Meet Jennifer Pistor, a prairie-girl-turned-fashionista. While she grew up in the Prairies, Jen traveled the world from a young age, modeling in places such as New York, Germany, and France. She moved to Vancouver in her early twenties and hasn’t looked back since. With such a vast array of cultural influences, the girl behind Prairie Girl in the City undoubtedly has a style all her own.
Hey Jen! What impact would you say growing up in the Prairies had on your personal style?
In the prairies everyone kinda dresses the same way. While in my younger years I wanted to fit in and dress like everyone else, when I got a bit older I got tired of blending in. I think grade 12 was my brave year when I started doing my own thing fashion wise.
How did modeling in New York, Germany, France, and other countries impact your view on the fashion world?
When I started traveling it really opened my eyes to what else was out there. I loved going shopping in these different countries. I think it was my mission to buy at least one “crazy” piece everywhere I went so I could stand out when I got home.
What was your experience with modeling like? Is there a pressure to dress or look a certain way?
Modeling was an amazing experience for me. It was tough at times for sure and a little weird. One agency actually told me my nose was too small and that I should get a nose job to make it bigger. Needless to say, that did not happen. You can’t take anything too personally and you need to learn to let stuff go. What one agency may think is a “problem” with your look, someone else will love about you.
How would you describe your style, and how would you say it’s evolved over the years?
I describe my style as dressed-up-casual. I like to wear dresses, but for everyday wear and I love to wear jeans, but to go out to dinner in. I like to be comfortable, but part of that comfort is knowing I look put together. Accessories are everything to me. They are the bits that give your outfit personality. My style has evolved in mind set more than anything. I no longer dress to fit in or wear what I think I should be wearing. I buy things with my likes, body, age, and lifestyle in mind.
Vancouver was named the third worst-dressed city in the world by MSN Travel in 2011. What’s your opinion on Vancouver style?
Haha, yes it’s sad but true. We Vancouverites get a bad rap when it comes to fashion. The word casual is dangerous out here. It is often interpreted into yoga pants and fleece to the office. While Ugg boots and exercise gear still seem to rule the streets of Vancouver, I have seen small changes for the better over my years of living here. I hope to see more growth in the fashion scene in our beautiful city. I know we can do better.
What’s your favourite trend right now? Least favourite?
Fave trend: Colour! Least Fave: Crop tops. Maybe it’s just because I can’t wear them or maybe it’s because it’s too much of a throwback to high school for me.
Who are the biggest fashion influences in your life? Why?
It may sound cliché, but my family was a huge influence and probably why I got into fashion in the first place. My Grandmother was a professional dancer and model and traveled all through the USA doing both. My Mom also modeled and even owned her own modeling agency back in the prairies. My Great-Grandmother was a self-professed shopaholic. She passed away only about five years ago and looked absolutely fabulous all of her 99 years. I have a few pieces of hers that I wear and cherish.
What have you gained from running Prairie Girl in the City?
I have gained so much from running my blog. I have made some incredible friends with some amazing women who share the same passion that I do. I find them all so inspiring. I also feel I’ve been given an opportunity to really put myself out there. It’s no secret that I’m a curvy gal. To have people not only relate but accept me for all my curvy bits is an amazing feeling.
What would you be doing if you weren’t blogging?
I would be doing something still in the fashion industry. I have been fortunate enough to have worked as a model, stylist, boutique manager, assistant buyer, and visual merchandiser that it would only be natural to keep moving forward in my fashion journey.
What advice would you give aspiring bloggers?
Stay true to you. It’s easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing but try to offer something different…you! You’re the only one like you.
Follow Jennifer on her journey on her blog, facebook, twitter, instagram and pinterest.