• Jan 5

Fresh start

The energy of the new year is all about saying goodbye to the old and creating space for the new. And who isn't ready for that in 2021?? A good place to start is your closet (just ask Marie Kondo). Read on for Jen's tips for refreshing your wardrobe space so that you're ready for all the good things that are surely ahead.


After cleaning out hundreds of clients' closets, Jen has a tried and true approach to getting the job done. Here's her process in a nutshell, with a few suggestions for upgrading your closet in the end.


First step: go through all of your clothes and shoes, piece by piece, and be decisive about what to keep or toss:


1. Have you worn it in the last two years (given Covid)? If not, toss it. The only exception is formal wear or "special" pieces like grandma's fur or your rehearsal dinner dress.


2. Does it make you feel good when you wear it? If the answer is no, toss it.


3. Is it too small? If yes, toss it - keeping clothes that are too small doesn't help you lose weight, it makes you feel badly about not fitting into them.


4. Is it too large? If it's too large, get it tailored or toss it.


5. Is it damaged? If it's stained or needs altering or de-pilling, either take it to your local cleaner/tailor/shoe repair shop or toss it.



Second step: organize your space and make it someplace that makes you feel happy:


6. Donate or consign the wearable pieces you're tossing.


7. Organize your closet by type of item (e.g., blazers, pants, jeans).


8. Further organize your closet by season - Jen likes to put off-season clothes into another closet or box them up so you can feel excited when the season comes back around.


9. Invest in good hangers and get rid of all of the wire ones from the dry cleaner.


10. Make your closet a place that feels fresh by adding a scented hanger or reed diffuser.



All-time favorite closet upgrades:




    • Dec 17, 2020

Jen's picks continued

On the blog today, a round up of a few more timeless pieces that are at the top of Jen's wish list - inspiration to treat yourself while you're finishing up your holiday shopping.


This cozy sweater by Brochu Walker is a better version of the "peekaboo" shoulder trend. It's not overly exposed and its neutral tones keep it feeling elegant. It's easily dressed up or down.



It's hard to find the perfect red, but Joseph has done it with this sweater. We also LOVE the deep V neck. It hits just right. Wear it with jeans or pants.


Another great piece by Joseph, you won't want to take off this fuzzy-cozy-yummy sweater this year. Wear it with a legging or jeans or even a pleated skirt as shown. We would LOVE it with the satin skirt below. The texture creates a beautiful contrast to silk.




The silk satin fabric of the Joseph skirt (at left) and dress above is gorgeous as are the colors (gray, as shown, or burgundy) it comes in. You can wear the dress a little more casually with a lug sole boot or more fancy with a heel. The skirt is a great alternative. Pair it with a chunky knit. Jen's client is wearing a similar look from spring at right.



Check out this fun everyday pant from Mother. So many elements to love - super high waist, long pockets, cinched at the ankle. Wear these with an ankle boot. These pants will transition easily to spring/summer with a sandal.



Many of Jen's clients have and love this Rag & Bone legging pant. They are as easy as can be with a zip up in the back and comfortable stretchy fabric. They're flattering and smooth out everything that needs smoothing. This is a year-round pant.



Nili Lotan makes these two timeless pieces. The black button down at top is mandatory. It goes with everything and is the exact right cut. It's a great layering piece and would also look chic with the vest as pictured. Jen loves a vest in general and the one above is a classic. It looks great with a monochromatic outfit as shown, but its possibilities are endless. Wear it over a billowy silk shirt or pop it on top of a dress. Have fun experimenting.



A couple of more layering pieces here. The bomber at top is by R13. It's a cozy, warm, wool piece with a fur collar and nicely oversized fit. It steps things up a notch. The Rag & Bone knit vest at bottom is long in the back and shorter in the front. Rag & Bone is killing it with their knit layers this season. This piece happens to be very versatile. You can wear it over sweaters or shirts or over a jacket. You can even belt it or throw it on over a T shirt in warmer weather.



Continuing the love affair with Rag & Bone, here are two high quality accessory pieces. The boot at top is a true winner. With its lug sole and perfect height, it's an impressive and eye-catching design. And the cross body bag is equally good. We love the double zipper feature for easy access. The deep red beautifully complements our neutral color story from this season. It's the perfect pop of color.

    • Dec 10, 2020

Jen's picks part two

We'll be continuing the theme of a few good things hand-picked by Jen for the month of December. All are smart pieces to add to your closet now and could also be great gifts (for yourself :).


One of the best trends to emerge in fashion across the past few years is this pant shape: the crop-flare. It's fitted through the waist and thigh with a little bit of flare at the cropped bottom. It is the MOST universally flattering shape out there. If you're worried about a cropped pant in winter, check out any of the boots we've recommended this season. They all go high enough that there's no gap between hem and boot.


Above from top left: 1. Citizens of Humanity (this is the slimmest of the four and a great color); 2. J. Crew (we've profiled it before, a great jean for a great price); 3. and 4. Both by R13 (leopard here, floral here), these are the same pant in different patterns and look great with neutral tops - R13 is pricier but totally worth it and something special for your closet.



R13 makes the terrific white oxford shirt at the left. It's pictured with the leopard print R13 jeans profiled above. It's a great oversized cut in a lovely, thick fabric - the perfect boyfriend shirt. The Nili Lotan shirt in the middle is an amazing tunic (Jen loves a good tunic). Wear it untucked over skinny pants or half-tucked into anything else. Think of the blue/white stripe as a neutral. At right, this MM6 shirt is made for all of the high-waisted jeans and trousers out there. Cropped in the front and longer in the back, this is a nice piece in an uncommon silhouette.



J. Crew has a reliably decent quality cashmere line at a great price. These two sweaters are good examples. The gray hoodie is similar to the Rag & Bone piece we profiled in October, but more affordable. The striped sweater is a boyfriend cut (go down one size if you don't want to wear it baggy). It's particularly cute half-tucked. You can pay much more elsewhere for this same look.



Robert Clergerie makes a beautiful shoe and these oxford loafers are a great example. Think of them as the cold weather alternative to a flat when you don't want to wear a shoe boot - easy and casual. The style is reminiscent of the star platform by Stella McCartney, but the Clergeries are a little less terrifyingly high and about half the price.



This boot by Rag & Bone combines two worthy trends - the lug sole and white shoe. Comfortable and warm, these would be great with the jeans profiled above. The white is a little edgier than black. It's an unexpected twist and therefore cool. Perfect for outdoor gatherings.



Jen loves the Nili Lotan cape at left. It's a beautiful quality knit, which makes it pricey, but you know it will be a forever-purchase because of its classic pattern and style. Layer it over a down jacket or thick sweater in winter and continue using it over lighter pieces in the spring.


At right is a new wool cape by G. Label that looks like it's selling out fast. Jen likes it with a fitted black cashmere sweater or sweatshirt or even a featherweight down coat underneath. Don't be afraid to wear it oversized like a poncho. The black, navy and charcoal in the pattern means you can pair it with almost anything.



This Cynthia Rowley oversized down parka is very cool. It has already sold out once, but it's back in stock now. It's like wearing a very awesome blanket. Get it if you want to be cozy without looking like everyone else on the block.