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As we get set to welcome fall – and all those lovely weekend breaks to the country – we asked renowned personal stylists to share their new season style forecast, the art of wardrobe decluttering, and their top packing trips for every travel adventure.  

Sarah Meikle Consulting

sarah meikle personal stylist tips
Image Courtesy of Sarah Meikle

Former Conde Nast Traveler fashion director, Sarah Meikle now works as a personal stylist and fashion consultant for private clients and leading brands in New York City.

How do you find your signature style?

It’s not about wearing the latest runway trends, but having a great sense of style that reflects your lifestyle, personality, and attitude. What you wear is how you communicate with the world so find your personal uniform and stick to it. 

Share your top style tips?

Create a beautifully edited, pulled-together wardrobe of pieces that look and feel great on and give you confidence. Create a lookbook for work and weekend as these are different dress codes. Invest in luxury pieces that you will have forever and mix these with cute Zara finds. Find an amazing tailor as proper portions matter and you should always hem pants for specific shoes. Learn how to layer and accessorize without overdoing it. 

What belongs in every wardrobe?

Always have a pressed white or blue button-down ready to go. You need a good blazer and a statement coat. Every look needs statement jewelry. 

Fall Fashion Forecast:

A new season always calls for a closet refresh and I look to the runway for fashion inspiration and then mix luxe classics with cute utilitarian and streetwear pieces. The look for fall is comfy quarantine chic. Cashmere sweaters layered under a special coat like a poncho and edgy boot or shoe mixed with classic layered long necklaces.  

Pack in style: Weekend escape in the country

personal stylist tips

Fall is about escaping to the country to indulge in winery tours, spa weekends, and cozy nights in front of the fire. Pack an early fall weekend coat, utilitarian styles are perfect, check or textured pant, rugged boot, and a cute wrap or poncho.  Don’t forget the statement luggage

Sarah shares her favorite travel destinations: 

This summer I holidayed locally, New Hampshire, Sagaponack, and Vermont and it was all lovely.  But of course, give me Paris anytime. 

Eva Timbs, Wardrobe Consultant and Personal Shopper

eva timbs personal stylist tips
Image Courtesy of Eva Timbs

Sydney-based style guru Eva Timbs is in demand for her curated personalized approach to wardrobe transformation. Her wardrobe and personal shopping consultancy is based on the philosophy that great style is a luxury every woman deserves.  

Do you have a style code?

Ask yourself, does this make me feel wonderful when I wear it? If the answer is no, toss it. One of my favorite quotes is by Vivienne Westwood, “Buy less, choose well, make it last.”  Trends are so fickle. Create a classic capsule wardrobe as your base and add in trend-driven pieces with the seasons. A cluttered wardrobe makes what to wear so confusing. 

Share the secret to wardrobe decluttering? 

Start by removing the pieces from the current season that’s ending and reintroducing existing pieces from the previous season. I always start my consultations by styling new outfits with pieces my clients already have in their wardrobe to work out what to keep, store, buy, and discard. You wouldn’t head off to the grocery store without checking out what’s in your fridge or pantry. Toss anything that no longer fits or looks worn and tired;  scuffed shoes and heels, balled sweaters, threadbare fabrics. 

What should be in your forever wardrobe? 

I give my clients a “Top 10 pieces for a classic capsule wardrobe” list and at the heart of this is a beautifully cut blazer.  This is an ultimate essential that can be worn with denim, a classic white shirt or over dresses, it’s worth investing in a good one. Ditto investment bags and shoes as they will always stand the test of time. A Chanel bag will be a coveted piece for decades to come.

Fall Fashion Forecast:

personal stylist tips

I always look at Pantone’s color of the year as this informs the current season’s fashion and interior design trends. This year is classic blue, so look for it in bermuda shorts and knit dresses with seventies vibes, both of which are perfect fashion travel essentials. Sheer dresses or a sheer blouse are also a big trend for summer in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Pack in style:  Beach Break 

Everything you pack must have multiple uses. My flight wardrobe consists of a cashmere travel set in a dark shade and nonwrinkle fabric. For a beach vacation, a floaty floral print dress is the best multi-tasker. Throw it over your swimsuit by day or dress it up with summer sandals for dinner and drinks. In fall or winter, a cozy coat will elevate every look and you can take on the plane to keep you warm. 

Eva’s Favorite Travel Destinations

Port Stephens/Shoal Bay is an idyllic coastal spot 2.5 hours north of Sydney that’s perfect for a weekend away. I stay at the Salt at Shoal Bay — it’s stunning. I also love Hawaii, it’s an easy direct flight from Australia and a great family holiday. We’ve been going for years and always stay at my all-time favorite hotel, The Pink Palace. I also never tire of visiting the city that never sleeps. In New York City, I stay at 1 Hotel Central Park. And then there’s Paris.  It’s just like a fairytale and for my honeymoon, we stayed at the divine Hotel St James-Albany. Right now, I’m dreaming of the Greek Islands. I’ve never been but I’m always visualizing it in my mind and as I have a milestone birthday coming up, this will be my next trip and I’ll stay at Maregio Suites. Take notes hubby.

beckie + martina, Personal Stylists and Image Consultants

beckie + martina
Image Courtesy of beckie + martina

As former models, New York-based personal stylist and image consultant duo beckie + martina know all about fashion, fit, and how to pack when you spend your life flying all over the world. 

Share your style mantra?

We help clients discover and elevate their personal style. As Karl Lagerfeld once said, “Sweatpants are a sign of defeat.”  We’ll temper that by saying in this WFH era it’s the perfect time to buy and wear clothes that tick the boxes for style and comfort, like the dressy pajama suit, relaxed trousers, and jumpsuits. Pay attention to the details, they speak volumes. It’s better to be overdressed than underdressed. Don’t be afraid to experiment with new shapes. Always dress for your age and body type. 

What are your style rules?

As a general rule of thumb, every wardrobe needs these three core categories: The Classics (blazer, great bag, versatile dress), The Basics (jeans, crisp white shirt, high-quality tees), and the Fun Pieces (anything that brings classics and basics to life through texture, print, sparkle or a pop of color.)  Shop for pieces that you actually need (not just what is on-trend) and create a curated wardrobe that you will actually wear.

How do you curate your closet?

Most of our clients, and not just the celebrities, have way too much in their closets. They are busting with unnecessary, emotional purchases that have no place in their wardrobe or life. We base our closet organization consultations on how to shop efficiently, much like a chef does at the market. Know what you’re cooking and why, check the kitchen for what you already have then head to the store with a concise list, and stick to it. 

Fall Fashion Forecast:

personal stylist picks

BK & MG: Seasonal themes repeat—the key is to keep the shapes and fabrics current. It’s all about a great coat, cashmere cardigan, and shoe, especially a classic loafer, though you also need an ankle boot and high top sneaker this time of year. We live in New York where black is the uniform so try to infuse a little color, print, texture, and sparkle. Deep green, burgundy, soft grey, camel, tweed, houndstooth, and leopard are all classics that never go out of style. Our advice is to invest in a few coats so you don’t have fashion fatigue by the time January rolls around. We’re all about a poncho for fall. 

Beckie + Martina’s favorite travel destination:

M:  I love Italy, especially Positano. Closer to home I love spending time at our lake house in Update New York.

B: We spent a lot of the summer in The Hamptons which is always gorgeous.  

Pack in Style: City Break

The secret to looking chic in the city is to do casual meets fashion with a sporty edge. A comfy sleek pant, a glam trainer, and a statement top that has interesting details like an exaggerated sleeve, wrap style, or cool neckline.

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