How I Wore It: The Long Scarf

Stylist Tips: A fresh way to style it...

This look is inspired by Olivia Palermo at the Burberry Runway show:
the long scarf, belted at the waist. This is an easy way to wear a long scarf as it does not bunch around your neck and easily stays in place.

Here is my very candid shot in the Loft dressing room as I was out shopping for a client and myself. I operate on a one for you, one for me principle. I wore my scarf with a J. Crew cashmere sweater over a long sleeved tee. Friday was freezing here in the mountains!  I prefer to wear the scarf in a more narrow line to minimize the shoulders as opposed to the draping shown above. But both are  an attractive and fresh take on items you already have in your closet.

Stylist Tip: How to wear Booties & Jeans

Okay, so the picture on the left is not WRONG, but the picture on the right is preferable, RIGHT? The small cuff and roll on the jeans adds a lot more oomph to the look.

Now, to address the challenge of comfortable socks with booties: I recommend a light pair of socks that you cannot see. I have had good luck at stores like T.J. Maxx for a pair of short socks with good coverage of the foot.

The Fall of Denim

Athleisure

There was a fascinating article on NPR last week*. The article concerned the 6% drop in sales for denim over the past year. This is significant downturn as denim sales have remained steady for decades. 

What could be the culprit? Yoga Pants. Yes, you read it right and I am sure you are not surprised. The sale of yoga pants and active wear rose by 7% in the same time period. Athleisure may be here to stay. Says Amanda Halley of LIM College in Manhattan, "Everyone wants to look like they're running to the gym, even if they are not."

It seems Americans love elastic waistbands and soft stretchy fabric. The article also mentioned the relative non-wearability of recent trends such as skinny and colored jeans.  

Personally I am doing my part for both industries by supporting designer jeans and a terrible lululemon habit. I am a giver.

*NPR. Blue Jeans Losing their Grip on American Hips. L. Carol Ritchie, 9/6/14. Web. www.npr.org

Stitch Fix

Stylist Tip:

Do you like to shop? Well, if you do or if you don't you will enjoy Stitch Fix.

It's an online shopping service that delivers a box of clothes and/or accessories to your door just as often as you like. You fill out an online profile with your likes, dislikes, areas you like to highlight and avoid on your body, and personal aesthetic. You also specify how much money you like to spend on each piece (usually 5 arrive in each box). The fee for your personal stylist and delivery is $20 if you do not keep anything in the box. If you keep any one item, then the $20 is waived. If you keep everything in the box, you get a discount.

Why do I recommend this service as a Stylist?

*Reviews. Loads of recommendations. I have referred many friends to Stitch Fix, all with glowing reviews of their experience.

*Time Management. If you do not have time to shop, this service will help you keep your look current without having to choose a thing!

*Adventure. It helps you branch out. All my reviewers have loved getting the box to their house and trying on the pieces with the clothes they already have. 

*Efficiency. It saves time.

*Personalization.  You can personalize your settings and preferences as you work more and more with your stylist. Example: once they sent me a black and maroon dolman top. I loved the fit but not the color combination. So I sent it back, noting my preferences online.

*Help. Did I mention the illustrated styling cards that accompany each individual piece in the Fix? I create these for my business clients- it does all the work for you!!

*Affordability.  With your greatest out of pocket risk being $20., you really cannot go wrong.

*Paper. I"m a sucker for beautiful packaging. The box's arrival is thrill!

Here is the link to check it out (copy and paste the link). http://www.stitchfix.com/referral/3310861

Wow, I think I may qualify as an ambassador. Enjoy!

Look of the Day

Sunday Fun Day

Here is an easy weekend outfit for reading the paper or browsing the shops. I'll bet each one of you already have these elements in your closet.  Plus, this ensemble will translate well into Fall. 

Happy Weekend!

Seeing Spots

Stella McCartney NY Fashion Week

Polka Dots 

are just as relevant today as ever.

There are so many ways to wear this look year-round. Polka dots are simultaneously playful and sophisticated when worn the right way. To keep the look chic and not too girlish pair polka dots with sophisticated accessories like fierce black heels, leather jackets, leopard prints, and man-sized watches.

 Try these looks:

I need these jeans!!!

Boyfriend Jeans

I dug my boyfriend jeans back out of my closet yesterday.  Man, do I love them. It's wonderful when when comfort and style meet! They are back in style just in time for warmer weather.

How to wear Boyfriend Jeans:

-The look is (as the name suggests) borrowed jeans from the man in your life- boyfriend/brother. But the great part is you can now get them in your size. Think slouchy, casual, lived in, throw in some rips and you are ready to go. It's another riff on fashions love affair with high/low concepts.
-Pair them with a something tailored or more feminine on top. A few borrowed ideas:

The key to the look is rolling the cuff to show a little ankle. Heels are always a winner but I like to wear mine with Toms or Chuck Taylors. With boyfriend jeans you can look simultaneously edgy and sweet. Love it! A few more ideas...

Fun and comfy: win win!!

Boots & DIY Jeans

Tall boots are in style and do not seem to be going anywhere.  Recently I have had a couple of clients with gorgeous boots and no skinny jeans or leggings. The problem: how to squeeze their boot or straight cut jeans into boots without them getting scrunched up at the knee.  The solution is all about the "tuck-and-roll" technique we learned in middle school (remember that with bucks?!?). You may have to try this a couple of times to get the tension right.

Here is a little borrowed DIY illustration on how to make your regular jeans work with boots:

*what is more budget friendly than making what you already have work?!?

She's Got Good Jeans

Recently I discussed dark jeans with a client. They are a must-have!! This task is easier with a large clothing budget.  But we can still look fabulous within our limits. Here is my jeans guide:

Everyone needs a pair of dark jeans.  They are the ultimate wardrobe essential.  Buy whatever style you prefer: straight leg, skinny, or trouser. They can be dressed up or down to suit the occasion.  Pair them with heels or tuck them into boots if you are not as fond of your ankles.  Even in the more conservative parts of our country, denim can be seen in Country Club grills (gasp!) for drinks and dinner.  Stacy London agrees, "dark denim is the blank slate from which you can create any style." They instantly convey a contemporary, youthful vibe.

Tall, 5'9 or over:

Old Navy Rock Star Jeans in Tall

J Crew Matchstick Jeans in Tall

Levi's

Curvy:

Gap jeans

Just Fab Signature Skinny

Lucky Brand

Boyish Hips:

J Crew Matchstick Jeans

Old Navy Rock Star

American Eagle Jegging

Plus, size 14 and above:

Chico's So Slimming

Lee

Levi's

Petite, 5'4 and under:

Gap Jeans in 'short' leg

Old Navy Rock Star

Guess Brittney Cut Petite

Nylon Magazine once printed "If you can't tell if your jeans look good in 30 seconds, you need a better pair." This wardrobe essential is worth the effort!