3 Ways to Wear a White Blouse

1) A client of mine had been wearing this blouse tucked in to a black skirt with black shoes.  Good looking and safe.  Here I accessorized the same outfit with a crystal/gold necklace worn under the collar and pearl earrings and neutral shoes.  I also suggested a few updates on shoes and bracelets. A crystal bead necklace is a great addition to any wardrobe as the clear crystal picks up any color underneath.

2)  My second option for her was to wear the same blouse, untucked, with a neutral skirt that she's had in her closet, too.  Because she always wore this blouse with the black skirt and black shoes, she never thought to lighten up the whole look with all neutral tones.  The jewelry is simple, but essential, here.  One other small detail:  she never wore the sleeves rolled up.  It gives an entirely different feeling to a crisp white blouse to wear it this way.

3) The third, and more casual, option for her above.  Wear the blouse untucked with wide legged, cuffed trousers.  Again, the turned up sleeves of the blouse work so well with the new proportion of the trousers (we customized a pair that was hanging in her closet--notice the pins in the close-up photo).  I suggested bolder jewelry here (a large gold cuff and double drop earrings).  The extra-large scarf adds interest and color in an unexpected volume.

Styled by maria turkel.  Maria is a personal stylist and wardrobe consultant currently living in Greenwich, CT and formerly a wardrobe supervisor on the hit television series, Friends.  For examples of her LookBooks, Client Success Stories, and a full list of services, visit www.mariaturkel.com.  To schedule a consult, contact maria@mariaturkel.com.

Spring 2015 Denim Trend

Here are 3 different ways to wear denim this Spring.

See below each photo for links to specific items.

 If your style is Preppy:

1) Vineyard Vines denim dress. Banana Republic X&O earring. Tory Burch sandals.

2) Vineyard Vines polo and shorts. Tory Burch ballerina. Superga acid wash sneakers. 

Tory Burch espadrille.

3) Banana Republic pearl earring.  Victoria Beckham denim/twill dress.  Repetto ballerina.

If your style is Minimalist:

1) Banana Republic cone earring. Donna Karan New York denim dress.

2) Louis Vuitton, Spring 2015 Runway photo

3) Banana Republic gold drop earring. 3.1 Phillip Lim top.  Dark wash denim MiH jeans.  Christian Louboutin denim pump.

If your style is Boho:

1) Banana Republic hoop earring. Frame white T-shirt and light wash jeans.  Pierre Hardy platforms.

2) Tommy Hilfiger, Spring 2015 Runway photo

3) Silk peasant top. Banana Republic drop earrings.  Embellished jeans.  Metallic platforms.

Styled by maria turkel.  Maria is a personal stylist and wardrobe consultant currently living in Greenwich, CT and formerly a wardrobe supervisor on the hit television series, Friends.  For examples of her LookBooks, Client Success Stories, and a full list of services, visit www.mariaturkel.com.  To schedule a consult, contact maria@mariaturkel.com.

Spring 2015 Fashion Trend--More 1970s Chic

Spring 2015 Trend--1970s Bohemians

Call it California Boho: Laurel Canyon circa 1968.  Patterns, denim, embroidery and color--mix it all together to get one of this Spring's most popular looks.

#1) Photographer Robert Mapplethorpe's hand-made necklaces and a close up of an Etro Spring 2015 Runway look.

#2) A blue patchwork Etro dress (available in-store at Bergdorf Goodman) and an vintage photo from the Summer of Love.

#3) Carly Simon in all her glory and a runway shot from Roberto Cavalli Spring 2015.

#4)  Embroidered and embellished jeans in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's costume collection and a Spring 2015 outfit by Dries van Noten.

Styled by maria turkel.  Maria is a personal stylist and wardrobe consultant currently living in Greenwich, CT and formerly a wardrobe supervisor on the hit television series, Friends.  For examples of her LookBooks, Client Success Stories, and a full list of services, visit www.mariaturkel.com.  To schedule a consult, contact maria@mariaturkel.com.

How to Update a 10 year old Suit

After stepping out of a corporate career for a few years, a woman will sometimes step back in, but in a different capacity.  The corporate suit might no longer work everyday, but for the few occasions when you need one, why buy another?
Here is how to update that old suit hanging in your closet:

#1) Wear it over a refined knit top rather than the expected button-front blouse.

#2) Add modern jewelry such as the inverted silver arrow pendant above plus simple, 

geometric ear studs.

#3) Tailor the boot-cut pants to a straight (but not skinny) leg.

#4) Update with an investment-worthy black pump:  the heel is not too high, not too thick, not too thin and it has a chic and sexy silhouette plus great texture.

#5) Finish with a smooth leather bucket bag--avoid hardware so that it coordinates with both gold and silver toned jewelry.

Styled by maria turkel.  Maria is a personal stylist and wardrobe consultant currently living in Greenwich, CT and formerly a wardrobe supervisor on the hit television series, Friends.  For examples of her LookBooks, Client Success Stories, and a full list of services, visit www.mariaturkel.com.  To schedule a consult, contact maria@mariaturkel.com.

Movie Fans/Oscar Parties: What to Wear?

Getting ready to watch the Academy Awards tonight?  Here are two ways to be stylish and still comfortable whether it's a party for many or party-of-one.

#1)  Take a cue from Sharon Stone at the 1996 Oscars and wear a black turtleneck.  Add a long full skirt and some great chandeliers.

#2) For the serious viewer (i.e., I watch alone--don't distract me!), choose a simple piped pajama à la Audrey Hepburn.  Don't forget the bling!

2013 Runway looks from Cushnie et Ochs, Chado Ralph Rucci and Ralph Lauren 

Alice + Olivia full floral skirt

Konstantino blue topaz chandelier earrings

Olatz Schnabel unisex silk pajamas

Cosabella jersery pajamas

Kate Spade chandeliers

Ladies, Far and Near/The L.B.P.S. (Little Black Pencil Skirt): How to Wear It?

A black pencil skirt is certainly a staple for most women.  But, when paired with solid black tights and plain black pumps, it becomes--in a word--predictable.  Here are some suggestions for keeping that 

leg-lengthening, figure-flattering black-from-waist-to-toe look without giving up any style points.

#1)  Choose a textured or patterned tight.  Rather than a solid opaque black on your legs, go for something sheer with a small pattern such as the cross-hatches (# 7 above left) or the tiny repeated heart print above right (image with the ankle strap shoes).  If you really want opaque coverage, opt for a ribbed tight in either black or deep charcoal grey (#3 above).

#2) With the patterned tights, wear an all-black shoe with some texture or dimension to it.  For example, a patent leather black pump adds much more interest than the same shoe in flat black leather.  Suede and stamped leather do the trick as well.  A really great choice would be a shoe that combines two different fabrics (either of the suede pumps above).

#3)  Pull any look together by adding a touch of black into the rest of your outfit.  Above are some earring examples, but this same concept can be used with bracelets or in the print of your top or blouse.  

These three tips can be applied to any outfit, no matter your personal style or budgetary price point.

Like what you see above?  Click on the live links below to find each piece.

1.  Onyx stud earrings.  2. Vince Camuto pencil skirt.  3.  J.Crew ribbed tights.  4.  Michael, Michael Kors pencil skirt.  5.  Kate Spade butterfly earrings.  6.  Marcasite rose stud earrings.  7.  Sheer pattern pantyhose.  8.  Cole Haan pump.  9.  HUE Merino wool tights.  10.  Via Spiga patent leather pumps.  11.  Earth suede wedge-heel pump.  12.  Trotters textured pump.   Unnumbered:  tiny heart tights and blue/black pencil skirt.

Styled by maria turkel.  Maria is a personal stylist and wardrobe consultant currently living in Greenwich, CT and formerly a wardrobe supervisor on the hit television series, Friends.  For examples of her LookBooks, Client Success Stories, and a full list of services, visit www.mariaturkel.com.