Love the comfort of wearing your yoga pants everyday, but don’t always want to look like you are headed to the gym? Having a good mix of athletic clothing and everyday street wear in your wardrobe, and knowing how to style it, is the key.

 

Historically, it hasn’t been cool to wear a tennis shoe with jeans. Trending now is to wear a casual leather or canvas rubber-sole shoe paired with jeans, leggings, or a skirt. It will be obvious you are heading somewhere other than the gym. Adidas, Lululemon, and Alo, are just a few popular athleisure brands to check out.

 

 

Denim on Denim

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, denim can be worn with your Adidas. And with all of the embellished jeans, with rips, tears and embroidery, try the denim on denim look; as long as somewhere in the outfit you have lots of texture and color variation. The denims should not match. Dark on the bottom will be the most slimming.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For even more contrast, throw on a colored belt and a bold statement necklace. For a night out, add a bomber jacket and switch out the Adidas for your highest heels.

 

 

 

Bomber Jackets

 

 

Any Members Only fans out there?

 

 

I remember my father-in-law wore a peach Members Only jacket proudly into the 21^st century – Wait! I think he still has it!

 

Admittedly, the bomber jacket has had its ups and downs over the years, but its back with a few new twists. Bomber jackets, if not made of leather, must have a shiny or metallic finish, or some fabulous embroidery, and a wider shoulder (welcome back 1980!). The bomber can be worn with a legging and a feminine blouse, so you get the athleisure comfort but with the cool look of an updated bomber.

 

 

 

Click here to Book an appointment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

January and February are great months to push the reset button with your wardrobe. Whether in the mood to clearance shop, or hit your closet hard looking for underappreciated items, this is a great time of year to get organized. So, after you get all of your holiday decorations put away, scroll through the possibilities:

 

Closet – Don’t fight your way through a messy closet another day. Pull everything out, and what goes back in are your #1 pieces that you can wear proudly.

 

Wouldn’t it be nice to get out the door fast looking pulled together every morning? If you need a little encouragement call Lynne.

 

5 things to take out now!

Beat up boots

Torn, distressed jeans

Stained silk blouses

Pilled sweaters

Poorly fitting coats

 

 

 

 

 

Styling what you own – Get more creative with how to mix up what you already love to wear. You can really expand your wardrobe without purchasing anything new.

 

 

 

Clearance Shopping – 80%-off signs scream out as you surf on-line or shop at the mall. Don’t feel pressure to shop now just for the bargains. Make a list of items you have been wanting to add to your wardrobe before you buy. Think about the new item as a replacement piece, not an add on.

 

Here are a few places good places to discount shop on line:

Shopbop.com

6pm.com

Lastcall.com (Neiman Marcus)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, if you prefer to get out and about, try the Opitz Outlet on Excelsior Blvd in St. Louis Park. This is a fun place to hunt, especially for shoes, purses, and dresses (and menswear!). A stroll through the new Zara store at the Mall of America will give you a glimpse into Spring trends.

 

 

 

 

 

This is such a festive time of year. Is your wardrobe ready for the holidays?
Too many times while I am out shopping, I overhear women muttering, “Ugh! I need an outfit for a social event, and I need it for tonight”.

 

If you have a few of these staples in your closet, you can be ready for anything, whether you’re entertaining at home or out to a fancy holiday party:

 

Dressy top

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Choker necklace

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Black skinny pant

 

• Black cashmere turtleneck

 

• Printed Dress

 

• Suede Skirt

 

• Square heeled velvet shoe

 

• Sparkling dressy drop earrings

Over the knee boots

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gift giving

 

The key to gift giving success is giving a gift that you can’t wait to give, but also fits the person’s lifestyle. If you give each person on your list a theme style gift, it will show that you put in the extra effort. A gift card can be a great gift; especially if you find a product or business that is unique to the recipient. Remember, give what they want to receive, not what you want to give them.

 

Here are some ideas:

 

For the chef – Kitchen Window cooking class certificate
For the gardener – Bachman’s certificate or special seeds
For the outdoor enthusiast– Fat tire bike adventure gift card
For the fashionista – Bandolier cross-body iPhone accessory

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…or a C.C. winter hat  (tip: available at LEN in Ridgedale!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Take a little time for yourself during this magical time if year. If things get hectic, book an appointment and I will guide you through the maze of shopping options to get you looking and feeling confident.

 

Happy Holidays! Cheers to successful gift giving.

 

Click on photos for links

 

 

 

 

 

September almost feels like a new year; the beginning of school and that sense of change that is headed our way.

 

Even though we know it will cool down, some of us aren’t ready to give up on summer clothing. Heck, not when the warm season is so short in Minnesota. The task of transitioning your wardrobe is no small feat.

 

Here are a few ideas to help you slide into the next season with less effort. Putting outfits together is like a puzzle. At first you’re not sure what fits together, then as you experiment, it all starts falling into place.

 

Pair your favorite summer tee shirt or blouse with a suede or leather jacket. It’s fun with a print skirt too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When you transition from sandals to boots try wearing a tall boot – without tights. Show a little leg with your dress or skirt… I always think it’s a fabulous look for fall!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Put away any tops or bottoms that are cotton/linen summer fabrics (It’s more about the fabric than the color). If you wore it on a 90 degree day, time to move it out of the closet.

 

 

This open weave, cut-out shoulder sweater is perfect for daytime, paired with a skirt, or out at night with jeans (even white ones).

 

 

Believe it or not, you can own a few items that you just wear during the transition from summer to fall, or winter into spring. A stretch pattern dress is the perfect option.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Swap out your summer sandals for a peep toe ankle boot.

 

 

 

Make the most of what you loved about your summer favorites and creatively extend them into fall.

 

If you need help transitioning into the next season, call Lynne for a fall closet consultation!

 

 

 

 

 

Click on photos for links

 

 

 

Speaking about trends is tricky business. Some like to ignore the changes that go on in the fashion world and some of us like to jump in with both feet. Just because the designers decide to jolt us out of our skinny jeans and into the new modern flare doesn’t mean we all will take the plunge. It still goes back to body shape and proportion, so not every new style that comes out is for everyone.

 

We occasionally need a little nudge to take the leap from a style we know and love to something a bit fresher. We all are guilty of hanging on to our old standbys well past their prime, and that’s why our closets are overflowing into our bedrooms.
(Time for a closet consultation?)

 

Here are some of the new trends out there to explore!

 

 

Swap out your button down shirt for an off-the-shoulder blouse. This Gingham blouse combines two trends for summer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The utility jacket in blush is the perfect replacement for the moto jacket; save the moto for fall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If the utility jacket is not your thing, try a black embroidered bomber. This trend will carry forward into fall too, as anything floral has proven it has staying power.

 

 

 

 

 

Shoes are the next trend that can offer a lot of bang for the buck.
This Soludos mixed leather and denim wedge is the perfect
neutral with shorts, pants or a dress.

 

 

 

A cute, flat, minimal, non-gladiator adds a kick of texture without taking over the outfit.

 

 

 

 

Did you finally invest in that handbag the size of a small carry-on? Well, clutches are back in a big way – especially if it’s in this cute rectangle shape. I love this rattan; it screams summer!

 

 

 

Speaking of small, Bandolier has come up with this iPhone accessory that I am crazy about. If you don’t own one, this is a must have.

 

 

 

 

Accessories are probably the most noticeable when it comes to changes in trends. As soon as everyone has committed to the chunky necklace, the fashion gurus decide thin is in, silver is out, and you gotta have a hot Tassel necklace.

 

Trends come and go; not to be taken too seriously. So if you miss out on these, you most certainly will get another chance. Watch for the next hot trend blowing in the summer breeze!