Posted by Rosana
Chief Stylist
November 4th, 2015

Sassy Slouch: How to Wear Dressy Joggers

It’s  such a fun time right now for trousers — you got your skinnies, your wide-leg  trousers… and the slouchy, dressy track pants. The trend started a few years ago and we are still seeing the silhouette this fall. This past spring, I  showcased  three fun ways to wear the  trend.

The  silhouette isn’t the easiest to work with, and I continue to get questions from clients who want to rock the slouch, but feel dumpy and frumpy when they do.

I recently met with a client  on a pre-shopping consult. She pulled out a few pieces that she had purchased on her own, but had yet to wear. One of them was  a pair of dressy joggers with a tie waist. She loved them, but every time she put them on, she felt…off. She had been pairing them with fitted tops, which made her top half disproportionately  small, particularly with the added volume below the waist per the trouser style. Because they cinched higher up, we also felt her torso appeared short compared to her leg line.

I gave her a few style guidelines to follow:

1.)  Pair with a top you can blouse instead of a fitted top. This will keep volume above and below the waist, balanced.

2.)  Tuck in your top and blouse out. This gives you a waistline. Leaving your top out will make the look sloppy.

3.)  Pair with pointy-toe shoes — preferably shoes that don’t come up high on the  foot, like a pump. The pointy-toe lengthens your leg line and keeps your look polished.  You can also opt for pointy-toe flats for a more casual weekend-day look.

4.) Layer with a v-neck cardigan, jacket, etc. This will lengthen your neckline, balancing the volume of the pant.

Wahlah! We took her slouchy pants from dowdy to dressed-to-kill - with a killer smile!

 

 

 

Posted by Jenn
Stylist
November 1st, 2015

Fall Trend: Haute Fuzz

Whether it’s touch-me faux or lushly real, fur conveys a sense of warmth, coziness and, well, something primal. After all, humans have been whipping the stuff on since caveperson times. (See one Pebbles Flinestone, who rocked what seems to be a sabertooth tiger top with her bone ponytail holder.) This fall, the woolly appeal of skin (again, mock or real is your preference) is in.

Edgy runway favorite Tibi put shearling on slingbacks, heels and slides; rabbit fur vests, bathrobe-comfy but downtown-cool, have shown up in hues both natural and otherworldly (I’ve never seen a blue bunny, have you?). And on my recent trip to Italy, I saw so many fur totes — and faux fuzzy-lined bags—that I suspect an Ice Age might hit Rome soon.

The key to wearing these rugged accessories (or wraps) without looking like you want to conquer the Yukon? Pairing tactile pieces with more refined, downtown pieces. Think shearling high heels with a slim wool sheath or a faux fur bag with your farmer’s market chunky sweater and jeans. Overall, the look is just enough wild to tame the chill to come. A few ways to cuddle up to fur:

1.Use a faux fur clutch to add spice to all-American, minimalist basics:

fashionagony.com

2. Fur shoes add a wild touch to ladylike pieces.

newyorktimes.com

 

3. Tone down the wild vibe of a rabbit-fur best with casual sportswear.

Alexandria Stylebook

 

4. Use a faux fur collar to bring warm luxe to a basic coat.

krisitganna.com

 

5. Fake fur mittens by Kate Spade bring a whimsical vibe to cold-weather outfits.

katespade.com

To inquire about Jenn’s styling services, email her at [email protected]

Posted by Marisa
Stylist
October 29th, 2015

Fall Trend: The Grace of Grey

There is one type of “50 Shades of Grey” reference I am still on board with — the style one.  I say, “Yes!” to  grey as one of the top trends for this fall/winter season.

Grey has become more than just a sweater, a pair of pants, or a coat in a look. From soothing dove to powerful pinstripes, grey looks and feels exclusive, sophisticated and effortless in a fall season filled with vivid patterns and bohemian influences. While some designers suggest grey as accent shades, others encourage head-to-toe looks in the neutral tone for fall, which is by far my favorite way to wear the trend this season.

I will never EVER throw in my “all-black” towel, yet a grey monochromatic look could quite possibly be as, if not, more elegant. Here are some new, fresh ways to do grey this fall season:

1.) What you can do with grey that you can’t do with black is mix different shades, adding depth to any look.  The grey suit is ubiquitous in DC, but try doing grey for a night out or for casual weekend wear.

 glamradar.com

2.) Go grey in a dramatic silhouette. Go wide with your grey pants for more drama. The grey keeps the fashion-forward look grounded and sophisticated.

 Stella McCartney Runway

3.) Add a pop of color. Pairing a fall-hued blouse underneath your sweater so just the collar and cuffs peek through is a simple and fun way to bring  grey alive. Other ways to add this pop of color? A skinny scarf, a clutch/bag, or even a bold lip color.

 instyle.com

4.) Mix textures. Combining different grey textures in one look keeps the shade from feeling dull.

 teaandtopaz.blogpost.com

 5.) Pair with bold metallic accessories. Grey is a great backdrop to make a statement with your jewelry. Don’t be shy with accessories when wearing grey.

 

Did I say I would never replace my love for an all-black look? Hmmmm….

To find out more about DC Style Factory Stylist Marisa’s styling services, visit dcstylefactory.com or email her at [email protected].

Posted by Jenn
Stylist
October 19th, 2015

Booking it with Local Designers

D.C. now has a terrific local design scene, with jewelers, potters, dressmakers and knit geniuses plying their fashionable trades here. If you haven’t checked out the hashtag #acreativedc on Instagram yet, you need to — this town is awash in cool people creating edgy things. September 25, I had the fun gig of curating a pop-up shop of some of the most vibrant of these DMV talents for a benefit for the D.C. Public Library‘s Uncensored gala

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Top local makers — DeNada (knitwear), Mallory Shelter (fabulous earrings and necklaces) and Hero Heads (cool T-shirts with portraits of iconic people like the Marvin Gaye and Frieda Kahlo) came out to support the public library (and to stand up against censorship). Hip cocktails, rocking bands and a stylish crowd made for a buzzy evening of shopping, dancing and creative energy.

 

 

 

All photos @Kate Warren/Go Kate Shoot except as mentioned.

To find out more about DC Style Factory Stylist Jenn’s styling services, visit dcstylefactory.com or email her at [email protected].

Posted by Marisa
Stylist
October 15th, 2015

DC Style Factory at Washingtonian Style Setters

On Tuesday, September 29th I had the pleasure of attending Washingtonian Magazine’s Style Setters Event. I also had an even greater pleasure of styling my friend and  Events Manager Jessi Taff for this event. A few weeks before the event, we met at Bloomingdales and  picked a gorgeous brocade Aqua dress. We paired with some killer  Pour la Victoire metallic strappy heels. She looked and felt beautiful.

Now, back to the event…Fashionistas flocked to The Anderson House to celebrate the ten best-dressed men and women in the DC area as featured in the September issue of the Washingtonian.  Invitees included past Style Setters award-winners, fashion bloggers, VIP guests from the retail industry, and members of the media. The event sponsor, City Center, showcased their luxury retailers and restaurants with stylish mannequins, accessory vignettes, and food stations. Every inch of the historic and stunning Anderson House was filled with the latest fashion trends from Zadig & Voltaire, Arc’Teryx, Paul Stuart, Vince, Caudalie, Carolina Herrera, Longchamp and The Great Republic.

I, along with many fellow stiletto-wearing partygoers, kicked up my heels and relaxed in gorgeous lounges designed by Syzygy Event Production while sipping on a speciality cocktail from Mango Tree and eating scrumptious cucumber bites from Fig & Olive. Provisions Catering served delectable fare including an assortment of sushi, coconut chicken, tuna tartar in wonton cups, and mini shrimp tacos. There was even a photobooth donated by Alist Photo Booth to capture stylish guests in party mode. I danced the night away with beats from Bruce Pike Productions.

Some of the Event’s Honorees (From Left to Right): Sara Bonjean, Victor Zapanta, Washingtonian’s Sarah Zlotnik, Carl Pierre, Carl Ray, Cathy Anderson and Mera Anwar

I loved seeing DC put its most stylish foot forward…and getting dolled up myself (new hair!). More than anything, I was so happy to  support my friend, Jessi both before the event, putting together her look, and also the night of Style Setters. Kudos to this amazing woman for a memorable and fabulous night.

To find out more about DC Style Factory Stylist Marisa’s styling services, visit dcstylefactory.com or email her at [email protected]