Learn to shop like a personal stylist. When your wardrobe reflects your style and your closet only contains pieces you love, you’ll look forward to getting dressed. My closet is my favorite room in my house. Yours can be too. You don’t have to look like a supermodel, live a glamorous life, or shop without a budget. The key is a high-low mix of brands. I’ve perfected the skill of being a brand snob on a budget. These are my best personal stylist shopping tips.
Opening up your closet should be like arriving at a really good party where everyone you see is someome you like
Amy Fine Collins Journalist and Author Vanity Fair
HIGH-LOW MIX
This is the cornerstone of my unique styling philosophy. I believe you can’t achieve an authentic personal style by exclusively wearing a few designer brands. The most sought-after styles look effortlessly put together because they include a high-low mix of brands. This is why celebrities hire personal stylists to thrift for them and you never see a fashion icon wearing one designer head to toe.
Designer Inspired with Standout Staples
Don’t be afraid to mix a few well-chosen designer-inspired pieces with one standout staple. That one piece will carry the look. This year I bought my first pair of Bottega sandals and I love them! I’ve been wearing them on repeat with the matching designer-inspired Amazon purse and earrings. I’m saving to get the Bottega hoops. For as often as I’ll wear it, I’m happy with the designer-inspired purse option. You know your budget and lifestyle the best.
Save with these styles.
Standout Staples
During this Instagram LIVE, I shared more high-low styling suggestions with pieces from my Classic Fashion Capsule Wardrobe.
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High-Low Outfits With the Veronica Beard “Miller” Blazer
One quality piece that fits and flatters, like the Veronica Beard Miller blazer, makes inexpensive pieces that are all part of the same outfit look good. Recreate the 3 high- low outfit combinations from this Instagram video for yourself.
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Any graphic t-shirt with a crew neck and iconic band logo will look like an expensive vintage find when you wear it with this blazer. I own all 3 of these tees for under $20 and borrowed from the boys.
Never underestimate classic wardrobe staples like jeans, a white tank and crisp kicks. When you wear them with an expensive piece that fits great, the overall look is ageless and elevated.
PERSONAL STYLIST APPROVED LOOKS FOR LESS
Dressing better after 40 doesn’t mean you have to spend more. I shop every day so it’s easy for me to spot the look for less and share it with you. You can mix these frequent finds with your established brands to create an overall look that appears intentional and expensive. Here are a few of my recent finds.
Both of these button-ups are 100% cotton, have a rounded hem, and fun pocket detail. The Nordstrom 6 and I chose the Rag & Bone “Maxine” for our April Drop. Although they are both 100% cotton, the “Maxine” is poplin. Poplin cotton is made with filaments that give the “Maxine” a softer hand, and make it more wrinkle-free. Both are good options. It depends on your lifestyle and how often you’d wear the different colors.
This beautiful L’agence cardigan was part of my Emily in Paris Capsule Wardrobe. I just found this longer style, with the same fuzzy texture. For less than $25 it has the same look minus the fancy hardware.
I’m always recommending Rails dresses. Their styles, like this one, are feminine and flattering on different body types. Snag the same silhouette from Walmart for less than $30.
Short Sets
Just the shorts in this Xirena set are $150. This summer I scored this entire set from Amazon for under $40. I’ve been wearing it as a swimsuit cover-up, and don’t mind if I mess it up.
Pink and White Striped Set from Walmart sold as separate sizes xs-xxxl.
Xirena
Chanel Inspired
I’m always saving for another pair of Chanel earrings for my bucket list brand jewelry collection, but these beauties stole my heart. Shop some more authenticated vintage Chanel earrings like this HERE.
NAME BRAND SALE FINDS
Oftentimes, designer labels consistently deliver the look we’re after. That look usually strikes a chord with our personal style. I categorize these as bucket list brands. One piece can change an entire wardrobe. Personal stylists like me keep a close eye on designer sales at Saks and Nordstrom as well as their off-price counterparts. Follow me on LTK for an ever-evolving round-up of designer deals. When investing in a new piece consider the cost per wear over the years and when you do buy something nice, wear it…even to Trader Joe’s.
Current Closet Crush Chole
Chloe is my current closet crush and the signature accessory in my new First Look at Fall Capsule Wardrobe. Chole bags are so versatile. The See by Chole collections never disappoint.
The large leather wallet on a chain was a recent Nordstrom 6 drop pick. Any personal stylist would agree it It’s ideal for travel. Tuck the shoulder strap inside and carry it as a clutch or tuck it into your travel tote as a wallet.
Marcie
After more than 20 years as a personal stylist, the small Marcie is my still most recommended Chole bag. The style is great for someone whose aesthetic is a little more rural but has an urban edge. The small is the best size and is hard to come by. It works especially well if you’re tall and struggle to find a cross-body bag that is big enough and in proportion to your body frame.
Chole makes the best brown on the market. It’s a beautiful cognac that pairs nicely with any color, especially black. The cashmere grey is another stunning color choice. The soft grey leather with brass hardware reads as silver with gold or mixed metallic, so you can wear it with a ton too!
Gucci
From belts to bags to shoes and sweaters Gucci has always been a personal stylist favorite. Shop my most popular Gucci wardrobe recommendations.
A designer bag makes the best name-brand investment. Shop my Designer Handbag Directory.
