Cincinnati Personal Shopper: Covid-19 Info

/in , /by

Our Cincinnati personal shopper services are completely Covid safe. Continue reading to find out what this process will look like in the middle of our pandemic. 

Local Cincinnati Personal Shopper

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered just about every aspect of our routines, including clothing shopping and maintaining our wardrobes. In the early months, many stores closed their doors. Now, most shops are open with reduced hours, reduced capacities, and require safety precautions such as wearing masks and using hand sanitizer upon entry.

Ever-changing store regulations combined with a work from home lifestyle have discouraged many of us from putting forth our typical effort into our appearance each morning. This is a shame, considering how starting the day with confidence can impact all domains of our lives!

Curating your image through clothing can help create a sense of identity, fuel your creative fire, and break the monotony of the long days at home. Personally, I find that the creativity and confidence that comes from effortful dressing makes me feel more present in other tasks throughout the day.

Instead of putting our wardrobe and styling on hold, let’s instead find ways to adapt to the circumstances. It’s the perfect time for those living in Cincinnati to consider hiring us as your personal shopper. There has never been a better time to experiment with your style—you can refine your look from the comfort of your home, judgment-free, before showing it off to friends and coworkers when life resumes.

It’s essential to invest in yourself, even if you don’t have your typical holiday events to find outfits for. There are options to make this investment safely in the midst of COVID, thanks to easily accessible online shopping and our low-contact services for residents seeking a Cincinnati personal shopper. And, with the extra time spent at home, it’s the ideal time to edit any chaotic closets so our favorite new items don’t get lost in the mess. 

Online Shopping

The boom of online retail has been a lifesaver for staying current on style while stuck at home. Every brand and item you could ever want, all at your fingertips. In many ways, it’s the perfect solution to COVID-friendly shopping.

You have eliminated the risks presented by leaving the house, entering a dressing room, and talking to sales associates in your go-to stores. Online shopping may minimize the risk of exposure, but it does present some practical challenges.

For example, having virtually unlimited options for purchases can be difficult to navigate and time-consuming. If you already hate shopping due to option-overload or inconsistent sizing, this could be particularly daunting.  Our tip for both issues is to stick to brands you know and trust. This will limit the number of items you have to sort through when searching for a particular product type.

Also, sizing and quality will be more predictable within a single brand than it is between different brands.  Do you love the way your pair of jeans feels when you put them on? Stick to that brand for future denim purchases! You will minimize returns and buyer’s remorse this way. After all, we’re all guilty of keeping imperfect items to avoid the hassle of returning them.

Because fit is often the biggest challenge of online shopping, we recommend doing a bit of research on an item before purchasing. Read reviews to see what other customers have to say about the fit. If the retailer you’re shopping with lists product measurements, this is also a huge help to make sure you get sizing right!

Online shopping is particularly appealing right now with holiday sales ramping up. With many sites offering 15, 20, even 30% off site wide, there’s no reason to put off purchases until Black Friday. Watch out for coupons from your favorite retailers. Black Friday historically generates a lot of foot traffic in stores, so online shopping is especially important this time of year to stay mindful of COVID concerns.

Interested in filling out your wardrobe but not interested in scrolling through page after page of products? Hire us as your Cincinnati personal shopper to comb through the best online retailers and local shops.

We’re Responding

While online shopping may be a convenient and responsible choice during this pandemic, it does come with its frustrations. Again, a great option for those looking to eliminate the stress and decision fatigue of this process is to hire us as your local Cincinnati personal shopper. We source the best options for your wardrobe, style, and price point so you’re not doing any guesswork and don’t have to leave the house.

In addition, we offer a range of other, all-virtual services such as a virtual closet clean-out for those wanting to take extra precautions. These options are great for those who may be part of a vulnerable population or are living with someone who is.

Of course, we take safety very seriously in every styling service. Communication will be over the phone or email whenever possible, and masks and social distancing will be utilized during in-person appointments to keep everyone safe. We want you to be comfortable!

If you have any additional requests regarding safety, please bring these to our attention so they may be accommodated. We are here to give you the best experience possible.

Home Organization

Cincinnati Personal Shopper

With all the extra time you are spending at home, it’s more important than ever to live in a well-organized space. Beyond the simple reason that it makes items easier to find, it can also help to reduce some of the baseline stress you feel day-to-day and elevate your mood. It feels great to see everything in its place instead of opening your closet door to a “to-do list.”

Plus, if you’re revamping your wardrobe during quarantine, it’s crucial to display your great new finds in a way that’s easy to see. This prevents all your hard work shopping (or our work in shopping for you!) from going to waste in a disorganized closet.

For those hiring us as your Cincinnati personal shopper, we highly recommend adding this closet clean-out service to complement the total experience. We would love to help you filter out old pieces you no longer wear, add in the new, and display the contents of your wardrobe in a way that makes getting dressed in the morning as streamlined as possible.

This may mean adding in clear drawers for accessories or investing in a set of slim, matching hangers to keep the area looking tidy. Closet clean-outs and organizational solutions are all done on a case-by-case basis to give you the best results!

Cincinnati Personal Shopper

Wrap-Up

While life during the pandemic may be stripped of our sense of normalcy, it should not be stripped of the joy and confidence that comes from living in style.

In fact, now is the perfect time to make this investment in yourself: let us help you eliminate the old from your wardrobe, fill in the gaps with pieces that work for your lifestyle and light you up, and organize your closet for an incredible total experience.

There are so many benefits to making these improvements to your life, from confidence to nailing down your style identity to simply making your morning routine a little easier. Best of all, we can accomplish this together in a way that is safe and socially distant. We will wear masks for all appointments and keep contact to a minimum, and we additionally offer fully virtual services. We love nothing more than helping you to feel your best—prioritize this in a time when so much else must be put on hold.

Layering 101: How to Layer Clothes for Cold Weather

/in /by

It’s important to know how to layer clothes for cold weather. It can feel like a bit of a balancing act to keep things flattering and practical. If done well, it’s the perfect way to assemble a nuanced and interesting look while staying cozy.

Old pieces that you’re tired of or the simplest basics can be reworked into a multifaceted outfit time and time again. It’s a great way to avoid the feeling that you have “nothing to wear” and must constantly buy new. Instead, find new ways to build a look with what’s in your closet now. This is especially important for those looking to pare down to a capsule wardrobe!

We all layer our clothes as the weather gets chilly: we throw on our everyday t-shirt and jeans, add a jacket, top it with a scarf and a beanie if the temperatures are really dropping…But, we don’t always select our layering pieces with intention.

It’s often done for function rather than for fashion. While layering is certainly functional—especially when the weather is this unpredictable–it is also a great opportunity to showcase your style.

So, how do you layer your favorite pieces in a functional AND fashionable way? Make sure to keep your eye on the impact of the finished look and how the outfit will look if you need to peel a layer or two off throughout the day.

Building Blocks: Start with a solid, simple base

If you feel lost with how to layer clothes for cold weather, the best place to start is with simple, versatile building blocks. Look for solid colors, neutrals, and clean silhouettes to start. In summer, this might be a white tee and distressed light wash denim on the bottom.

In the winter, you might translate this concept into a cream thermal and darker wash jean. They’re similar pieces, but with weather-appropriate adjustments in fabric type and silhouette. Always keep the season in mind! In the summer, it’s especially important to keep your fabric light so that you have the option to layer without overheating. In the winter, you can do multiple mid-weight layers if you plan to keep them on altogether all day, or just a few heavier layers if you don’t like to keep your outerwear on all the time.

Regardless of which layers you add on top, it’s best to start with clean basics that will pair seamlessly with subsequent pieces. Make it easy on yourself. Keep details minimal—a little goes a long way! Think a turtleneck neckline, a slight sheen in the fabric, a raw hem, or a slight crop to add visual interest.

If you start with a more detailed and elaborate base layer, choosing a second and third layer gets increasingly difficult. Busy patterns, multiple colors, voluminous ruffles, and unusual cuts are harder to work with and less versatile. Skip these for now while you learn how to layer clothes for cold weather.

Layering for cold weather


Keep length in mind: Increase length as you move outward 

After you have your base layer down, it’s time to add a mid-layer (or skip straight to outerwear!). You’ve already made it easy on yourself in terms of the color palate with your neutrals and/or solid base layer, so you can top the first layer with either more neutrals or a bright color without having to worry about clashing.

Instead, the main consideration as you build outward should be a silhouette. In particular, pay attention to length. A general rule of thumb is to go longer as you move outward. This could mean giving your tee or thermal a quick front tuck to define your waist, then adding a long cardigan or duster coat on top. This draws attention inward and toward your face for a balanced overall look!

Maybe it’s really cold outside and one piece of outerwear is not enough. Keep the same rule of length in mind. You can try adding a hip-length denim jacket under your long chunky cardigan or an unbuttoned flannel under your wool coat. Your outer layer doesn’t necessarily have to be the heaviest fabric for it to look proportionate, but length does tend to be more important.

For example, a lightweight trench coat can look great over a heavy knit sweater. For those overwhelmed by finding a base, mid, and outer layer whose silhouettes work well together, a hoodie makes an incredibly comfy and easy-to-style mid-layer that covers the base layer to simplify things. A gray hoodie looks so edgy under a leather jacket or a tailored wool coat!

Layering shorter pieces on top of longer pieces can work on occasion too, especially if you want to highlight the design of your inner layers. One way to do this is a cropped moto jacket over a patterned tunic top and leggings. However, shorter outer layers might limit the number of pieces you’re realistically able to add in a single look. For winter layering especially, I recommend sticking to shorter inner layers.

Layering for cold weather

Finishing touches: Select your third pieces

Now that you know how to layer clothes for cold weather, the last step is to add accessories and finishing touches. If you haven’t already added an overcoat or third layer to tie everything together, now is the time to get that last piece in. The outermost layer is the perfect place to showcase a statement piece like a teddy coat.

Generally, this will be your warmest layer. Consider rounding out the look by adding a scarf to keep your neck warm and make the outfit pop, a stack of bracelets for some fun texture and color, or a belt to define your waist under all the bulky layers. A great way to do the belt is to wrap it around one of your thicker inner layers, like a knitted vest, to create structure. Wide belts will work best here. Don’t be afraid to belt even a jacket or coat!

If you’re feeling like you’re getting lost in all the layers of fabric, bring attention upward with a headband, beanie, or pair of earrings. Often, we stick to neutrals and darker tones for winter layering. A neutral monochromatic look can be a great strategy for creating a unified ensemble.

One of the most impactful finishing touches to complement these looks is a pop of bright color, such as a statement red lip. A vibrant finishing touch, whether a statement lip or a neon purse, is a fun and unexpected way to make your look stand out in the sea of dull winter colors we so often see. Because you are already wearing so many layers, too many accessories may sometimes become overwhelming. Stick to just a couple of pieces if in doubt.Layering for cold weather

Wrap Up

Don’t be fooled into thinking that winter means function now takes precedence over fashion. Once you understand how to layer clothes for cold weather, you can begin to create beautiful, harmonized looks with infinitely more depth and interest than a single-layer look.

By building with the basics, being mindful of layer lengths, and experimenting with finishing touches, layering will become an effortless and exciting way to showcase your unique style. If you’re ready to start layering but don’t have the outerwear to pull your looks together yet, get inspired by some of Alli’s favorite winter coats of the season, styled in a recent video before you go shopping.

Already have a full wardrobe but still looking for a little extra help pulling it all together? Set up a consultation to get styling.

Trend Alert! Matching Loungewear Sets

/in /by

We are approaching the season of cozy sweatpants, hot cocoa, and curling up for a good movie, which means it’s time to hunt down the best loungewear to add to your wardrobe. Many of us have been living in pieced-together comfy separates since our WFH lifestyle took over in March, but these may not have been our proudest, most fashion-forward looks. It’s time to change that!

Loungewear has been undergoing a major facelift as the holiday season nears and temperatures drop. Designers for every style and price point are creating exciting new ways to do casualwear.

In particular, we’re seeing a flood of matching loungewear sets that will keep you looking put-together from Netflix binges to Zoom calls to running errands. It would be foolish not to take advantage of a time when you can be this comfortable while still looking fashion-forward. Make the most of being stuck at home and get in on this 2020 trend now to maximize wear.

About the Trend

Before discussing what pieces to look for and how to style the best loungewear for this trend, it’s important to review where it came from and why it’s not just a fleeting trend. The loungewear set look evolved from the intersection of a couple of major trends: most notably, athleisure and the matching set/monochromatic looks that have exploded in popularity within the last 10 years.

Athleisure has a long history, with early sportswear and the rise of street style as the predecessors, and recent high-tech fabric developments launching the style forward. Athleisure looks of patterned and cut-out leggings, oversized hoodies, fashion sneakers, and scrunchies took over in the early 2010s.

Now, it’s getting a sleeker, more modern update in the form of matching sets. We’ve discussed matching sets and monochromatic outfits in recent weeks. They’re the perfect way to put together a polished and effortless look. It was just a matter of time until the coordinating separates look leaked into the athleisure trend, too!

Not only is this loungewear trend a safe bet to invest in because it has been years in the making, but it’s also gained traction due to the increased interest in comfort as we spend time at home and social distance. This appetite for practicality and ease won’t be going anywhere for years to come.

So, what does a matching set look like, and what pieces make the best loungewear investments? You may notice that stores are filling with matching sweatsuits (a nod to those of the early 2000s, another popular trend right now!). You can find these in rich jewel tones, statement tie-dyes, or shades of muted grey and tan. These are traditional heavy cotton or terrycloth, but you can now find options in softer, slinkier, and higher-stretch material.

Coordinated sweatpant-sweatshirt combos are not your only option, however. The rise of knitwear over the last couple of seasons has brought us matching sweater sets in luxe fabrics like cashmere and wool blends. Personally, I can’t think of anything more exciting than a perfectly matched knit top and pants. Another option is matching silk sets that can look great outside of the bedroom when styled with care. Sets are meant to be worn together for maximum impact, so no matter which fabrication you prefer, you’ll have a head start on styling.

Best Loungewear

How to Wear Loungewear Outside the Home

Styling loungewear sets for at-home wear is simple: just throw on the full set, add a slipper, and consider an earring or headband to pull it all together. But, if you truly want to make the most of this season’s best loungewear, you will want options to wear your sets out of the house. There are a few things to keep in mind when styling.

First, never lose sight of practicality. You’ll want to dress appropriately for the weather, which likely means a layer or two on top of your set to keep the elements out. Think loose, easy knitwear set with a wool trench, scarf, and bucket hat thrown on top, then round it out with a pair of lug sole boots. You will be wearing these basics over outfits all season long to keep out the cold, so all you’re changing is the base of the look to seamlessly incorporate loungewear into your wardrobe.

Another consideration for styling loungewear sets is how to break up the look. Maybe you are wearing a particularly bold print head to toe. Again, layering a jacket on top is often the best solution to give the print a break. A long-line trench coat keeps the look effortless, and a leather moto jacket adds a little edge to softer, less structured pieces.

The final consideration is striking the balance between looking like you’re wearing pajamas out of the house and looking like a polished woman ready to take on the day. The pieces you style your loungewear set with will set the tone. Style your sweatsuit with an oversized denim jacket and bright white sneaker for a casual daytime friendly version or bring it into the night with a pair of pumps and layered jewelry. Adding some shine in the form of jewelry or hardware and layering a structured piece on top are the easiest ways to elevate your cozy look into something appropriate for out of the house.

Best Loungewear

Mixing and Matching with Pieces in Your Closet

As you may have already noticed, matching sets are easy to style with pieces you already own. Invest in an incredible set or two you love, keep the guidelines mentioned above in mind, and get to styling!

The best loungewear sets to start out with are neutrals and solids because they’ll give you the most versatility in styling options, but feel free to experiment. If you don’t know where to start, think about if you have a day-to-day winter uniform. If you always wear skinny jeans, a t-shirt, combat boots, and your favorite puffer coat, wear the same but simply replace the base layer with a jogger + sweatshirt matching set. The best way to incorporate any new trend is to do it in a way that feels true to your existing style!

The combat boot will add an edgy flair and the puffer coat will add an interesting play with the volume on top. Throw on your everyday hoop earrings to make the look feel thoughtful and refined. Experiment with a variety of outerwear layered onto your loungewear—try a cardigan, denim jacket, shearling-lined coat, leather trench, and wool overcoat. Combine layers to make it even more interesting.

Most closed-toed shoes will work well with your matchings set, too, including sneakers, nearly any style of boot, pumps, and mules. Mix and match shoe and outerwear combinations with your set until you find a look that works for you, then add jewelry, scarves, hats, and other accessories. When in doubt, stick to simpler pieces layered onto your loungewear look.

Best Loungewear

Wrap Up

This era of loungewear as everyday wear is a dream come true for those of us enjoying the WFH lifestyle. No longer is it something you’re embarrassed to be caught in when making a quick run to the grocery store—in fact, loungewear sets are one of the hottest trends this season! Try out these tips for some surprisingly versatile looks that will take you into the months ahead in style and give new life to your cold-weather wardrobe. Interested in trying out this trend? Contact us for help picking out and styling this season’s best loungewear.

How to Accessorize Like A Stylist

/in , /by

How to Accessorize Like a Stylist

For many of us, how to ‘accessorize like a stylist’ doesn’t cross our minds when getting dressed in the morning—we simply throw on a pair of pants, a top, and add a pair of shoes on the way out the door. Learning to accessorize like a stylist can help you elevate even the most basic of outfits. A t-shirt and jeans transform from two default pieces thrown on to the kind of curated casual look that you never knew how to achieve. The blouse, trousers, and blazer you put together for work no longer look like you’re a girl playing dress-up, but now make you feel like the powerful put-together woman you are. Accessories make your outfit feel intentional. Yet so many of us are never taught how to coordinate them with our clothing. Maybe we were shown as children how to pair like-colors together in clothing and refined this skill as we got older, but if you’re like me, no one ever taught you what accessories go with what, how many pieces of jewelry are appropriate at one time, or what your jewelry collection should look like. Let’s fix that and discuss it now!

Focus on One Area

For those that are feeling totally lost, the best advice is to focus on one area of the body to accessorize per outfit. What do you want to accent? Think about your favorite features. If you love your hair or want to draw attention upward, work with headbands, hairpins, scrunchies, and hats. If you like simpler tops or want to show off your pretty collarbones, try focusing on necklaces. Love your new manicure? Play it up by adding a few rings. Using this approach of focusing on one area at a time will prevent the sloppy look that results from throwing on every piece you own. People’s eyes will focus on the area you choose to accent instead of jumping from a statement earring to a chunky necklace to a busy patterned scarf. Make your outfit flow by directing people’s attention. It is impossible here not to mention the famous quote:

“Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.”

Coco Chanel

This emphasizes that to accessorize like a stylist, one must do it deliberately and with restraint. However, that does NOT mean you must limit yourself to only one accessory! This is a mere starting point from which you can slowly build. Perhaps you decided that necklaces are your area of focus and pair a few delicate gold chains for a layered look. Adding a statement earring will distract from these and could make the area feel cluttered. So, if you want to add another accessory to complement the necklace focal point, try a couple of delicate rings. These won’t compete for attention or clutter the area, and they match the aesthetic you have established.

Consider your outfit

accessorize like a stylist

Considering your outfit—neckline, colors, silhouette, and overall tone—is equally important in choosing appropriate accessories. Let your intuition lead. There are no perfect rules to accessorize like a stylist. Get started by asking yourself what you want your outfit to communicate. If you like the billowy organic shape of your dress, emphasize this with the contrasting clean lines of geometric earrings. Alternatively, add more organic shapes (think teardrop earrings, an asymmetric bag, and hammered-effect hardware) to emphasize the look in a different way. Wanting to make a feminine top work with your less feminine style? Pair it with a menswear-inspired watch to tone it down.

It is also helpful to consider necklace shape and neckline pairings. Again, you can choose pairings that mirror each other, like a v-neck button-down and a pendant necklace that hangs perfectly in the opening, or pairings that offset each other, like a square neck blouse and a choker necklace that follows the curve of your neck. Make sure necklaces are the right length, too, so they don’t slip into and back out of your top all day. They should either lay against your bare chest or lay comfortably over your top. For dresses and tops with more complex necklines, cut-outs, or a voluminous cowl neck, your best bet is to skip the necklace and choose a pair of earrings instead.

Also, beware of the outdated idea that all your hardware must match in an outfit. Just because your purse has a gold clasp does not mean your jewelry and jacket zipper must all be gold. Life is for having fun, anyway—mix and match if you want! It can help to integrate silver and gold jewelry in close proximity to make this look intentional. For example, a stack of mixed silver and gold rings will do the trick perfectly.

Building Your Collection

accessorize like a stylist

Now that you have some ideas about jewelry and accessory pairings, you may be eager to click “add to cart” and start playing with these ideas. Before you do, look at your most worn outfits—what types of accessories would translate well across all these looks? Do you own these accessories already? If not, make a shopping list for yourself. Thoughtful purchasing is the first step to accessorize like a stylist. It’s all too easy to find 10 pairs of perfect hoop earrings if you just buy anything that catches your eye. You will end up spending more money and having less versatile choices this way. Instead, fill the holes in your accessory selection and be honest with yourself about what you will wear often. If you wear scarves every day below 60 degrees, it might make sense to have a few to choose from. Be more sparing in buying trend pieces. Instead, invest in timeless pieces that can be layered and worn in many ways for years to come. It’s wise to buy these classics with quality in mind, whereas costume jewelry tends to be a more appropriate choice for fun trendy pieces. This way, you can participate in the season’s newest and most exciting trends without breaking the bank, and still have great pieces for all the days in between. Beyond jewelry, consider adding a couple of scarves, hats, hair accessories, belts, and purses to your collection.

If this is starting to sound to you like an expensive endeavor, you’re right. It may not be realistic to check all the items off your shopping list right away. My favorite way to start is by choosing your favorite type of jewelry to wear. I love wearing earrings, so I would choose a simple set of gold studs that I could wear every single day until I am ready to expand my selection once again. This would add a little shine to any look and feel the least intimidating for while I get used to wearing jewelry on a regular basis. Don’t make a chunky, colorful statement necklace your first purchase!

Wrap-Up

Accessorizing can be intimidating if you haven’t put much thought into it before. Stick to these guidelines to get more comfortable pairing jewelry and other accessories with your favorite looks. The right accents can bring any outfit to life! It’s a great way to rediscover your love for old clothing. Still feeling a little fuzzy about choosing the right accessories for you? Learn to accessorize like a stylist from a stylist. Sign up for a consultation here for a more complete styling insight and product guidance experience. We would love to help. And, be sure to check back weekly for more fashion inspiration on our blog page!

Quick Links

Our Mission      Meet the Team     Client Results     Policies

Virtual Services     3 Step Process    Foundation Package    Contact Us

info@astylebreeze.com

© 2024 A Style Breeze