How to Remix Your Wardrobe – Q&A with Audrey Tom of Putting Me Together

For me, the perfect wardrobe is full of multipurpose items that can be easily mixed and matched. Audrey Tom of Putting Me Together has mastered the art of reimagining – or remixing – pieces in her closet, resulting in a versatile and fabulous wardrobe. The best part is that she has moved beyond bland neutrals and has successfully integrated colors and patterns without ending up with a closet full of one-hit wonders. We picked her brain to find out how she buys clothes that can be remixed with the rest of her closet, and how she puts outfits together.

SB: What is the most versatile item in your wardrobe?

A: Oh, this is a hard one! I think it’d either have to be my mustard cardigan or my floral tank. Those two pieces go with nearly anything!

mustard cardigan – J.Crew, floral tank – Quicksilver

SB: What’s your starting point when you’re building an outfit?

A: I usually start with the bottom half. I naturally tend to stick with skinny jeans and a cute top, so in an attempt to vary my outfits I now start with the bottom half so that I’m not always defaulting to regular old jeans.

SB: What’s your favorite base outfit and how do you give it more character?

A: My favorite is a cute top and jeans, and I usually change it up with different colored blazers,

How to Successfully Purge Your Wardrobe – Q&A with Katie Anderson of modern-eve.com

Nostalgia has always kept me throwing away old clothes, even when I know they’re past their prime. And even though I know it’s irrational to hang on to old t-shirts from my stint as a cheerleader in high school, until recently I had trouble letting go. My problems were solved when I came across an amazing chart created by Katie Anderson that’s seriously the best method for editing down any wardrobe. I sat down with her to chat about how to remove unnecessary items from my closet.

SB: You made an amazing graphic on how to edit your wardrobe. What are some of the benefits of periodically purging your closet?

K: Regularly purging your closet not only simplifies your dressing routine, but will also contribute to looking and feeling better about yourself. Getting rid of clothes that don’t fit or flatter, are outdated, or

Holiday Party Dress How-To – Q&A with Christa Spengeman of Bow & Drape

It’s the time of year when our mailboxes fill up with invitations to all kinds of holiday and New Year’s Eve parties…office parties, house parties, cocktail parties. It’s exciting – but sometimes challenging – to find the perfect dress. Christa, from made-to-order dressmakers Bow & Drape, sat down to explain how to pick the right dress for your body and how to deal with winter weather without  sacrificing your style.

SB: What dress shapes are best according to body type?

C:

• Hourglass - The Jackie is perfect for an hourglass shape. The silhouette is designed to accentuate curves.
• Pear - The Michelle Swing is beautiful on a pear shape figure. The combination of the full skirt and the fitted top is an interesting contrast.
• Apple - The Twiggy is well-suited and flattering for apple figures. This 60′s-inspired shift dress is a simple and chic look.
• Petite - All our silhouettes have the option to select hem length. For a petite shape, any design with a mini or knee length hem will be ideal.
• Tall - The Diane Maxi is stunning on a tall figure.

sketches of some of the dress styles Bow & Drape offers

SB: What little black dress can I wear to fancy cocktail parties but also to more casual holiday parties? How should I accessorize in both situations?

C: The black Twiggy with a scallop hem and brass beading is a versatile and classic look. For a fancy cocktail party, I would accessorize with a statement necklace and bright colored heels. For a more casual look, I would accessorize with black tights and jewel-toned flats.

LBD – Bow & Drape, necklace – ASOS, blue pumps – Rachel Roy, opaque tights – Ralph Lauren, flats – Madewell

SB: How do I pick the proper skirt length for my body?

C: A good rule of thumb when choosing the hem length on a skirt is where the skirt falls around your

10 Easy Tips To Organize Your Closet – Q&A with Arianna Belle

Arianna Vargas of Arianna Belle Organized Interiors

Keeping your closet organized and clutter-free is easier than you think. Interior and organizational expert Arianna Vargas gave us some tips to help improve even the tiniest city closet on a small budget.

SB: What’s the first thing I should do when starting to organize my closet?

A: Declutter – which basically means edit, edit, edit. Get rid of all the items that no longer suit your style, don’t fit properly, have stains or are too worn out  - generally anything you don’t feel good in. Getting rid of all the clutter will free up valuable space and allow the items you do wear and love room to breathe.

wire laundry hamper - Container Store, pink ruffled laundry bag - UO , drawstring laundry bag - UO , free standing closet - Crate & Barrel

SB: I love a walk-in closet just as much as the next girl, but in the city that’s often not an option. What are some space-saving closet storage tips?

A: In small spaces, maximize vertical space as much as possible. Install shelves and keep out-of-season or less frequently worn items up top. Use hooks on any available wall space for handbags, belts and necklaces.  For shoes, try an over-the-door rack.

over the door shoe rack – Whitmor, coat rack – CB2, wall hooks – Kohl’s, storage bins – Container Store

SB: I often can’t see the forest for the trees when it comes to accessories. Any tips on how to keep small items neatly organized and visible?

A: A hanging organizer with clear pockets like this one is great for separating small items and allowing

4 Ways to Look Stylish This Fall – Guest Post by Anya Sarre, ShoeDazzle Stylist

We’re excited to welcome our latest guest blogger for Style Expert! ShoeDazzle stylist Anya Sarre regularly appears on Entertainment Tonight, The Insider, and the STYLE network, and styles alongside celebrities like Kim Kardashian. She shared with us her secrets on how to update your wardrobe and rock your latest fall purchases.

Anya Sarre ShoeDazzle Stylist

Fashion is a way that we express our personality to the world. The clothing we wear is often a reflection of who we are and how we want others to see us. It is a form of expression that enhances our appearance. The most important thing about clothing and fashion is that whatever we wear, we do it with confidence and comfort. If you wear something that fits your style and feels comfortable, you will look beautiful no matter what brand or designer it is.

Not all fashion trends will suit everyone’s body and personality but confidence is an accessory that everyone should carry with them, regardless of what they are wearing.

• Spice Up Your Daily Routine -

1. Shoes with a small wedge and boots with a mid heel can give you extra height for casual looks.
2. This season’s cap-toe stilettos and wedge boots will look good for nights out. Curvy girls should look for clothes that will showcase their enviable curves. Dare to take advantage of your fashion sense and display yourself and your style.
3. Try pairing colored denim with a ballerina flat or a maxi skirt with thin sweater this fall for the perfect seasonal look with a fraction of the headache.

draped dress - Helmut Lang, silver cuff – TopShop, pointed-toe ankle boot with cutout – ShoeDazzle, open-knit linen sweater - Kain Aire, envelope clutch – Wendy Nichol, maxi skirt – Reiss, ankle strap flats – ShoeDazzle

• A Trendy Pair of Flats  - You want to have a nice pair of flats for days when you will be doing a lot of walking. This fall season, it is all about embellishment. You can purchase ballerina flats with sequins, studs, or beads. Cap-toe ballerina flats or pointy flats are also a huge trend. Another shoe  making a comeback is the slipper, also in a variety of materials, patterns, and of course, embellishments.
  

  Ankle strap cap=toe flats with stud detail – ShoeDazzle

• Colored Skinny Jeans- The uniform for summer was sorbet-colored skinny jeans; this fall, colored jeans are still a big hit. Choose a pair in the fall tone that best suits your

Wardrobe Secrets of a Fashion Blogger – Q&A with Alicia of “Cheetah is the New Black”

In the morning, I usually read my bloglovin’ feed while sipping a cup of tea and I’m amazed that so many bloggers are able to post creative outfits nearly every day. Do they have bottomless closets or are they some how able to figure out how to reuse key pieces over and over? We asked Alicia of Cheetah is the New Black to tell us about the go-to pieces that make her wardrobe go the distance.

portrait courtesy of Cheetah is the New Black

SB: What are the top five clothing pieces your closet wouldn’t be complete without?

A: 1) Leather Jacket 2) Pants 3) Boyfriend Jeans 4) Leopard Print Heels 5) Silk Blouse

leather jacket – Rag & Bone, boyfriend jeans – Current/Elliot, leather pants – Acne, silk blouse – Equipment, leopard heels – Ivanka Trump

SB: What are the most useful wardrobe basics you own? 

A: Classic white and grey t-shirts (Old Navy sells my favorite tee’s at an unbeatable price point) and a great fitting pair of jeans.

t-shirts – Old Navy, outfit photos courtesy of Cheetah is the New Black

SB: How do you use them?

A: I like to pair dressier separates (e.g. skirts and pants) with a simple tee, or my boyfriend jeans with

20 ways to spot authentic designer vintage – Q&A with Joseph Mazzola of Hello La Mode

A few years ago I found what I thought was a killer Louis Vuitton camera case at a vintage shop. Sadly, a friend of mine pointed out that it lacked lining and actually had a plastic zipper – it was a fake. Of course I was mortified and ever since I’ve been leery about purchasing designer goods secondhand. With all of the designer resale sites popping up, I’ve been tempted to try buying a vintage bag again but I want a little reassurance that what I’m buying is real. Luckily, Hello La Mode has experts that confirm the authenticity of every item sold through the site. We spoke with their expert Joseph about how to spot the real deal!

photo of Joseph: Fichera Fotography

SB: Can you give specific tips on how you can tell if a luxury handbag is authentic for each of the following brands: Chanel, Coach, and Prada?

J: Chanel bags are the third most replicated designer brand in the world. Some details to look out for when purchasing a second hand Chanel bag are the stitching.  

1. Stitching should be consistently even and about 6 stitches per Inch.
2. The top hook of the right C will always interlock with the left C and not the other way around.
3. Whenever possible, ask for the certificate of authenticity.
4. Chanel puts a hologram on the inside of their handbags and has done so since 1988. These holograms feature a Chanel logo and serial number that will match the one on the certificate of authenticity. If you try to remove one of these hologram seals, they will come off in pieces and make a mess.

chain strap purse: Chanel

Coach products have become very popular to reproduce recently. Even large stores have started carrying “Coach-like” bags. 

1. The letter on a Coach bag will always be a double “C” – not a “G” or “O”. The “C’s” will always be in an even row lining up into the center of the bag. The “C’s” will also be in doubles, not alternating with every other one in an opposite direction.
2. Coach dust bags will always be a deep chocolate color with a red drawstring.The Coach logo and

The Pieces That Will Give You the Perfect Wardrobe – Q&A with Stylist Catherine Sheppard

Laying a solid foundation for your wardrobe will help you mix and match your pieces easily and get more out of what you have.  The classic advice is to buy items like a good cashmere sweater, a pencil skirt, and a nice pair of trousers but I’ve longed for an updated list of basics that fit my life. Stylist Catherine Sheppard used her feminine and contemporary eye to share what every woman should have in their closet, what you can wear now and later in the fall, and short cuts for updating your wardrobe.

photos of Catherine and her office courtesy of Catherine Sheppard

I often see articles on the basic items every women should have in their closet (like this). What would be on your list of the top 15 items that make a killer wardrobe?

1. - A great leather jacket
2. - Chunky watch in your favorite metal
3. - A basic little black dress in whatever style reflects you best
4. - Plain pumps – black if you have dark hair, nude if you have light hair
5. - Everyday carry-all handbag
6. - A pair of Converse
7. - A classic blazer in a modern, flattering cut
8. - Chambray shirt
9. - Something sequined (anything)
10. - Cutoff shorts
11. - A fit-like-a-glove pair of skinny jeans
12. - Flat boots in your favorite style
13. - Statement necklace
14. - Metal bracelets that you can mix and match
15. - Metallic clutch

leather jacket – Walker, blazer – Topshop, sequin top – MICHAEL Michael Kors, chambray shirt – MiH Jeans, sneakers – converse, cut off shorts – Old Navy, jeans – Paige, dress – Vix ,necklace – J.Crew, watch – Pierre Petit, bracelets – Coach, pumps - J.Crew, flat ankle boots – LAutre, satchel – Mulberry, metallic clutch – J.Crew

Certain kinds of items can easily work their way into many outfits. In your opinion what should be your most versatile clothing piece?

Definitely your handbag. This is something that you may only switch out every so often so it’s

How To Balance Trends and Classics – Q&A with Cecelia Myers of CakeStyle

When I got my start working in the corporate world, I found that I had a lot on my plate. Getting dressed in the morning was a big task, especially when I had to get to the office early. I wanted to look fashionable and professional at the office but also feel comfortable on the weekend. This was difficult to pull off, especially when I was low on time.

Luckily Cecelia, co-founder of CakeStyle has solved both my problems. CakeStyle is a personal styling and shopping service that sends subscribers a box of personalized clothing selections each month. She shared her advice on how to choose clothes that will make it through the long-haul and walked me through the idea behind CakeStyle.

photo of Cecelia and CakeStyle box courtesy of CakeStyle

I work in the fashion industry and there isn’t much of a dress code. How do I choose items that will look professional, youthful and fashionable?

Great question — we come up against that too! For those casual days, my secret weapon is my DL1961 skinny jeans — they stretch perfectly but are dark and professional. I often bring in a touch of a trend with those basics — for example, a neon silk tee. When I need to be dressier, I love to find edgy, yet professional designers. An example is Robert Rodriguez. His pieces work very well at the office, but are always forward thinking.

wide leg pants – Robert Rodriguez, jeans – DL1961, dress – Robert Rodriguez

What should I wear when meeting with various people from the fashion industry, let’s say for an interview for the company blog?

This is a great place to be more daring. If you want to go for a new trend, Asos or Zara are going to be great fits. For more classic pieces, I find that 3.1 Phillip Lim and Helmut Lang are personal faves.

How do I select clothes that I can wear several times throughout the month without it being obvious?

I think the best way to do this is to spend more money on your basics. It feels kind of boring, but honestly, you can wear a well-cut slim, black pant to death and no one will know!

black trousers – Helmut Lang, tortoise shell glasses - Ray-Ban, gold bracelet – Eddie Borgo, black pumps – Giuseppe Zanotti, pencil skirt – M Missoni, belt – Brooks Brothers

I want to look more put together while running errands. What type of items should I buy that are effortless, comfortable, and easy to move around in?

I’m very comfy on weekends; I save all my dressing up for CakeStyle! Stretchy jeans are a must have for me, I really enjoy Paige and DL1961. Ballet flats always look right and are really comfortable. I really love flats by French Sole, they are cute and comfy. Finally, a basic tee and a scarf really complete a

How To Choose The Right Pair of Glasses – Q&A with Sophie Boulanger, Co-founder of BonLook

I’ve had reading glasses since kindergarden but I’ve always avoided being seen in them. No matter how adorable a pair of glasses appears on the rack at the optometrist I always wind up looking like I’m wearing a horrible pair of disguise glasses – not cute. So when I met the girls from BonLook I knew I had a chance to turn it all around. CEO and Co-founder Sophie Boulanger walks me through how to choose the right shape, color, and style for my next pair of frames.

photo of Sophie: courtesy of BonLook, pink clutch - Miu Miu, glasses case - Rebecca Minkoff,  tortoise shell - BonLook, two toned frames - BonLook, cateye frames - BonLook

SB: How do I know what shape frame will compliment my face shape?

S: We have a great section on the website that describes this in detail: http://www.bonlook.com/page/how-order. Quickly, here are a few things to remember:

• Round face: Avoid round frames; try to go for angular frames that will bring structure
• Oval face: Almost every frame should fit you!
• Square face: Look for oval and round frames that will soften your features
• Heart face: Avoid very large frames that will emphasize your cheek bones

SB: Should I consider my hair style and color when selecting frames? Do you have any suggestions of good combinations?

S: In general, it’s best to try to follow the rule dark hair/dark frames, light hair/light frames. It will give more coherence to your whole look. But don’t hesitate to dare a dark style even if you have blond hair. It can give a lot of personality to your look.

turban - Free People, light frames - BonLook, lace headband - Free People, dark frames - BonLook

SB: What are some frames that you wish people would try more often (for men and women)?

S: A lot of men are more traditional in their choices and automatically go for rectangle frames. They should definitely try on more square eyeglasses because it can give a lot of edge to any outfit. As for