Home for the Holidays…literally!

Over the past COVID months,  I made the effort nearly every day to go for a walk, do some weight training and stretching, get dressed wearing clothes (not sweats) and put makeup on even just to go wait in line at the grocery store.  I know, for myself, it would have been a downward spiral if I didn’t make some sort of personal effort.  But, how I miss really getting dressed!!!  Now that the holidays are here I am excited to share some great looks!

My last post was a collaboration with Marc Cain and my “return” post is with them as well!  There clothing makes me feel great!  Great fabrics, amazing color, the ability to mix, and for me, fantastic fit!!  If you like standout pieces Marc Cain is also worth checking out…

This holiday season is truly looking like we will all be Home for the Holidays…literally!  Styling is by Marc Cain The Westchester’s Manager, Virginia.  We’ve put together many looks  – some are more casual, but still pulled together.  Some are dressy.  But all are unique!!  Additionally, we wanted to highlight the mix and match capability of the clothes and Marc Cain’s approach and passion for color.

COZY COLOR:

Unexpected holiday color, this blush floral print is the foundation.  Mixed with a cream faux fur vest, black leather fanny pack and black booties.

Mixed with a shiny black top and sneakers…this is ideal as a comfortable, festive holiday look, especially if your the hostess of a casual holiday meal.

Amazing reversible faux fur grey outerwear piece

The flip side

 

REPTILE PRINT MANY WAYS:

These reptile pants are incredibly versatile!!  Worn with a baby pink cashmere sweater, bright pink coat and patent leather hiking boots.

For fun, add a hat and a fur collar…

Pair them with a printed sweater, white patent booties and a soft fleece handbag.

Take them simple and classic with a silk top, classic pump and clutch.  (BTW – the classic black coat in the background is stunning.  Has removable ostrich feather pocket detail!!)

BURGUNDY!!

Burgundy leather leggings with a cozy burgundy turtleneck sweater, fleece bag and classic pumps.  Love this easy look for an at home gathering. Works great with an ankle boot too.

Going more casual…Same burgundy legging worn with a silk blouse and soft plaid cape.  The gold booties are lined with the softest fur – no socks needed!!

 

CHIC LEATHER:

Machine washable faux leather wide legged culotte worn with a sheer sequined top with white underpinning.  The houndstooth coat is embellished with a soft blue faux fur collar accessory. Dress down look – pair the culotte with a cashmere sweater and bootie.

 

UNIQUE JACKET:

Having a unique jacket in your closet makes getting dressed so easy! This velvet-like embellished fabric with removable burgundy faux fur collar is paired with a simple striped tee and skinny jeans and white western style boot.  The cobalt blue cross body adds another pop of color.  This jacket reverses to black patent leather!

BOLD COLOR:

Wearing hunter green leather leggings with a bold, colorful floral print scuba jacket and chartreuse scarf and bag.

Hunter green leggings worn with a stunning emerald green velvet blazer, chartreuse carry-all and scarf worn around the wrist.

SURPRISING COLOR COMBO:

Coral and baby blue – a surprisingly beautiful combo!  The printed scuba cropped pant and coral turtleneck are a natural pair.  Mixed with baby blue pieces – sumptuous faux fur jacket, booties, hat and leather gloves.  The scarf picks up all of the colors.

CLASSIC SUIT WITH A TWIST:

Menswear-inspired black classic double breasted wool suit with soft pink windowpane and cropped pant.  No shirt – just a feminine scarf balances the masculine.

Windowpane suit worn with a beautiful soft pink faux fur coat.

WHY NOT GET DRESSED UP:

Even if your staying home for the holidays, why not get dressed up?!  This stunning separates outfit is embellished with Swarovski crystals on the tuxedo striped skinny pant and the bell sleeve of the belted top has beautiful crystal buttons.

MRS CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN:

A super comfy stretch jersey suit with herringbone pattern combined with baby blue accessories… Who would have thought??  Added twist, burgundy shoes and bag!!

 

Have fun with fashion!!  Combine color and pattern; masculine and feminine and you’ll have an unexpected, chic look!  All pieces in the post are Marc Cain and available at their store at The Westchester in White Plains, NY.

Wishing you the happiest holiday wherever your home may be!  I bid farewell to 2020 and welcome renewal and all happy, healthy things for you in 2021!!

Thanks for stopping by… Cynthia

Marc Cain Collaboration

Marc Cain is a German brand that has been in my local mall, The Westchester in White Plains, NY for a few years.  I am huge fan of the brand – love the fabrics, the styling, the tailoring, the mix of color and pattern that are trademarks of the brand.  Additionally, I love how they put a twist on the classics to make them more modern and feminine.  I now own a number of Marc Cain pieces (not everything shown in this post unfortunately) and I love taking my clients and friends to the store.

For the Marc Cain Collaboration photos, the outfits are styled by myself and Virginia, the stylish, helpful and knowledgeable Manager of the White Plains location.  (She’s also the photographer) All accessories are Marc Cain as well.  Our hope is to show that Marc Cain clothing looks great on regular women!

Marc Cain’s iconic leopard print is in the following 3 photos where we are showing the versatility of how one pair of wide-leg  trousers with a racing stripe can be worn 3 different ways.

1. The classic power suit worn with a scarf, classic black pump and smart handle, satchel bag.

2. Wide-leg trouser worn with an amazing second skin button-up turtleneck, black cashmere coat and black patent bootie.

3. Wide-leg trouser worn with a playful and practical double-zip windbreaker and a safari style shoulder bag.

The easy, leopard print tunic with pockets is a great addition to anyone’s wardrobe.  Here it’s paired with a black cashmere coat, and a gorgeous suede, block heel boot. But would also be great with a sneaker, ankle boot or heel.  The collar turns up to reveal a zebra print pattern.

This comfortable neoprene fabric mixed with sheer prints create an elegant look.  Pair with a classic cashmere coat and classic pump and handbag for a dressy look…

…or worn with over-the-knee boots and a vest for a chic, casual look.

Marc Cain offers a variety of dresses…this jersey maxi dress made up of semi-chromatic colors paired with diagonal stripes is a fun piece!  Worn with white patent booties, but can easily be worn with sneakers, knee-high boots or a heel.  The ultra lightweight puffer synches to compliment your shape.

The tunic dress synches at the waist and the floral print is inspired by the amaryllis belladonna flower of South Africa.

A Plaid coat in the same colors perfectly compliments the dress and easily transitions to Spring.

Modern suiting is a Marc Cain specialty!  This is a trouser and vest worn with their fabulous second skin turtleneck.  The pieces are great as separates as well!

If your looking for chic sportswear check out Marc Cain.  These neoprene joggers are flattering and can be worn super casual with sneakers or could be worn with the suiting vest above as an unexpected pairing.

An example of a great classic – Camel trousers, paired with a camel cashmere top coat worn with classic burgundy accessories, a leopard print silk scarf and white blouse.

Marc Cain offers beautiful fabrics, excellent tailoring, a modern take on suiting, a variety of dresses, great color options, fabulous outerwear, stylish sportswear, super essentials, gorgeous accessories, bags and footwear in a beautiful, full-service boutique setting.  Check them out at The Westchester Mall in White Plains or at a few other locations in the U.S.  Tell them Cynthia sent you…

Thank you for stopping by….Cynthia

 

 

Styling with Color – Look 2

Styling with color is a fun and creative process.  I think most people default to typical and quiet combinations.  Clearly some colors compliment eachother and others do not – but I dare you to push the envelope and create a bit of surprise with your outfits.

The JCrew outfit here, styled for a casual party or even a meal out, combines a dressier, stiffer, lace fabric in the trouser with a super cozy, soft turtleneck sweater.  A more common decision would be to  dress up the red lace pant.  By combining a stiff fabric with a soft sweater in a warm color, like camel, relaxes the outfit and makes it feel more casual.  It also makes the pant more versatile.  By pairing with an unexpected combination of accessories like a tartan scarf and leopard print shoes and gloves makes the outfit more interesting.

Try styling with color by pairing combos you would not normally put together and combine a dressier piece with a casual piece – it will open up a whole new wardrobe world!!

Follow my instagram @cynhudstyle for looks and inspiration.

And find details about an upcoming event at JCrew, New Canaan, CT on Wednesday, December 12, 2018.

SHOP THE LOOK – see links below photos.

 

 

 

 

 

Lace Pant

Turtleneck sweater with side slits in supersoft yarn

Tartan scarf

Italian Calf Hair Touch Leather Tech Gloves

Cabana Reader Sunglasses

Earrings (similar)

Block heel pumps in leopard (similar)

I hope you are going to challenge yourself to try new color combinations?  Thanks for stopping by…Cynthia

New Year’s Resolution – Wardrobe Consultation

Happy New Year!!!  It’s that wonderful time of year when we get a fresh start!  We may also feel the pressure to come up with a New Year’s Resolution.  Are any of these on your list?  Lose weight,  get back to the gym,  cut out white sugar, cut back on coffee, reserve alcohol for weekends…  Sound familiar?  Focusing on positive and healthy change is great, and I admit, a few of these repeat goals are back on my list again for 2018….

In 2010, I achieved my New Year’s goal and long time goal of starting my own business!  The main reason I started a personal styling and personal shopping business was not because I enjoy shopping and love fashion, but because it was a way I felt I could truly help people feel better about themselves.  It is empowering stepping out of your home in clothing that flatters and you feel great in.  And, having a closet filled with clothing you love and that works is stress relieving and time saving.

Is your New Year’s Goal the same as in the past?  Or, might you consider a resolution focusing on something stress reducing and empowering?  Are you happy with your wardrobe?  Are you confident with your style?  Do you love what you wear?  Are you dressing to enhance your figure?  Do you feel great with how you look?  If you are not confidently answering yes to at least a few of these questions, you may want to consider treating yourself to a Wardrobe Consultation.  During a Wardrobe Consultation you take the time necessary to audit what you have and edit out what is not working.  As well as, put together new outfits with the good items you own and make note of what is missing.  It is remarkable how much better you feel when you enter your closet knowing that you love what is in it and that you have outfits to wear!

Editing your Closet takes time and energy – but is so worth it!!   Here are few suggestions and tips to get started:

Jeans –  If they don’t make you feel GREAT, get rid of them.  You should absolutely have a pair of great fitting, very dark wash denim.  The style depends on your shape.

T-shirtsGet rid of all stretched out, stained and pilled t-shirts.  A great fitting white and black tee are essential.  Style is a preference, however, replace every year if washed frequently; the black fades and the white yellows.

ShoesDon’t keep shoes you aren’t wearing because they are uncomfortable.  Keep shoes you like in good condition – make any repairs at the end of season.  If you don’t have a classic and sexy black pump…get a pair!  Try many on to get a comfortable pair and be willing to pay more for a quality pair.  A classic cut will always be in style and if you take care of them, they will last forever.  They go with everything and make you look and feel great!

 

The fresh start of a New Year is the ideal time to re-focus on you.  If you would like more information about assistance with a wardrobe consulation,  please e-mail me at cynhud@optonline.net.

Best wishes for a HAPPY NEW YEAR!  I sincerely hope it is filled with happiness, good health and, of course, an even more confident you!!

Thanks for stopping by….Cynthia

 

 

White Dress – Look Cool, Classic, Comfortable

Carola_Muis (13 of 13)

Carola_Muis (12 of 13)

So, this is what I mean by looking “cool”!  I’ve been checking out some of the Fall clothes in store, however, I am still focused on Summer and dressing for the hot and often humid weather in New York. For me, summer dressing = comfortable dressing! I enjoy wearing clothes that make me look like I feel cool and comfortable (even if I am not).  The Gap Dobby Fit & Flare white dress is perfect for those reasons – easy, comfortable and cool!  Moreover, it can be worn with flip flops to shoes like my JCrew Seville espadrille wedges.

Carola_Muis (10 of 13)Sunglasses are by Gucci

Lipstick color is my go-to summer red – Portofino Red by Laura Mercier

Carola_Muis (1 of 18)

 

In the summer I also like to keep accessories at a minimum and in this case modern – simple silver studs by Michael Kors  and a silver cuff with mother of pearl.

Nail color is by Essie in Clambake.

Carola_Muis (11 of 13)

 

Carola_Muis (1 of 1)

Handbag is the Ann Taylor Mini Pebbled Signature Tote – perfect small-sized tote.

Are you looking cool and comfortable in a white dress this summer?!

All photos are by Carola Muis – carola@carolamuis.com