My Favorite Fall Fashion Trends for 2019 and The Ones I'm Kicking To The Curb.

I learned one very important thing from researching Fall 2019 Trends this week. I’m getting old. I am now at the age when I can say “Oh, I had a _____ like that once!” or “Oh no! Not that again!” Yup, that’s where Fall 2019 has me.

I love looking at what’s on the runway each season. “Fashion excites me!” Does this mean I think we should run out and purchase all the “hot off the runway pieces?” Absolutely not. This week I’ll look at which ones I think are fun and wearable for everyday life and next week I’ll show you how to wear them without looking trendy.

I am giving the following a Yay…

Please remember that these photos are from runway shows and are for inspiration purposes. They are “looks” that I can see translating to everyday life come Fall.

Dolce and Gabbana-Few Fall trends here. Menswear inspired suiting, plaids and checks and statement hats.

Suit Up and Sharp Shoulders. I loved shoulder pads. I had a difficult time giving them up. There were some instances that I took them to an extreme, thank goodness cell phone cameras weren’t around to document it!

Plaids and Checks. You can’t beat the timelessness of plaids and checks. When done the right way they don’t date themselves.

Erdem Other than floral trend, there is a statement hosiery and big bow trend. I’m just giving a nod to the florals.

Dark Florals. Florals are so pretty and feminine. Why not bring them into Fall and Winter and brighten up short days with pops of color.

Kate Spade

Showing Your Spots. I am always in favor of skin prints and animal prints. This Fall, there are some really creative ways to wear them together. I’ll share those with you next week!

Ports 1961

Trench Coats. It is hard for me to think about coats living in Florida but trench coats are timeless.

Prada Lace gets updated here in head to toe. How will we take this to the pick up line? Check back next week!

Lovely In Lace. I love the look of a little feminine lace. How you translate it to everyday life is key.

Rosie Assoulin

Maxi Skirts. I am always up for a maxi skirt, or dress for that matter! They are cool in the Summer and provide a fun warm look in the Winter when paired with boots.

It’s Not Easy Being Green. I’m very excited about all the shades of Green this Fall. Everything from pistachio to Emerald.

Burberry.

Camel and White Combo. This very rich color combo can go miles for us. I’m excited to wear it day and night!

Hellessy. There is a nod to a couple more trends here. I am not going with the color or the statement hat here. Just the knits!

Knits. Knit dresses and two pieces always look so rich and wear so well. A well made knit will never owe you a penny.

I am saying Nay to the following…

It’s not that I don’t necessarily like some of these looks but it’s smart to be able to take “trends” from runway to everyday. I want to get more than a season out of items that I suggest. These trends can look dated quickly or simply aren’t practical.

Saint Laurent

Neon. They tried this in the Spring and I didn’t go for it then either.

Marc Jacobs

Capes. I love the look of capes. I think they are so beautiful. They aren’t practical though. In Florida I don’t wear many coats at all. In colder climates they won’t provide the warmth.

Tiny Tiny Handbags. If my cell phone doesn’t fit in it, it’s not coming home with me. That’s all.

Natasha Zinko

Feathers. This is another one they tried on us in the Spring. It’s still a “NO”

Celine.

Metallics. Any time I have purchased a metallic it has never made it past the season. I learned my lesson on this one. Once you’ve worn a metallic piece it is recognizable. There is no way around that.

Stella McCartney

Military Outerwear. I personally am not attracted to this look. There is nothing feminine or timeless about it.

What looks do you remember wearing? Are there any that you can’t wait to wear again? Are there any you can’t believe you wore? I’d love to hear!

I can’t wait to show you how I take these looks from runway to every day. Be sure to sign up for my weekly post below so you don’t miss out!

As always,

Fashionably yours,

August Boutique Of The Month...AvaGrace Simsbury, CT

It’s quite obvious-I love to shop! I love to find great boutiques that offer unique items and I’m a true believer in supporting local businesses.

I like to take time in this blog to highlight some of my favorite haunts. Having been in retail for, well let’s just say, for a very long time, I hold the bar pretty high. I look for the things that I like to offer my clients both now (as a personal shopper and stylist) and when I managed stores in the past. I love a store and a team, that offers fabulous customer service, honesty, friendliness and genuine interest in my taste and lifestyle.

When I frequent a store it’s not just for the clothing and accessories - it’s the whole package I’m looking for! I want to feel confident when I recommend a store to a client or friend.

Before we moved to Florida we lived in a small town, West Granby, CT. Whenever we go back I MUST visit certain places. This months’ boutique of the month is one of them. I’m excited for you to meet Tracy, the owner of AvaGrace, not only does she have great taste but she is an incredibly kind and thoughtful person. There aren’t many places that I’ll go back to but her store is a must!

Please enjoy getting to know AvaGrace, and owner Tracy with our Q and A Session!

How long has AvaGrace been in business? How did you come up with the name?

This September will be my 5th year in business (OMG!!!) AvaGrace is named after my two children Ava & Grace. They are two of my gifts in my life...

Congratulations!!! 5 Years is quite an accomplishment!!

My Favorite Go To Jewelry is from AvaGrace!

You carry a beautiful collection of different things...from clothing to home decor. Have you always carried both?

When I first opened, I had a small store. I opened with Home Decor, Gift-ables, cards & accessories. I had wanted apparel, but didn’t have the room. I spent 18 months in my first quaint space. My current space is double the size of my first location. (I was thrilled!) I spent the first few months after opening searching for apparel to bring in, apparel arrived about 3 months after opening my second location. The demand and interest in apparel has grown and continues to grow month after month!

What is the mission behind AvaGrace?

The mission of my shop is to give you a beautiful, happy experience. “A Love of beautiful things” is my tag line and that is so true. I hope my customers walk in to AvaGrace and feel a sense of welcome, beauty & happiness. When a guest walks in to AvaGrace, we hope they feel a sense of OMG, I love this place… Everything from the music, lighting & of course the goods are intentionally selected to foster that mission of making you feel you are in a beautiful place. The Staff at AvaGrace is special too. We strive to make each guest feel welcomed and valued.

I certainly feel this way! I miss coming to see you! Thank goodness for UPS!!

Great shoes for Florida! I’m so glad Tracy ships!

What brought you to retail? Have you always been a retail lady? If not what was your prior career or area of study?

Retail was not my area of study. I am (and will always identify as) a nurse. I have a Bachelors degree in Nursing and spent over 20 years in my first loves field. I had a dream of opening a boutique for some time though. My Mom had a beautiful boutique in Naples, Florida that served as a catalyst to help me realize my dream. My oldest daughter Grace, who was 14 at the time, was the one who said “Mom, just do it! Stop talking about it, just do it!” (out of the mouths of babes…)

Smart Girls!!

What is a typical day like for the AvaGrace team?

One of my favorite tops from AvaGrace!

Our days at the shop are filled with helping our customers select the perfect outfit, or gift for someone special, or what ever they are looking for. We also change up the shop every week. New merchandise arrives weekly, so we are always changing around. Our goal is that the shop isn’t exactly the same place twice.

What is one thing you think your customers should know about your store that they may not be aware of already?

We are not your average shop. We truly value every customer that walks in. What you select is special! I choose every single item, I purchase in small quantities, so that every item whether apparel or a special gift is truly SPECIAL. I also strive to buy items made in the USA.

Tell us about your little store mascot!

Our shop mascot is my sweet rescue dog Dixie! Dixie is a Rat Terrier rescued from Tennessee. She is sweet and welcoming to all visit.

What are your favorite lines-what do you mostly look for when shopping for your clients?

Kande Jewelry

There are so many!! For Apparel, I love clothing that makes you feel beautiful, is easy to wear and is good quality. I search for lines that you may not see anywhere else. Some of our favorite line are Last Tango, Elliott Lauren, Gretchen Scott, Spanx, Bailey 44, Barefoot Dreams and super excited to announce that Joseph Ribkoff is coming to AvaGrace at the end of August! Some of my favorite accessory lines are LOLA, French Kande & E-newton.

I have always been so impressed with your enthusiasm and your genuine connection to your customers. You have so much energy-how do you do it? What do you do for downtime?

Thank you! I am a shopper too! I have been in many stores where no one even says hello or acknowledges you. I want every person to understand and feel that they are welcomed in the shop. I am a people person and genuinely enjoy talking with people. I have met so many new friends through the shop! I LOVE what I do. I believe that when you truly love what you do, it shows. My family and faith are what motivate and energize me to do what I do. Downtime for me is time with my family and exercising.

Love the Fall looks that are already in store! Check out that bag!!

What are some of the items you are most excited about going forward for Fall?

I can’t wait for the new apparel line Joseph Ribkoff!!!

I can’t wait to see this line! I’ll watch out for it on Instagram!

Who (or what) most inspires you when it comes to fashion and what you choose to carry at AvaGrace?

When I think of fashion icons that I admire, the commonality is beautiful, timeless pieces. While I love trying some fun edgy trends, I always lean towards well made beautiful pieces.

Love Jackie O  She was always put together!   

And for today I love Sarah Blakley.  She is the founder of SPANX. I love that she gets Women.. Real Women. Those of use who aren’t 19, a size 0, have had children,  have real lives and still want to look and feel good. She is an inspiration and an  amazing business woman too.

Love these beautiful scarves in all the Fall trends…animal prints and plaids!

What are some of your must-haves? What do you recommend every woman who shops at AvaGrace try?

There are so many fabulous pieces this fall! Loving the Camo and animal prints. The fur leather handbags are a staple for sure! My favorite jeans are the Spanx Denim. Lola is my go-to for timeless necklaces. French Kande is my go to for statement pieces. MY favorite candle is the Persian Lime from Linneas Lights. Our Cashmere pieces are a MUST have!

What sizes do you carry?

We carry sizes 0-16 We can special order many other sizes as needed too!

You can find Ava Grace at 926 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury, CT.

Or online at AvaGrace Gifts, or Instagram AvaGrace and Facebook AvaGrace.

Hours: Monday-Wednesday and Friday 10-5:30, Thusday 10-7, Saturday 10-4

Phone: 860-658-4400

And if you go in to visit her please give her a big hug from me!

How To Stay Cool and Still Dress Professionally!

I miss the days of a professional look. Even when I was in retail and had more leeway with my clothing, I loved “dressing for work.” It’s no secret that, upon first glance, people “size you up” and make assumptions about you based on “how” you look.

I just talked about this in “Teaching My Teens How They Dress Matters.” I tell my kids all the time, it’s important to think about what you wear and what it says about you. When working in a professional environment, you should dress how you want to be perceived: knowledgeable, mature, and experienced.

I have to apologize. How could I go through Summer and tell you how to dress cool in the steamy heat without covering professional dress?!

So, how’s your summer wardrobe? I don’t mean your weekend casual looks of sundresses and beachwear. I have been thinking about your office. Life in Florida can be so casual that I often forget about professional dress! I met my friend a couple of weeks ago, outside an office building, to snap some photos for the blog. I was a little early, so I was walking around looking for some areas to take pictures. I couldn’t help but notice women coming in and out of the building and what they were wearing. It was upwards of 95* but I was surprised by their outfits. Flip flops? Really? Ribbed cotton tank tops? It is fair to say that I don’t know how “casual” the offices were in the building and there are so many office “dress policies” maybe this was “ok?” Maybe not.

You might not be the woman wearing flip flops or tank tops. However, you may find it difficult to find items that will keep you cool and also look professional. If you aren’t sure, follow my list of guidelines below to help you dress in a professional manner that will also help you stay cool.

So, here it is, my list of Do’s and Don’ts for the office.

• No Flip Flops, or for that matter any sandal that exposes all of your toes.

• No Shorts.

• No Spaghetti Strap Tops. No Tops where any part of your bra is exposed.

• No Mini Skirts. Skirt lengths are difficult because there are so many and even really long skirts can look unprofessional. I would suggest going as close to the knee as possible.

• No cleavage.

• No strapless tops, strapless dresses or tube tops.

• No sheer fabrics, unless it’s a top with a cami underneath.

• No to anything that has a naturally wrinkled look. I love the lightweight washable linen items but save those for the weekends.

Okay, so what’s left?

• Peep toe pumps, wedge peep toe shoes, loafers, ballet flats.

• Ankle pants

• Breezy blouses. Washable silks are always great because they don’t have to be dry cleaned and are super cool.

• Sleeveless knit tops or blouses. Be sure to look under the arm to make sure your bra doesn’t show.

• Pencil skirts.

• Lightweight fabrics and lighter colors are important

• My favorite professional, keep cool items to recommend are dresses. They are the easiest items to wear, they don’t require extra layers. If they are sleeveless you can always add a cardigan or blazer to wear over them in the ac.

I love dresses so much I created a “catalogue” of looks that are all shoppable. You can access them here…Professional Summer Dresses!

These are the dresses in my shoppable catalogue-Professional Summer Dresses!

While I will always select the best items for you, some of the links included may be automatically affiliated. This helps support my business. If you choose any, thank you!

Happy Shopping and Keep Cool!

Fashionably yours,

---

You Might Also Like These Blog Posts

"Which Shoes Should I Wear With This Outfit?" The Best Shoe Styles To Pair With Today's Most Popular Pants.

I wish I had a dollar for every time I have been asked “What shoes should I wear with this?” It never fails, we find the perfect outfit to wear and we get so excited! Then we start to think about what shoes will complete the outfit!

I hear this all the time from clients. I can’t possibly cover the right shoe for every outfit in one blog post, so I’m going to start with trousers and jeans.

As with all of my styling advice, the first question I ask is where will you be wearing this? It’s important to think about the setting when considering my suggestions below. Once you know where you’re going, you can decide on the level of dress and heel height.

Then we pick the shoes!

For Cropped Skinny/Tapered Leg Pants…

I would suggest any of the following shoes for this style. Be sure to wear your cropped pants right at, or just above, the ankle.

The cropped skinny pant is one of my personal favorites because it is so versatile. If your crop pant is denim or a more casual fabric, sneakers, ballet flats or even “loafers” are great options. You can also choose a wedge, ankle boot (closed or open toe) or heel if you want the height. If you choose a boot or wedge, I would stay with a simple style so you don’t disrupt any look that would elongate. I would steer away from ankle straps for the same reason. Be sure, when wearing a boot, that your pants and boots don’t touch. When your pant bunches up against the top of the shoe it draws your eye right to that point instead of elongating.

Here are some suggestions for the cropped ankle pant/jean.

Suggestions for the Crop Ankle Pant. Everything here works well with denim and casual pants. For a dressier look opt for the suede mule, snakeskin or leather options.

For Full Length Skinny/Tapered Pants…

If your skinny pant is full length, shy away from the flats and definitely no sneakers. I would also suggest a simple heel. It doesn’t have to be high. If you opt for a boot, try something that hugs the ankle like the one below.

Suggestions for Full Length Skinny Pant… If you must do a flat keep it very simple! Again, ankle hugging boot to elongate the leg.

For Crop Boot Cut…

A simple sneaker with this crop boot cut works, just remember to keep the colors similar.

Make sure the flare is just above the ankle bone. If it’s too short you will look like you have “cankles” and if it’s too long it won’t look right with any shoe. I recently had a flare crop jean that didn’t work with any shoe because it was too long. I finally had it hemmed and I was able to wear it with quite a few shoes in my closet!

I often choose a more simple shoe for this look. Choose a ballet flat or a basic sneaker. A wedge, mule or block heel could also work. If you opt for a shoe that has more detail along the vamp, try to keep the colors similar between shoe and pant. (See photo at top of post)

Suggestions for Crop Boot Cut.

Notice how the tip of the boot is the only part of the shoe that shows!

For Full Length Boot Cut…

No flats here. This cut needs a heel, even if it’s just an inch. I always keep my boot or flare pants a little longer so that I have more shoe options. I made the mistake of cutting one of my favorite jeans too short and now I can only wear them with a 1” cowboy boot. When choosing a heel height you want the pant to skim the top of your shoe like in the picture to the right.

Suggestions for Full Length Boot Cut Pants/Jeans or Wide Leg Palazzo Pants

For Wide Leg/Palazzo Pants…

For a more casual wide leg you can try a platform sandal or sneaker.

I would always choose something with height! If it’s a super casual pant like the “sweatpants” to the right, then a platform can keep the look casual but still give you height. It doesn’t have to be super high but should give you a lift to compensate for the flowy fabric.

Any of the shoes shown above for Full Length Boot Cut would work for Wide Leg Palazzo Pants too!

For Boyfriend Jeans…

With my favorite boyfriend jeans and one of my boyfriends ;)

I love Boyfriend jeans because they are also pretty versatile! I prefer to always wear my boyfriend jeans rolled. At some point I’ll offer a video on my “rolling techniques”! Pair these with all sorts of fun sneakers, ballet flats, heels, wedges and ankle boots. Remember to roll enough so the jeans and boots don’t touch!

Suggestions For Boyfriend Jeans.

I know this is a lot of information so I’d love to offer a Free Consult. Sign up to receive my weekly emails and I will contact you to make some suggestions for a pair of pants that have you stumped. I will work with what you have in your wardrobe. If we can’t find something there I will make some suggestions! If you’re only interested in the links to some or all of the shoes in this blog I can send you those too! Even if you’re on the email list sign in below. I’ll make sure you don’t double up!

Fashionably yours,

---

You Might Also Like These Blog Posts

In a Sea of Lilly...My Adjustment To Coastal Living.

Our personal styles evolve over the years for many different reasons. We graduate from school. We start working. We change careers. We get married. We get divorced. We have children and decide to stay home. We have children and decide to continue working. We move. We gain weight. We lose weight. We age! Throughout all of these life events we transform and we grow in more ways than our personal style. I think the most difficult time I’ve had defining my style was when we moved to Florida.

As we go through changes it only makes sense that it will trickle down to how we dress. Having been through all of the above, the most difficult one for me was our move to Florida from Connecticut. In addition to all of the changes that come along with a move there were a lot of changes that were related to my personal style too. I was trying to adapt to all of them. I didn’t realize how drastic the change would be.

• We had no friends here. I so desperately wanted to fit in and I wanted the kids to fit in too.

• I put on weight before the move. I felt uncomfortable with my body and with wearing all the clothing that goes along with living in a tropical environment. How did I let my husband convince me to move to an area where swimsuits are “in season” year round?

The first time I was able to wear a jacket in Florida! I was so happy!!!

• Fall and Winter are my favorite seasons and I adore the wardrobe changes that come with it. I love sweaters, boots and coats and I wondered, in our first October, if I would ever wear a sweater again.

• Life is pretty simple here and also very casual. I was the woman who brought her perfume bottle to work to reapply. I had the perfect shoe to match every outfit. I was always “dressed” and never really went about my day in “athleisure” wear. Flip flops were for the pool not everyday life.

Almost overnight, I was living where we once vacationed. I was trying to adjust to a new life. I was feeling lonely, fat, hot, overwhelmed with the move, missing family and wondering how it was all going to play out. This change might not seem like such a big deal to many of you but I grew up in MA just blocks away from my entire family. I didn’t go away to college, I lived at home. My life was very much “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” that is, until I met Anthony and moved to CT.

So, why all the background? I want women to realize that defining your style isn’t always easy.

Sometimes, when we are adjusting to all the changes in our lives, we start trying different things to find our comfort zone. I always knew what I liked in New England. I wore a lot of black. I dressed a little edgier. I didn’t think about fitting in and it’s not that I was trying to stand out. I just felt comfortable in the clothes that I knew I liked and I wore them. When I wore those Summer clothes from New England in Florida, I felt out of place.

I remember a mom saying to me one day…”Oh, you have your New England look on today.” I went home and changed. I so desperately wanted to fit in and meet people that I started dressing in a way that wasn’t really me. I saw a lot of Lilly Pulitzer, and other designers with fun prints and great colors that had more of a coastal vibe. I tried them in an effort to “look” like a Floridian. However, I never really felt like myself.

My New Look! I found it!

My “ah ha” moment came when I realized that the classic coastal styles weren’t allowing me to feel like myself. I was never at ease because the clothes I was wearing were not a reflection of my personality. As I mention in “I. Feel. Pretty.” Fashion excites me, it’s how express myself.

So, I began to assess what was working and not working for me in my current wardrobe and I’m not going to tell you it was easy. As I got more familiar with the area, I uncovered small boutiques that better fit my style. I took the time to find fabrics and designs that helped me uncover my new Florida look.

So what’s the big takeaway?

I don’t think at a certain age you wake up and say “I’m a classic dresser” and that is your “style” for the rest of your life. As we go through life, we experience changes that impact what we wear and our sense of style. Those changes aren’t always easy and may make finding our personal style more difficult than just looking at Pinterest or watching tv, or the movies, and seeing who you can identify with. It can be tempting to allow our style to be influenced by those around us. That can often lead us to feeling uncomfortable and not letting others see who we really are.

If I were to walk you through assessing what your look was, I would ask you many questions about your lifestyle. I would want to get to know you. This move made me get to know myself all over again. You may find the need to get to know yourself again too. It’s important to look at all aspects of our life, where we live, weather, weight and personal comfort. From there we would build a style that says “This is me,” “I. Feel. Pretty.” and I like it!

Any time I have worked with someone and we go through this process it is well worth it. Thinking things through takes time but, in the end, saves money. Have you just been through a major life change? Do you feel like your wardrobe expresses who you are? I’d love to help if you feel like you’re stuck. This is truly what brings me the most joy and I know how difficult it can be! Check out Ways to Work with Theo and My Styling Successes. I’d love for you to be this happy!

---

You Might Also Like These Blog Posts