How to choose your LBJ?

Trying to find the Little Black Jacket, you know the one that will suits you perfectly can be tricky. It s easy to get lost among the huge choice that brands offer. In other words and as we say in French:"Trop de choix tue le choix" or "Too much choice kills the choice".

The Little black Jacket is a wardrobe staple, a timeless classic, something that will follow you through the seasons. And for that reason, you need to focus your attention and make a good choice. In Wardrobe Audit sessions I have seen too many ordinary little black jackets, it s too bad isn it?

Here are a few things to remember:

1- The Cut: as always, never give up on this: The Cut! It s better to own one perfectly tailored black jacket than 3 that just don't fill well.

Style tips: For a flattering silhouette the length should stop below or above the largest part of yor hips.

2- The Fabric: 60/70% of coton or wool with a little bit of Polyamide and Elastane is fine. Avoid 100% Linen since it wrinkles easily. Polyester is very strong but it creates static electricity , Polyamid is strong and cheap but doesn't absorb sweat.

3- Details: does the jacket have a particular detail? A leather shawl collar? Beautiful buttons and/or lining? Made with an original fabric? A black jacket is ordinary enough it needs a little something special.

Style tips: If you are crafty, changing the (plastic) buttons is a good idea to personalize your jacket.

Look under the collar for a felt lining which allows the jacket to double as outerwear when it is cold.

Last but not least if there is a flap in the back don't forget to remove the little thread that is supposed to keep the jacket in a good shape when it's still in the shop. 

And now enjoy my selection!

Shiny Black Satin  / Mauro Grifoni

Zebra! / The Kooples

Lace sleeves / Anna Studio

Great cut and fabric! / Eple & Melk

Jacquard effect/ Laura Clement/La Redoute

DarkBlue and Black/ Paul Smith

Animal Print on the collar/ Virginie Castaway/L exception

Upgrade your Business Suit

Among women's' business attire the black suit & white shirt is a classic but can come across as overly formal.
It is possible to stand out from the crowd by creating a style that is personal and make you feel good and confident. Here is some advice I usually give my clients.

Here are 4 different ways to give your basic suit some personality:

• Mix fabrics: pick a blazer with different color and material (wool, chambray, leather, velvet corduroy...) from your bottom, and pair it with a silk blouse. It will create contrast and embellish your silhouette.

Mango

 

Rag&Bone (netaporter)

• Accessorize: one single accessory can make the difference! Pay attention to quality and remember that "less is more".

with a scarf

scarf D&G (netaporter) 

 

a beautiful belt 

Maison Boinet

 statement jewelry

J Crew

• Layer: as shown here below with a printed blouse and a plain color suit.

Max&Co

 

or like this:

Zara

• Add color: it's fine to wear neutrals but give your suit a "chic with a twist" touch by picking one color and showing it in different hues. (for instance in the photo below with red, see the shirt + collar + blazer + shoes)

Max&Co 

And you? Do you accessorize, layer, add color or mix different fabrics?  How do you upgrade your suit? Share your thoughts!

BUSINESS TIME DRESSES

When on wardrobe-detox or shopping assistance it is not rare for me to advise my clients to wear dresses at work...even during winter! Dresses are women best-friends and not only for cocktail parties!

As long as the dress code of the company you work for is respected and once you know the cuts that suit your body shape (thanks to your personal stylist!) it is an elegant, yet comfortable alternative to the too often seen black & white suits!

Here are some of my tips for choosing and wearing dresses at work:

• Pay attention to cuts and fabrics:

 COS

Adolfo Dominguez

 

• Pick one with subtle details: peplum, collar, lines, leather pockets...

 Karen Millen

 

COS

• Don't be afraid of prints, do layer the dress over a shirt

Tory Burch

 

Karen Millen

• Dare vibrant colors (that flatter your skin tone)

 By Malene Birger

Adolfo Dominguez

 

From a business point of view your style is very important. How you dress at work? What is your casual business outfit? Do you wear dresses at work?

A bientôt!

Jewelry: the essentials for Active Women

I recently had a conversation on the phone with my friend Emma who just got promoted and found out that some jewelry was missing to complete her "business-women perfect wardrobe".  Dress-codes exist and are a little bit different whether you work for a bank, a retail company or in the cosmetic industry... But from Paris to Hong-Kong or Tokyo there are some essentials that every business-women should have in her wardrobe. In that case, this is the list I would always check when dressing my client:

The watch: of course the unbeatable Rolex and Cartier. But if you don't want or don't have the budget to invest in it, legendary brands like Omega or Longines have beautiful and timeless pieces. And for smaller budget Louis Pion or Fossil offer nice models as well.
 

Pion (left), Longines: La Grande classique, (right).

The ring: usually something not too big for practical and safety reason...

Earrings: remember the ones with long feathers you bought in Bali? Forget about them. Make it simple and chic!

A bracelet: If big bangles are not very appropriate for you (computer typing..), choose a leather cuff or small chains.

Necklaces: choker or a string? Depending on your outfit and body shape...

Avoid pearls like turquoises or corals, too "summer holidays". Favor nacre,  citrine, amethyst etc...

Don't forget: less is more, choose only a few accessories and go for some or even just one that will add personality to your outfit!

And now for inspiration: my selection!

1 Delphine Pariente @L'exception, 2 earrings Marni @Ssense, 3 Wendy Nichol glod pyramid studs, 4 Coccinelle, 5 Viveka Bergstrom ring, 6 Marc by Marc Jacobs bracelet, 7 Dannijo crystal earrings @ ssense, 8 Coralie de Seynes choker.