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Simplify This Winter

Q the Stylist — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 22:31:52 +0000

With work from coast to coast and frequent jaunts to Ireland over the past year, lately I’m all about making life easier. So in part this post aims to help you simplify too, because with all the fun that the holiday season brings no one has time to waste.

A client recently wondered why she came down to breakfast wearing an outfit that looked so similar to her daughter-in-law’s. “What’s going on here? Who’s wrong?” she asked. I believe a few things are at play. People are aging better and dress more according to their (often active) lifestyle; more casual work environments lead people to mostly forgo suits; and due to our nearly 24/7 life-online trends spread fast and blend quickly. None of this is exclusively bad, but together, can leave one feeling like they are lost in a sea of sameness.

These are some of the reasons I believe so deeply in having a wardrobe that is purposely built to truly represent who you really are at this time of your life. Try trends that speak to you, but only buy into those that work for you. Unknown confidence and actual joy will result when time, thought, and investment is spent to figuring and finding what you need to make your heart sing. And doing so will make your life easier. I promise you.

As you may, or may not, know I’m emotionally invested in keeping J.Crew floating. So as promised, updates! The bad news is sales have dropped by more than 5% this year and that Jenna Lyons’ replacement as head designer resigned after only a few months at the helm. Jenna did leave some pretty big shoes to fill. The good news though is, a transfer of debt and their new CFO is proving to be a good step towards building the company back up. The crew hasn’t sunk yet! Thank you to my clients who have been filling me in on your great finds there. You make my heart flutter!

Speaking of heart, this year has been a whirlwind for me, especially those who lived through and on the edge of California’s fires and were affected by the hurricanes. No amount of thanks or appreciation can accurately express how profoundly grateful I am to do this work. Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season and New Year!

The post Simplify This Winter appeared first on Q the Stylist.

From the Runways: White vs Black

Q the Stylist — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 16:05:45 +0000

With New York Fashion Week wrapped up, let’s talk about how we can incorporate the fabulous trends from the Fall runways to your Spring wardrobe. Some themes are so versatile that they look great when combined with other looks! For example: “all-white everything” (seen at The Row, Tommy Hilfiger, J. Crew) and “all-black everything” (seen at Vera Wang and Zac Posen) outfits were a consistent trend at fashion week. The key to making these outfits look chic and trendy is contrasting textures – giving us the opportunity to incorporate other trends into the mix.

Perfect for Spring, the white ensemble combines multiple trends while still looking light and fresh. A chunky knit sweater with metallic detailing alludes to the metallic themes at Marc Jacobs and Alexander Wang, while the crisp cargo pants salute to the modern military trend seen at Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, and Donna Karan. To polish the look off, add the new It-bag: the structured handbag with mini-wedged sandals.

This black on black look also incorporates many of the latest trends from fashion week while remaining chic. This leather collared blouse from Theory resembles many looks from the runways that emphasized leather detailing. Black silk basket weave jacquard capri trousers are the perfect pants for spring because of its cut and intricate detailing. Throw on structured jacket to stay on-trend (and weather appropriate) with a structured satchel, and slip into the hottest style in footwear — the minimalist sandal (this one is from Prabal Gurung’s new LOVE collection from Target.)

All White Everything

1. MANGO Metallic Chunky Knit Sweater, $34.99

2. UNIQLO Skinny Fit Cargo Pants, $39.99

3. Prabal Gurung for Target Wedge Sandal, $29.99

4. The Hut ‘Ali’ Purse, $11

All Black Everything

1. THEORY Leather Collar Blouse, $314

2. HELMUT Helmut Lang Vector Felt Jacket, $495

3. Haider Ackermann Jaquard Trouser, $347.20

4. Badgley Mischka Erin Messenger, $164

5. Prabal Gurung for Target Ankle Strap Pump, $39.99

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New York Fashion Week – Spring’13 Runway Report

Q the Stylist — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 22:54:26 +0000

The promise of warmer weather isn’t the only thing that Spring has to offer. New York Fashion Week is only half over, but below are some of the trends we’re seeing on the runway and you’ll be wearing come next year.

Photo Prints

Photo prints collaged together, and often embellished, are a new FUN trend for Spring. These prints lend a cheerfulness to garments that feels just right on Spring’s lightweight fabrics. If this look interests you, but you’re shy, the easiest way to wear this will be in dress form or a tee. Pair it with a fitted jacket and a metallic shoe and you’ll look right on point.

Michael Kors – Spring’13

Proenza Schouler – Spring’13

Leather

Leather has become a wide-spread wardrobe staple and now we are seeing it not just on jackets, skirts, and pants but on blouses and dresses. Even if you are not into leather, Spring’s interpretations might get you to change your mind because of the pieces are so easy to wear and blend with any style. Leather and silk are sharing the same garment at BCBG Max Azria and at Alexander Wang leather is the paired with a cut-out knit.

BCBG Max Azria – Spring’13

Alexander Wang – Spring’13

Shorts

Shorts were a frequent sight on the runways this week and can a be a versatile piece in your Spring wardrobe. After a few seasons of short over-sexed shorts, designers are taking the hem down and this new length can go with you from day to night. This Spring’s short is more demure and classy. Both Tommy Hilfiger and Rachel Zoe showed short suits which is a young, relaxed way to look pulled together. We also saw shorts paired with a caplet for a softer, more feminine look. Adding a soft yellow, aqua blue or even a bright red, as we see on the Holmes and Yang look, will bring a little more fun to your ensemble .

Rachel Zoe – Spring’13

Holmes and Yang – Spring’13

Strong Lines

Strong lines are featured in almost every Spring Collection. The new silhouettes focus on elongating and emphasizing your assets, without showing too much skin. If you want to be sexy and elegant, the pencil silhouette is just the piece and goes well with a silk shirt or soft tee. If you’re looking for something a little more unexpected – just go with a structured shirt that shows off some skin like the look below from Calvin Klein. Hello shoulder!

Calvin Klein Collection – Spring’13

Osklen – Spring’13

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