Fashion Q&A

What if you had your own personal stylist and you could ask her anything? Followers of The Small Town Stylist and Bridge Street viewers had that chance today on Bridge Street! I shared my answers to the questions YOU submitted with host Sistina Giordano. Here are just a few:

I am headed to NYC for the weekend with my bestie from high school. We plan on eating out, dancing and walking a lot! What can I wear that is stylish enough for the city and comfortable to walk in?

I spent last weekend in Boston- a stylish city that is perfect to explore on foot! It’s a great thing that commuter-chic & athletic footwear are on trend. Last summer, our feet got a break since Birkenstocks came back into fashion. And the New York spring 2015 runways continued to show comfortable designs. Today on the show I featured some cute and comfy kicks from my friends at Lord and Taylor- slip on sneaks by Keds, Classic Converse in a neutral color, and sporty gladiator flats by Steve Madden (I saw these on quite a few stylish feet on the street in Boston). Pair these with a tank top and midi-skirt, or a white button up shirt half tucked into a pair of jean cutoffs. When you go out dancing, layer on some gold necklaces and switch out the flats for a pair of super sexy, strappy gladiator hi-heeled sandals in a neutral color (I featured hot ones by Vince Camuto, also found at Lord and Taylor, see the pic below with link).

In the summer my office is freezing from the air conditioning, but outside it’s sweltering. How do I go from hot to cold and still look pulled together?

I get it. You’ve got a cute summer outfit on and you don’t want to cover it up with the same granny sweater you keep behind your door at the office. You want to have a few lightweight jackets, tops and sweaters in your wardrobe for these situations. They also come in handy for breezy summer nights when the sun goes down and it gets cool. School boy blazers, a lightweight swingy denim jacket (the one from today’s show was Free People from Lord and Taylor), or a military style short jacket are all on trend. They also can help you dress up or dress down your look depending on what your office requires. Another idea is an oversized button down shirt can be used as a jacket. Who says your pieces can’t multitask? If all else fails, get a space heater!

How much would you charge to rifle through my closet and tell me what to keep, what to chuck and what to pair!?!

Hiring a professional personal stylist is making an investment in yourself and your wardrobe. Most charge by the hour or by the service. In a city like New York you are looking at around $300 an hour or more. Locally it’s considerably less but the money you invest in a stylist’s services one time could save you hundreds of dollars and hours of stress and unhappiness in the long run. Did you know the average woman only wears 20% of the clothes in her closet? A professional objective stylist will help you get closer to 100%! The best way is to reach out and discuss what your needs are. We can work together to decide out what you need to get organized, figure out your own personal style and get you looking- and most importantly feeling- great! You can find my menu of services here www.thesmalltownstylist.com. Email me at thesmalltownstylist@gmail.com for pricing.

Watch the segment here to see more of my tips and advice. If you have your own style questions, best sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram and post them there. And for more fashion tips keep checking back at thesmalltownstylist.com.

Pack Like A Pro Without Sacrificing Style

I am a pro at packing efficiently without limiting my style, so I shared my tips and tricks with Sistina Giordano and Mike Cauchon on Bridge Street this week. These tips work for for me but they are great for all women and men, and even kids. The key is to be organized and do some planning, choose items that work together and do double-duty, and don't overpack. Choose the proper luggage first. My favorite bag I use is a hard bag with dual sides and a fold out garment bag. It holds so much and the best part is it’s the approved carry on size so you don’t have to check it. A guy might prefer a soft sided bag, like The Weekender by J. Crew- it’s like a sophisticated duffle bag.

I pack at least two days prior, then edit the day before.

Check the weather and consider the events I have planned (ex. wedding, party, beach day, etc.)

Create a checklist- I include items such as toiletries, phone chargers, etc. so I don’t forget at the last minute.

Lay everything out on the bed or a table so I can see it.

Choosing items that can do double duty and are versatile are the key. All items should be color coordinated so I can mix and match. For example, for a beach weekend, a button down shirt can be worn out with shorts and then again over a bathing suit as a cover up. A scarf can be used as an accessory with a dress but also as a shawl to keep me warm in the evenings. For men, remember just because it’s a suit doesn’t mean it has to be worn as one. Let's say you have a wedding weekend to attend-wear the pants with a dress shirt to the rehearsal dinner the night before and then with a jacket & tie for the wedding the next day.

Bulky items like jackets and jeans can be worn when traveling so they don’t need to be packed.

Packing tips:

Shoes and hard items go in first and sit at the bottom of the bag. I limit myself to two pairs of shoes-I wear one pair and pack the other. If I wrap the shoes in plastic bags I can use the bag later for dirty laundry.

Dry cleaning bags keep clothes from wrinkling and from bunching up as the bag shifts.

Maximize space by putting rolled up socks and smaller items inside shoes, or in the corners and nooks of the bag. Socks can also be put inside the cups of a bra.

Lay like items on top of each other and then roll up- saves space and reduces wrinkles.

Lay shirts, pants and dresses on top.

Any liquid items such as hairspray, hair gel, moisturizers, etc. I always put in ziplock baggies inside my bag so if they spill they won’t make a mess of my clothes.

I pack a smaller bag inside my suitcase in case I make purchases and need more space.

My carry on bag will include my valuables, medications and necessities like glasses, toothbrush and toothpaste, makeup and if possible a change of clothes in case of emergency or in case my checked bag gets delayed.

What are your most useful travel tips? Share them with me in the comments below or by email to thesmalltownstylist@gmail.com. (Unfortunately the segment is no longer available to watch online. Updated 7/6/17.)

Fashion Hacks

Let’s face it- fashion emergencies happen to everyone- don’t freak out! Today on Bridge Street, I gave co-host Sistina Giordano a few clever solutions to tricky problems. It’s a great idea to carry an emergency kit in your purse or car,  like the one I featured from Pinch Provisions available through J. Crew. But here are some easy substitutes and hacks to help you get through.

You are at a special event when your earring falls out and you lose the back. A pencil eraser will help hold your earring in place.

Double sided tape is great for many things- I keep it in my car for emergencies. In a pinch, it fixes falling hemlines, removes lint, and it keeps a low cut neckline in place.  And if you also ever find yourself wearing a pair of shoes that are a little too big, just put a few pieces of these at the soles of your feet to prevent slipping and sliding.

Speaking of uncomfortable shoes, are blisters a problem? Try applying deodorant--to your feet. Apply a gel formula to areas where shoe straps dig in to prevent friction and create an extra layer of protection for your feet.

Has this ever happened to you? You are getting dressed for a night out and when you pull your shirt over your head you get deodorant stains on it? Or makeup? No problem. Baby wipes are great! Even though my kids have been out of diapers for years, I still keep them in my house and in my car. Also dryer sheets remove stains in a pinch, and they are also good to kill clothing static cling or staticy hair.

Another way to get rid of static cling- spray some hairspray.

Super glue is great! Put a dot of super glue on a loose bead or sequin that you don’t have time to sew back on.

Need to iron a shirt cuff or collar in a pinch- use your hair straightening iron!

Scuffed your black heels or shoe soles? Use a Sharpie to fill it in. This also works if you’ve chipped a dark manicure.

Here’s one my mom taught me: clear nail polish keeps a run in your tights from getting worse.

This is one I had never heard of but think is great: In a pinch, the edge of a matchbook can double as a nail file.

If you're out and about when you realize that you forgot the all-too-important deodorant step, freshen up by wiping down your underarms with a damp towelette, then patting some hand sanitizer in the area. Since the gel's antibacterial, it'll help kill any bacteria that may linger.

Missed the show but don't want to miss any of your hacks? Click here to watch the segment. What are your best fashion hacks and emergency tips? Share them with me in the comment below, on Facebook or by email.

Shift Into Spring

Transitioning stylishly from this cold, cold winter into the warmer days of spring can be tricky with the up and down temperatures. Today on my Bridge Street appearance, co-host Sistina Giordano and I talked about how to stay stylish as the seasons change. Try these tricks: Dress in layers: Cover up for the cool mornings and evenings but lighten up as the day warms up.

Lightweight jacket: Try military inspired, like the cute one featured in my segment from Bounce Boutique in Armory Square, or a school boy blazer, like the one I wear from J. Crew in navy.

Wide leg trousers: Denim is a hot trend to embrace for spring. I found a great pair from Seven for All Mankind.

Trench coat: Classic and perfect for April showers, Sistina has a unique polka dot one from Boden USA, or you can choose a classic like mine from Burberry.

Add accessories: Sunglasses protect your eyes from harmful rays and add a cool-factor. Hot trends right now are aviators, colored frames and 90s inspired round frames. There's a great selection at Bounce Boutique and Etcetera Boutique in Armory Square. How about adding a scarf, great for layering and to add color. I featured a special one from Lili Pad Creations, handmade by a talented local designer. You can follow her on Facebook.

Refresh your makeup: Try a bright lipstick and add tinted moisturizer with SPF. My favorites are from Bobbi Brown.

Shop you closet first: You may find you already have these items.

Have fun with it! Did you miss my segment on Bridge Street today? Click here to watch it. What are your favorites this spring? Let me know by posting a comment on my Facebook page.

Spring cleaning- of your closet!

Hanging out with Sistina Giordano on Bridge Street is so much fun! I'm so lucky she asked me back again to talk fashion. On March 31, 2015, we continued our spring wardrobe planning discussion and focused on spring cleaning-of our wardrobes! Actually, Sistina's wardrobe, to be specific! I talked about my process, creating toss and keep piles, and why it is so difficult to get rid of certain things. Then I assessed a few items from Sistina's own closet and we decided whether she should keep or toss! If you missed the segment, click here to view it. Check out my latest post called Wardrobe Planning 101 with more tips and details on how to make the most of your wardrobe for this season and the ones to come! Welcome to spring!

Ready for Spring?!

This week I went on Bridge Street Live on Channel 9 WSYR to talk about how I get ready for Spring! It may not look like it outside right now, but I promise spring is around the corner. I don't now about you but I want to be ready. Sistina Giordano and I had so much fun chatting about fashion and how women can save money and time by doing a little prep work. Step 1 for The Small Town Stylist is putting together an Inspiration Board. I clip pictures out of magazine and flyers of outfits and color swatches that I like. Then I organize it all on my Inspiration Board which I hang where I can see it every day. Doing this helps you focus on what you like and the looks you want to incorporate into your Style List, which is Step 2.  I like to include a list of outfit ideas, colors I want to wear, and stylish people who inspire me. This is going to be our blueprint for our wardrobe so include anything that will help you stay focused when we move on to Step 3 Closet Assessment. We'll cover more on that on my next Bridge Street appearance stay posted and follow me on Facebook and Instagram to find out when I'll be back on! If you missed Tuesday's show, click here.