There’s someone I want you to meet and her name is Mary Clare! She’s the gal behind the outfits I shared to my Instagram stories the week before last and I was so excited to hear you all loved them as much as I did.  

For anyone not already familiar with Trunk Club, it’s a personal styling service without the fees – you simply pay for the things you keep! If you’re in Chicago, I highly recommend making an appointment to visit the Clubhouse and meet Mary Clare in person. She’s so much fun and there’s an open bar. 😉 I ended up being there for three hours and loved every minute of it.

She took into account my lifestyle (working in an office vs. remotely), what I feel is missing in my closet, if I have upcoming vacations, weddings, etc. So basically, you can utilize a styling appointment for specific things like a dress appointment for an upcoming event, an appointment to help you find the perfect pair of jeans, and so on.

I think the best part of my time at Trunk Club was finding pieces I would never have entertained the idea of had I been shopping on my own. If you’re in a style rut, this is a surefire way to get out of it! That and the fact that it just made me feel fancy (and was a huge step up from the fluorescent lighting we’ve come to know and hate in department store fitting rooms).

I personally like to mix high and low-end pieces and focus on cost-per-wear. I don’t shy away from investing in items I know I’ll have for years to come, but have also been having more fun with my style when it comes to trendier items (like the bodysuit!), so I let her know that before we met!

Another way to use the service is by getting a trunk of clothes and accessories sent to your house. Your stylist (miss Mary Clare 😉 ) will put together a trunk preview of whatever you need and will send it to your email or over the Trunk Club app. You review what’s being sent and remove anything you don’t want to try (however, keeping an open mind is key!) and at that point you can message with more direction as to what you’re looking for and she can add or remove before it ships if necessary. When the trunk arrives, you have five days to try everything on and you keep what you like and send back what doesn’t work out. And of course, you’re only charged for the items you keep. Easy, right?

You could also utilize a trunk for things like swimwear or bras, which are typically items people would rather try on in the privacy of their own home.

I also love that Trunk Club has tailors on-site who pop into appointments for any alteration needs (think hemming pants or jeans, which great if you’re petite!). The best part is that it’s free and you’re able to leave with pieces that are ready to wear and fit  you the absolute best.

A few quick tips from the professional (that’s not me lol):

• Invest in wearable statement denim each season (like those white jeans with the incredible braid detailing she pulled for me).
• Third pieces elevate any look – think a versatile blazer or jacket!
• Finding a trendy shoe each season will take your basics and make them fashion forward.

I can’t say enough good things about Mary Clare and my experience at Trunk Club! If you’re in Chicago, go see her! And if you’re not, she can send you a trunk for you to try out at home (that link will take you directly to her 🙂 ).

If there are specific items you see in this post that you want, just let her know and she can be sure to include them when she’s pulling for you!