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

Why We Prefer Heels To Flats – Q&A with Rachelle Bergstein, author of Women From the Ankle Down

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I’ve been thinking a lot about shoes lately – partly due to a heavy dose of window shopping. Footwear plays such a huge part in women’s wardrobes but how did shoes come to be so significant? Why do so many of us prefer painful heels to practical flats? Luckily, I was able to catch up with Rachelle Bergstein during her recent book signing at Neiman Marcus Paramus to ask her these questions and then some.

Rachelle Bergstein, book – Women From The Ankle Down, PVC ankle strap pumps – Christian Louboutin, scalloped wedges – See By Chloé, Manolo Blahnik pumps at Neiman Marcus Paramus

Rachelle’s book Women from the Ankle Down explores how shoes have fit in women’s lives over the past century. It’s a must-read for any fashion lover and the perfect companion for a day laying out at the beach.

SB: What is your go-to style for shoes?

R: Definitely boots! I’m a boot girl. I really like the mix of masculinity and femininity in a boot. I was a teenager in the 90’s, so I fell in love with Doc Martins pretty early and pretty young. So although I like more feminine shoes now, I definitely gravitate towards ones that reflect a certain edginess like these I’m wearing. They’re certainly feminine but they have a little edge to them and those are the shoes I’m the most attracted to.

scalloped wedges – See by Chloé, Rachelle speaking with Stylebook Co-founder Jess Moore at Neiman Marcus Paramus

SB: Are there any shoe trends you’re excited about for this summer?

R: I’m really excited to see all the crazy platforms that are back. I definitely like that style and you know you can get great height with a platform without necessarily having the balancing act of a six-inch heel. I live in New York, so walking is a concern – I don’t have a car so it’s pretty crucial that I can get around in the shoes that I’m wearing and feel powerful in them.

cork platform – Olivia De Ambrogio, brown leather platform – Juicy Couture, navy and brown platform – Juicy Couture, suede platform – Ganni

SB: Would you say that heels make you feel more powerful than flats?

R: In a really different way, I think heels do make me feel powerful because I feel very tall and formidable whereas flats make me feel really energized – like my body can do anything. That is really silly, but

What To Wear on Vacation – Q&A with Lauren Finney of Where the Style Things Are

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photo of Lauren: Chris Clinton, sunglasses – Thierry Lasry, dress – Anthropologie, book – Slim Aarons, A Place in the Sun, Tall ship Corwin Cramer Passing Through the Cape Cod Canal; photo credit Matt Seuss

Taking a weekend road trip or a full week vacation is the best part of summer – we asked fashion blogger Lauren Finney of Where The Style Things Are to share her top picks for our favorite destinations. Below are the perfect outfits for each place – so pack your bags and we’ll see you there!

Road Trip to Cape Cod

blouse – Tobi, chinos – Maison Scotch, shoe – Sperry, photos courtesy of Cape Cod Tourism: Tall ship Corwin Cramer Passing Through the Cape Cod Canal; photo credit Matt Seuss, Annabelle B & B – Sandwich, Chatham Light Beach, Chatham; photo credit William DeSousa-Mauk

New York City Hotel

dress- Anthropologie, sunglasses – topshop, booties – LOFT, bag – Mar y Sol, L’ Arte del Gelato stand at the Carlyle, Hermès store, skyline from the roof of the Metropolitan Museum of Art

How To Transition from Work to A Night Out – Q&A with Jess Moore of Stylebook

satin pump – Charlotte Olympia, necklace – Lulu Frost, tank - Splendid, skirt – Rachel Zoe, clutch – Tory Burch, bootie – Luiza Barcelos

This week our co-founder Jess Moore shares her secrets on how to transition from day to night with just a few swaps. Use these tips to save time when going out after work with friends for a Girls Night Out.

shift dress: MICHAEL Michael Kors, Work: blazer – Apt. 9, tote – MICHAEL Michael Kors, kitten heels – Ivanka Trump, Night: earrings - Kendra Scott, woven clutch – Rebecca Minkoff, sandals – Darcy

Statement Jewelry

Keep a pair of statement earrings or a statement necklace in your desk in case you get an invite on

Everything You Need To Know About Denim – Q&A with Francine of Denim Therapy

jeans – A.P.C., jacket – Topshop

Although denim is a basic wardrobe staple, it can still be a tricky category to shop for – so, when you find the perfect pair, you want to hang on to it. Denim Therapy, a New York-based boutique tailor, caters to those of us who can’t let go of their perfect pair. They can seamlessly patch holes, re-dye your dark jeans – even temporarily adapt your favorite jeans for maternity. Francine Rabinovich, the founder of Denim Therapy, breaks down how to choose the right pair for your budget and how to keep them in perfect condition once you’ve found them. She also shares some of her fresh outfit ideas and answers some of our questions on the intricacies of the simplest item in our closet.

SB: In your experience, what pricey denim brand and style is worth the money ?

F: Definitely invest in some good raw denim for men – brands like APC, Nudie, and even smaller companies who only run limited editions like Mister Freedom and Raleigh Denim.

Nudie Jeans, Raleigh Denim, A.P.C., Nudie Jeans

For women, they can turn to some of those same brands for a crisp raw style, or invest in great fashion jeans from companies like Hudson, J Brand, and Current/Elliott.

J Brand, Hudson Jeans, Current/Elliot, Hudson Jeans

SB: What is the best inexpensive brand that has a great fit?

F: Probably Uniqlo, BDG (Urban Outfitters) Levi’s (for men)  and Cheap Monday. It’s a huge challenge to find great fitting jeans that aren’t a bit of an investment, but it is possible. We also recommend