Melrose Fisher

12Nov

The Importance of Wardrobe Auditing: How to Create Your Dream Wardrobe

November 12, 2018 Melrose Fisher

When is the last time you did a full inventory of the clothing you have? Many of us struggle with choosing what to wear on a daily basis. Do you typically wear the same outfits on a regular basis even though you have dozens of neglected pieces of clothing in your closet? It’s the timeless dilemma: a closet packed with clothes but nothing to wear.

There is a simple solution to all of this and it is a wardrobe audit.

What is a wardrobe audit?

Simply put, wardrobe audit is the deliberate purging and organizing all of the items in your closet. If done correctly, your closet will be full of versatile outfits that are customized to your lifestyle and flatter your body perfectly.

Why is a wardrobe audit so important?

It helps you to eliminate unwanted clothing that is crowding your closet
Your wardrobe will be organized, making it easier to plan and dress
You will be able to effortlessly style yourself daily with relevant and eternally elegant outfits
You will be able to bolster your personal style and enrich your personal brand
Have peace of mind, less indecision, and easily identify the outfits you need to put together a specific look
Your wardrobe should reflect who you are in personal and professional areas – first impressions are essential

When is the best time to do a wardrobe audit?

At least once a year at minimum, but the best and easiest time to audit your closet is when the seasons change. As summer has turned into fall, we’re starting to put away our summer clothing and bring our winter clothes to the forefront of our closets.

DON’T: Wait to do a wardrobe audit until you’ve lost 15 pounds or any other excuse that is stopping you. You are worthy now! You deserve your dream wardrobe now.

Here’s how to do it:

We’re moving into the winter months soon, so first remove all of the summer clothing in your closet. When your summer clothes are packed up until next year, it’s a good time to dust the shelves of your closet, purchase new hangers, and generally clean up. If needed, a fresh coat of paint and new light bulbs give your closet a fresh makeover.

Now you can begin to organize your fall and winter clothing.

Next, organize your clothes into three groups:

Must keep:

Anything that you love!
Clothing that you wear often
Clothes that fit you beautifully
Clothing that is in good condition
Major investment pieces

Hold onto it:

Anything you like
Anything you’ve worn at least a few times
Clothing that fits and is in good condition
Any piece of clothing that holds great memories for you

Toss it: Get rid of anything that is no longer serving you. Unwanted clothing can be donated, gifted, or consigned.

Anything you haven’t worn within the last year! If you didn’t wear it last fall or winter, then you probably won’t wear it this year either. Make room for clothing you will wear.
Anything that is stained or in poor condition.
Clothing that doesn’t fit. (It probably won’t ever fit again, let’s be honest!) Anything that doesn’t flatter your body goes.
Anything that is no longer your personal style or anything that you are simply indifferent about. Your wardrobe should be full of clothes that you absolutely love. Don’t hang onto clothing just to have it, keep it because you love it and wear it.
Out of style clothing that doesn’t qualify as a vintage classic.
Clothing that carries bad memories.

Once the “toss” pile is out the door, you will have more space in your closet, making it easier to organize the rest!

Now is a good time to organize your wardrobe into sections so you can easily dress or choose outfits for any occasion. For example: professional wear, leisure wear, special events, social activities, etc. And, you will be able to identify what you actually need to add to your closet instead of mindlessly shopping for new clothes.

A wardrobe audit is a must for any woman who needs to organize and cultivate her own personal style. An audit can take a bit of time, and figuring out which items to let go of can be difficult. Many women put this task at the end of their “to do” list because it can be time consuming and hard to let go of clothing.

Fortunately, this is a service that Lots of Luxe provides! If you need an assessment and someone to help you organize, the path of least resistance is to have a professional help you with it. If handling a wardrobe audit on your own seems like a challenge, then we’re here to help you assess and organize your closet.

30Oct

How-to: Beautifully Coordinate Your Makeup to Your Outfit

October 30, 2018 Melrose Fisher

No woman is born knowing how to wear makeup that perfectly complements her outfits. And believe me, there are rules for how it’s done.

Now, “rules” imply finite yes and no directions, but I use the term rules more as “guidelines” for how you can look your absolute best. They aren’t meant to be limiting, because every woman has the right to express herself the way she sees fit. However, these are the standard methods from industry professionals on how you can look perfectly stunning all of the time.

For these rules, I need to make a clear distinction between matching and complementing. Now, let me explain the delicate balance of each.

Matching implies picking out a bright blue eyeshadow to match your bold blue sweater. This is a DON’T.

Complementing means pairing a coral dress with a light sweep of coral blush onto your cheeks – simply pair a coordinating subtle shade of blush to your outfit. This is a DO.

Makeup is a fun way to express ourselves and to literally put our best face forward. Makeup can be bold! It can also be subtle. And, either way, each is perfectly appropriate if done right and paired with the right clothing. Let’s get into how it’s done.

Never, ever match your eyeshadow with the color of your outfit.

Rewind your thoughts to school year photos from the ’80s, each girl with her big hair and bold eyeshadow that perfectly matched her silk blouse. Eyeshadow, whether it’s a bold look or not, should never be matched with the color of your outfit.

Think green eyeshadow with a green shirt. Exactly. That’s a no-no.

Striking colors, color blocking, and patterns are fabulous choices for clothes, so if your outfit is adventurous, stick with neutral eyeshadow shades: brown, gold, beige, or soft pink.

If your outfit is neutral shades of black, brown, or gray, it’s perfectly okay to try a smoldering smoky eye, in brown, black, or plum shades.

Never match, but you can complement it. For example, wearing pink can be complemented with brownish-gold shades.

The bottom line:

Bold clothing: delicate eyeshadow shades

Neutral clothing: feel free to spice up your shadow

Distribute colors evenly.

Tip: While matching eyeshadow is a huge no-no, there are chic ways to match your lipstick and blush to your outfit.

Loud outfits and daring makeup are both fine, just not on the same day. So, let’s say you want to wear a bright red lipstick. Instead of pairing red lipstick with a red dress, pair it with a red bag or red shoes. See how different those two outfits are? You can pull off matching lipstick to a bold accessory, but not to an entire outfit.

You can match parts of your outfit to your lipstick while remaining polished and elegant. The trick is just to not go overboard.

If you’re wearing a t-shirt and jeans, you have more freedom to wear bold makeup colors. If your outfit is already loud, downplay your makeup.

Lastly, remember this essential tip…

It’s important to follow these tricks to look flawlessly put together, but the most important makeup rule is to find the shades that complement your unique skin tone and eye color.

18Oct

Building Your Wardrobe is Easy in Threes

October 18, 2018 Melrose Fisher

Quite often we look in our closet, feel like something is missing, but we can’t figure out what it is. Wouldn’t it be great to have a simple way to assess your wardrobe so you know what you need to buy?

Let me teach you my secret process!

By looking at your wardrobe categories (tops, dresses, pants, etc.) in groups of threes, you’ll be able to assess the strength of your wardrobe and pinpoint the most glaring weaknesses. Once you spot the weaknesses, set a priority to take care of those within a month and I promise you’ll never have to worry about having something to wear for any occasion that may come up.

Does that sound like a significant promise? I think you’ll agree that this process will reveal your wardrobe problems quickly. So let’s get started!

Step #1

Think about the activities you get dressed for. Most people get dressed for three different types of occasions:

Casual

Casual activities may include running errands, picking up the kids, going to the grocery store, or working from a coffee shop.

Casual Chic

You want to look a little nicer to meet a girlfriend for lunch, attend a class or lecture, or go boutique shopping.

Chic Elegance

People aren’t always getting dressed up for activities the way they used to. For example, jean outfits show up at the opera. It doesn’t mean you have to wear jeans, but the lines between levels of dressing are a little faded. In general, you want to step up the level of your outfits and incorporate dressy pieces when you go to social events (theater, concerts, art openings), date nights, or celebratory parties.

In a well-rounded wardrobe, you’d have items that would help you build outfits that are casual, casual chic, and chic elegance. Any invitation could come your way and you’d be prepared to say yes without having to go shopping for the “right” outfit.

Step #2

It’s time to examine what you have in your closet that would fulfill dressing for each occasion. You’ll work from head to toe starting with your tops. Go to your wardrobe and choose a top suitable for casual, casual chic, and chic elegance.

Below are some suggestions that may apply to you and your lifestyle. At the very least, they’ll give you a place to start thinking about your wardrobe and what you’d like to wear for different occasions.

As you begin this process, start taking notes. Note if you have each area covered. Note if you really don’t have anything to wear for a specific type of event.

Ready to be illuminated? Let’s begin!

Tops

Casual: Great-fitting cotton tee in a color you love or a plaid flannel shirt.

Casual Chic: Silk blouse or a cashmere sweater.

Chic Elegance: An adorned tunic top or sweater or a lace blouse over a camisole.

Pants

Casual: Frayed jeans or knit jodhpurs.

Casual Chic: Dark denim or pants in prints or textured fabrics.

Chic Elegance: Brocade pants or palazzo or wide-legged pants.

Dresses

Casual: A simple cotton dress or denim A-line dress.

Casual Chic: Boho peasant dress or a wrap dress.

Chic Elegance: “Little Black Dress” or a printed silk dress.

Jackets

Casual: Jean jacket or anorak.

Casual Chic: Moto jacket or a quilted blazer.

Chic Elegance: Velvet blazer or an embellished jacket (fur-lined, leather trim, embroidery, etc).

Step #3

Analyze your results. As you go over your notes, the critical thing to keep in mind is whether each item you chose fits you, pleases you, and could be worn tomorrow. The strength of this assessment is your honesty.

Once you’ve done your assessment come back and let me know how you did. Did you find some holes in your wardrobe? Are you missing some essential pieces?

Let’s tackle this project together this month!

Remember, this is my specialty. I can help you find the items that are missing from your wardrobe and create outfits for each occasion of dressing. It would be my pleasure to help you attain a wardrobe that works just right for you.

Call (919) 819-9054 or shoot me an email and we’ll get started! For your convenience I can also help you do this in a video consultation. However you want to meet, I’m here to help!

10Oct

Add These Accessories to Your Fall/Winter Wardrobe

October 10, 2018 Melrose Fisher

When it comes to a new fashion season, the thought of shopping for a new wardrobe might be overwhelming. A great alternative is to choose a few new accessories to make your existing wardrobe feel brand new.

Here are some ways you can do that.

Scarves

The newest style in scarves is long, long, long. Don’t be surprised if you wrap a scarf around your neck and the tails come to your thighs. In addition to long, cozy scarves are blanket scarves. These scarves come in fabrics that are rich, lush and voluminous. Even more than an addition to your wardrobe, they can become the main attraction of your outfit.

Fingerless Gloves

You know we need our fingertips free for on-demand texting. This accessory is functional and beautiful when it’s in velvet or suede. Choose gloves that come close to the elbow for glamorous flair. Have fun with all the colors available to you.

Tights

Black tights or bare legs are so last years. Branch out into tights of many hues. Wear them with your skirts and dresses for pure fun. If colorful tights are too bold for you a lace tight will update your look.

Hats

Hats add so much personality and punctuation to your outfit. Maybe start by identifying your favorite historical period. Styles include the sombrero, the cowboy hat, the matador, the fedora, and other wide-brimmed styles. Do you prefer caps? Try one in plaid. Use hats to express your personal style. This could be the accessory you wear all season.

Statement Earrings

Are you ready to make a statement? “Ears” how to do it (wink, wink). Big on the earring scene are oversized double and triple hoops. Feathers flock the ear whether they’re real feathers or silver ones. Large jeweled crosses bring lots of bling. Tassels continue to adorn the ear.

Statement Necklaces

Or should we say necklaces! Whether you layer multiple necklaces from your collection or buy one that does all the layering for you, this look could cover your whole décolleté area. This look may not be best on a larger chested person. You decide if you’re a good candidate for this trend. Other choices are chokers high on the neck or necklaces layered over turtlenecks.

Statement Bracelets

Bracelets aren’t just for summer over bare arms. Wear bracelets of different widths and stack them on your wrist or on top of your sweater sleeve. A very pretty look is to wear large cuffs full of lustrous colors. A cardigan, jacket, or coat with three-quarter sleeves is just begging for a statement bracelet or two or three.

Belts

Belts ruled the runway. Looks included buckle belts, leather belts, tie belts, corset belts, bustier belts, and the doubling up of belts. Use any of these on coats, dresses, or skirts of any length. Consider wearing belts that contrast with your outfit colors or choose one in animal print.

Purses

Logo purses are big for fall. Enter the fanny pack, the belt purse or the backpack. For ladylike looks, go for a framed handbag. If you have a busy running-around lifestyle, a tote may be best for you. A new purse adds so very much to your look. Getting a new one could be your number one fashion priority.

To ease into the season, consider starting with accessories. I can help you find the right ones or help you begin to incorporate them into your transition wardrobe before all the woolens come out. The great thing about accessories is that you can start wearing them right away! Let’s get a date on the calendar, okay?

03Oct

Here’s What’s on the Menu for Fall Fashion

October 3, 2018 Melrose Fisher

Are you ready to try some new things from the fall/winter fashion offerings? Whether you sample one item or several, there are some tantalizing treats to choose from. Here’s a sample menu of what’s available to you.

1. I want to draw your attention to the different shades of green. Are there fifty shades? I want to say yes! Whether you like your greens light, dark, deep, intense or muted, this is the right time to explore your options. Green is not just for garnish anymore. It can be the main course of an outfit.

2. For people who’ve been wondering where brown went, it’s back! It comes in all shades of chocolate and on into burnt caramel. Time to stock your shoe and handbag shelves with this rich color or choose a few separates to blend into your existing wardrobe.

3. Velvet has been spanning the seasons. People even wore velvet this past spring/summer. It seems best for cooler weather. Look for it this season in dresses, blouses, and jackets.

4. Prairie dresses look romantic and innocent with high necklines, roomie sleeves, and a floor-length hemline. This is a great option for those looking for something new in the dress department.

5. Floral prints just keep coming. Plan to wear floral print dresses with dark backgrounds. They’re great paired with a colored tight and a boot.

6. There’s an array of plaids just waiting for you to enjoy. Classic plaids of different colorations are being combined in the same outfit. For instance, you can wear a blue plaid pant with a red plaid jacket. Or wear red plaid boots with a blue plaid dress. It may sound less than appetizing but you won’t know until you try it!

7. Don’t know what scarf to wear with your outfit? It’s an easy decision this season. Designers are creating matching sweater and scarf sets. And if you’re just going for the scarf alone, make it long, long, long, like spaghetti-noodle long.

8. Cable knit, smooth knit, or textured knit sweaters all have something in common, they are voluminous and cozy. Make your knits jumbo size this year.

9. Mixing day and nightwear for both day and night keeps us on our toes. This can be a little confusing but if done right, it makes a lot of sense. Wear dressy tops with casual bottoms or dressy bottoms with casual tops and go out on the town.

10. Pants of any length or width are available. Wide, pleat front, flairs, cigarette, printed pants, and painted pants. If you wear pants well, get ready for a smorgasbord.

11. Skirts shimmy up and down the leg. Enjoy a mini, a pencil skirt, something calf-length, or go for the 50’s full skirt. For an easy garnish, add a thick belt to the waist.

12. Train your eye to see sized up jackets as the new normal. Many of them have broad shoulders. Hello, ‘80s! Get used to this new silhouette, it might be here for a while.

13. Blankets are now acceptable as fashion outerwear. It’s a no-size piece of outerwear that covers all. Whether it’s a western print or a solid color, this can beautifully drape over everything and be the centerpiece for your entire outfit.

14. Bring color to your fashion plate outfits with red lipsticks. Red lips go with everything!

Are you salivating over any of these fall/winter fashion picks? Pick your preferences from the fashion menu and let’s have fun exploring them together on a shopping trip. Give me a call. I’ll bring snacks.

25Sep

The Fall Color Trend Report

September 25, 2018 Melrose Fisher

The fall and winter colors have graced the runways and tried and true fall colors have returned but so have some shocking hues. This fall is about more than the typical neutrals, browns, and olives that we expect. While those are always go–to autumnal colors, we can add in some of the far–from–usual trending colors like bright fuchsia, nebulas blue, and intense violet.

Almond Buff

An understated camel hue that is just a few shades lighter and more delicate, almond buff is the perfect soft neutral for the fall. Almond buff is a rich, classic autumn color that adds warmth to a fall wardrobe. Instead of gray or white, add almond buff as a neutral to any outfit for a dreamy, delicate palette.

Soft Gray

Soft Gray is a subtle touch of gray that is incredibly chic and versatile. Gray as a neutral is great for pairing with bright colors or rich black for contrast. Accent gray with a brightly colored belt or shoes. This season, sunny yellow and russet orange are in for the fall, so adding a touch of color to brighten up soft gray is a great option.

Merlot

Deep burgundies, intense oxblood, and wine hues are autumn favorites and are trending this fall. Wine colors can be paired nicely with camel or almond buff, or even with rich navy blue. Merlot can look very eloquent and even romantic. Deep red is an easy color to find in nearly any kind of clothing this year, from stately burgundy trench coats to lacy satin dresses.

Vibrant Blues and Violets

The usual fall colors include the earthy tones of nature; red, orange, olive, tan, brown. However, the cooler shades of the color wheel are huge this fall. Several blues are making a big debut for the fall from the sophisticated navy, to sea blue, to vibrant nebulas blue. Usually, purple tones for the fall have hints of red to add warmth, but this fall they are going the opposite way. Intense, blue-violet and lavender with a hint of blue are both top trends.

Fuchsia

While this is not what we’d expect for the fall season, pink has been favored by fashion designers this year. From hot pink to mellow dusty pink and various shades in between, pink remains suitable for the fall. If you are a bit apprehensive about too much fall pink, then just add pops of pink to black or gray to tone it down but still rock the trend.

Whiskey Brown

Another warm autumn neutral that can be paired with so many colors, whiskey brown is a perfect addition to your wardrobe this fall. Whiskey brown, warm and caramel–colored, is flattering and elegant for all occasions.

19Sep

How to Easily Transition Your Wardrobe from Summer to Fall

September 19, 2018 Melrose Fisher

As one season comes to a close and we embrace another, we experience that in-between weather and dressing for the day can be a bit of a challenge. It’s too hot to wear fall attire and chilly mornings and evenings make it too cold for summer clothes. The best way to combat the awkward uncertainty of the seasons changing is to prepare your closet for a smooth transition into autumn with these tips.

Don’t put away your maxi dresses yet

Maxi dresses are great for the season change because they offer enough fabric to keep you covered if it gets a little chilly and during the day you’ll be cool enough. A shawl or cardigan will work to cover your arms if needed.

Just add tights to summer dresses and skirts

You can keep your summer dresses in your closet for a couple more months, as long as you pair them with some fall accessories. Autumn is perfect for tights, especially cable-knit and textured tights. They are cozy enough to keep you warm if you aren’t quite ready to wear heavy pants yet. Leggings are another great option too. If you still want to wear some of your summery tunics, wear them with a pair of leggings.

Layering was made for autumn weather

Layering is your best friend during the unpredictable fall weather transition. Leave home in the chilly morning hours and by noon, it feels like summer again. You can keep out your summer tank tops and pair them with light sweaters or boyfriend cardigans. Scarves are also a perfect option for layering. Be sure to add no more than three layers, e.g. tank top, cardigan, and scarf. And if you go heavy on top, wear slim fitting bottoms to balance out the look. You still want to keep layers long and lean and not too bulky, so avoid layering while wearing wide-leg pants.

Add rich fall colors and textures

Adding a few pieces of fall clothing to your summer wardrobe is a good way to ease into the next season. You can still wear summer colors but just add a few fall touches. Imagine pairing lavender with plum, sky blue with navy blue, and light yellow with mustard. You can add deeper autumn colors to complement your summer wardrobe with sweaters, scarves, and jackets.

Add a statement jacket and boots

Perhaps the easiest way to transition any outfit to fall is to add a military-style jacket, a trench coat, or moto jacket. A fall jacket can tone down an outfit and make it more suitable for autumn. Autumn is boot season! Adding boots to an outfit also adds some autumn vibes. Boots can be worn with most outfits too; wear boots with leggings, jeans, dresses, etc.

Looking to Transition?

Need some inspiration for transitioning your wardrobe? Check out some of Etcetera and Carlisle transition pieces, they may just be perfect for you. If your looking for some extra help you can alway contact us!

05Sep

The Top 5 Denim Trends For Fall 2018 And How To Wear Them

September 5, 2018 Melrose Fisher

It seems that 2018 is bringing back denim trends that you have probably already worn in recent years. The last few years of denim trends have featured most tight skinny jeans but if you’re ready for some comfier options, this season is full of them. Retro denim styles are back in full force. You might already have some of these styles tucked away in your closet, but if not, get ready to bring them back into your wardrobe. Master how to wear the top denim styles for autumn 2018 with the following tips.

80’s Distressed

The ripped jeans of the 80’s are back. Well, perhaps distressed denim never really left us, but our tastes may have changed. The 80’s was a wild time for denim; from acid-washed to jeans slashed at the knee that was quite the decade for jeans. If you dare, the distressed look is trending for 2018. If you have an old pair of Levi’s from 30 years ago, revive them! They might have faded throughout the years, maybe they are worn at the knee and if so, perfect. Your throwback jeans are perfect for the fall of 2018. Ripped denim and frayed hemlines are all on trend for the fall, too.

Wide-Leg

Many women will shy away from wide-leg pants for fear of them not being flattering, but to the contrary, wide-leg jeans make the legs appear elongated and make the waist look smaller. To wear this trend, try neutral colored wide-leg jeans. Navy is great for office wear or try olive, cream, or black wide-leg denim.

Remember that pleated details will flatter your legs. Also, it’s good to always wear a close-fitting top with wide-leg jeans because you don’t want your silhouette to get lost in too much fabric. It’s all about balancing the wide-leg jeans with more fitted tops. Lastly, a tucked in top will accentuate your waist when wearing wide-leg jeans.

Colored Denim

Blue denim is known as the perfect casual or chic everyday wear, but you can most definitely wear colored denim every day too! You can get your feet wet with neutral colored denim like cream or gray to get in on this trend or go all out with mustard, olive, or royal blue. Don’t be afraid to embrace dusty pink, cranberry red, or printed denim either! Pair colored denim with chunky sweaters, ankle boots, puffer vests or sweet, feminine blouses. You can treat colored denim as you would treat regular blue jeans, as long as the colors you pair with these pants are complementary. Royal blue denim will go nicely with a white t-shirt and a textured scarf. Wear mustard or olive jeans with a striped sweater and sneakers or boots. Burgundy jeans look sharp when paired with navy blue.

Flared

After several years in the spotlight, skinny jeans are taking a backseat and the wide-hemmed flared jeans are back! Flared jeans are boho-inspired and reminiscent of 70’s fashion.

The great thing about flared jeans is that everyone can wear them. These are flattering for all shapes and sizes. Make sure to watch the length of the hem on flared jeans because if they are too short or too long, it can ruin the look. The length of the hem should just nearly touch the ground so be sure to choose your shoes accordingly. Keep your top somewhat fitted since the flow of these jeans is flared out, especially if they are also more of a wide-leg fit. Wearing a flowy, wide tops balances out skinny jeans but when paired with flares, it can make your silhouette appear larger. Pair flared jeans with a lightweight, close-fitting blouse or a blouse with a thin belt cinched at the waist.

Utility Denim and Trousers

Utility pants are this season’s versatile pick for denim trends. Utility jeans are androgynous and are best styled with a feminine flair. Because utility denim has a masculine edge, pair these with an ultra-feminine blouse to balance them out. Using this same styling idea, wear a delicate silk cami with utility jeans for a night out. For an office look, pair utility pants with a crisp shirt or a blazer and heels. For a fresh palette idea, try pairing olive, navy, and white for a utilitarian-chic look.

Whether you prefer trouser jeans, distressed, wide-leg or colored jeans, we’re here to ensure they have the best fit for your body type, they fit your lifestyle and work well with what’s already in your closet. If we can help you navigate the denim trends this fall/winter season, please get in touch.

To see what denim pieces are available in the Carlisle & Etcetera collections, take a look at last weeks blog “The Jeans Report.”

30Aug

The Jeans Report

August 30, 2018 Melrose Fisher

One thing we can count on from one fashion season to the next is a report on the latest in jeans.

Why is there such a fascination with this iconic clothing item?

I’ve dipped into the vault of comments made by designers, celebrities, and models on the subject of jeans.

How about this from designer Yves Saint Laurent? “I wish I had invented blue jeans. They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity—all I hope for in my clothes.”

As fashion evolves, the jean has gone from work uniform to casual outfits and dressy ones. This year denim even appeared on the runway as eveningwear. Who knew? Well, maybe designer Phillip Lim. He says, “You can make jeans and a t-shirt super stylish. It’s what you make of it, you know?” Phillip Lim

Model, Twiggy, shares her jean formula. She says, “Tailored jackets with jeans is a great look for all ages. Dress up with a heel and pretty shirt, or just wear a smart T-shirt under your jacket.”

You could follow her formula as this fashion season is exploding with jackets or exciting blouses that can be worn with jeans.

Looking back, we can all remember a jean style that we had trouble wearing. Does anybody remember low-rise jeans and muffin tops that often went with them? TV host and comedian, Ellen DeGeneres reminds us, “You’re never too old to play. You’re only too old for low-rise jeans.”

Alexa Chung, writer, and fashion designer brings up an excellent point about spending money on the things you wear the most. She says, “I tend to splurge on fancy dresses because I always think I’ll get a lot of wear out of them, but it’s false logic. You should really spend more money on the things you wear every day, like jeans.” Good point!

If you plan to update your jeans, here are a few shopping tips for you.

1. If you wear jeans across several lifestyle categories, be sure you can distinguish your dressy ones from your sporty ones from your casual ones. Yes, there is a difference! One pair of denim will not suit every occasion.

2. If you try on jeans and they’re too big in the waist, ask to have an alterations person take a look at them. Women with smaller waists often need to have the waistband taken in. It’s a common alteration.

3. As low-rise jeans are waning, the high-rise jean is getting more attention. The high-rise jean comes up over the hips and belly and settles at the waist. There is a third option. For women with a thicker waist, the mid-rise jean could be the most comfortable. It rides high in the back, but in front, it ends just under the belly button. Expect to try on a dozen or more pairs of jeans to find your perfect fit. The time you invest in this fit project is worth it!

4. Jean hem width is another factor for finding a great fit in your next pair of jeans. A skinny jean emphasizes your bottom. Many skinny jeans are worn with tunics for this reason. A boot cut jean tapers in slightly at the knee and then flares out at the bottom to about the width of the thigh. They’re great for wearing with boots. A flared jean is more exaggerated than the boot cut jean. It hugs the bottom and the thigh and then goes wide below the knee. It can be an excellent style for balancing the hip and thigh area. The ankle jean lands right at the top of the anklebone or just above. This jean style will show off your sneakers or oxfords.

5. If denim isn’t your thing, take a look at jean styles that come in colors. From spicy to bright, you can have a wardrobe of easy-wear jeans that are in your favorite colors. Another option is to shop for knit pants that have denim details. This is a great alternative for an easy to wear casual pants.

Actress Cameron Diaz says, “I’m like every other woman: a closet full of clothes, but nothing to wear. So I wear jeans.” If jeans are your universal default, Lots of Luxe would love to help you maximize their usefulness. We’re here to help whether it’s styling jean outfits for you or helping you purchase some new denim. Get in touch and we’ll begin!

20Aug

Seven Days Seven Ways – The Folio Suit

August 20, 2018 Melrose Fisher

In this post, we’re featuring the FOLIO SUIT from Etcetera’s Fall Collection. The Folio Suit is made from a beautiful Turkish Herringbone fabric that packs nicely and transitions seasons beautifully. Here we’re highlighting Seven Ways to wear the FOLIO SUIT in Seven Days.

DAY 1 – THE COZY SWEATER

We’ve picked the MULTI sweater. This sweater has excellent versatility and can be worn several different ways; cowl neck, V-neck or reversed to a jewel neck. We’ve paired this cozy sweater with the FOLIO skirt. This micro herringbone twill skirt has comfortable two-way stretch and a svelte shape and a no-waist style that puts a modern spin on tradition. To add some color to this outfit, bring in RED SQUARE. This sweater, just like MULTI, has a touch of cashmere and can be worn three ways.

DAY 2- THE EXECUTIVE SUITE

We’re pulling the FOLIO SUIT together for your day in the office executive look that is also perfect for your evening event. The strapless bustier is a stretch micro herringbone just as the skirt mentioned above. This bustier takes power suiting to next-level versatility. Keep your jacket on in the office; no one will know until you remove the jacket for evening cocktails, dinner, or gala event. Pairing the bustier with the FOLIO pant that has a little drape and wider leg gives you that elegantly sexy jumpsuit look.

DAY 3 – SEPARATES

On day three we’re taking the Folio suit skirt and pairing it with other items in the collection. The jacket is KNIGHT, a textured tweed anorak in a subtle modern check with retro allure, luxurious leather trim, and piped seams. This jacket is unlined so it moves nicely from region to region and it also transitions season to season beautifully. Under KNIGHT we’ve put MAIDEN, a stretch cotton blouse that adds the polish of sateen and the corsair flash of lantern sleeves.

DAY 4 – ADD A TWEED BOMBER

Today we take the Folio Pant and add STORY, a bomber jacket style that’s been given an urbane update with luxe abstract boucle tweed and smooth ponte knit. We’ve layered NOBLE underneath STORY. NOBLE is a pullover turtleneck sweater, an indispensable layer for the season and remember each of the four turtlenecks in the collection has a matching pant, so you always have a column of color option. We’ve paired Noble and Story with the Folio pant, which has a Liz fit.

DAY 5 – THE FOLIO JACKET

As with all of the Folio pieces, the jacket is made from a micro herringbone that wears comfortably thanks to two-way stretch twill. The blazer is beautifully tailored and uniquely elegant. We’re pairing it with the ARRON blouse and the CAVIAR pant made from Japanese crepe. Arrone is a satin blouse with bias stripes, and loose, flowy cuffs that add a little extra savoir-faire. The Caviar pant adds instant elegance to this outfit. These full-length stretch crepe pants make every occasion special. The comfort and the look will put them at the top of your list of must-haves this season.

DAY 6 – COLOR

On day six we’re introducing Oxblood to the Folio suit with SOJOURN a luxe deep red suede jacket. This jacket has knit sleeves and back which gives the comfortable classic bomber a modern edge. We’ve layered Sojourn with Foley another pullover turtleneck.

DAY 7- SOMETHING NEW

We love sharing new trends with our clients, and on day seven we’re putting the Folio Bustier over the Maiden blouse and pairing them with CALVARY our skinny black ponte knit pant.

We always recommend having the clothes that you need for the occasions you have coming up. Experience tells us that spur of the moment generally doesn’t ever work out. Let us help you put your Seven Ways in Seven Days together with items from both your closet and the new fall collections. We’re showing Etcetera at the Lots of Luxe studio in Chapel Hill starting August 29. We’d love to see you there, work with you online or we can send you a Box of Luxe! Get in touch today!

Melrose Fisher

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