What Your Mother Never Told You About Fashion

by Claudine

After spending a morning with DC Metro Stylist Joyce Neave, I walked away with a new found appreciation for her profession.  As I shadowed Joyce during a session, I took meticulous notes as I wanted to report back to readers on every tidbit and tip that she shared.   As we dove into a morning of styling Joyce immediately starting offering advice on everything from bras to boots.  She joked that this is the type of conversation mothers use to have with their daughters.  As I thought back to my sweet Southern grandmother from Knoxville, TN I had to concur. While my grandmother passed away when I was young, my older sisters have regaled me with tales of Granny's wonderful cooking, her Southern potions for whatever ailed you and her tiny, but fabulous, boutique shop that she ran after raising my Father and Uncle Carter.  Many of her talents were surely the result of advice that her own mother handed down to her.  Alas, I was the product of a divorced single mother who worked endless hours as a nurse.  She also decided to become a vegetarian when I was about six.  Between the hospital uniform and the tofu du jour, I didn't exactly get surrounded with fashion or the perfect recipe for Steak Oscar. C'est la vie.

Maybe that is why we have stylists, cleaning ladies, dog walkers, nannies and lots of take-out.  Maybe busy lifestyle, dual income families and a lack of mentors have profoundly impacted the little things.   I think having it all is still a bit out of reach for most people.  Well...there is a pill for that or, in this case, a stylist.

After spending the morning with Joyce Neave, http://www.bethatmom.com/, I walked away with an endless list of do's and don'ts that I couldn't fit into the main article, For the Cost of One Bad Sweater.  So here is the rest of the list in no particular order:

1. Recommendations for shopping: Loehmann's, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Saks 5th Avenue and Anthropologie.  Bargain hunters take note, Joyce also shops Nordstrom Rack, Zara, Target, Marshalls and H&M.

2. Joyce's consignment shops favorites include: Secondi in Washington DC, Inga's Once is Not Enough in Washington DC and Chic to Chic in Gaithersburg, MD.

3. Some favorites for jewelry include Nordstrom and Banana Republic.

4. From the "Don't" file, just because something is in style doesn't mean you should wear it.  Shredded jeans may be all the range, but evaluate if that is a good look for someone over 30 or if it is appropriate for the playground.

5. Joyce doesn't have a FAVORITE jean.  She focuses on the client's figure, height, etc. when selecting the appropriate jean.  FYI, jeans should be washed inside out and should only be thrown in the dryer every 3rd wash.

6. If pants look big or fat on the hanger they will look big on you!

7. A BIG ONE - Don't be afraid to ask sales associates for help.

8. Makeup - Joyce loves Bobby Brown Cosmetics.

9. Strive for versatility in your wardrobe choices.  Eight items can make 21 outfits.  The key is mixing and matching.

10. Don't be afraid to mix and match brown.  A chocolate sweater can be worn with black shoes.

11.  If you have a larger chest, opt for v-neck or scoop neck blouses and sweaters.  If you are a C cup or bigger AVOID crewnecks!

12. Sequins are in for Fall 09.

13. Always invest in the following: shoes, jeans, hair, sweaters and shells.

14. Maternity favorites:  Gap and Daisy Too on Saint Elmo Avenue, Bethesda, MD.

15. Joyce has learned from her clients that working with a stylist can build confidence.  Her clients develop their own wings to fly.  You can often learn the ropes and become your own stylist.  Consider it a Masters level course in Fashion.

To learn more about Joyce or to contact her, click here.