Behind every well-dressed man is (probably) someone helping him pick out his clothes. For some, including Cherry Hills Village’s Duval, Bowlen and Billups families, Erroll Perkins is that someone.
Perkins, a stylist and makeup artist based out of Nordstrom at the Cherry Creek Shopping Center, has dressed both noteworthy south suburban clients and everymen—sometimes going straight to homes to raid closets; other times planning area-wide shopping trips.
It was kismet that got Perkins here. Originally solely a makeup artist, his friends took notice of how stylishly he dressed and, suddenly, Perkins became a stylist, starting by dressing those very same friends.
Perkins’ affinity for fashion came early in life. “When I was a child, my grandmother was a professional opera singer,” he says. “I was always around fashion, makeup and home-styling and I developed a real knack for it.”
That would certainly explain his résumé: Perkins has consulted at Estée Lauder and worked with NARS Cosmetics when it developed a lipstick and lipgloss for Kim Kardashian that he was chosen to present to her. He even shot a pilot for TLC about beauty queens. Now, he focuses on one-on-one styling.
Don’t think the world of fashion is for you? Perkins suggests you re-evaluate. When working with men, he keeps things intriguing by pulling items clients likely wouldn’t chose themselves: “The rule is they can’t tell me no. You don’t know how an item will make you feel until you try it on.” With these tips, your style update starts now.
ALWAYS HAVE A GOOD DENIM JACKET …
The wash doesn’t matter, Perkins says: What does matter is that “you can pair the piece with anything.” Try styling the jacket with slacks and a button-down.
… A MOTORCYCLE JACKET …
This option is a little more punk than denim but can still be a versatile topper—moto jackets, Perkins says, can even be paired with a tie. Studded styles are best for avant-garde dress codes; something lighter on hardware can be more formal.
… AND POCKET SQUARES.
A pocket square can add embellishment or elegance—plus, with a pattern or design, it will finish your look with an appropriate touch of personality.
OVERALL, DON’T AVOID FITTING ROOMS
“Some pieces don’t have much hanger appeal,” Perkins says. “Even if the piece of clothing kind of catches your attention, but you’re not sure about it, take it to the fitting room.”
HAVE A TAILOR IN YOUR BACK POCKET
No matter how good something looks when you try it on, Perkins explains, a tailor can always make it look just a little bit better.
SHOP WITH SOMEONE YOU TRUST
Bring a second opinion “if you aren’t sure of yourself,” says Perkins. Take a friend whom you know will tell you something doesn’t look good not because they’re envious, but because you could actually look better.
GO TO THE PRO
Erroll Perkins
Nordstrom, Cherry Creek Shopping Center
720.746.2424
