Mary Michele Nidiffer is the stylish best friend every woman needs. She’s candid yet warm when doling out fashion advice and insights. Her stream of affirmations punctuate her conversations in a way what make you want to stand up taller and throw your head back in a show of sultry nonchalance.
“Stop comparing yourself to others.”
“Highlight your assets.”
“It’s not about perfection.”
Michele has been drawn to fashion her whole life so it’s no surprise she’s harnessing her talents to open StyleFinder Boutique, a shop for women of all sizes from XS to XXL. Unlike many boutiques, StyleFinder caters to women age 35 +, but my hunch is that fashion forward woman of all ages will flock there. There promises to be a mix of styles that complement an array of women. Michele has a keen sense of style and a personal grace that carries into how she works with her image consulting clients. Her whole focus is on what makes you feel good. “It’s not about the outfit, it’s about how you feel in the outfit.” she tells me.
Trained “stylistas” are available for image consulting and shopping help. Such personal service is key for women like me who are ready to transition my wardrobe to pieces that better suit my lifestyle and my um, changing body. Let’s face it, gravity takes its toll as a woman inches closer to 50, but that doesn’t mean we should succumb to Mrs. Roper caftans. Michele eschews the term “age appropriate” when it comes to clothing. Her philosophy centers around outfitting women in options that are style savvy. She focuses on lifestyle, body type, color, and scale to help determine which pieces work for a variety women. She’s a mom, a wife, a business woman…she gets it. There’s no such thing as one-size-fits-all in fashion.
StyleFinder Boutique will stock clothing, jewelry, scarves, and handbags. I’m most excited about the Angela + Roi line of bags that masterfully blends fashion and social good. Each color bag denotes a different charity that the sale supports. For instance, a portion of the proceeds of each red bag sold is donated to Keep a Child Alive, an organization dedicated to eradicating AIDS. The boutique maintains a community conscience and carries mostly made in the USA items, many made by mother/daughter teams of seamstresses. Michele’s own line is made right here in Raleigh by local moms. Hmmm…buying a kicky outfit for yourself seems like the perfect way to celebrate Mother’s Day!
StyleFinder Boutique opens May 1 at 6801 Falls of Neuse Road (next Skin Sense Spa).
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