In the April edition of our fashion advice column “Ask Megan,” Style Coach Megan LaRussa Chenoweth of Megan LaRussa tackles readers’ questions about spring color trends, tips for smarter purchases and wardrobe must-haves. Read on for this month’s fashion scoop …
Style Coach Megan LaRussa Chenoweth of Megan LaRussa
When it comes to shopping, I tend to choose out of impulse. I love a sale! What advice can you give me to make smarter purchases?
You are not alone! I hear this often from my fabulous style-coaching clients. Great deals and sales, outfits on a mannequin and sales associates’ self-professed must-have items can get the best of us, causing us to buy items we often don’t need. There is nothing worse than getting home with a new item only to realize you don’t really like it or you have no idea what to pair it with based on what’s in your closet.
This is where purposeful shopping comes into play.
When working with a client, we always cleanse her closet before heading out to the stores. It’s important to create a game plan when shopping — even if just shopping around for fun. Based on your closet cleanse, create a list of items you need or want. These are the items to then look for whenever you hit the stores. Stick to this list to keep you within your budget and, ultimately, on track to a closet full of endless outfit options.
For the go-to questions I ask myself and my clients when in the fitting room, visit my short and sweet Instagram video here.
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I am working on curating my closet with foundational items. I love trendy items, but don’t have the basic pieces to go with the fun items. What are the best foundational items for spring and summer, so I can make more outfits?
This is a very practical and foundational question, so I appreciate you asking it! Often my clients who come to me with closets full of fun and trendy items have the hardest time getting dressed and making versatile outfits. Why? It all stems from a lack of basics. Without basics, you don’t have anything to pair the trendier, personality-packed items with, and thus the familiar style rut of “I have a closet full of clothes with nothing to wear” occurs.
Some of my favorite foundational items that allow for optimal mixing and matching are:
- Basic white v-neck tee
- Dark wash and white jeans
- Lightweight third pieces (blazer, cardigan, denim jacket in neutrals)
- Neutral silk blouse
- Metallic, neutral and black sandals
- Nude pumps or nude stacked heel sandal
- Stylish casual shoe (loafer, ballet flat, mule, espadrille, sneaker)
- Flattering go-to solid-color dress
- Classic hoop or stud earrings
- Neutral shorts or casual skirts
There are, of course, more items to add to this list, but this is a great start! I invite you to peruse your closet to make sure you have these items, and if not, add them to your shopping list.
And while you are curating your closet, it’s important to remove any dated items from your wardrobe to make room for these current basics.
Breezy blouses, comfy tees and a pair of white jeans are a wardrobe must for spring and summer! Image: Nordstrom
The ultimate layering tool: A white v-neck tee | Image: Nordstrom
A bright go-to dress is perfect for busy mornings and hot summer Saturdays. Image: Nordstrom
Megan recommends that every woman have a pair of earrings that can easily match any and every outfit. These pack just enough of a punch without being too loud. Image: Nordstrom
A neutral blouse goes easily from day to night, making it a closet must-have. Image: Nordstrom
Nude pumps easily elevate a daytime look or pair perfectly with a cocktail dress for any occasion! Image: Nordstrom
I really love all of the fun colors I’ve seen for spring and summer, but how do you pull off this vivid look without looking too bold?
Bold colors are definitely an important trend for Spring/Summer 2018. We are seeing every color of the rainbow, which is so much fun and also nice as you can pick your personal favorites!
I often see with my Style Coaching clients that they fall into one of two categories. One: They prefer more neutrals and rarely opt for color. Two: They enjoy a dash of color and aren’t afraid to rock their favorite hues.
If you fall into the first category and you are a neutral lover, then it’s best to incorporate this trend into your look through the use of colorful accessories. Perhaps that means trying out a stylish yellow sneaker or dusty blue mule with your neutral ensemble. Or you can even try a pop of red or pink in an everyday handbag to change things up and add some modernity to your look.
If you fall into the second category and you are a color aficionada, then try experimenting with color in new ways. Try out a unique color pairing using the color wheel as your guide. Complementary colors and tonal colorways are both fun options to change things up a bit. Pair these bold colors back with subtle neutral hues to ground your bold colors. And keep the accessories minimal so you never look overdone.
Have a colorful spring and summer!
For those daring color aficionados, try pairing two hues together for a fresh look. Image: Net-a-Porter
Colored denim is an easy — and comfortable — way to add a little brightness to your spring wardrobe! Image: Anthropologie
A simple stripe in a fun hue is an easy way to add a little color to your spring wardrobe. Image: Anthropologie
If you’re not ready to don a bright color in your clothing, try a pop of your favorite tone through an accessory like a handbag. Image: Net-a-Porter
I’m a woman in my 50s, and I am still trying to get my eyebrows to their natural state from years of over-plucking. I’ve watched many of your style videos and noticed how natural and thick yours are. What products do you recommend for filling them in and how can I get them to grow?
Oooh, I love this topic — thank you for asking about the all-important brows! It’s amazing how something as simple as eyebrows can make all the difference in the world. Brows frame your face and keep your eyes looking lifted. When they are full and defined, they actually can take years off as they create a youthful look.
When growing them in, it’s important to remember that brows are sisters, not twins. They are not meant to be identical, but they do need to both follow certain parameters, such as where they begin and end, as well as where the arch is located.
I personally have been working hard on my brows for years now, and recently I’ve discovered some tricks that have worked wonders on filling in the pesky holes that I had over-plucked. The most important thing to remember is to take a break from plucking or waxing for at least a month or two. This will allow the dormant hairs to start filling in and growing back. To aid in this process, try using a brow growth serum. As you are growing them out and securing a fabulous shape, utilize a brow pencil and brow gel to define them and keep them in place.
For my favorite brow products and for more of my top brow tips, visit my latest blog post here.
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Try Bobbi Brown’s Natural Brow Shaper and Hair Touch Up for naturally filled-in and shaped brows. Image: Bobbi Brown
The Diorshow Brow Styler is one of Megan’s favorites for its precision and natural results. Image: Sephora
“Remember that brows are sisters, not twins,” says Megan. Image: Laura Mercier
Have fashion questions? Ask Megan! Submit your own fashion-related questions for possible inclusion in this monthly column by emailing [email protected].
To learn more about Megan LaRussa, or to view style-coaching options, book an appointment or sign up for the Style Yourself Chic Society, visit meganlarussa.com.
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