Spring Trend Report: Accessories

One of the best ways to add current trends into your wardrobe is by using accessories thoughtfully. This season, there are a handful of trends that are very wearable and will update any style profile whether you consider yourself preppy, boho, minimalist or classic. I’m breaking it down into three categories for you and giving examples of each. As always, click on any photo to shop.

BOws 🎀

This feminine touch is everywhere this season and a great way to look current with a small amount of effort. From jewelry to shoes to handbags, here are some great bow choices for you. And with many thanks to my friend and super-talented Greenwich-based jewelry designer Lisa Leavy, I can offer you a 15% discount on her items site-wide through the month of April. Use CODE Maria15 (hello, Mother’s Day gifts!). Thanks, Lisa 💗 🎀

Sheer + sparkle

One of the most original trends happening this Spring is the sheer and/or sparkly and/or mesh shoe trend. From heels to flats, there are so many choices for you to add into your wardrobe. The flats especially are intended as an everyday, wear-with-everything kind of accessory. Have fun with these! People will notice!

oversized

Sunglasses, chunky jewelry and ultra-big handbags are another fun trend that you can easily add into your closet this season. Oversized clothing has been on-trend for a while now, but can be hard for all body types to wear. These accessories will always fit! I can’t overemphasize the current trend of ‘puffy hearts’—scoop them up while you can ♡

Final thoughts

Adding one or two of these fun pieces into your wardrobe will refresh so many outfits. If you want suggestions for Spring clothing trends, then here are a few of my favorites: the Ice Blue trend, sweet Polka Dots on everything; and for all my East Coast girlies, Preppy Style is having a moment! Lean into it with these great polos ✨

And thank you for all the Google Reviews—they mean so much to me!

How to Wear the Clothes You Already Have

Giving some thought and attention to your clothing is a gift to yourself. Clothing communicates so much about who we are, who we think we are, how we want others to feel about us—feeling current, comfortable and authentic (and then forgetting about your clothes) is the best way to face the day. But often I hear clients wonder, “Why don’t I wear more of what I have?” Here are my thoughts on that—

Number 1) There is just too much in your closet. The closet feels overwhelming, so you just wear a few pieces on rotation because you know they work.

Number 2) When you’re trying to grow and elevate your personal style into something new, people tend to comment!

Number 3) You’re buying items because they were on sale OR an influencer/social media post made it look great.

↑ JUST A FEW OF MY BEAUTIFUL, STRONG, SMART, KIND CLIENTS WEARING THEIR CLOTHES

So what to do?

Number 1 is fairly easy to fix: edit your closet (or get help from a professional—Hello! 👋🏼 I can help). Once you release the pieces that are not flattering, misshapen/damaged, out of date, and/or duplicates, then organize by color and season, it’s much easier to see what you have and put the outfits together on a daily basis. Giving yourself the gift of your own attention to this matter is so meaningful.

Number 2 is a bit trickier. I’ve found that when clients come to me looking to elevate their style and we do that successfully, sometimes the comments start coming. And often these are from people the closest to them (spouses, moms, kids) and they can be something like, “Why are you wearing that?” or “You have a lot of bracelets on!” I feel this happens because the new look is unfamiliar. Mom/wife/daughter looks different—does this mean she IS different? Unconsciously, the person making the comment may feel worried or discomfited. If you’ve ever found yourself in this situation, then the answer is something like, “I’m trying something new and I want to take some time to see how I like it. So far, it’s making me feel really good.”

Number 3 is a matter of really knowing yourself and making thoughtful purchases that don’t clog up the closet. Super-duper sale prices are sooooo tempting—buy carefully and make sure it really fits well and it’s something you will actually use. See an outfit on social media that you love? Really look at who is wearing it—do they have the same proportions as you? Same lifestyle? Can those shoes they are wearing really be worn outside on a daily basis (the fancy, bare shoes in winter always make me giggle! or the mom carrying a child on her hip while wearing stilettos 🤭) Mindful purchasing increases the likelihood of wearing what’s hanging in your closet.

↓ HERE ARE SOME REAL CLOSETS THAT MAKE ALL THE SPACE WORK WELL

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And bonus thought: give yourself permission to wear the good stuff! Pieces don’t have to be expensive to be considered the good stuff, but often those that are a bit more pricey can feel too precious to wear everyday. Carpe diem! You loved them when you bought them so please wear them until they “owe you nothing” as a recent client said to me! 💗

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How to Have Fun with Your Wardrobe While Traveling

This post isn’t about over-packing. It’s about enjoying clothing as a means of self-expression and how to do that out of a suitcase. My three principles of good packing still apply here: start with your shoes, use color stories, and plan your outfits in advance. But the idea is to really load up on different outfits so that you have lots of options while away. Lean into having fun, changing for different locations and activities and keeping it all organized as you go along.

The following photos are from a client who was going on a dreamy trip: Palma and Nice with a yacht trip in between. She needed lots of lunch and dinner outfits as well as day-tripping in both city and beach locations. We got it all into 2 checked bags and 1 carry-on!

All of this fit into two checked bags and one carry-on

Start with shoes

Look at your itinerary and imagine exactly what types of shoes you’ll want and what type you’ll need (often two different things!). Be practical—stilettos and cobblestone streets/sandy beaches don’t mix—but don’t sacrifice style. Start pulling options from your closet with the idea that you will edit some of the shoes out before you actually pack the bags.

Use Color Stories

Based on location, we created different color stories so this client could easily pull outfits based on which city she was in or when she was on the yacht (…’cause, you know, you gotta have Yacht Outfits!)

Plan Your Outfits in Advance

Try them on or lay them out. This is the time to add accessories and edit your shoe choices. The fewer pieces of jewelry, fewer handbags and fewer shoes you can use and re-use will make packing (and getting dressed each day of the trip) much easier. Then hang everything on a rolling rack for a few days. Have a think. Edit or add as needed.

here are a few pages from her lookbook:

We ended up with 36 pages of outfits not including workout gear and a couple lounge outfits. She looked and felt fabulous in each location of her trip (and still had a bit of room in her luggage so that some newly acquired pieces could make it home with her 🛍). Here are a few snapshots.

Loving clothes and loving shopping is such a personal choice and one of self-expression. If you do this naturally, then embrace it and enjoy it! If it doesn’t come so easily to you, then you can always pack in a more streamlined way using this formula: 5 tops + 3 bottoms + 2 dresses + 2 cardigans/jackets and 4 pairs of shoes = 7 days of vacation in a carry-on bag. If I can help, please don’t hesitate to reach out here.

one last tip: don’t forget plane/arrival outfits

Wearing layers on a plane is crucial, but again you don’t have to sacrifice style. And also keep in mind the details of your arrival day. It’s very helpful to have a fresh outfit in your carry-on for a quick ‘costume’ change as soon as you land.

☀️Buon viaggio, everyone ✈️

You're Gonna Need a Top Coat

Here is some guidance and inspiration so you don’t go out of your mind wearing the same black puffer for the next few months 😊

Remember to layer creatively

Layer under (use two coats!) or over (a rain poncho over a packable down jacket) as much as needed so that you stay 1) warm 2) dry and 3) happy for as long as you’re out in the elements.

Click to shop ↑

Make sure your outerwear is current

This means having a few options that are a bit oversized to accommodate the recent trend of exaggerated sleeves + shoulders on many tops, dresses and blazers.

woman's fashion outfit with blue jeans and an oversized sweater, black boots and hat and a tan faux shearling jacket with hood or a black and caramel reversible winter down coat

Click or Tap ↑—you know what to do!

Treat your coat closet the same way you’d approach any other section of your wardrobe

Curate it for variation so that you have options and are not wearing the exact same warm coat everyday and for every occasion for the next few months. Clean lines and classic colors are perfect for a work/office coat. Leather, shearling, and moto-detailing are perfect to wear into a city. Plaids and diamond-quilting are the right choices for days in the suburbs or country. And, do you have a date night/dressy coat? It’s always so sad to resort to an everyday coat over a great outfit for a special night or occasion. Lastly, if you’re up for high-energy vibes (and getting noticed) then choose a brightly patterned puffer or vest for everyday.

Choose clean lines and classic colors to wear to work

Wear pretty puffers on grey days—click to shop!

What about fur?

If you feel comfortable wearing real fur, then go for it! I know wearing fur elicits strong reactions but currently it’s having a moment (I don’t love the language being used around it—Mob Wife Aesthetic—derogatory in my opinion on many levels); however, the ideas of luxury, maximalism and ultra-femininity are worthy of upholding. Wearing a new or vintage fur in an updated, casual way can be really fun. Here are some images from the Instagram page @watchingnewyork for inspiration.

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A few things capturing my attention and feeding my creativity:

Holiday Wardrobe Heroes

Wardrobe heroes are those pieces that tick just the right boxes at just the right time and make every outfit ‘work.’ For the upcoming holidays, pull these types of pieces from your own closet or shop a few well-chosen items so that you have holiday wardrobe heroes at your fingertips throughout the season. Make a special ‘holiday’ section in your closet if that’s helpful for you to have all of these items in one place. Here are a few ideas for you!

statement tops + something black on bottom

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You can’t go wrong with a really special and festive piece on top and black on the bottom. Choose holiday colors and add some sparkle plus an interesting shoe. Create a few outfits around these special tops and wear them on repeat. These fit the bill from work holiday parties to festivities with family and friends.

Use the meal’s color palette

Click to shop for Thanksgiving ↑

You can’t go wrong with shades of brown and cranberry for Thanksgiving. Whether you’re with the jeans-n-sneakers crowd or at the dressy grown-ups table, wearing these colors will make Turkey Day feel more celebratory. Word to the wise: stretchy fabrics and loose jeans 😊

cozy days-n-dinners deserve holiday outfits too

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You can’t go wrong with a pretty sweater in holiday colors/graphics and easy pants that feel like pull-on pajamas or denim as stretchy as leggings. Finish with fun accessories. Don’t be afraid to lean into the colors of the season and wear to casual get-togethers, your kids’ school concerts, while gift shopping or just running errands. These cute pieces are guaranteed to boost your mood.

add some sparkle

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You can’t go wrong in metallics this season no matter which holidays you celebrate. This blue and silver color palette lends quiet elegance to any event, party or gathering—Hanukkah, Christmas or New Year’s Eve.

Red and Green (and gold and Plaid!)

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You can’t go wrong wearing red, green, gold or plaid on repeat throughout December. You can find items similar to these at any price point (and you probably already have a few in your own closet!). Remember your mission: Pick one or two pieces that say “Festive” and wear them over and over during the holidays. They become your signature pieces and then can be put away again until next year.

Good Jeans

I was recently asked to share my thoughts ‘all about jeans.’ When it comes to having good jeans (punny! I know!), I really think it’s about variety. If you look in your closet right now, do you have lots of jeans in the same color wash? or similar leg style? If yes, then your outfits will start to look the same even if you’re always wearing a different pair of jeans. Here are some specific strategies for knowing when to wear which style.

everyday light wash

Having a few pair of updated, current jeans for everyday running errands or casual lunch is important. Choose something shorter in length (so you don’t have to wear heels but can if you want to) and make sure you have both a variety of washes (colors) and leg shapes. Having a ‘bell curve’ of choices makes sense—one super skinny, a bunch with a straight leg and one fuller leg is a great ratio. More expensive is not necessarily better although typically you pay for what you get in terms of fabrication and style details. If you wear jeans often, then investing a bit of money into a few good pairs is a smart idea. And don’t forget that many of these styles are available in Tall and Petite sizes. Mother has started to offer Petites (!!) and is selling out so quickly. Add your name to the waitlist.

Click image to shop all of these choices!

INTERESTING DESIGN ELEMENTS

Casual dinner or elevated lunch jeans are important, too. Choose styles with interesting design elements for these occasions as well as dark denim straight leg silhouettes. Try on a variety of shoes/boots with these jeans to see what works best on you. More on that below.

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Going out jeans

And then you want some Going Out jeans for evenings, cocktails, dinners, parties and shows. These are typically longer in length so you can wear a heel and often (but not always) a darker wash. Again, try these on with ankle boots, heeled sandals and pumps. Keep leg silhouettes in mind here, too. A great skinny jean with pumps + blazer is a sophisticated evening look and so is a flared jean with Western boots and a pretty blouse.

in summary: variety IS The Spice of life!

Remember the key to a successful and stylish denim wardrobe is variety in colors (washes) and leg styles (silhouettes) and then taking some time in your own closet to decide which shoe works with which jean. Click here for more on that.

Fall Trends to Try

The trends that are capturing my attention this season are wearable classics—with a twist. Loafers and Mary Jane flats—interesting denim jackets—and brown plaid suiting that can be worn together or styled as separates (click here for inspo!). Refresh your Fall wardrobe with a few of these pieces, at any price point. Many are offered in Petite, Tall and Plus sizes as well. For just about everything from work to weekend, Elevated Casual is the dress code now which ensures you will get great cost-per-wear on these items.

Black Penny Loafers

I always put dimes in my black loafers and pennies in my oxblood pair—anyone else? Black loafers are having a moment, but can be worn forever. Wear the classic, low-heeled version with no-show socks or scrunchy white 80s socks like this. Wear the heels with wide leg pants or dresses-n-tights (way cooler than a traditional black pump with your day dresses!). Click here for Fall’s other shoe trend: Mary Jane flats.

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denim jackets

These are not the typical Levi’s trucker style but rather adorned, quilted, ladylike, cropped or oversized. These lightweight jackets are the perfect updated layering pieces to transition through seasons. Again, you can splurge or save and come away with great style.

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The brown plaid suit

The colors and fabrics of these pieces just scream “Autumn!” and can be worn in so many ways for years to come. Combine the pants with a simple sweater and loafer for a classic look or a hoodie + sneaker for an elevated take on athleisure. Wear the pieces together with a black T-shirt and flat shoes or mix the masculine tailored silhouette with a feminine silk charmeuse camisole underneath. Again, any price point will get you the look you want. And I love the size-inclusiveness that is becoming de rigueur (from Petites to Tall to Plus).

Click to shop these beauties ↑

mark your calendars

I have three fun presentations coming up this Fall and would love to have you attend! Two are here in Greenwich and one is a virtual event so everyone has options.

SAT OCTOBER 14 at SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, GREENWICH “Capsule Wardrobes: Simplicity, Style & Sustainability” 10am to 11am Click here to rsvp

THURS OCTOBER 19 at WILTON CONTINUING EDUCATION (VIRTUAL) “Style School: Aligning and Defining Your Personal Style” 6:30pm to 7:30pm Click here to purchase a ticket

THURS NOVEMBER 2 at NICHOLS MD OF GREENWICH “Get Red Carpet Travel-Ready” 6:30pm to 7:30pm This is a panel discussion with beauty, fashion, luxury travel and accommodations specialists. Moderated by Sue Moretti Bodson of Emboss LLC. Click here to rsvp

Summer Wardrobe Work

The summer months tend to slow down in terms of big closet projects for my clients and me. Most recently, I’ve had women reaching out asking for help with and support for members of their families. See a variety of projects below. I love sharing what I’ve been up to in hopes that it gives you all inspiration for your own wardrobe plus a bit of fun, restful distraction. (Read “Darwin Was a Slacker” here—good reasons to prioritize rest in our daily schedules!).

Additionally, I love to assist Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich each August by offering my styling and shopping suggestions to their members and guests for the annual benefit in September. This year’s theme, Havana Nights, is broad enough that everyone can find something fun and high-energy to add into a late summer wardrobe. Whether you’re attending this party or not, I hope you find some color inspo at least and a full outfit at best to use for yourself. If you’d like more info about the annual benefit or to donate to Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich, please click here. And click here to watch a 2-minute video of the Chanel Resort Show 2016/2017 on the streets of Havana. Tilda Swinton, Gisele, Ana de Armas, Vanessa Paradis: Fabulous!

And then, there’s Italian fashion, color and light. Those are always inspirational whether it’s current-day or circa 1500 (see below; flat Mary Janes happen to be trending this Fall as apparently they were way back in the 16th century according to the frescoes in the Piccolomini Library that I visited recently). Art, fashion, food and friendship: my Italy trip in June was truly a dream come true!

I hope you enjoy the following collection of ideas. I’ve added links wherever applicable so click on the photos. Happy Summer, everyone!

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How to Successfully Online Shop for Clothes

Here are my best tips for online shopping and how I do it for my clients.

⏱ First of all: set a timer. Seriously. Give yourself a limit and take a break when you hit it. Now for the actual shopping:

Use the filters (but not too much!)

This is where I start when I’m shopping for a client. I filter for garment type and size right off the bat. For example, if I’m looking for dresses and tops and shoes for the same client, I choose one to start with and filter for that. So, let’s say I start with dresses in size 10. I may click on those two filter boxes and end up with 1800 results! The next choices I’d make are typically sleeve length and overall dress length. Then color—but be careful here. Sometimes over-filtering for color or a specific style of dress (A-line for example) can leave me with only 18 choices. Not enough! What I call ‘pink’ and what the online retailer calls ‘pink’ may be different. So pay attention to the number of results and if they feel too skimpy, remove one or more of your filters.

Visualize the fabrics and silhouettes

Body measurements are helpful for online shopping but, in my opinion, the shape of the garment (the silhouette) and fabric content is of utmost importance. For example, an oversized shirt or top doesn’t necessarily need a bust measurement to fit well. Knowing if the fabric will drape well or be clingy or be more structured and stiff is important to your comfort with the garment especially because many items are still shown on very, very tall very, very thin models. Read the fabric composition of each item. If you’re not sure what fabric is what, check the tags on the inside of some of your favorite pieces hanging in your closet.

Click to shop ↑

One important measurement to know: the rise of your pants. Sometimes I want a mid-rise jean, sometimes a high-rise trouser—those measurements are different for everyone, but important to know before you order any garment online. Again, check your favorite pants or jeans. You can measure the rise yourself if the tag isn’t clear.  Lay your jeans flat and use a tape measure from the top of your waistband where the button is to the where all four seams connect at the crotch. A bit separately from this point: knowing your unique body shape and proportions is extremely helpful. While some stylists talk about “apple” shapes vs. “rectangles” I feel it’s much more individualized than that.  Two people can both have a rectangular shape,  but one is 5’9” with a narrow frame and the other is 5’4” with a wider silhouette. A one-hour virtual session with me can give you all the info you need about this. Reach out if you want to know more about this service.

Read the comments (with a grain of salt)

Other people’s comments can be helpful, but remember to filter them through your own personal lens. What others think is a problem may not be for you. Focus on fabrics, silhouettes and your personal style. Sometimes people just like to complain (thus a negative comment) so don’t let that dissuade you if everything else about the item ticks your own boxes.

Check size guides from each retailer

They really are different from each other (size Medium is a 6-8 at some places and an 10-12 at others, for example) so carefully reading these is extremely helpful before ordering online. Sometimes, I will order two sizes of the same garment or shoe to be able to choose at home, but I try to avoid over-ordering. I know returns can be a real problem especially in terms of sustainability issues. But it can be very helpful to try the item on, back to back, in different sizes.

(cick on any photo above for more details)

Know your fabrics and silhouettes! 100% cotton means no stretch. Packable fabric can mean more clingy. Tall sizes are not only longer in the arms and legs, but also in the torso/rise. And the opposite is true for Petite sizing—it’s not just shorter legs.

Shipping Costs + Returns

Always check the return policy. Note how many days you’ll have to decide (set a reminder on your calendar if you tend to forget and miss these windows). Additionally, I make sure nothing I order online is marked Final Sale—unless it’s a duplicate/update of something I already have (for example, my favorite Tretorn sneakers that have fit me in the same way in the same size since high school I would definitely order Final Sale). There are a very small handful of vendors who charge large shipping or return ‘restocking fees’—typically, I scroll to the bottom of any website to find return info and read all of these details before ordering. I found the cutest jacket yesterday but the shipping charge was $18.67 (what?!? random and pricey) for orders under $150 plus I would have had to cover the cost of the return shipping. I didn’t love the jacket that much!

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There are always more things one can consider when online shopping, but these are my top suggestions for you. Let me know which of these you already do; or if you try some of these and end up having better success than you’ve had in the past. 

If online shopping still feels just onerous to you, give me a buzz and I can do the shopping for you 😊 🛍 💛 maria@mariaturkel.com

Spring Trends to Try

Each season it seems there are endless new trends to keep up with in fashion. While it’s fun to add something new and unexpected to your wardrobe, it can be hard to know which of the trends really works and makes sense for you. I’ve chosen 3 that feel relevant, modern and easily adaptable no matter if your style is preppie or edgy, boho or ladylike, or anything in between. The best way to determine which is a good choice for you personally is to look at some of your favorite pieces currently living in your closet and choose something similar in silhouette or function but within one of these three trend lines.

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Silver shoes and bags

Choose a silver slide for your dinner outfits. Add a trendy silver handbag into the mix. Really go for it with a silver Western style boot. Or safely try this trend with a silver sneaker or ballet flat.

Click image to shop any of these choices ↑

Highly-designed Denim

A jean jacket with interesting elements. Two toned jeans. A denim sandal, boot or shoe. A maxi-length jean skirt. Any of these are a great way to incorporate this trend into your wardrobe this season.

Click ↑ to shop

Sculptural Earrings

The scale tends to be bigger. The components are mostly metals but you can add a pearl in there, too. Crumpled are super cool.

Click to shop any of these beauties ↑

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Have fun with these trends—and remember you can spend a little or a lot. Click on any photo to shop a range of prices or just for inspiration. Let me know if you try any of these!

How to Pack for One Week Away

Whether you’re headed hot or cold or both, here are some travel wardrobe tips to make packing easier for you.

  1. Visualize what you’ll be doing each day. Note any specific needs, i.e. hiking boots or fancy dinner outfits.

  2. Start with your shoes. For one full week, aim for 4 or 5 pairs of shoes. Wear the biggest, heaviest on your travel day so they don’t take up room in your suitcase.

  3. Going Warm? Then at least 4 swimsuits and cover-ups. Don’t forget beach accessories likes hats, flip flops, visors, beach/pool bags—again picture yourself at your location and imagine what you’ll want to have on the day.

  4. Going Cold? These garments tend to be more bulky and take up more space in the suitcase so choose wisely. Maximize each piece by using it in at least two outfits. Again, visualize where you’ll be and what you’ll need. Don’t forget all the extras like warm, cozy socks or tights and base layers.

  5. Pull out all the pieces you’d like to pack at least 4 days before you leave. I like to hang it all on a rack or you can lay it out on a bed. Once you see it all, focus on a color story. Edit out pieces that don’t fall within your chosen colors. Don’t forget to add in accessories like jewelry, hangbags and scarves to finish multiple outfits.

  6. Let this all “simmer” for a few days. You may think of something else you need during this time. Or decide there are items you don’t need to pack after all.

  7. A day before you travel, use the rolling technique to pack up your suitcase. Shoes go in first and then roll all other garments around them. I roll my clothes very simply, but if you want to go next level on the rolling, here’s more info on that.

travel wardrobe heroes

There are certain pieces that just “make” every outfit. Here are a few suggestions for you. The wrap can help in arctic A/C dining rooms as well as snowy walks when worn as a scarf (it can also be used as a throw blanket—and each sale supports Breast Cancer Awareness 💗). The over the knee boots can be worn with maxi- or mini-dresses or with leggings tucked in. When paired with a statement earring and handbag, the pretty sandals turn any beach-y dress into a dinner outfit. You get the picture—click on the photo for shoppable links.

As always, click to shop ↑

And for even more suggestions and tips…

…when it comes to traveling/packing, see some of my prior blog posts here and here.

🚙 BUON VIAGGIO! ✈️

Color versus Neutrals

One choice out of the many we make when getting dressed is when to wear color and when to wear neutrals. Different tones “say” different things. Wearing color in a professional setting may be the area of life in which you want to devote the most thought on how you will “come across” when wearing color versus wearing neutrals. 

Remember that professional doesn’t have to mean working in a traditional, 9 to 5 office on the daily. It can be leading a volunteer group once a week, sitting on a non-profit board, meeting one-on-one with a client, or running errands as a local small business owner who may bump into potential clients. Here are some guidelines for helping you decide on and control your message.

What do you want to express?

Neutrals equal restrained, sophisticated, a bit unknowable, serious, calming and confident. Colors make you memorable, assertive, approachable, open, even playful and friendly.

Questions to consider:

What is your role and position?—and this can change slightly on a regular basis depending upon your daily tasks. Sitting at your desk most of the day? Meeting with potential clients? Meeting with long time clients? Are you leading the group? Are you receiving instructions? Are you the expert? Is your field ultra competitive? Or more collaborative?

ONe more thought:

Wearing mostly navy or black at work can look like a uniform and as seniority rises your unique personality and skill sets should stand out rather than blend into a uniformed background. Be memorable in a positive way as you move up through the ranks.

and start to look for this color everywhere

“Pantone’s Color of The Year, Viva Magenta, vibrates with vim and vigor. It is a shade rooted in nature descending from the red family and expressive of a new signal of strength. Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, a pulsating color whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative”—so says the Pantone website! Strength, bravery and newness—all sound good to me. Here are some simple ways to wear it.

Click any image above to shop 💗

How to Look Young

In general, do you have tips for presenting a youthful appearance?

I was asked this question during a virtual styling presentation and I think it hits to the heart of what many people feel: the desire to look modern and current without looking like you’re trying too hard and definitely not feeling ridiculous in clothing that reads “too young.” 

In my experience, a simple way to achieve a youthful appearance is to update your basics on a regular basis. Nothing says out of touch more than dated garments and older clothing fabrics and combinations.

Here are 3 guidelines for achieving this

1) Determine what “basics” means to you. Most people think of T-shirts + jeans or trousers and sweaters as basics. This may be true for you but depending on your lifestyle—what you do every day—your definition of “basics” may be more expansive. Don’t forget shoes and handbags and also workout gear and leggings when updating your basics.

2) Just start—don’t overthink the shopping part of this. Start buying updated pieces a bit at a time and by category. Let’s take the denim category as an example: you may feel that you have great basic jeans, but if you haven’t bought anything new for a few seasons, then your silhouettes and fabrics are going to start to feel dated. Adding in one or two new pairs of jeans each year ensures that your wardrobe and your everyday look stays updated and youthful. This doesn’t mean you have to stop wearing your older jeans—though you may want to once you feel how great a new pair of denim wears on a daily basis. Adding new, basic garments (jeans, T-shirts, sneakers, sweaters) into the rotation keeps everything else looking fresh. 

3) Re-style your favorites. If you have items that are many seasons old but still in great shape and make you feel great when wearing, then in your mind move them to the ‘classic’ category. Here’s an example: you have a fabulous black blazer (this definitely qualifies as a basic). It’s from the early 00’s but looks and feels great on you. You don’t wear blazers often but when you need it, it’s a great go-to piece so why buy another? You always wear it the same way—with trousers also from the early 00’s or any other piece that is not from a relatively current season. That’s going to look dated. Instead, pair it with some updated jeans or a new midi-length skirt or cropped faux leather trousers. Think of it as vintage (in the best way) and highlight its specialness by pairing it with newer items. Re-styling this piece is a great way to keep using it while still looking relevant and modern, i.e. youthful.

I’ve added several boards of basics onto my Virtual Storefront (including Petite and Tall sizes!) and you can click the image below to shop it as well.

Image of wardrobe basics including jeans, loafers, a tote bag, cashmere turtleneck and wool blazer

Click on this image to shop!

Final Thought:

I notice that people can get caught up in the idea of classic pieces. For example, they think “I spent a lot of money on this” or “This is a classic silk blouse that should go with everything” but for some reason they aren’t wearing the items. If you’re not wearing your pieces and you can’t figure out how to re-style them, then let them go. Focus on what your lifestyle calls for right now and dress for that rather than any kind of “shoulds” or rules of what is a great and classic piece.

✦ ✦ ✦

Want some help with all of this? Give me a buzz! A short session with me either virtually or in person can give you lots of new information and ideas of how to look and feel great while wearing the things you love. Happy New Year!

Holiday Cheer: Things to Give, Things to Wear, Things to Do

From old standards (J.Crew) to new names to know (Brandon Blackwood), here is some inspiration for your holiday outfits and gifts. Click any photo to learn more and shop.

When a really, really festive outfit is needed, J.Crew is a go-to. Click here for all women’s holiday pieces and here for all men’s. And there always seems to be something on sale.

Want to shop with intention? Check out The Fifteen Percent Pledge supporting Black-owned businesses.

And it’s important to acknowledge that the holidays can be stressful and not everyone is feeling warm and sparkly. The Mayo Clinic offers good suggestions here. Be sure to take care of you ❤︎

and, a few fun festive things to do…

How to Get Dressed When You Don’t Really Want To

It’s been a minute since we all had to get dressed on a regular basis (or two-and-a-half years, but who’s counting?). Things have changed! And one of the biggest issues that I’m hearing repeatedly is that people aren’t excited to wear the items that have been sitting in their closets for the past couple of years. But at the same time, everyone is wondering what they should be wearing and re-thinking what they want to be wearing. And for some reason the stores seem to mainly be selling large floral prints with major shoulder details! Here are some ideas for getting dressed right now:

Try something different—especially for special occasions

Instead of squeezing back into Spanx and dresses, go for a chic look with pants. There are so many cool silhouettes out right now in great comfortable fabrics. Add an interesting shoe and pretty top (with or without the shoulder detail!) or buy a matching set then finish with special jewelry and enjoy yourself rather than being conscious of your outfit all night.

Click through for more details and to shop this board

Make your feet happy

Wear sneakers whether back to the office or out to dinner or to a party. Guys wear cool white sneakers with their suits now, so why shouldn’t we be just as comfy? Pro Tip: there are lots of trainers out there with a good amount of lift in the sole, so you will almost feel like you’re wearing a little heel. Another option for adding height: a platform sneaker.

Find a temporary template

Sometimes my clients will say “I wear the same thing every day, like a uniform!” The difference between a template and a uniform is that the latter becomes boring and the former allows you to play around inside some guidelines. Here are some good templates:
1) pleated trousers and a short sleeve top
2) blazer + T-shirt + jeans
3) a long skirt worn with slouchy sweaters

And remember this important word: temporary! You can wear these items on repeat for a few weeks in a row; or wear them for a season. Then you can change it up as the weather or your daily activities change.

The sweater + skirt template makes layering easy: add a camisole for warmth or a turtleneck or tights, as needed.

I hope these ideas help make getting dressed a bit easier for you in the upcoming days and weeks. Let me know if you try any of these! As always, click on any image and it will link to a shoppable board for you.

Between-Season Wardrobe Suggestions

Summer’s over (unofficially) but it’s still too warm most places to wear your Fall pieces. Here’s a quick guide for what to wear right now during these warm September days.

Creme-Colored Pants

Keep these Transitional Pieces: structured chinos or cotton jeans (pair them with a tank top or T-shirt and a denim jacket or cotton sweater)

Pack Away these Summer Pieces: flowy beach-style pants

Shoes

Keep these Transitional Pieces: sandals in leather with more coverage over the foot (think multiple or thick straps)

Pack Away these Summer Pieces: raffia, straw or shell-embellished sandals

DRESSES

Keep these Transitional Pieces: lightweight cotton or linen dresses in darker tones such as brown, green, mustard, pumpkin or black

Pack Away these Summer Pieces: lightweight cotton or linen dresses in brighter colors and beach-y patterns

skirts (this last one applies to any garment really)

Keep these Transitional Pieces: heavy cotton in plaids or solids

Pack Away these Summer Pieces: lightweight cottons in light-colored floral prints with ruffles and eyelet

I hope this helps you get through the next few weeks. As always, click any image to link to the product. Before we know it, it will be sweater-weather! And blazer and boot weather! And scarf weather! Can you tell Fall is my favorite fashion season? ☺️ 🍂

and a quick note about white jeans:

There is still always the question about wearing these after Labor Day. The answer is yes! Again, pair them with a darker toned top (as I suggest above for Dresses) and thicker strapped sandals to make them feel more Fall than Summer. Want to know more about this “rule?” Click here to see my Instagram post with the history behind this. Interesting!

Simple, Sophisticated, Art-Inspired Summer Outfits

Recently, I was inspired by the color palettes of two very different art exhibits. One at Palazzo Strozzi in Florence is full of intense color, highly digitized and monumental. And another at the Flinn Gallery here at my local library focused on simplicity, the hand-made and natural tones.

Machine Hallucinations—Renaissance Dreams by Refik Anadol

The large screen placed in the courtyard of Palazzo Strozzi displayed beautiful waves of color and immediately brought to my mind Zimmermann which is a gorgeous (and pricey) line of clothing that uses bursts of colors, organic patterns and light, delicate, feminine fabrics. These just seemed to be the perfect reflection of the colors and undulating shapes jumping off the screen. Click here to watch a short video of this piece.

To recreate these outfits for yourself, choose a vibrant color story and organic patterns and mix and match. Fuchsia, orange and pale pink is one palette. Turquoise, orange and green can be another. Continue the themes in the accessories: bows on shoes, beads on earrings, the raw edge on the straw hat. As always, click on any photo and it will link you to these lovely pieces.

Sound Garden by Akinori Matsumoto

The artist’s statement reads, in part, “We used to live more in synch with nature…we tend to forget that we are part of nature...my world is analog…it evokes a sense of nostalgia.” The soothing sounds and natural tones and textures inside the sound garden reminded me of the brand, Everlane. It’s known for simplicity of design, solid colors, natural texturing and quality fabrics at great prices. Click here to watch (and listen!) to a short video of this piece.

To recreate these outfits for yourself, limit the colors to neutrals found in nature. I restricted the palette to burnt umber, ivory and tobacco. Another idea would be olive, sand and white. Keep the details simple and geometric such as wide straps, circular buttons and spare accessories. Click on any photo for more details.

A Note about sets

Matching sets are still having a moment in fashion. These became popular during the pandemic with at-home, lounge wear sets and have morphed into “clothing you can wear out of the house” sets. Buying a set is a great way to maximize your wardrobe: you get a ready-made outfit when wearing the matching pieces together and at least two more outfits by dividing the pieces up. When you shop using a color palette, that ensures that all pieces will easily mix-n-match. Just a little pro tip for you!

An Early Summer Wardrobe Potpourri

Hello there, lovely friends and readers! it has been a minute! This Spring, time got away from me, but I’ve been thinking of you and collecting ideas to share. From fun capsule collections for all the Sporty Spice ladies out there (think golf, tennis and pickleball) to a Father’s Day gift guide to a friendly reminder to take care of your clothes before storing them away for the season, here are those thoughts and more for you in early June.

how to look great on the links & courts

Use color and accessories to create easy, pulled-together outfits for golf and tennis. Click on the images below to link to all of my choices. Did you know that Veronica Beard has a tennis capsule? I couldn’t resist choosing some old-school sneakers to pair with their pretty lace pieces—perfect for off the court. And I love a peach-n-blue color story for a golf wardrobe. Pretty, coordinated and functional—down to the soles of the shoes.

Do you pickleball?

It’s really popular here in my town. If forced, I can dress myself for all types of sports—but not really play any of them! What say ye, pickleballers? Would you wear these adorable pieces from Alice & Olivia on the court? They will definitely work off court. Don’t forget the coordinating and functional accessories—those are polarized Maui Jim sunglasses and waterproof sneakers.

Click to shop ↑

Have you flipped your closet yet?

The habit of moving clothing twice a year from your main closet into a storage closet may seem cumbersome, but it’s the perfect time to assess what you have, what you no longer need, and what you’d like to add into your wardrobe. Remember to never store pieces with oils or dirt. Here are some of my favorite products for wool and cashmere care.

my father’s day gift guide

I love Mr Porter—companion site to Net-a-porter—and I feel that they have a great edit for men. Fashion-y and wearable at the same time. I picked these basic silhouettes because they are easy for any guy to wear but each is an exclusive to Mr Porter so you can’t find these exact items anywhere else. You can splurge (that Cucinelli jacket!) or choose an economical gift (fun socks!). It truly is the thought that counts.

Click to shop ↑

Happy rainbows + great message = what the world needs now

June is Pride Month (“Happy Pride!” says Lisa—IYKYK!) and these pieces are upbeat while at the same time underscoring love and acceptance. Wear these all year long to show your support, kindness and compassion.

And I’ll leave you with some art…

There is nothing more uplifting and healing for me than standing in front of a beautiful piece of artwork. This exhibit combines so many of my interests (women, equality, race, textiles, New York City). It’s closing this weekend! Faith Ringgold: American People at the New Museum on the Bowery. Let me know if you have seen it!

Color of the Year 2022: Very Peri

“Creating a new color for the first time in the history of [Pantone Color of the Year] reflects the global innovation and transformation taking place…this new red violet infused blue hue highlights the expansive possibilities that lay before us”.—Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute.

Click to shop all of these beauties!

I love all of the thought and research that goes into creating the color of the year at Pantone. This is the first time they have CREATED a color to use as Color of the Year. It is very specific and so I’ve chosen pieces that fall on the spectrum of a blue hue with red violet undertones to share with you. For what it’s worth, “periwinkle” was always my favorite blue crayon in the big box (with the sharpener in the back…anyone remember those?).

BLUE REPRESENTS BOTH SKY AND SEA AND IS ASSOCIATED WITH OPEN SPACES

I also love the qualities that are typically associated with the color blue:
❈ freedom
❈ imagination
❈ intuition
❈ inspiration
❈ sensitivity
❈ faith
❈ wisdom
❈ loyalty
❈ confidence

Pantone says, “Rekindling gratitude for some of the qualities that blue represents complemented by a new perspective that resonates today, PANTONE Very Peri places the future ahead in a new light.” Ah! That is so hopeful and very inspirational!

On that note, here are some ideas for you—

Pair with basic jeans and pants to feel inventive and creative.

We are rewriting our lives and can open up to new possibilities

As we emerge from a time of deep isolation, it feels like just about everything around us is transforming and changing. I love the idea that I can choose new ways of doing things as I move forward, including choosing new colors to wear.

Pair with complementary yellow to feel artistic, courageous and free.

Dress it Up ✦ Dress it Down

Adding this dynamic color as an accent or as a complete tonal color story head to toe feels fresh and modern for Spring. Very Peri allows us to be bold, stand out and exude a joyful attitude.

Want to learn even more about using Very Peri? Click here for color palettes suggested by Pantone. So many interesting things to see and learn!

What to Do about a Closet Full of Clothes and Nothing to Wear

Have you ever stood in front of a full closet and thought, "I have nothing to wear!" It may be true. My client, friend and all-around cool-girl powerhouse, Jennie Baird, wrote these lines on my LinkedIn page. Thank you for the perfect opening to this month’s blog, Jennie!

This closet is full…but also full of outfits! She’s been given lots of attention recently ❤︎

There are a few reasons why the “closet full, nothing to wear” thing happens (day to day lifestyle changes, physical body changes, and not giving your wardrobe attention over a period of time). And there are some very simple steps you can take to remedy the situation.

  1. Set aside a few hours to focus on this. You deserve to give your time and attention to your wardrobe. After all, it’s a major way in which you communicate with the world. And, I love the notion that “what we give our attention to, grows.” If you feel like you struggle with personal style and/or getting dressed each day, I encourage you to give a bit more time and attention to this and see what happens 💗

  2. Go through your closet section by section. I love to pull out all the shirts onto a rolling rack and go through each one. Then do the same with pants and jeans, jackets and blazers…you get the idea.

  3. Start by keeping your favorites. Those are easy to spot! Then look at the pieces you never wear. Those are also easy to spot. Then decide on the “maybe” items. These could be basics you want to keep until you refresh them or unique garments that you don’t wear often but don’t want to release either. The bottom line: you have to love it or it has to fulfill a very specific purpose—otherwise it’s see ya later!

4. As you go, try to notice patterns: do you buy items that are really similar? For example, are all your work pants the same shape/silhouette or dark color? Do you own lots of sweaters in one or two shades? Things like that will make getting dressed harder because every outfit looks the same even though you’re wearing different pieces. The opposite can be true as well: Do you tend to buy interesting, unique pieces? Perhaps you don’t have enough of the basics to pull together an entire outfit. Analyze what you’re seeing in each section of your wardrobe and then think of what may be lacking. Start a list of those things!

5. This may sound overwhelming (that’s where I can step in and help if you’d like—I do sessions both in person and virtually), but you may be able to do this on your own more quickly than you imagine. Remember: you have to love it—you have to feel good when you wear it; otherwise it’s not serving you well and you probably won’t wear it, but your closet will look (and feel) full!

6. Wrap up this exercise by putting everything back into its place in the closet (click here for more on that and…perhaps dust in your closet while the clothes are out 😊 Many of you know firsthand how much I love to take a Swiffer to an empty shelf or bit of floorspace!). Donate or sell your giveaway pile. Here’s more on that. Garments with stains, rips, etc can be recycled. Here’s a good local-to-Greenwich textile recycling program. Many communities have them—find one near you. Commit to wearing the items you’ve decided to keep because you know you love them and they make you feel happy, strong and confident.

Now your closet will still be full…but full of outfits that reflect your values, needs and personal style.