FOR WOMEN
(left to right)  Polo Ralph Lauren Herringbone Blazer  ($698) | Rag & Bone Tessa One-Button Blazer ($595) | A.L.C. Chelsea Plaid Double-Breasted Blazer ($695) | Marella Garden Single-Breasted Herringbone Blazer ($525)

FOR MEN
(left to right)  Reiss Lincoln Slim-Fit Wool Blazer ($515) | The Men’s Store at Bloomingdale’s Regular-Fit Tonal Plaid Sport Coat ($548) | BOSS Hanry Slim-Fit Sport Coat ($595) | Faherty Reserve Twill-Knit Blazer ($398)

This is the first time Wardrobe Builder has been a COLOR.  But color is the basis of how I build a wardrobe and this Fall’s merchandise offered much inspiration in this rich chocolate.  Plus, I think fashion overplays its hand with black quite a bit.  It is the default color and often the only option.

However in color theory, brown is actually flattering to all, not black.  So if you find yourself looking to expand your wardrobe with neutral items that will enhance your face and stand the test of time – consider adding some brown hues – natural tans, cocoa, latte, cinnamon, rose brown, to dark chocolates are wonderful additions that will easily pair with black, blues, creams, and whites.

WOMEN
(clockwise from top left)
Hobbs London Limited Collection Bromley Check Trench Coat ($795) | Bloomingdale’s 14K Yellow-Gold Huggie Earrings ($1,200) | Polo Ralph Lauren Relaxed Mulberry Silk Shirt ($348) | Staud Cantilever Merino-Wool Skirt ($325) | Neous Phoenix Leather Shoulder Bag ($935) | Loeffler Randall Deidre Over-The-Knee Leather Boot ($750)

MEN
(clockwise from top left)
J.Crew Cashmere Herringbone Jacquard Crewneck Sweater ($168) | Polo Ralph Lauren Suede Shirt Jacket ($698) | Bergdorf Goodman Men’s Pebbled Leather Belt ($150) | Hereu Alda Chelsea Boot ($540) | Daniel Wellington Classic St. Mawes 40mm Watch ($229) | Peter Millar Superior Soft Corduroy Five-Pocket Pant ($170)

A turtleneck sweater is a winter wardrobe essential and if you are serious about building your wardrobe – cashmere is the way to go! This item plays a big role in my life as it is part of my seasonal uniform rotation: blouses in the spring, dresses in the summer, boots in the fall, and turtlenecks in the winter. It achieves such high accolades because it is dressy while being comfortable, and is great alone but very friendly with layers under and over. I have lots of turtleneck sweaters but my favorites are the cashmere ones because they keep you warm without extra bulk like wool varieties do.

I’ve combed the current selections and these are the best of what’s around: 

 Polo Ralph Lauren Slim-Fit Cashmere Turtleneck in Chic Cream, $248

*this comes in a multitude of colors, including a true red for the holiday season!

 Faherty Reserve Cashmere Turtleneck in Charcoal, $298

Shop additional selections on my website.

My topic of discuss for a few months now has been my concern for long-time favorite J.Crew. It practically keeps me up at night, I simply can’t imagine retail without them.

Since the announcement of Jenna Lyons and Mickey Drexler stepping away from J.Crew, James Brett from West Elm has taken over as CEO. It seems it will take at least 2 years for J.Crew to climb out of the debt, the widely lauded Drexler, drove them into. He didn’t anticipate the dramatic rise of tech in the retail sector and that lack of ability to morph and change with the times, ultimately failed J.Crew. While the new CEO has officially started taking over the reigns, Drexler is still advising on matters.

While they have ebbed and flowed in my top ten through the last decade, they will have a special place in my heart. In high school – when you had to mail-in orders (shudder) – my sister and I finagled opening up a J.Crew credit card to call in and secure our orders. So it’s a personal mission to keep J.Crew doors open and in lieu of continuing to write them ideas about how to save their business, I am dedicating this newsletter to them in hopes that you shop to your hearts content. Click the image and shop the look, with a few extra below!

Him
/ 1 / 1040 Athletic Selvedge Raw Indigo Denim $168 / 2 / Oxford Shirt With Embroidered Rabbits $88 /3 / Bowery Slim Pant Glen Plaid Wool $98 / 4 / Navy Italian Silk Tie $70 / 5 / Italian Merino Wool Cardigan in Forest Green $108 / 6 / Keaton Plain Toe Boots $248 / 7 / American Pima Cotton Plaid Blue Shirt $65 / 8 / Sailboat Print Swim Short $50 / 9 / Wallace & Barnes Chore Blazer $150 / 10 / Ludlow Italian Stretch Wool Suit Jacket $425

Her
/ 1 / Orbit Earring $48 / 2 / Italian Silk Scarf in Paisley $70 / 3 / Colorful Floral Hoop Earrings $65 / 4 /Destination Italian Silk Scarf $35  / 5 / Double Strap Leopard Flats $258 / 6 / SeaVees for J.Crew Legend Velvet Sneakers $88 / 7 / Parke Blazer in Caramel $178 / 8 / Floral Silk Ruffle-Bib Top $78 / 9 /  Mens-y Cardigan With Tiger Patch $80 /10 / Collection Thomas Mason Sleeveless Top $118

I hope you had a wonderful summer! In New York it seemed to happen in fits and starts but you can tell from parents’ happy faces – fall is here. Seemed all too fast! But, hopefully the fall inspiration in this newsletter makes putting away your sandals and sundresses a little easier.

It’ll be a different start to the school year for families affected by Harvey & Irma. While money is the best way to donate, closet edits can be sent to Goodwill Houston at 12533 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77077; and for Irma, Global Giving will work directly with the Caribbean Islands and Florida for immediate and on-going relief efforts. Our hearts go out to them!

With all else aside, Fall is already here, click the image above to shop my Fall “Get The Look”. If you love that red cashmere beauty in the top left corner as much as I do, you can purchase that Duffy Cashmere Sweater With Zipper Back for $375 through me. I’ve partnered with Duffy NYC for exclusive ordering!