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Style SWAT Team By Jan Butsch Schroder
Known as the “Style SWAT Team,” in the media, stylists Jesse Garza and Joe Lupo have made their careers out of helping women clean out their closets, clarify their styles and feel good about themselves. The authors of Nothing to Wear? A 5-Step Cure for the Common Closet, Jesse and Joe have appeared on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and have been featured in several national magazines. Jesse shared his tips for traveling in style, trends for spring and summer and the perfect travel outfit. Tips Pack a mixture of “cake” and “frosting.” Cake refers to the pieces that are the reliable basics in neutral colors – the jeans, the black pants, the khakis. The frosting pieces are prints, glittery, colorful pieces of clothing and accessories that stand out and embellish an outfit. “If you pack too much cake, you’re boring,” said Jesse. “If you pack too much frosting, you look like a crazy person.” Less is more. Love what you wear and take with you. Edit your travel wardrobe and put together more looks with fewer pieces by changing accessories or outer layers. For example, take a lightweight gauzy wrap in a flattering color. You can wear it on the plane and also as a wrap for going out in the evening. “Pashminas are so out,” Jesse said. “But you can cut the strings off of yours to update it.” Then change your earrings from something simple to something sexy, change your flats to a strappy sandal and you’re ready to go out for the evening. Layer, layer, layer. Layering helps you to adjust to temperature changes both on the plane and when you arrive at your destination and gives you less to pack. “I always recommend wearing cotton next to your skin because it’s so comfortable,” said Jesse. “Then add a jersey cardigan over that. It doesn’t always have to match – I treat it like a modern form of a twin set.” For your last piece, add a trench coat so you don’t have to pack it. Choose fabrics wisely. “One fabric that is amazing is extra fine merino wool. It doesn’t wrinkle and it’s isn’t itchy,” said Jesse. He also recommends jersey, but not shiny jersey. “Cotton with a little stretch is also good. We all expand and contract so we need clothes that give a little.” If you need something professional, Jesse recommends to take a jersey dress. “Diane von Furstenberg makes a million affordable options. I also suggest taking a navy chemise dress. Dresses pack into nothing.” Keep basics in neutrals and put the color in accessories. “You get the most mileage out of basics in navy, black, white and khaki and then accessorizing with colors or metallics. You can also punch up your look with colors in your make-up or carry a clutch in a fun, funky color.” Hang it up! “If you’re boarding the plane with a skinny hanging garment bag, ask the flight attendant if you can hang it up. They have a secret compartment up front where they can stow if for a wrinkle-free arrival. If you ask nicely, they will often say yes.” Stay true to your style. “No matter where you go, you have to stick with what your style is,” said Jesse. “The bottom line is that whatever you put on has to make you feel cute. You have to feel comfortable in your own skin and ready to hit the red carpet of life!” Trends for Spring We’re still seeing a lot of navy blue for spring, which is an incredible alternative to black, according to Jesse. “In New York we see a lot of navy and black together. It takes a little getting used to, but it looks really good.” He says no to the navy shoes with a navy dress, however. “You’ll look like a flight attendant.” Khaki-colored trousers are a good basic and white is always fresh, but requires more maintenance. “Nothing is more beautiful than navy and white together,” said Jesse. “But white items do require more care.” As for shoes, the good news is that the trend of the ballerina flat is continuing. It’s the perfect travel shoe and you can find them in plenty of bright colors. “We’re getting a bit sick of black in the warmer months, so lighten up your outfit with a neutral flat,” Jesse advices. Heels and are also coming back. In the summer, you want to lose the pumps and make everything a lot lighter and pack the strappy sandals.” With swimwear, Jesse suggests keeping that basic as well. Stick to black, navy and chocolate and spice it up with a colorful pareo. “To add color to your spring and summer wardrobe, just go to J. Crew and buy a bunch of T-shirts and get it out of your system,” he said. “LaCoste polo shirts are ageless and a no-brainer. They always look fresh. I also suggest T-shirts from Ralph Lauren and Banana Republic.” The Perfect Travel Outfit for Spring and Summer Jesse shared his idea of the perfect travel outfit. You may already have these pieces at home. If not, here’s your permission to hit the shops! 1) A good pair of denim jeans or khaki trousers. The trend for jeans is the darker version, which can transition to night, with narrow legs. Make sure they are long enough to gather a little on the bottom. “Jeans that are a little crunchy at the bottom look more edgy and modern.” 2) A twin set in navy blue. It doesn’t have to match – you can pair a T-shirt and a cardigan. A longer cardigan, maybe with a matching skinny knit belt, can look really good over the skinny jeans. 3) Ballerina flats with neutral or black if you’re wearing denim. You can add metallic if you’re wearing khaki or white pants. 4) A trench coat. If you’ll need a coat where you’re flying from or too, layer on a trench coat.
“When I get on a plane and people are dressed in sweats and tennis shoes, it’s just depressing,” said Jesse. “Fashion is a form of self respect. Everything you put on should be an updated, refined version of yourself. And it’s not about being younger and older, it’s about exploring and arriving.” Sounds like words for a travelgirl to live by, in fashion and in life! Nothing to Wear? A 5-Step Cure For the Common Closet was released in paperback in February. Visit Jesse and Joe’s website at www.visual-therapy.com. To find out when Jesse and Joe are coming to a city near you, check our weekly column on our website, The Scoop, at www.travelgirlinc.com
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What’s your style, travelgirl? Jesse and Joe say we all have an identity and an image. “Our identity is who we are – our soul, our spirit, our personality. Our image is what we project – ourselves as others see us. To ensure great style, there has to be connection between the two.” The Five Styles are: 1) Classic: Timeless, ladylike, conservative. 2) Chic: Clean, sleek lines with a touch of the untraditional, fashionable with a subtle flair 3) Whimsical: Contemporary, playful, fun 4) Bohemian: Hip, modern, funky 5) Avant-garde: Ultramodern, dramatic, creative
We all have those items: the forest green suede blazer that was a steal but turns your face yellow when you wear it, the jeans that you know for sure make your butt look like a Volkswagen or that designer gold lace top that makes your breasts do a disappearing act. There they sit, year after year, taking up valuable closet space and inflicting guilt every time we pass over them. It’s time to get serious about cleaning out our closets, travelgirls! According to Jesse and Joe, there are three questions we need to ask ourselves when mulling over each item of clothing. 1. Do I love it? Trust your gut here – you do or you don’t. “Sort of” liking it isn’t enough. 2. Is it flattering? A second opinion can be useful. Ask your friend for an honest opinion. 3. Is this the image I want to project? You may look fabulous yet send the wrong signals – too seductive or remote, or not authoritative enough. If the answer is” no” to any of these, donate it, trash it or give it to a friend. “Tell yourself, ‘I’m sending it back into the universe. It’s not right for me, but it’s right for someone else,’” said Jesse. “It’s so liberating!” |