Here’s something that really should have been on my life list, except that I didn’t realize how much I wanted to do it until I actually did it: work with a personal stylist. You know, have my own Clinton Kelly, just for an hour or so.

Yesterday I got to do just that. And let me tell you, it was truly the best thing ever.

This is Danny Moore; he’s a stylist with the Gap here in Oklahoma City. Danny usually works at Penn Square Mall, but yesterday he came out to Quail Springs and pulled together a big rack of clothes for me to try on; then spent 90 minutes watching me go in and out of the dressing room and pulling more pieces to go with what we already had on the rack and offering super smart suggestions about what to pair with what and how to accessorize each option.

He also taught me how to wear a belt, which seems simple but has always baffled me. Go figure.

Danny had assembled a perfect collection of pieces for me to try on. He told me that he had done his research and had been reading this blog and looking at my Flickr photos. His choices were spot on, both in style and size, and I got a little giddy when he started making recommendations for how to mix and match the pieces he chose with things I already own. Swoon.

The outfits Danny created for me revolved around two basic pieces: black pants and jeans. I’m a big believer in both, because if you’ve got a great pair of black pants and a pair of jeans that fit right, you’re ready to go anywhere. Right now, the Gap has a nice range of both options in a variety of sizes and shapes. What surprised me, though, was that the shapes I wound up loving the most were not ones I ever would have picked up on my own.

Danny put me in a pair of Real Straight jeans in a dark wash, which was a nice departure from my typical skinny jean; they gave me a long, slim leg line, which I don’t usually get in jeans, and they balanced out my hips, which are the widest part of my body. He had me try them in the regular length, rather than the ankle, which is what I typically default to. The regular inseam was perfect with a heel but can easily be rolled for flats, which means that these are now officially the most versatile jeans I have ever owned.

Excellent.

Danny also pulled a pair of True Straight Pants for me to try on, again in a regular length; I typically go for a cropped black trouser because it’s easier than messing with hems and heels. He paired the pants with the Cascading Ruffle Tank and a skinny black belt and my jaw fell to the floor when I saw the whole look. I was convinced that I couldn’t pull off that long tank because it would make my backside look huge; instead, the pants made my legs look about three miles long and the tank completely camouflaged my hips. I would never in a million years have picked out that particular outfit but it was fabulous.

Which is why I want Danny to come live in my closet and dress me every morning. Seriously.

This week you’ll see everything I came home with; I’m packing it all to take to New York City with me for BlogHer ‘10. In the meantime, if you’re in the market for jeans or black pants (or both!) stop in to your local Gap — and ask about working with a stylist. And then, once you’re there, take a chance and try on some unusual pieces. It’s entirely possible that you’ll come home with something completely different and completely stunning.

Trust me.

A big thank you to Danny Moore and the staff at the Quail Springs Mall Gap for making my shopping trip so much fun, to the Gap Inc. for picking up the tab, and to Brand About Town for putting all the pieces together.