Gals,
Happy New Year!!!
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. Hard to believe it came and went to quickly.
Anyhow, I wanted to re-introduce myself because there are SO many of you who are new to my blog. My name is Angela Howenstein and I’m a 50+ Style Coach and Fashion Influencer 🙂
My journey really began when I was in middle school. At the age of 12, a local boutique in Winnetka, Illinois gave me a job. It was called The New England Trader and I loved every minute of working there. Since I was too young to get paid, the owner paid me in a small lavender mini duffle bag with lime green trim. I thought that was the GREATEST thing and I wish I had held on to that!
As the 6th of 7 children, I was ALWAYS getting hand-me-downs. I actually didn’t mind:) In fact, I used to spend HOURS in our cedar closet pulling out old clothes from my siblings and creating brand new outfits for myself.
High school came quickly and when most of my pals were studying and reading for their level 4 “Great Books” class, I was rearranging my closet and trying on outfits to wear to school that week. I would get so lost in the process that I simply forgot I had to do homework! I managed to do well in school but I can assure you that I looked my best everyday….that I know for sure 🙂
The 80’s were rough when it came to fashion. With a perm and ivory cords tucked into my flat, ivory midi boots with an oversized pink wool turtleneck sweater from Honeybee, I was feeling like a babe. I can still feel that sweater and picture the outfit PERFECTLY. I guess this is where I started to really get into shopping and growing my wardrobe.
College was next and those were the days of Milli Vanilli harem pants and fast fashion was just becoming a thing. I was a big Marshall’s and T.J. Maxx shopper because I loved a bargain…and frankly, I still do! Nothing better than getting a deal on an item that no one else is wearing, right? One time, I bought a barf brown two-piece pantsuit at T.J. Maxx for an event at school and I felt so gooood in it. What the heck was I thinking? Yikes. I also wore blazers that were oversized and ill-fitting because I thought that looked cool. Not sure it really did, but I didn’t care… if Molly Ringwald could do it, so could I! HA! I loved my college wardrobe, but I was always buying new things and trading outfits with friends.
After college, I went into a career that was the only one I knew – television ad sales. My family had been in radio ad sales and I figured I’d head for the Big Apple and try my hand at tv. Who knew you were supposed to make your interests into your career…clearly I didn’t.
Working at NBC was so damn fun. I was wearing my best Bebe suits in all the worst shades of sherbet with my Legs pantyhose in a shiny sheer nude. Good gravy…..I can’t believe I did that…but that was the style, so that’s what I wore. Those were the years I bought my Justin black cowboy boots that I wore under my Levi’s with a black turtleneck and a big black belt. I have that picture somewhere…..I’ve gotta find it. I suppose you could say these were my Amanda Woodward (Melrose Place) days….maybe she was my inspo?
After many (too many) client lunches consisting of chardonnay, caesar salad ,and fettuccini alfredo, I realized the ole Bebe suits were getting a little snug. So, I tried Jenny Craig – yes, I did – and got myself back on track and back in the shops.
I was upping my game at this point by mixing my affordable pieces with one or two investment pieces. But. with a salary of $26k in NYC, there wasn’t too much extra $$ to be spending on clothes, so I became an even smarter shopper finding bargains all over NYC. I was known to stop at the Strawberry (cheap) clothing chain as well as the designer resale shops in search of something that I could never afford at Bergdorf’s. I had my ways…..
Why didn’t I get into the fashion world back them? I have no idea. I should have BUT the path I followed got me where I am today.
I did a few stints at Lilly Pulitzer, Papo D’Anjo, Oscar de la Renta and Ellie Kai before I realized that I had something to share – my love of high/low fashion and my desire to help others find their own fashion nirvana.
As kids started coming, my friends and I in Los Angeles found ourselves lounging around Elyse Walker buying so much STUFF because we actually had places to go :). My other “escape” from four kids under 4 was to hang around my friends’ closets helping them edit their wardrobes and choose outfits for our big nights on the town.
My friend Allison and I would always be in her closet asking the question, “Where are you going in that?” If we had an answer, like the grocery store, then the item stayed. If we DIDN’T have an answer….gonezo…out the door….buh-byeee.
That inspired me to turn my interest in fashion and make it a career. Since then, I’ve worked with SO many women around the country helping them in-person, 1 on 1, to build a wardrobe that fits and flatters them and makes them look and feel like a million bucks.
First, we take into account their body type, their personal style and their lifestyle – that’s how the magic happens! It’s not about what the models are wearing or what’s on the mannequin, it’s about what looks good on the body of the person in front of me. I’m helping these women feel more confident and I’m giving them the ability to get dressed every day with EASE. That gives me SUCH pleasure…you have NO idea.
What came next seemed to be a natural path. I took my love of this business to my social media channels so that I can help women EVERYWHERE achieve their fashion goals.
The way I look at it is this: everyone has their own unique body, their own unique style and their own personal budget. The only way to help EVERYONE enhance their wardrobe is by showing them as many great pieces that I would wear myself or that I would recommend to a client. That means showcasing all sorts of styles, colors and price points. That’s my jam!
Did I plan on having an “Instagram” life? Helllll no. But here I am!
I continue to stay true to myself so I can relate to my personal clients and my Instagram “family”. I aim to be approachable, down-to-earth and relatable so that anyone and everyone can feel confident that they can count on me :). Understated elegance is my thing…I hope it shows 🙂
Lastly, I’ve taken my “gift” and compiled all that knowledge into an online course called, “Dress to Express”. (It’s on sale right now!) I’m teaching all my tricks and tips to having a wardrobe that WORKS. You can check it out HERE…… good stuff!
What’s even MORE exciting is what is coming this month….I’ll give you a hint…..
How would you feel about having a virtual closet “outfitted” by a virtual stylist? If that sounds interesting to you, then stay tuned!!
THANK YOU for being here with me – love you guys!!
