September always feels like “back to work” for me. I do work throughout the summer, but my schedule is definitely lighter. It’s usually the first cold snap felt in the air that my phone starts ringing. After 14 years of working as a personal stylist (I celebrated my 14th anniversary last month), I an almost set my watch to it. Like clockwork, my clients wake from their summer haze and realize they have some shopping to do.
Yet, after several months of not really connecting with my clients, I spend much of my September checking in, doing closet reviews and coming up with a game plan for the upcoming fall. That said, there weren’t a lot of client purchases made this past month that I could feature, especially considering some of it is sold out or not available online. However, I do have a few standout pieces to recommend. Let’s take a look.
Client purchases from September
Pants
Pants are always the trickiest to fit, so I am thrilled to show you a few styles that were embraced by a few clients.
First, I worked with one of my petite clients which can be a bit of a challenge. Few stores even carry petite sizes any longer. Saks 5th Avenue shut down their department nearly a decade ago and department stores that do carry them usually do so in a very small way. I know that Ann Taylor petites can be a great resource for some, but with this client, we took advantage of Lord & Taylor’s petite department. The first three pants, the petite cognac pull on pants from Rafaella (here is the non-petite link to these pants), the dark denim jeans and the olive pair (link to the non-petite), both from NYDJ, are all petite sizes. In addition to being petite, this particular client is also quite curvy, making NYDJ a nice fit. The Rafaella pants were quite a surprise. I rarely pull from that line but found a few things for my client that worked.
Next up, these Theory pants, a cropped style that is incredibly flattering. Unfortunately, the pants that my client purchased in a spruce green and a slate blue have sold out and and this is the closest representation of the pants I could find. What I have found is that if Theory pants fit a client well most styles will work.
Next, these AG jeans in olive green, purchased by my same client who bought the Theory pants. These jeans are soft, stretchy and fit beautifully. Plus, they worked well with a burgundy and a camel sweater that she purchased. It was a nice change up from blue jeans.
Lastly, the Josefina boyfriend jeans from 7 for all Mankind. This style has been by far the most popular boyfriend jeans style, so popular I wrote a post on this jeans style using them. A few of my clients bought them. They have a slimmer leg and a perfect crop.
Sweaters
It still felt too hot for sweater season just yet, but a few clients bought some great styles.
First, to go with her cognac petite pants above, my client bought this Lauren Ralph Lauren jersey top with leather trim. Interestingly, her style had contrast trim in cognac leather which made the top so perfect for the pants. However, when looking online, I couldn’t find this color combination. Next, my petite client also purchased this petite wool and cashmere camel sweater (link to misses style), also from Lauren Ralph Lauren, that will go with her cognac pants, olive jeans and dark wash denim.
The next colorblocked poncho style was a bit of a surprise. My two clients who bought it were a little wary of the style, understandably. Ponchos can be tricky to wear. However, what makes this style different is that it has sleeves and is more like a very relaxed and tenty-tunic. With a pair of jeans and a simple long sleeve t-shirt underneath, it’s quite adorable. Both my clients were surprised by how flattering it was once they put it on.
The next style is a long sleeve turtleneck sweater from Lord & Taylor that is merino and, in my opinion, like the perfect basic style at an affordable price. Consistently, I am impressed by Lord & Taylor’s private label sweater line. The quality is amazing, they cover the basics well and their prices are always reasonable. This particular style comes in a variety of colors and is under $50. One thing I will say about the ivory shade, however, is it a bit sheer.
Lastly, this cute little leopard shell from J. Crew. J. Crew does also sell the matching cardigan, but for some the shell is enough. Plus, I often find jewel neck cardigans tricky to wear. My client plans on wearing this style under blazers, drapier cardigans, casually on the weekends and to work.
Tops
Next up, tops. There are a few stand out styles.
This first one is from T Tahari and I am pretty sure I have featured it before, but it worth bringing up again because everyone is buying it. As one client said, “It’s just easy.” She’s right. It’s perfect for wearing under blazers and suit jackets, works casually on its own or under a cardigan, can be tucked in and worn out. Currently, this style is being offered in navy, black gray and ivory. If Nordstrom is your preference for shopping, you can get the ivory, black and grey here and the navy here.
Next, this sleeveless top from is from Vince. One client particularly liked it because it is bonded and not as sheer as most ivory tops. Have you ever noticed how the sheerness of some ivory blouses can show the top of your pants and your belly? Some people aren’t bothered by this and others are. If this bothers you and you are looking for clean basic blouse that you can wear alone or layered, this is a style worth checking out.
This next collared blouse is also by Vince. It’s relaxed and has a plunging neckline that is both classy and sexy. It’s great if you are looking for a night out blouse that you can wear with jeans or skinny ankle pants. Fill in the neckline with some layered necklaces or keep it clean and add some earrings.
The next top from Rafaella was purchased by my petite client to wear with her cognac skinny pants, as well as her olive pair. It’s one of those easy pieces that doesn’t need a lot of accessorizing to look finished. If you are not petite, you can check out the misses style here.
Lastly, this Karen Kane top. I always equate Karen Kane clothing to being the lesser expensive Eileen Fisher with a bit of bohemian twist. It’s easy, relaxed yet manages to be flattering and not as boxy as it all initially looks. I don’t think Karen Kane is for everyone, but often find at least one gem in what she offers. This dip dye ombré top is one of them.
Skirts
It’s purely coincidental that these skirts are in similar shades. They are wildly different.
The first style is a really cute cotton doubleweave mini from Lord & Taylor. In addition to really liking the color, it is sort of the perfect fall flat boot skirt. Picture it with a basic turtleneck sweater and tights in black, gray or navy, and a pair of riding boots. It’s a cute separate skirt that is easy to wear.
The second skirt from BCBG is pleather. My client and I were looking for a fun skirt she could wear out. Interestingly, we also found to be okay for work even though she works in finance. With styling that is more chic, it’s a classic pencil skirt with a twist.
Shoes
If you are looking for a casual pair of slip ons, you have to check out Frye’s Melanie flat. I know I have featured them in past months because several clients already own them. They recently released a cognac colorway. They are so insanely comfortable and easy I had to suggest them again. I tried them on myself and they are amazing.
Next, the tan flats from Sam Edelman that several clients have already purchased. Easy, comfortable, chic and stylish. I have found they run a bit large if your foot is over a size 8 but tend to run small if your are a size 7 and below. I tried them on and needed to size up to a 7 but my larger sized clients needed to size down. It’s quite weird. Either way, when you find your size they are really comfortable and go with everything.
Next, these cognac booties from Tahari. It’s quite a funny story. My client wanted a pair of booties in this color. I grabbed just about every pair that the store had available and after trying all of them on my client settled on this style because the ankle shaft wasn’t too high or too low, the heel was stacked enough to be comfortable and the height just right. Plus, the zippers made them easy to get on. Do you know how many booties don’t have zippers and are impossible to slip on, particularly if you have a high instep?
The leopard flats have also been very popular with many clients. They’re easy and add some punch to classic outfits. Wherever you stand on Trump’s politics, his daughter does make comfortable shoes.
Lastly, these navy booties from Cole Haan. Being Cole Haan they’re practically guaranteed to be comfortable. Plus, they’re navy. It can be impossible to find navy booties that are actually stylish. These work well with navy pants and dark denim jeans. The heel height is perfect for a little comfortable height.
Jewelry and belts
I really wish I could find all the BCBG necklaces one of my clients purchased during our shopping trip because all of them were stunning. I checked department stores and the BCBG website and came up with only these two styles. The first is this geometric plate necklace and the second is a stone geometric statement style. Both are equally beautiful in person. Lastly, this belt, also from BCBG. In the store it was wound around an olive pleather dress. The dress was a bit of a disaster, but the belt went home.
I hope you enjoyed this brief wrap up of client purchases from September. Stay tuned for October purchases in November.
