audacious jumpsuit, and the boldly audacious woman who was holding it up for my approval. Sporting skinny jeans, high-heels, and a blue and yellow striped blouse, perfectly paired with a multicolored scarf punctuated with industrial-looking rivets, she looked like she had just strutted off of a Parisian catwalk; her impeccably coiffed hair was styled to emphasize the makeup she had tailored to complement her outfit. I, on the other hand, having thrown on my usual gray leggings, black tee-shirt, gray duster sweater and black knee-high boots, hair in a no-fuss ponytail and makeup as minimal as I could manage, looked like I had just stumbled out of a support meeting for the recently hopeless. Gray and black had become something of a uniform for me in the past few years. For me, colors were exceedingly rare….patterns were an unequivocal NO.

“Face it-“, she said gently but firmly, “-you are stuck in a fashion rut! Just try them on; if I’m wrong, then I’m wrong”, she shrugged.

I finally relented and took the colorful selection of clothes from her manicured hands. She chatted cheerfully to me in the dressing room while I quickly donned the first outfit. I figured the faster I got it on, the faster I could take it off and return to the safety of my own, nondescript duds. I fastened the buttons and looked in the mirror and… my jaw dropped open! I couldn’t believe what I saw! Gone was the mousy, wan-looking reflection I had been expecting, and in its place was a vibrant, youthful-looking woman.

“We-ell?” Nancy asked in her charming, French accent.
I opened the door with a ridiculously large grin on my face and executed a playful spin so she could admire her handiwork.

“Très jolie!” She gasped enthusiastically.

I was sold! I spent the next hour happily trying on any and every piece of clothing she brought in for me- each article chosen specifically to compliment my personal body shape, coloring, and personality. I agonized over which items to purchase, but Nancy was with me every step of the way and together we chose the most best and most versatile outfit combinations.

The best part? I didn’t have to break the bank to look and feel like a star! Everything Nancy had selected was well within my budget! Thanks to Nancy’s expert advice, I was able to find my own inner-stylist, and now I am not afraid to put together unique, sometimes even daring outfits that allow me to feel the most natural and beautiful I have felt in a long long while. Thank you OUAStylist!!!!!

A. Hancock
– Raleigh, NC”