Give the Gift of Style

This Christmas give her something she'll really love.

A One-of-a-kind Experience

An Investment in Her

A Way to Make Her Feel as Special as She Is

Give the gift of style- wardrobe consulting and personal shopping services

What clients are saying:

Lauren- Stay-at-home-mom, Waterloo, ON- "Bec has mastered the art of injecting style into everyday life. Her knowledge of fashion combined with her eye for style ensures that every outfit she creates reflects a distinct look while also being flattering and highlighting the best features of whomever she is working with. Bec is a warm and inspired soul."


Charlie, Cambridge, ON- "I'm your average, early 30's, office-working guy and started to notice that my clothes fell on two ends of the spectrum: stuff I've had since college, or stuff that someone over 50 would wear to work. That's not me. I wanted to have my own style and not feel like I was compartmentalizing work versus life. Working with Bec was perfect - she helped me sort through my closet and make some tough calls on 'keepers' and 'tossers'. Bec also helped me understand how my colouring worked, and find new ways to wear the same piece. The best part was the actual experience while we were shopping. She did a great job of educating me and letting me pick out things that I liked and was comfortable with, but she also pushed me to try some new things. I'm really happy with the end result, and plan on working with Bec to keep curating my style to be age and stage reflective,  but include a solid streak of who I am. Thanks Bec!"

Erin, Montreal, QC- "I used to stand in front of my closet trying to decide what to wear...I felt unfashionable and was always late!  Bec showed me how to interchange a few, great pieces with different accessories, creating numerous looks. Essentially, she taught me how less is more!! 

Sophie, Dentist/ Business Owner, Singer-songwriter, Montreal, QC- "Bec will make what's good about you look GREAT- and up-to-date, while respecting your taste in clothes. This tireless shopper will amaze you...she's the best!!"

for further information:

bec.abbot@gmail.com

PUBLIC STYLE PROPERTY -bec abbot style comes to the masses (sort of)

OK, so I am taking my bec abbot style thing public!

I am speaking at my first event this coming Friday night.

So, this one's for, you, girls I'll meet that night- and - for those of you who've been waiting for me to post (for a year)...sometimes it just takes some good, old fashioned pressure to push a person to get her proverbial *behind* in gear...thanks for reading.

_____

Since, like with anything else, we aren't all born with an innate sense of 'what works' when it comes to fashion/ dressing, it is my style-responsibility and privilege to share what I've learned through my many years of pouring over fashion mags and the trial/error process of coordinating looks for myself and my friends- here it is:

WHAT I KNOW- (some) Bec Abbot Style Principles (in a nutshell)

1. FIT

- Know yourself- understand your shape and body challenges- be honest (really honest)

-top heavy/ bottom-heavy, short-waisted/ long-waisted, curvy/ straight? love handles/ saddle bags, thick ankles...sister/ brother- we all have issues, even thinner girls, comme moi!

And since you can only take others as far as you are willing to go (or be honest about!)

bec is: straight/boyish and short-waisted- I look great in skinny jeans/ pants they hug what little I have; belting helps create curves for me; I need to avoid high-waisted anything since my waist is already just about under my boobs- lower-waisted bottoms and leaving tops untucked detracts from this 'issue'. Oh- I also have a post-baby-stretched out tummy, so I am saying bye-bye to bikini's and navel-baring tops (oh, never did those, anyway..!)

2. FEEL

-Know what you love- what style (s) do you dig?/ what are you drawn to?

I will refer here to 'The Lucky Guide to Mastering Any Style"- France/ Linnet (of Lucky Magazine, my fav- check it out!)...it includes inspiring, fantastic images and descriptions of different style types, including the following: Bombshell, Gamine, Mod, (North) American Classic, Rock n Roll...

TIP: 1. take cues from your decorating choices- sleek, ornate, casual, warm (pumpkin orange, mustard yellow) or cool colours (raspberry red/sky blue)...chances are you prefer to dress the way you style your home (for better or worse!) and

Tip 2. look to celebs or musicians whose 'look' you aspire to or relate to- Debby Harry, Katie Holmes, Rachel Bilson, Dianne Keaton etc...*start a tear-sheet folder or binder with pics of looks you love- chances are, over time you'll see patterns and trends in the things you gravitate toward

bec loves: Rock n Roll/ Arty-Slick style- I LOVE accessories with studs and chains, graphic t-shirts under my tuxedo blazer, animal prints, and my leather leggings, BUT I ALSO adore the 'art-piece-inspired' elements like bat wing sleeves, funnel necks on my coats and sweaters, uneven hem lines and graphic statement rings, necklaces and belts a la Tilda Swindon/ Tina Chow- my style and colour preferences and tendencies do extend throughout my home- I have a studded pillow in my living room, and a disco ball, and I have a massive piece of art and love eye-catching stripes and wallpaper treatments (in small doses)- I tend to decorate in/ wear neutrals and black and white as my foundational pieces, then add the odd graphic print or coloured piece and make statements using my accessories...

3. FUNCTION

-where do you live, work and play? what kind of clothes will serve your lifestyle and allow you to function well, while still looking great? Always consider the 'cost-per-wear' (if it's trendy, spend less/ little; if you'll wear it many times/ week- spend more/ most)

bec lives: at home during the day with a 3 year old, mostly, but still likes to be stylish and dresses up for irregular, but important date nights, and Sundays at church- I don't require ball gowns or even multiple pairs of stilettos each season (though I covet many of them, anyway)- one, new high-heeled style each season will do, as well as keeping in stock great-fitting basics that I can accessorize the heck out of for those evenings/ Sundays.

4. OTHER IMPORTANT STYLE PRINCIPLES:

i) quality- the truth is that when I/ you need a number of items for my wardrobe each season, there just isn't the income to shop in designer stores- do the leg work and hunt for pieces- search for higher-end pieces at the local thrift store- and, honestly, more and more chain stores are providing decent designer-style knock-offs to satisfy those of us with trend-loving tendencies- remember to buy the best YOU can afford.

ii) restraint- start with less and add more- accessories one by one; watch how many colours per outfit- as a rule the law of "3" works in most cases (accessories, colours)

iii) coordinating/ not matching- if you're going to match your bag and shoes, at least make sure the texture is different- I prefer the look of a cognac brown boot with a tan, olive green or metallic bag...it makes for a more varied, and 'well-travelled' style- like that room where everything doesn't come from Ikea.

iv) think before you shop- work off of a seasonal, shopping list- created twice, yearly by 1. going to your closet to see what you have that is in good shape, fits, and that you still wear and love, then 2. consult magazines/ retail websites/ style blogs for what's in/ hot, then 3. ask yourself what's missing (basics you need and trends you love) and add them to the list before you hit the stores...this decreases the chances of over-spending and duplicating what you already have in your closet

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ok, there is more I could tell you, but that's all I am giving away for free. I have to feed my kids, too, right!?

Can bec abbot style help you to discover and/ or develop your closeted, stylish-self?

It would be my privilege to act as teacher, guide or simply a second, expert opinion in your own journey of developing your personal style, editing your closet and building a workable, flattering and lasting wardrobe - so that you can move toward to *more* in your life.

*ASK ME* about:

-multi-service Style Packages

-A la Carte Services

- your personal Style Profile

- Virtual Consulting (Skype, Baby!)

*Whatever your budget, we'll make it work*

HO,HO,HOld on- don't give up on me yet!

I know, I know- it's been over a month with no new post...bad form!

Don't forget-I am living in my parents' basement still- no access to scanner, one car- living in limbo, really- so, cut this style-girl some slack, will you?!

*COMING SOON*

I will be posting a response to my latest, fashion book buy -a visual treat - the fashion manual-The Lucky Guide to Mastering Any Style (France/Linnett)- featuring- bec abbot Rock n' Roll/ Arty-Slick Chic...

Please hang in with me- I have lots of great ideas to develop this thing in the New Year. Our potential, pending move to fashion-metropolis Montreal, Quebec has me TOTALLY STOKED to begin some on-the-street-style photo journalling and I think that it is only fitting that I document the HOT shops I come across as I explore the city...

Other blog regulars I hope to include are:

1. Tips/ Tricks for dressing each body type

2. "I am Totally Loving..."- a feature that unpacks 'how-to-wear-it'

3. Hot/ Cold- (Chaud et Froid???)- my take on the trends...

What about those loved/ hated celebs?- I might venture into a break-down of who's-wearing-what-and-did-it-work-or-not...AND I think that profiling bec abbot style clients would be a great, real-life, hands-on approach to seeing how to build a functional wardrobe.

All for now, friends.

I'd love to build up a following, so would you mind telling folks about me?

After all, it is FAR more fun to 'gab' when there's someone listening, right??!

Happy Christmas- God Bless, Us, Everyone,

bec

x

When all her shoes get packed away- What's a girl to do???!

This is the very predicament I found myself in a few weeks ago when we moved in temporarily with my parents for 3 months. I know, I know- HOW ON EARTH could you let this happen, girl? I hear you asking while you shake your head in half-disgust-half-empathetic dismay.

Please understand me, here- I did due diligence, truly:

I accosted my husband in the driveway, grabbed his shoulders, looked him dead in the eyes and pleaded with him to keep that Box aside, meanwhile 5 able-bodied and well-meaning men helping with the process- somehow- packed away my Beloved Shoe Box-containing the turquoise suede T-straps, sky-high Sex-in-the-City-esque black-studded sandals, knee high caramel wooden heeled boots, gold metallic peep-hole flats and every other pair of shoes I owned (MINUS the black flip flops I was wearing and a ghastly looking neon green lace less pair of Converse).

Quelle nightmare!!!?

Certainly no one could expect me to go 3 months in the flops and Chucks, alone, especially with Fall, and then Winter approaching, and so I promptly set about replacing my entire shoe wardrobe in limited number, on a very small budget- how to choose?

Here's what I bought:

1. Flats

metallics act as neutrals, and in my opinion are a more interesting and textural alternative to plain old black in some cases

Aldo

2. Black Pumps

as a mom of two small boys who still likes to look her sexy-best when about town I chose a high, but sturdy heel and round, not pointed, toe

Winner's- Steve Madden/Madden Girl

3. Statement Heel

with this suede peep-toe with stud detail I channel my inner rock-star and really funk up even the safest of outfits

Winner's

4. Interesting sneaker

since sometimes even flats don't cut it for a trip to the park

Payless

5. Tall Boot

it was 'high-time' I added an all-weather boot with a heel- I like their sleekness and the ruching detailing- perfect for my new faux-leather leggings and the skinny jeans that are the staples of my casual wardrobe

Winner's

____________

Total: $220

If I had to- I could certainly live on the above choices, alone- in fact it has reinforced for me again the importance of building a shoe wardrobe with foundational choices.

I have to be honest, though- I can't wait to be reunited with my Shoes again- It will be just like Christmas!