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Embellished Jackets:
We've all been hunkered down during this time of "not spending" and we're really getting tired of abstaining from shopping. What better way to lift your spirits this holiday season than to add an embellished jacket to spruce up everything from a pair of skinny jeans for a night out with friends to topping off more formal attire for an evening of festivities? I myself am going to two holiday parties next week and would much rather splurge on a glam jacket that'll be totally wearable even after the parties are over. It's important to think about the silhouette though. You don't want it to look like a jacket that you should be taking off when you enter the party. It should compliment the rest of your outfit as THE piece. You can wear a simple sheath underneath or a camisole with a puffy skirt if you'd like. I prefer a jacket with shorter sleeves (3/4 length or short) with either a cropped body and/or a fitted body. This way, the jacket takes center stage. Check out Chloe's silk and Rhinestone jacket. I love the fact that the color is basically neutral and will compliment everything. I also love the Anglo-Indian feel of the embroidery - very multiethnic! Of course this jacket costs an arm and a leg but I feel this really is an investment piece that you'll reach for every year until you give it to your daughter. For a much smaller investment, the sequined silk cardigan by 3.1 Philip Lim is definitely enough to turn heads! If you happen to be good with a needle and thread, stop by M&J Trimming, and they have embellishment kits that you can put on your own simple jacket and countless variety of stones you can add on. Why don't you make it a holiday tradition with your daughters? I'm planning to! Take something that is basic in their wardrobe and add some embellishment! Let your and their creative juices flow! |
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Belt that gown!:
I was recently invited to the "Black Ball" where I was standing right next to John Mayer, Liya Kebede, and Cynthia Nixon! Justin Timberlake and Alicia Keyes performed and Queen Latifah, Iman, Padma Lackshmi, and Sting were a few feet away from me donating to this worthy cause. The invitation read "Festive attire with a touch of Africa!" Well, like you, I'm just not in any mood to shell out $$ for a gown these days. So, I took my old standby Jean Paul Gaultier gown, which is cut low and has a halter back, took my vintage diamante buckle, got a double sided wide velvet ribbon (this needs to be double sided so the ribbon doesn't slip off easily) and cinched my waist with the whole thing. I looked totally modern and cool and definitely fashion forward without showing extra skin. The wide belt gives an urban, more downtown feel to a gown or dress and a skinny belt will give a 50s sexy siren look. Either works, depending on the mood you're trying to convey. |
Brooches:
Pinned elegantly onto a jacket lapel or a sweater, brooches transmit an elegant, almost arty feel to an outfit. Sometimes, wearing a large necklace seems too much, especially for the day time, but put a funky vintagey pin on a cardigan and you don't look like you're trying too hard. Yet, it still adds that little bit of texture and pattern to a simple outfit. So many designers from Balenciaga, Vera Wang, and Miriam Haskell to more affordable lines from Alexis Bittar, Rachel Reinhardt, and even Banana Republic make a wide array of gorgeous brooches this season just to add a little touch of sparkle and interest to an outfit. You also can add the brooch to a wide ribbon and voila! You have a one of a kind of belt for a simple dress or a pair of jeans. Check out the Ralph Lauren belt for inspiration. Brooches can also be put on simple satin evening clutches to add that bit of glam and uniqueness. I've even made a brooch into a bracelet by just pinning it onto a grosgrain ribbon and attaching Velcro to open and close it. It really is the most versatile accessory to buy this season. And in this economy, we all need pieces to do triple or more duty, right? |
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| About Jean
Growing up in Virginia, Jean developed an early passion for fashion and design while reading through the pages of Vogue. She was profoundly influenced by her aunt in Korea, who had countless vintage dresses and accessories which Jean later inherited. After graduating from Columbia, a career on Wall Street and raising her three school age children, Jean decided to pursue a career as a stylist to capitalize on her lifelong passion for fashion.
Jean enjoys helping her clients establish a core collection that can carry them from year to year. She doesn't believe in revamping an entire wardrobe with each passing trend. She loves searching for that perfect timeless piece -- the one that is captivating and unique that a client will reach for time and time again.
Jean gets much satisfaction in finding the perfect accessory to make any outfit pop. She finds things at flea markets, vintage fairs and during her travels overseas.
She has styled a wide array of women with varied backgrounds. Her clients include: Doctors, philanthropists, socialites, teachers, interior designers, sommeliers and Wall Street professionals. She works with each client's unique taste and personality to purchase clothes for them that will make them feel like the best version of themselves.
Jean lives in New York City with her husband and three children. She currently has clients in New York City, East Hampton, North Carolina, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Florida, Wyoming and Tokyo. |
Past Tips:
June 2009
May 2009
March 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008 Part 2
November 2008 Part 1
October 2008 Part 2
October 2008 Part 1
September 2008 Part 2
September 2008 Part 1
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