From needle+thread

of course someone who’s worked at nordstrom for over 20 years has an amazing wardrobe, and knows how to go about finding that must have item. i liked that sanda incorporates fashion with bargain. obviously you don’t have to pay full price for a coveted designer. it’s a little more work, but as these pictures show, worth the effort.  here’s what she had to say about personal style…

From needle+thread

NT: describe your style to me-
SB: rocker chic.  i’ve been doing rocker chic for 20 years, it’s come more into style this year. my husband just recently said to me… he’s in two bands, and he said i dress more rocker than he does.

NT: and has it been en evolution, or have you always just dressed that way?
SB: yeah, it’s a lot better fabrics, and more expensive than it was 20 years ago… *laughing* i have fashion déjà vu, where there are things i definitely wore in high school that have come back in updated ways… but it’s really more of a state of mind.

NT: do you think what you do for work influences your style?
SB: definitely, because i have to stay on top of trends. i have to interpret those trends so everybody can wear them. i also try to be the first to wear things and put it all together for a real woman. the more people can see it, on other people, it doesn’t become a trend, but an actual way they can wear the clothing.  an example, i started wearing leggings a couple of years ago and i’ve had women come up to me and say- you know, i just never thought someone of my age could wear leggings until i saw you wearing them.  it’s fine to look at things in a magazine, but until a woman can see it on a real person, see it on a person that’s not a 14 year old model, they don’t think that they can wear it.

NT: kind of like age appropriate-ness?
SB: its one of my pet peeves.  i feel like the only clothing that has an age label on it, is kid’s clothing.  as long as you have the confidence to wear it, and the conviction to wear it… i mean, you could be 20 years old and not be able wear a mini skirt or you could be 60 and rock a mini-skirt.  it just depends on how you feel in it.  if you feel good, and if you have the confidence to carry it out, go for it.

NT: what do you think influences your next purchase?
SB: i’m all about a sale *laughs*

From needle+thread

From needle+thread

NT: is there anything you’re currently looking for?
SB: i just bought and wore some black sequin leggings last night… i wore them with a white button down shirt to a cocktail party.  it was really comfortable, and it’s probably something i never thought i would have bought last year, but it’s something i’ve seen in magazines… and thought, well, i’ll try it out.  my next purchase, who knows.  i’m trying to do more color… so something in the burgundies, wine colors and purple… to go with all the black in my life.

NT: when you say sale…
SB: where do i like to shop?

NT: well…you obviously have a lot of label, how do shop designer on a budget?
SB: i love doing designer for less.  consignment shops, vintage stores, eBay, nordstrom rack… they have the best designer for less.  i’m all about a bargain.

NT: what else? what do you want to tell me as it relates to style…
SB: just that your personal style is your statement to the world on how you feel, and you can either say,  i feel great about myself and i’m confident, or you can say, i woke up in the morning and got dressed in the dark. so a lot of how your self image and how you feel about yourself, it depends on how you look.  that may be shallow, but that’s how it is… first impressions are so important, it’s how you present yourself.

From needle+thread

From needle+thread

NT: working as a stylist, what do you think people get hung up on the most? is there a perception that it takes a lot of time to have personal style?
SB: a lot of people get hung up on thinking that they have to be a certain age to wear something. i’m 45, so i don’t limit myself in what i can wear, maybe more how i wear it?… i think also one thing about being older, is you don’t care what other people think, so i don’t get hung up in that. what are people going to think about this outfit, you just put it on and feel great in it, and rock it.

i also do wardrobe audits where i go in to people’s closets and clean it out, just get down to the bare basics so that they’re able to get dressed and everything can go with each other. i think that when you walk into a large store, like nordstrom’s, it can be overwhelming because there’s so much there.  and we can just edit it and bring you the best. as a stylist at nordstrom, i can navigate the whole store, pull the best clothing options from each of the departments to fit your needs and help build a wardrobe.  it saves time and money in the long run.  it’s a dream job

NT: who are your style icons-
SB: my style icon growing up was cher. she always wore whatever she wanted, and she always had the confidence. and even though it was bad or good, it was always very memorable. she always took fashion risks, that’s what i like about her.  i remember drawing gowns for her to wear on the show.  i must have wanted to style cher when i was little! and then last year i saw chrissie hynde with the pretenders- she just looked amazing on stage, and i said that’s what i want to look like when i grow up.

for more information on sanda’s services, contact her at sanda.belaire@nordstrom.com

to follow me or sanda on twitter- kammart and nordbvuestylist