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].
Last Wednesday, DC Style Factory partnered with PopNod and hosted a fall fashion event to benefit DC’s Urban Alliance. The stylish soiree took place on the rooftop of Embassy Row Hotel DC - with a breathtaking view and sunset over Dupont Circle. The evening’s good vibes centered around the mission of the Urban Alliance — to mentor and provide opportunity to under-resourced highschool seniors in DC, Baltimore and Chicago. More than 100 revelers joined us to support the organization and usher in the fall fashion season.
DC Style Factory styled and produced the highlight of the evening’s festivities — a fashion showcase of the season’s best trends to wear work and after work. Women’s looks were from Betsy Fisher on Connecticut Avenue, NW. Hair and makeup by Sunny Oh of D Sharpe Style in Bethesda.
Men’s looks were Ted Baker, Hugo Boss and AG denim. For guys, style topics and trends included monochromatic grey, mixing of pattern and texture, the Chelsea Boot, and how to wear denim on Casual Fridays at the office. For ladies, I talked about updates to the classic trench, the power of the pencil skirt, mixing patterns and menswear-inspired looks that are still going strong this season.
Models were in on the Urban Alliance mission: each of the six looks was worn by Urban Alliance program graduates, mentors, and staff that keep the mission wheels moving. Each model strutted — some eating up the spotlight and photography flashes like seasoned catwalk professionals — around the glowing, lit pool. The guests greeted each model and look with collective “oooohs” and “aaaaahs.”
The event was just the start of a bigger campaign on PopNod.com to benefit Urban Alliance interns: Fashion with an Impact. Visit this Style Story page on PopNod and learn how you can shop with meaning. We all know the power of that first impression when it comes to landing a job. You can now be a part of helping a young person make that great first impression. PopNod shoppers can purchase clothing that will be shipped directly to the Urban Alliance and gifted to intern graduates embarking on their professional journey.
The evening was best summed up by one of our models, Johnnie Wallace (he’s the dapper fellow in monochromatic grey) who works at Alexandria Renew Enterprises. Alexandria Renew sponsors two Urban Alliance interns annually, and Wallace mentors these interns:
“I grew up in an ‘underserved’ home and community. I didn’t have the support or my birth mother to pursue anything past the government assistance or “street” life that surrounded me as a child. I found mentors in people outside of my home and community that guided me through tough times as a homeless teenager. This ultimately led to my happiness and success today. I want to have an impact on youth who may not have the guidance and assistance within their home to soar past their perceived limitations and into higher education, successful careers, and positions as community and family leaders. I strive everyday with my interns to ensure they are proud of their differences and that taking the road less desired makes them stronger than those who have inherited support. Imagine if every capable adult served as Urban Alliance like mentor to just one youth within our country. We would have less teenage parents. We would significantly decrease the high school dropout rate and increase the higher education acceptance rate. We would have less crime and more youth contributing to society and not behind bars. I am living proof that positive mentorship at an impressionable age can change the course of someone’s life.”
Enjoy some of the gorgeous snaps by E. Brady Robinson of our fabulous evening. Our team was honored to be a part of this event, and I know I will remember it for a long, long time.
I love styling, but I also love being a small business owner. Regularly connecting with other women businesses owners in the area is one of the things what keeps DC Style Factory fresh, new and moving forward. Recently, I had coffee with Uyen Tang — owner of Style Cable. Style Cable is an online shopping destination featuring emerging brands and designers. I am familiar and have worked with a number of her featured designers like Erika Schrieber, Sophie Blake and more.
I often hear from my clients, “How do I find those special pieces that no one else has? The ones that have a story and style that is different from the pack?” Well, folks, with its focus on finding newer designers, Style Cable is a great way to add some of that individuality to your wardrobe. We are excited to partner with Style Cable for some fun video projects this coming holiday season. In the meantime, enjoy a special, limited-time offer of $25 off your Style Cable order. Simply enter in the code “dcstylefactory” at checkout.
Here are my favorites currently available on the site. They are adding many more styles into Fall as well. Happy shopping!
You know I love a white blazer! This foldover jacket by Amy Lu has a modern, slim silhouette, and I love the black contrast detailing along the sleeves. With my black skinny tuxedo trousers, sparkly heels and major bling on my ears? Ready for date night. Also great over a simple black sheath and pumps for a work look that is DC-appropriate…with a dash of edgy chic.
I talk to clients all the time about their handbag wardrobe. Usually I say you need a black or sparkly dress clutch (smaller) and then an oversize envelope clutch. One is for formal events and one is for date nights, drinks out with friends, etc. Every now and again, I find a clutch that could work both ways. The size of this Nite Cap Clutch by Khaki Raffia makes it appropriate for that LBD cocktail look. The texture and band make it funky and relaxed enough to pair with a skinny jeans-heels look for a night out with the ladies.
I love a great cuff to add edge to any look. Brass and gunmetal are of my two favorite metals for jewelry because they are flattering on most skin tones and easy to pair with many looks. They feel a little grittier and edgier than silver and gold too. This antique brass one by Elaine B is sure to become one of your wardrobe staples.
I love Erika Schrieber’s minimal, modern take on work-appropriate looks. The Alejandra pencil skirt in this glacier blue is on sale now from spring. But don’t be thrown. I love pastels in fall — layering with a cream sweater, scarf and tall boots cognac boots? Insta-chic.
My nails come last. Beauty-wise, the order of importance goes like so: face, hair, nails. All three are quite low maintenance too — like 2-minute face, 2-minute hair and…well…the nails often get forgotten. When I get a manicure, I do short, square and usually a black or navy blue. I like to think it’s my signature, but truthfully it’s mostly because that is what is easiest. I would say 80 percent of the time, though, I end up keeping them clipped and natural, which has my assistant shaking her head.
DC Style Factory Style Associate N’jeri Agyeman is never without a tight nail game. Check out some of her favorite colors from this summer and what she is looking forward to wearing once the temps cool!
Growing up, it was always the cardinal nail rule that you just couldn’t wear dark colors in the summer; it just didn’t fit with the season. Lucky for me I have always been the kind of girl that marched to the beat of my own drum and even when I stuck with nail rules and wore brighter colors in warm weather - it just wasn’t my cup of tea. I unapologetically would sport dark colors on the shiniest day. Now, I feel justified with Vogue‘s backing: “Rescue Beauty lounge founder Ji Black says,’dark nails work year around.’”
These past few weeks I have been really into muted colors. Last week I sported a purple-grey color that I just love and am honestly thinking about getting again. Knowing me, though, I may go down a completely different avenue at my next nail appointment.
For a similar look try Merino Cool by Essie
To get a similar look try 730 Royal by Revlon Top Speed
In my opinion, your nail color, shape and length is part of your style. I find dark blue and dark green to be the most versatile with different outfits. Check out my favorite colors from this summer and some that I plan to jump right into come fall. What have been your favorite nail colors this summer and what are you looking forward to wearing in the fall?
I started working with a new client this summer — a 40-something “desperate Washingtonian real-size woman.” We did an initial consult on her closet and then booked a shopping trip. She was “cusp size,” which means a straight size 14 or 16 is often snug (along her bustline mainly), but a 16W or 18W are then often roomy. Took some creative maneuvering but we got her what she needed before her move to her new home in Alexandria. She was thrilled. I was thrilled. We laughed. We hugged. I sent her on her merry sartorial way.
Then I got an email from her with “Semi Emergency” in the subject line. In the midst of moving, shopping for work clothing, etc., she had forgotten that she hated her formal party dress options. And she had a wedding. That Saturday. In Chicago. Flight Thursday…and it was Monday.
“No problem!” I cheerily emailed her. I started strategizing how I would make this work on a tight time frame with what I knew would be slim pickings during this mid-summer season.
First step — local. I went and scouted Nordstrom and a few other retailers. The plan was to put on hold dresses for her to try on by herself after work.
Nope. We are not Mother of the Bride.
As I guessed — slim pickings. Nothing spoke to me and, knowing her personal style, I knew she would NOT be happy with the selection. No-go on the local stuff. We would have to take this search online and do some overnighting. We went on ASOS and founds some great options on ASOS Curve that fit her style.
She loved the ASOS dresses. I told her to order stat!
ASOS is in England so we were going to be cutting things rather close. But, she was game for doing the overnight shipping. Except…in ASOS terms that actually takes four days (buyer beware).
Back to the drawing board. Time was ticking. She would be boarding a plane soon and there was no time left to order or scrounge up a local dress that she would be “meh” about anyhow.
The Nordstrom in downtown Chicago is pretty spectacular so I decided to figure out how to get some stylish eyes out there to help me secure some dresses for my client to try on.
I texted my bestie.
“Help. Client traveling to Chicago for wedding. Stop. Can you head to Nordstrom and look at dresses? Stop. I will send you pictures of what we want, plus sizing and body-type specifics. Please say, “yes.” Stop.”
My friend Rachel is stylish. I mean she is in a cool indie rock band out in Chicago with her husband. Truth be told, she keeps ME hip. But, she hasn’t worked with styling individuals, body types, etc. I knew I would need to give her specifics about my client, tell her what departments to go to, and have her send me pictures. I sent her pictures of some of the ASOS dresses my client really liked. I knew keeping it simple was key. We were on a tight time frame and would need to just get the fit and silhouette right. No party dress bells and whistles.
Understated chic was going to the name of this style game.
I texted my client and told her I had someone in Chicago that was going to pull dresses for her to try on Friday morning before her friend’s wedding on Saturday.
“You are my hero!” she wrote back. Well…I haven’t found the dress yet, I wanted to tell her. Don’t count your chickens, right? But I am a professional. As in a PRO-fessional shopper. Which means I get it done. No matter what. There is no crying in professional shopping… or giving up.
The search was on. It was early evening, and I was at the pool with my kids when pictures started streaming in from Rachel:
Too work-y.
Nice but maybe not festive enough.
The lace back won’t accommodate a bra.
Cute but it is an evening wedding and yellow feels a little too daytime.
We found a few promising dresses at Nordstrom. Pretty simple LBDs. Silhouettes looked good. Had Rachel put them on hold and let my client know exactly where to pick up.
Friday morning I messaged my client: “Up and at ‘em!” (Yes, I can also be a style drill sergeant). I wanted to make sure she had a least a couple of dresses to choose from by that afternoon. The wedding was the next day! She messaged me that she was on her way, and I waited in nervous anticipation for her texts.
Tick, tick, tick.
Tick, tick, tick.
Fingers crossed. Sweating. Please let this work. Please let this work. Please let this work.
First picture came through…with this message:
“PERFECT FIT. UNBELIEVABLE.”
Hallelujah!!
She paired her new LBD, with a fun cape-like detail around the arms, with Franco Sarto wedges we had purchased for her during our DC shopping excursion. My client went to her friend’s wedding and felt beautiful.
And me? I lit a candle for the style gods…and ate a bag of (celebratory) cookies.
