Feb 19, 2014 >> FROM BEANIE TO BOWLER, TOPSHOP HAS US GIDDY FOR SPRING
G&F’s editorial assistant Alaina Africano is quite the stylish one—but she’s no match for the Topshop Personal Shopping team. Because even the best of us need a hand now and again. After a renedez-vous at G&F’s Valentine’s Day dinner with the Brit label, we sent Alaina in to experience #TopShopPS first hand. The result? Two stylish thumbs up! Her story is below:
I ditched the Chiberian commute and headed to Topshop Personal Shopping for some sartorial consolation. Personal Shopping Manager Jennifer Leith and Stylist Ryan Dawson dished on Spring trends and tips on how they navigate 49,000-square-feet of hipster haven. I suddenly fell into a stupor of laser cut dreams and jeweled reveries. I had found my mini-sabbatical on Mich Ave.
I’ve raised an eyebrow at the shopping service in the past—but now I’ll never shop alone again. No, seriously. Did you know it’s free? And all the stylists have a background or education in fashion? Oh, and there’s candy.
Topshop PS Manager Jennifer Leith explains, “We personally select pieces and have our luxurious suites set up with what we think would work best for you. Our customers also think we are commissioned on what they buy, but this is not true…which is why we can give honest and constructive feedback about the pieces you try on.”
above: PATTERN + PASTEL PLAY—SPRING ACCESSORIES FEATURE COOL COLORS + TEXTURES.
I dive right in and regardless of the weather, I’m looking to transition my wardrobe from winter to spring. We march right to the affordable accessories. The pretty pastels and textured bags are a perfect companion to rising temps (pictured above). For those who shy away from bold colors or patterns, texture will always work in your favor, like the chunky Twisted Cap Necklace.
“I cannot wait to put on a pair of open-toed heels with a pair of jeans and white shirt,” says Jennifer. “I also cannot wait to get out of my down coat and into some of my new Topshop blazers.” Keeping on the texture trend, exotic skinned shoes (pictured below, top left) can upgrade a basic look to au courant. We’re getting hot and bothered just thinking about the spring shoe game that awaits us!
above, clockwise from top left: EXOTIC SKINS, ANYONE? SHOES GET A TEXTURED UPDATE FOR SPRING // TOPSHOP PS STYLIST RYAN PULLS A SKORT LOOK // MANNEQUINS DISPLAY TRANSITION TRENDS // HELLO, GOV’NOR! ALAINA FINDS HER WINTER-TO-SPRING STAPLE
I asked Ryan to pick a unique piece that could be worn now through Spring and beyond. His answer to Midwest fashion purgatory from March through May? The skort (pictured above, top left)! The printed mashup piece can be worn with tights and then layered with a crewneck and leather jacket for warmth. Ditch the tights and jacket for spring—cue snake skin flats, a textured bag and blush-toned jewels. Ryan also gives two thumbs up to the shirt around-the-waist, which is quite possibly the most pragmatic trend for transitioning to Spring (pictured above, bottom left). And of course, my experience wouldn’t be complete without an English head nod and tip of a bowler hat to the UK-based retailer. (pictured above, bottom right).
above, left to right: THE TOPSHOP PS TEAM PULLS TOGETHER THE ELEMENTS FOR YOU // G&F’S ALAINA AND TOPSHOP PS RYAN MUG FOR THE MIRROR
Jennifer also dishes more Spring trends: the shirt dress, power dressing with clean lines, short skirts and formal blazers, and of course prints. Let’s not forget Topshop has an ample amount of beauty products. Jennifer’s top spring beauty trends include orange lips, au natural skin and inky eyeliner. Trés chic!
The Topshop Personal Shopping team is waiting for you. Schedule an appointment by calling 312.280.6835, shoot an email to emailbookingschicago@topshop.com or saunter in the suite located on the bottom floor. Topshop, 830 N. Michigan Avenue.