The Right Style

The Essentials: Outerwear

Ok, so the cold finally broke through. Though I, foolishly, have my legs out and exposed to the elements today, I also have the heat on. This weekend, I am going someplace cold. I’m freaking out. I haven’t dry-cleaned any of my coats from last winter so they’re all stashed in various cubbies and holes in my apartment awaiting their re-emergence and return to glory. This started me thinking, “Maybe I should just buy a new coat!”

 

The Essentials: Outerwear.

 


Sigh. Do I ever love coats. Though I do have a tendency to favor coats of the woolen variety– I love the slightly-more-dressed look a wool coat brings– it is necessary that you pick up an army green parka this season. It’s not only wildly on trend but it is practical and able to be dressed up or down. Don’t believe me? Try layering a parka over a black maxi dress with a stacked heel boot. (Send me a snap when you do!) The Superdry Parka is my TRS pick, ringing in at $390.00. 

I went with two light colored coats this go round. Though light coats are like DIRT MAGNETS, they are a wonderful break from the endless cycle of greige that the colder months seem to have in endless supply. I love the open drape of the oatmeal-colored coat from Black Five but 100% stand behind the 60 dollar wonder of the cream formal coat. Make like Olivia Pope and snap that one up. It’s one hell of a TRS pick.

Are light-colored coats not doing enough to brighten up your winter days? I’m with you, Sister! I am absolutely dying for the orange cocoon-shaped coat from River Island. At $140 USD, the coat will keep your bank account happy as well. The cocoon shape is modern and on trend and I am a solid believer that orange is an adept neutral. Don’t go matchy-matchy on this one– throw this orange wonder on top of everything, no matter the color.

And finally, a TRS dream pick. Alexander McQueen is still my favorite place for structured, royalty inspired clothing and this coat is no exception. I did try to be a little practical with this pick; who doesn’t need an elegant, black coat in their wardrobe? This pick is aspirational, it’ll set you back a cool $2785.00. I will absolutely send you a thank you card when you have it delivered to my address.

20 Work Outfits for Any Situation- The Cut

Living in the world of trying to maintain a work/life balance, it is easy to view the work bit as an obligation– a necessary evil there to finance the “life” part of your life. But think about it– most of us live a huge chunk of our lives at work and interact with people who are able to easily influence the direction of our lives, so why not put a little extra thought into how we dress from 9-5?

I love how the article highlights two different types of working girls (I can say that, right?): the lady who works in the conservative office and the gal who has more creative days. I, fortunately, am on the creative side of things in a business casual workplace, but that didn’t diminish my appreciation of the more corporate wardrobe. Click through the slideshow and see the mix of high-end and low pieces paired with situations that match just about anything you could be going through. They built a real woman’s wardrobe, repeating pieces throughout the editorial. I’m so inspired— maybe it’s time to hit the shops…

Read the full article here.

(hat tip to The Cut.)

Fall 2014, The Essentials

August is one of those months that seems to whip by. One minute you’re planning out the last bits of summer and the next, you’re pulling out the sweaters. But now that it’s officially September, I might as well act like it. Last week, New York Magazine’s “The Cut” published a list of 50 pieces essential for building a classic wardrobe and I positively swooned. Though I hate hate HATE being cold, the cold weather list reminded me just how much I love the layers and rich fabrics that the cooler weather requires.

I am a hot weather girl through and through and my summer wardrobe is ultra-light and hyper vibrant. I am the girl you see walking down the street and think, “Well, she’s wearing all the colors.” But in colder weather, I shift in neutral, weaving seasonal shades of grey, brown and black with jewel tones and even the occasional summer electric hue.

But when it comes to essentials, I have a list of my own.

The Tissue Turtleneck

My number one layering essential. A turtleneck in a lightweight, nearly transluscent cotton can take you all the way from first chill through the winter. I know turtlenecks aren’t the coolest fashion item in the world but there is a reason they have made them year after year in every pattern known to man since the 70’s. Turtlenecks can be dressed up or down and these slightly sheer tops can be layered with each other, with a jacket or a sweater and my favorite, a jumper-style dress.

TRS pick: J. Crew “Tissue Turtleneck Tee”, $34.50

The Slim Black Pant

This practically goes without saying: The black trouser is the epitome of classic. The pants may vary in style from season to season, legs going flared or extra-wide but there is never a time when this wardrobe piece isn’t very necessary. I chose the slim-leg trouser for its versatility: the pant can be dressed up or down, tucked into boots or worn with sky high heels to elongate those stems. Myself? I’m a roller. Since I’m short but not petite, my pants can tend to run on the long side. I love to roll and unroll the cuffs of my pants according to my whims ( and the height of my shoes.)

TRS pick: NY & Co “Crosby Street Superstretch Slim Leg Pant”, $59.95

The Riding Boot (In Black AND Brown!)


It’s chilly outside. You want to keep wearing your favorite dress but you need some extra warmth. Go for a riding boot. You have a super cute pair of shorts that you’ve been dying to pair with your perfect chunky knit sweater? Grab that riding boot! Considering riding a horse for some reason? Cheap shot– you know the answer. Riding boots are one of the main reasons cold weather exists. Since you’re inevitably going to be wearing more layers and covering up the outfit that you worked so hard to put together, you need to really need to make those outer pieces shine.  Beautiful textural and ornamental details on your boots can elevate an outfit, especially as you transition to winter–and that marshmallow puffer coat.

TRS pick: Sam Edelman “Pembrooke” Boot in Brown, $189.95 and Tory Burch “Eloise” Boot in Black, $495.00

The Flare Leg Jean


So, word on the street is that jeans are on their way out. I, however, refuse to accept this. Lululemon is great, don’t get me wrong, but I am someone who enjoys wearing clothes that are not completely made of spandex. A medium wash jean is a timeless piece that every PERSON- not woman, person- needs in their wardrobe. The medium wash is not a slave to trends and can be worn in the most casual of settings as well as those that require casual elegance. My favorite fall pairing without a doubt is a slim, flared jean with a blazer and an elegant heel, whether it be a boot or a stiletto. The flare gives you the same leg-lengthening effect as the slim black pant but with a different silhouette.

TRS pick: 7 for All Mankind “A Pocket Flare in Absolute Heritage”, $215.00

The White Shirt

Crisp, classic, clean. The white shirt is all weather, all season and is always in rotation in
my wardrobe. I have quite a few white button-down shirts in all different fabrics and textures but my very favorite is this exact shirt. The sateen gives what could be a basic cotton shirt a luxurious feel and a subtle shine. Wear it often and with absolutely everything.

TRS pick: Banana Republic “Fitted Non-Iron Sateen Shirt”, $69.50

It’s not until you begin thinking about what “essential” means that you realize that, “essential” might require more than one post. Next up? Outerwear.

The Right Style is Your Style

Couldn’t have said it better myself. Via Rebecca Minkoff .

Skin Care: Don’t Get Dressed Without It

So often when we’re working on getting fly, we think about makeup. And that’s a-ok, I can’t tell you the number of times that a new lipstick or a smoky shadow has elevated my mood and taken a look to the next level. But too often, I see women spend a fortune on cosmetics yet completely ignore their base– their actual bare face.

Skin care is perhaps the most important thing you can do to enhance your image. You probably know that the skin is the human body’s largest organ and as an organ, it often is an easy visual indicator of our body’s health or distress. Clear, vibrant skin is a symbol of internal health — and all in a five second glance.

Take care to take care of your face by cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing with products that will keep your skin smooth and hydrated and remember that what works for your friend or that gorgeous celebrity might not necessarily work for you. That is what I love about BeautiControl’s Spa Facial line. Using the skin sensor technology and the online skin analysis quiz, you end up with a customized skin prescription. For instance, I have crazy oily skin with little evidence of sensitivity and loss of youth (lines, age spots and what not) and I was recommended the cleansing gel and toner with Alpha Hydroxy Acids ( AHAs) while one of my new clients was on the opposite of the oil spectrum and received the cleansing lotion and toner with Poly-Hydroxy Acids (PHAs). The quiz in and of itself is informative, causing you to really take stock of the things your skin is going through.

Take the quiz at beautipage.com/kerriestella and click on the skin s.p.a. Icon. Watch the video and if you want more info, feel free to leave me a comment!

Tell me, what is your skin care secret?