SPRING STYLE MADE SIMPLE

Spring is finally here, and many of us can’t wait to shed our winter coats and bust out our warm weather wardrobe. I don’t know about you, but I’m growing tired of my sweaters, coats, and boots.

Although Spring is not quite in full bloom, I’m inspired to ditch my winter wardrobe and trade it for some lighter, brighter pieces. Who else is looking forward to a climb in temperatures to inject some Spring fashion into their outfit rotation?

If you’re like me and suffering from Spring fever, and you’re ready to change over your closet and make the wardrobe switch, but are confused about what outfits to reach for, I’m here to guide you to make the right choices for your Spring wardrobe. I know that Spring dressing can be complicated since Mother Nature is fickle and temperatures can change drastically from day to day in April.

For those of you that are ready to inject some lightweight fashion into your wardrobe, I have some advice for you: The key to Spring dressing is learning how to LAYER.

In my opinion, there are some layering pieces that just cannot be passed up for Spring. Why? They are the perfect transitional pieces for Spring weather because they can easily be layered for cooler days or stripped down when temperatures start to heat up. So exactly what are these Spring wardrobe heroes that I’m referring to?

SPRING STYLE IS MADE SIMPLE with the following pieces:

1. LIGHTWEIGHT BLAZERS

Anyone who knows me, knows that my outfits are not complete without a blazer. In my opinion, a blazer is a building block for any wardrobe. I love a blazer because it pulls any outfit together. If you’re wearing a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, a blazer will elevate your look. But, for Spring, it’s all about lightweight blazers. So, pack up your wool blazers and opt for a cotton or linen blazer. Pair it with a long sleeve blouse or knit on colder Spring days or a lightweight t-shirt on those days when the temperature skyrockets.

Style tip: Pair your blazer with your shorts for an unexpected look that will have you looking stylish all Spring and Summer long.

2. LIGHTWEIGHT SCARVES

Whether it’s made of silk or cotton, a designer or fast-fashion brand, a scarf is one of the most classic and versatile accessories you can wear no matter what time of year it is. A scarf works especially well on those cooler Spring mornings to ward off the chill. Better yet, wear it on warmer days to keep you toasty when the Air conditioning is on full blast.

Style tip: Tie your silk scarf around your favorite bag to add style every day of the week then, simply tie it around your neck when you are feeling a bit chilly.

3. TRENCH COATS

If you don’t already have this iconic piece hanging in your closet, you should purchase one this season! I promise you won’t regret the investment. A trench coat can be thrown over practically any piece of clothing you own. Layer it over your work wardrobe or wear it with a t-shirt and jeans, and either way, you will look effortlessly pulled together and comfortable.

Style tip: Try a trench coat in a bright color. It’s the perfect piece of clothing when April showers roll around, but it can be worn all Spring and Summer for warmth and style when temperatures dip.

4. FLORAL DRESSES

Nothing says Spring quite like a floral dress! The pattern is timeless and an instant pick-me-up when the warmer weather arrives. Although I love dresses all year-round, I especially love slipping on a floral dress to signify the arrival of Spring. Whether it’s a maxi, mini or midi-dress, I promise you will look and feel on point for Spring in your floral dress. Just add your lightweight blazer or trench coat for days when there is a cool breeze!

Style tip: Remember when shopping for a floral dress, the scale of the print should match your stature. Let me know if you have any questions!

5. A PAIR OF LOAFERS

Loafers are a classic shoe that are definitely having a moment this season. When temperatures heat up and it’s time to shed the socks, loafers are the perfect shoe to reach for. After all, Spring weather is often too chilly for sandals and too warm for boots, and a pair of loafers provides the perfect solution!

Style tip: If you want to dial down the preppy vibe, try pairing your loafers with some fun, edgy pieces such as leather pants or a moto jacket! Try a slide loafer as the perfect Spring shoe.

Now that you are armed with the pieces that make Spring dressing simple, go ahead and get excited for the warm weather!

Remember I'm here to help so let me know if you are confused or need a shopping buddy for these must-have Spring pieces.

Style tip: I'm hosting FREE STYLE SESSIONS AT THE MALL AT SHORT HILLS FOR A LIMITED TIME BETWEEN 3/28/22-4/10/22, so sign up with this link before it's too late!

https://calendly.com/styling-program-short-hills/lisa-emelo-two-2-hour-style-appt?back=1&month=2022-03

TIPS ON HOW TO SHOP SMARTER

Your wardrobe should be filled with CLOTHES THAT YOU ACTUALLY WEAR, right? Then, why do so many of us have a closet filled with clothes with tags on them and items that ultimately cause us to feel buyers’ remorse?

One way to avoid all the clutter and feel good about your purchases is to become a purposeful shopper. That means avoiding all those unnecessary impulse purchases. I know, this is easier said than done. Especially when we are constantly bombarded with email alerts notifying us of the latest sales.

So how do we turn a blind eye to the sales and begin to shop smarter? And what does it mean to become a purposeful shopper?

Shopping purposefully means taking the time to really think about what you are buying before reaching for your wallet. After all, you work hard for your money, and every dollar that you spend should be spent on a wardrobe item worthy of your investment.

I’m sharing my ultimate checklist to reach for before grabbing your wallet.

Here are 5 questions to ask yourself before adding another item to your closet:

1. Will this item “go with” at least 3 other items in my closet?

2. Does this item fill a hole in my wardrobe, or do I already own something similar?

3. Will I feel comfortable and confident wearing this item, or am I buying this item because it looked good on someone else?

4. Is this a quality, timeless piece, and will it last?

5. Will I wear this item enough to make it a good investment, or am I buying it because it is on sale?

Save this ultimate checklist for the next time you go shopping. It will help you become a savvy shopper and create a closet filled with clothes that you actually wear and feel confident in.

Let me know if you need a shopping buddy to help you with this process!

What To Wear Back To The Office?

So, you heard from your HR Department, and you’re headed back into the office. Now, what? You’re feeling all kinds of emotions. Most of us haven’t set foot in an office in over a year! Maybe you feel as if you’re a kid again, with the first day of school jitters? And it’s time to go back-to-work shopping instead of back-to-school shopping.

Let’s face it, the work outfits we wore in March 2020 may now feel outdated and uncomfortable. Times have changed and after a year of loungewear, leggings, and slippers, we're left feeling confused as to what to wear back to the office. We refuse to go back to our stuffy old work wardrobes, but we just don’t know what to wear to replace them.

Our work situations all differ, but one common theme is that we can’t wear PJs to the office. So, what should we wear? All of this uncertainty makes getting dressed for work harder and raises the level of anxiety that comes with that age old question of “what am I going to wear today?”

The Wall Street Journal even touched upon this topic, saying that more than 2/3 of American consumers plan to change their work wardrobe from pre-pandemic styles when they return to the office, shifting toward more comfortable dressing. But what does that comfortable work outfit look like for you? We're seeing a glimpse of some alternative options to traditional work wear in the form of high-tech stretch fabrics and draw string waist bands on workwear, allowing for more comfortable fabrics and silhouettes that still look just as professional.

If you’re unclear as to what to wear back to the office, my advice is to start by consulting your company dress code, but don't be surprised to find that employers are also confused! Some companies that are embracing a hybrid work model are reconsidering what professional work wear is. They're finding it difficult to strike a balance between loosening dress codes and maintaining a level of professionalism among employees. Employers know that clients and colleagues will judge your level of trustworthiness based upon your appearance. Like it or not, what you wear to the office matters.

So, what does a hybrid work dress code look like?

I put together a list together of 10 universal tips to dressing for success when you head back to the workplace. (Keep these tips in mind when you’re going back-to-work shopping and getting dressed for the office):

1. Check your company dress policy and edit your work clothes accordingly.

2. Invest in quality wardrobe basics that can be worn all year round and dressed up or down for all occasions.

3. When in doubt, keep it simple (stand out for your performance at work, not your wardrobe).

4. Keep hemlines low (at the knee) and necklines high (so they are not too revealing) to ensure they’re work appropriate.

5. Make sure all garments are wrinkle-free (cleanliness is always in style).

6. Stick to wardrobe basics in neutral colors, such as grey, navy, black, white, or tan, then accent your outfits with pops of color and prints to add more personality to your look.

7. Don't forget to mix things up with accessories (belts, scarves or light jewelry, and classic shoes.)

8. Make sure all clothes fit properly and update your wardrobe if you’ve changed sizes (this usually is a change of 8-10 lbs.)

9. Try monochromatic dressing (same color tone from head to toe) it’s an easy way to look elegant and stylish for work.

10. Remember, less is more: Build a well curated capsule wardrobe of basics that you can feel confident in. The truth is, the less you own, the more creative you’ll be with the pieces that you love and that will make you feel confident.

Above all remember, you are not alone, many of us are feeling the same level of anxiety when getting dressed for the office in this new hybrid work world. Don't forget that I'm here to help you build a capsule wardrobe you can feel confident in when you return to work!