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When I was a kid, I always felt a specific ache in my knees whenever we walked by a women’s fashion store. It seemed like my mom could shop forever, while I slowly lost feeling in my legs. My sister would be causing a ruckus with the window displays, and my mom meticulously examined every piece of clothing, checking the fabric and seams. Her detailed shopping style led me to adopt the opposite approach: I quickly scan the racks, pick a few “targets” like I’m in The Terminator, and grab them. I make sure they feel safe to wear and try them on over my own clothes to spend as little time as possible in the dressing room.
So when Karen Millen invited me and my mom to a styling session at their flagship store in Knightsbridge, I was relieved to learn about the private dressing suite. No more “death legs” from standing around, as we used to call it. We also had a personal stylist to help us choose outfits, which was a blessing. Karen Millen is offering mother-and-daughter sessions in select stores on March 5th and 6th, 2016, and we tested the experience, complete with manicures by London-based nail experts, Le Salon.
I was eager for the styling session because I had been stuck in my “new mom uniform” for ages—skinny jeans and a baggy top to hide my still-shrinking tummy. I wanted something to shake me out of my style rut. My mom, however, came prepared. She had spent days studying the Karen Millen website, eyeing items from their new Spring/Summer collection. “Have you seen the lime green coat?” she’d ask, or mention the striped dress and the orange trench.
At the Knightsbridge store, I had no expectations, but my mom knew exactly what she wanted to try. Even Baby AMR tagged along since Mr. AMR had the flu. My mom immediately found a gorgeous navy crepe jumpsuit, which she happily called a “catsuit,” thanks to her careful online prep. If only the internet had existed back in the day, perhaps I wouldn’t dread clothes shopping due to past experiences.
Mom also tried on a “lime green coat,” more a soft, unstructured duster jacket, and it looked fantastic. She probably wants it, but first, she needs to figure out if it matches her current wardrobe before deciding. “It has to be an investment piece as you get older,” she insisted, meaning she wanted it to mix and match well with her clothes.
She loved the flagship store layout, as it showed combinations of outfits, demonstrating how they could fit into your existing wardrobe. Everything met her quality standards, and she believed that with age, you need quality clothes that flatter and last.
I, on the other hand, had no idea where to start, but that’s when the styling session was most helpful. The stylist showed me around the collection and helped pick a buttery soft, caramel faux leather skirt. It was something I’d never choose on my own, but I decided to give it a try. The stylist paired it with a light blouse and camel court shoes, completely outside my usual style.
To my surprise, I loved it! The blouse flattered my post-baby figure, and the skirt was elegant, cinching at the waist but comfortably fitting over my curves. I could envision pairing it with my sweaters and shirts, and the blouse would go well with jeans too.
I also tried a lovely striped coat but decided to hold off, envisioning it covered in baby food too soon. Laundering a blouse is easy, but dry cleaning a coat frequently is not! I did buy the skirt and blouse, rushing to the tills in excitement. Karen Millen also kindly gifted me a chic black and white stretch-knit midi dress that I’ll showcase in another post. It’s perfect for effortless summer dressing with a French Riviera vibe.
You can book a mother-and-daughter styling session through the online form. They’re available at the Glasgow store, and in London’s Covent Garden, Knightsbridge, and Westfield White City, as well as Manchester’s Intu Trafford Centre. Manicures by Le Salon will be offered at London locations on March 5th and 6th. Spend over £200, and you’ll get a Karen Millen zipped pouch and canvas bag.
Whether you attend a styling session or not, there’s a fantastic competition to win an overnight stay at the Café Royal hotel, with spa access, cocktails, and a £500 gift card to spend at Karen Millen. You don’t need to make a purchase, just enter by March 7th, 2016.