Fall/Winter 2024

I don’t know about you, but it has been a busy few months. Recently, I was soaking up the last bits of summer walking on the beach in upper Michigan, and there I was finally able to spend a few moments reflecting on everything I’ve been able to do this year. When I started my own business over 20 years ago, I could never have envisioned the variety of opportunities this job affords me. In what career could I dress several Mothers of the Bride and/or Groom, get ladies ready to rock their reunions, transition back into the workplace (or retirement), get back into the dating scene, help pack for vacations near and far, clean out multiple closets and/or homes for moves and shop for almost any other occasion… including just for fun?  And that’s just this year!  

I truly LOVE what I do and am again so thankful to all of you for putting your trust in me.  Hopefully I am helping in some way and if so, that makes me very happy. 

Now on to some recent trends, tips and Q&A. Happy Fall Everyone! 

Texture! Tactile materials and finishes are big this Fall. Think suede (more on that next), leather, corduroy, herringbone, shearling, crochet, boucle (a wooly, nubby fabric), satin and more. Experiment with different textures to create visual interest in your outfit. A textured scarf or other accessory can also add some oomph or you can layer different fabrics to reflect your own personal style. Finally, since dark florals in dresses and blouses are still popular, layering a boho dress with a textured jacket could be both fun and functional!   

Suede is one of my forever favorites – whether faux, vegan or the real version. And since it is back in style, you should be able to find it in stores much more readily. Great for handbags, boots, jackets, dresses and skirts, you’ll find this  especially popular in brown/camel tones, but black and other colors like burgundy are available too. Make sure to buy a good suede spray protector when investing in suede to help maintain the material! 

Animal Power: While I don’t think animal prints ever really go away, leopard and cheetah patterns are having a major moment. Practically any wardrobe item is great in this print – skirts, tops, scarves, dresses, etc. I love that these prints can be dressed up or down and that the neutral tones compliment a wide range of colors so it’s easy to pair with other pieces you may have.   

Structured jackets and matching suit pieces elevate your professional look with items that are sophisticated and versatile. I’ve personally been seeing these everywhere in pretty plaid patterns and corduroy or wool fabrics. While these are great for the office, why not try this for a fresh look on a Saturday night too?

Western Wear: All things Western are popular right now, but with a modern twist. Cowboy boots, denim dresses, Canadian tuxedos (denim on the top & bottom) and bold prints can all be found with new washes and interesting details. While I do love this style, my advice is only one cowgirl piece per outfit (and layer with something more contemporary for a more updated look). Cowboy boots can be worn with anything year-round if you like that look!

Fall Colors! While always a mainstay, the fall red family (including burgundy, maroon and wine) is the hot choice this season. You’ll find it in bags, shoes, jackets, coats and more. Another color I’m seeing a lot is chocolate brown (really any brown) as well as many shades of green. If you’re investing in a few new pieces, items in these colors would be great additions.

Shoes and boots. Tall boots are the “it” item right now, and with suede being a popular fabric, this could be a nice choice.  Loafers – both chunky and more refined – are very popular and those with horse bit adornments are everywhere (think Gucci leather copies). Mary Janes are still very on trend, as well as metallic shoes which are big in both casual and more formal styles. 

Skip? I normally try to steer you in the direction of trends I’m a fan of, but I thought I would mention a few I might skip.

• Barrel leg jeans – with a wider shape around the leg and a tapered ankle – don’t appeal to me. There are plenty of other jean cuts (boot leg, straight leg) that seem to flatter more figures and have a longer shelf-life!
• Another big trend I’m OK with but not crazy about are barn jackets. While warm and comfortable, I find them bulky and harder to style.

Favorite Finds

I’m always asked about my favorite products and I actually have a few new ones to share! 

• A Mini stitch gun can be super-helpful and was recommended by one of my clients. I got mine on Amazon for about $20. It helps to quickly secure fabric gaps (great for bustline gaping), hems and the like by attaching the two pieces together with either a clear or black plastic mini-tag. Super easy to use, and great for those times when you might not have time or want to quickly sew the item. It’s a good fix in a stitch.
• Aquaphor Immediate Relief Lip Balm is great in general, but the hack is to use it to prime under your eyes to help your makeup stay better. I do find it works well and it’s pretty inexpensive so feel free to try. 
• Another new item I’ve enjoyed is Milani Stayput liner (After Dark) for tightlining your eyes. At $8, it goes on smoothly and stays put. 
• And finally, Anastasia Perfect brow pencil in taupe is a great neutral color to help fill in your brow line. Be sure to have a good sharpener on hand.  

Question: I’ve always heard that you were not supposed to wear white after Labor Day but I am seeing more and more people ignore this rule. What’s the deal?

As you have surmised, color does not really stay with the seasons anymore. To me, it’s more important to ensure the fabric is right for the time of year and not so much the color. While it’s true that certain colors do tend to be more prominent during certain times of year, I’m a big fan of wearing what suits your mood as well as the season. So if you want to wear white this Fall or Winter, consider it in corduroy, suede, velvet, wool and the like. 

Question:  I feel like I have a lot of jewelry that I’ve collected through the years. I’m not sure if I should keep it all and if I do, what’s a good way to organize it?

Answer: It’s hard to say without seeing all the pieces, but the answer is probably the same for jewelry as it is for clothes. If you’ve worn it in the past few years, feel free to keep it in rotation, but if it doesn’t appeal anymore, I might donate or sell the gold/silver to get something new that you love. As for organizing, I actually just did this with a client. We spread out all her jewelry on a large table, determined which pieces to keep or sell/donate, and then organized what was left in pretty dishes and cut-glass trays to sort out by silver, gold and other metal. That way everything would be pretty on her dresser as well as visually available. I do have clients who prefer in-drawer organizer systems such as the ones available at the Container Store or closet companies, but do find what best suits your needs. Most people wear more of their jewelry when it’s easily visible, accessible and pared down to what they really love.

Question:  My budget is a little tight right now, but I do want to freshen my look where I can.  Any suggestions?  

Answer: Great question! And I think everyone can relate to this. One of the biggest asks I get is to style my clients with clothes that are already in their closet and repurpose these items so that they have a longer-lasting shelf life –  especially those classic, tailored pieces. I do have some style tips for those who wish to do the same, and I’m happy to help if you like!  

• Build a wardrobe around your effortless, essential pieces – the ones you already have! 
• Add just a few current items to keep it modern. They do not have to be expensive. Go with what you’ll get the most use out of! 
• Have fun with your style! Even if you just sprinkle in a few things, I seem to hear that those get worn the most – especially when they’re new.