Wear This Not That

Explore the often-overlooked fashion needs of mothers of the groom! Discover Holly's fabulous tips on selecting the perfect dress without outshining the bride. Delve into timing strategies for shopping to find something stylish before the big day. Learn essential guidelines about dress codes and being confident in your attire. This insightful conversation offers a refreshing take on a pivotal role in the wedding, ensuring moms look and feel amazing!

The 2023 Academy Awards just happened, so Holly is back this week to discuss Red Carpet fashions with “just a few comments and opinions,” because who would we be if your favorite personal stylist didn't give her opinion on Hollywood’s biggest night?     Duh, that is why we are here! #Helloooooo    In this episode, Holly takes us through her favorite hits and misses on the 2023 Red Carpet, helping you understand what the stars are wearing, so you can learn how this type of high fashion will translate and trickle down to regular everyday folks.     In general, the Oscars do not aim for the outrageous or wacky factor like we see for the Met Gala or the Grammys. This is the absolute highest honor in the film industry. Traditionally, the Academy Awards Red Carpet is where the world's most prestigious stars present themselves in the way they'll be remembered decades from now. And, at least this year, most people understood the assignment.     But hold on a minute! Did you know that in 2023, the “Red Carpet” is not actually red anymore?(We are still calling it the “Red Carpet” for this episode, however.)    So, fun fact:   The New York Times recently quoted a big-time celebrity event planner, Mandy Weiss, and she said the color of the red carpets has changed because of fashion. It must match the dresses, and the color red just really clashes. The carpet has been red since 1961, back when it was all about a star’s movie and what role they were nominated for.     Now it's all about what the stars are wearing and which designer they are wearing. The New York Times states that, in fact, event planners say trends and carpet colors now correlate with the trends on the runways. "It all goes back to fashion and style and trendsetting," says Mrs. Weiss. The carpet should reflect the fashion that's going to walk down the carpet and not fight with it.    So, this year it was called the Champagne Carpet. Alrighty then. We can roll with it.     HOLLY'S TOP PICKS:    Halle Berry   Halle wore a stunning angelic white haltered gown by Tamara Ralph with a thigh-high slit, a midsection cutout, and a flowing skirt. But the most notable aspect of the look was the shimmery pink rose appliqués placed delicately across the neck and at her hip.     Honey, that slit up the leg! We mean, we literally couldn't tell she if had underwear on. That's how high it was...and speaking of her legs, she sure does have the legs pull off this dress. She was absolute perfection.    Michelle Yeoh  Continuing with the white trend, Michelle Yeoh made history when she won the award for Best Actress at the Oscars, becoming the first Asian woman to take home the prize. It had already been a hugely successful award season for the actress, not just in terms of recognition, but also when it came to her red-carpet style.    But, when it came to deciding what to wear for the biggest night of them all, Yeoh turned to Dior and creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri, who created a beautiful feathered white gown especially for her.    This dress initially may look like just a lot of fabric, maybe even like a bridal gown. However, it was handmade by Dior Haute Couture atelier – featured waves of feathers in ivory silk organza. It had a sleeveless illusion top which made her dress look strapless from far away but wasn't. When you take a closer look, you can see the illusion part which is a netting. Added with diamond earrings, her hair style, and her diamond jewelry, she was next level! She is just stunningly, remarkably gorgeous at 60 years old. We had to look that up! She's completely fabulous.     Emily Blunt  Blunt matched a form-fitting, off-the-shoulder Valentino dress with a white clutch that was adorned with pearls and a silver appliqué to keep the outfit monochrome. She added hanging, embellished earrings to her stylish updo of backswept hair.    Blunt showed that an off-the-shoulder column dress, done right, can be perfection. The understated gown got a dollop of bling courtesy of Blunt's Judith Leiber envelope clutch and a double dose of pink perfection via a pair of Chopard chandelier earrings. DYING over the earrings.    When Holly says “off the shoulder,” it was boob level, low, low off-the-shoulder. But she is so beautiful. You can see how gorgeous her skin is. And those gorgeous earrings! She had very, very natural makeup. She was just glowing and effortlessly chic.    Mindy Kaling  One of Holly’s top looks of the night in custom Vera Wang was Mindy Kaling. She was someone who made Holly fall out of her chair! Never have we seen her look so beautiful and elegant. The custom Vera Wang white dress featured off-the-shoulder sleeves and a mesh Illusion with white boning bodice. So unexpected and fashion forward! Her hair was simply slicked back and effortless. She just looked stunning, stunning, stunning. #NEXTLEVEL   Eva Longoria  Wowza. Speaking of wowza, and we mean wowza! Eva Longoria in her Zuhair Murad couture beaded deep V-neck gown just brought a level of elegance that very, very few can achieve successfully pull off. This dress was made for her - even though this dress was a disco ball. (Those were her words, not ours.) But a chic disco ball.   But it didn't look like a disco ball, and it was not too much on her, even though she is a bit “vertically challenged.” She is not tall. She is a very petite and small person, but she just looked like a supermodel and this dress.     TREND ALERT:  Longoria’s dress was a very sexy dress and with the mirrors on it, which has been a trend that we’ve seen a for a few seasons now.  Normal people can add this trend in simple ways: on a sweater or jeans, a sweatshirt, or just on a handbag.     Instead of sequins, it's like wearing tiny, little mirrors. This look, in small doses, can easily trickle down for styles for us regular people.    Sofia Carson  Dressed in Giambattista Valli Haute Couture, what looks like a gown is actually a custom white draped silk-chiffon off-shoulder crop-top featuring a twisted cut-out bodice paired with an asymmetrical waist ball gown skirt.     Sofia styled her look with a Chopard necklace featuring seven octagonal shaped emeralds totaling 122.49-carats along with 92.57-carats of pear-shaped, marquise cut, baguette cut and round shaped diamonds set in Fairmined-certified white gold jewelry from the Haute Joaillerie Collection. www.chopard.com  O.M.G.   Everybody was talking about this necklace. It looked like something you see in a museum. This necklace...absolutely unreal! She must have had security guards around her by the 1000s. We mean, she probably couldn't pee that night by herself, right??      Tems  For the Oscars, Tems (the Grammy-winning Nigerian artist—born Temilade Openiyi— who is the first African woman to have five Billboard hits) selected a custom white sculptural gown from Ukrainian brand Lever Couture's AW22 Leleka Couture collection, a look that Tems described as "outside the box."     She wore the dreamy white gown with metallic silver eyeliner and cocoa-lined lips that complimented the overall futuristic tone of the outfit.    It had this big structure over her head that was on-theme and ahead of the fashion curve. So, it was not her fault that they sat her in the middle of a row, and no one could see around her. Fashion first, damn it! Move her to a better seat!    Michelle Williams  The actress, who was nominated in the Best Actress in a Leading Role category for her work in The Fabelmans, arrived at the 95th annual awards ceremony in an all-white Chanel couture look.     The dress was a little mature for her, and felt like somebody much, much older could have worn because it was strapless, with netting over the top of it  - like when you don’t want to show your arms or shoulders.     Holly was just a little surprised, because she could have gotten away with something much more avant-garde.     Ariana DeBose   She looked stunning, arriving at the 95th Academy Awards in a white Atelier Versace gown with all-over silver embellishments, featuring a sexy deep V at the front and a thigh-high slit leg. She paired the dazzling number with silver heeled sandals, and diamond jewels.    Zoe Salanda  For Zoe Saldana, the 2023 Oscars presented an opportunity to join the sustainability discussion and incorporate practices into her life — starting with the pinnacle red carpet.    As an ambassador for Suzy Amis Cameron’s RCGD Global, the Academy’s official sustainability partner, and an awards presenter, the Avatar: The Way of Water star accessorized a Fall 2022 Fendi Couture mesh and lace-paneled slip-gown with vintage Cartier jewels.    It was not over the top. It was very effortlessly chic and simple. This was the perfect way to represent the sustainability movement, standing up for the re-wear, reuse and recycle effort.      Monica Barbaro  Barbaro arrived wearing an elegant Elie Saab Haute Couture gown. The California native looked stunning in the dress that featured a plunging neckline and a deep purple front-tie skirt with a velvet bow in the front. Sexy yet so incredibly classy!    When she was being interviewed, she stated how incredibly grateful she was to Elie Saab and the showroom and the team to be given this dress, because even before she even made it in the movie industry, and nobody knew who she was, they were supporting her and loaning her dresses. So good for them! Good on Elie Saab for keeping the faith!     Florence Pugh   The Don't Worry Darling star arrived on the Oscars carpet wearing Valentino. Her jaw-dropping outfit featured a black minidress with pockets shrouded by a draping off-the-shoulder cape in a creamy grayish-beige hue.     A dramatic cape ebbed out from the pleated bodice into cloudlike poof sleeves and a long train. She finished the look with black platform heels, a structural abstract diamond necklace, sparkling pink drop earrings, and a black bow in her hair.    The whole thing opened at the bust, like an empire waist. You could see her legs and it flowed like a train behind her.     Holly was just aghast and has never seen anything so daring and unexpected! She tells us she was just dying over this look! Florence is very young. And she has a very edgy, punk vibe.  One of Holly's top, top picks of the night!!!     “And I just loved every single bit of it. I want this to trickle down. So, if I have to make this trickle down myself I do not care. God I love this. Did I say that already just saying I'm gonna put this picture under my pillow at night and I'm going to manifest this look for me.” – Holly Katz        HONORABLE MENTION    Winnie Harlow  Harlow arrived in a soft yellow archival 2005 Armani Privé couture column dress. Sustainable fashion has really made a statement on the Red.. or excuse us, Champagne Carpet this year as we are seeing celebrities wanting to showcase garments that have already made a statement instead of having a designer make something brand new for them.     She is completely gorgeous in her own right. And she pulled off this look flawlessly. She doesn't need a lot of extras. The very, very light yellow color of the gown looked beautiful with her skin tone.     Elizabeth Olsen  Elizabeth Olsen was a vision as she walked the red (champagne) carpet in a long, black, Givenchy halter gown with a slicked back bun and a red lip. Completely open in the back. Stunner.    Hong Chau  Chau, who is nominated for best supporting actress for her role in “The Whale,” walked the red (champagne) carpet at the biggest event of the year in a custom pink Prada gown that featured a nod to her Vietnamese heritage.    The collar of her dress, known in English as a Mandarin collar, is a short and stiff upright collar. It’s popular in both Chinese cheongsams (also known as qipao) and Vietnamese dresses known as ao dai. She added this design detail at the last minute.     Malala Yousafzai  The Pakistani female education activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate wore a silver sequined gown by Ralph Lauren with a hood, long sleeves, and a cinched detail on one side of the waist. She accessorized only with a large silver diamond ring and a gold ring with a large emerald from Santi Jewels, and wore minimal makeup, and added a pop of color with a bright red lip. HOLLY'S TOP LOOK OF THE NIGHT!      NO SNAPS    Ruth E. Carter  Carter, who in 2019 became the first Black person to win the Oscar for costume design for her work on Marvel’s “Black Panther,” was recognized for the film’s sequel, “Wakanda Forever.” She is a master at costume design, but she might have had a "Sound of Music" moment, as it looks like she was wearing the drapes.  #DAMN   The dress was just a lot, and really swallowed her. It was a bright yellow strapless gown, but you couldn't see her body shape. This was a no-no for Holly.    Jennifer Connelly  Connelly arrived in a black, off-the-shoulder Louis Vuitton column gown with a beaded triangle-shaped embroidery panel that came literally all the way up to her chin. To Holly, it looked like a spaceship. This dress was probably stunning in person, but, um, no girl! No snaps. Absolute the worst dressed.      That's all for now, folks! We could go on and on and on. Did we get it right? Did we get it wrong? We want to hear your comments! We hope you enjoyed this episode, and Holly will be dreaming and scheming about her top picks! 

Hiiiiiii fashion insider besties! 😍   Atlanta Designer Spotlight Alert! This week we have Yolanda White; founder of Dayo Women. Established in 2018, Dayo Women is the premier destination for stylish, modern women who want to find high-quality, elegant women’s loungewear. Join us this week to learn how this powerhouse executive went from the C-Suite to designing loungewear and the incredible results of her journey.    “It’s time to feel beautiful, powerful, and comfortable at home. No more t-shirts, constricting lace, boring pajamas, or hubby’s clothes… Dayo is for women!!”    With a team of outstanding women from around the world, Dayo was created to redefine loungewear with new silhouettes, fabrics, and construction to allow women to move with comfort, style, and versatility to fit any mood.  Being introduced to Yolanda, Holly wanted to know about this brand and how she could get in these hot pajamas as quickly as possible. The fabrics are soft as soft can be, tencel some mixed with lycel, all made in Italy.  And if that isn’t fabulous enough, Dayo's exquisite fabrics are durable and machine washable – using sustainable and natural fabrics – and you know those are Holly’s favorite words!  With exactly zero fashion design experience, Yolanda jumped on this idea as she needed functional, easy clothing to wear multiple ways both in and out of the house. She loves to celebrate women, their changing bodies and helping women understand that anyone can look and feel beautiful.    “One insight that really drove me is, as women, we show up beautifully put together for strangers. And when it's time for us to show up for ourselves, we don’t.”    Much of the research for her designs came from actually asking her girlfriends what they loved about their own bodies. What areas they were challenged by. Moms are at home; they are moving, cleaning, running errands and then back at home when someone may knock on the door, and they must open it up and face whomever is standing there. Even if it’s the Amazon delivery man, it can be all about comfort at home, but don’t give in to sloppy.   On her website you will find under the "Styling Room" styling tips with dozens of different ways to wear her elements versi scarf, her wrap top, the lounge bra band and so much more. You can count on Dayo Women to really understand what women need during their downtime to feel both comfortable and stylish.  In addition to her clothing line, she curates women’s discussion panels to present ideas about living with a limitless mindset, and pop-ups called “Self-Love Saturdays,” and many other unique events to celebrate Women’s History Month.  She is sharing the love, y’all – and we are here for it!  The Dayo Dresses can also be styled many ways and can give you the elegance of a dress  with the comfort of soft fabrics, adjustable sleeves, different ways to tie them and show off your favorite parts. Can we add one more piece of genius? POCKETS!! Pockets, people. Because women need a damn pocket. #FACTS On the video posted on the Fashion Crimes Podcast You Tube Channel, you will find the video of Holly modeling the the new endless cape and the ultimate lounge palazzo pants. The endless cape is everything a woman needs to cover up easily and be stylish. This design is soft and free-flowing and can be worn with an under-the-top, bra band, or alone. It has a reversible aspect that will allow you to style multiple ways, including off the shoulders, tied around the waist, or draped over a shirt or dress. Also, great for moms breastfeeding. This outfit is so incredibly comfortable and verstitale it can easily be worn for day or night. Styled with a sneaker or a heel, this is something that will never go out of style.  Make sure you follow dayowomen on instagram and be a part of this community lead by designer and founder, Yolanda White. Her and Holly have become fast besties, and now we are so proud to have her as a friend of the podcast!   Thanks for joining us again this week, don't know how your day can get any better. Please follow us, like us, love us and let us know how we can help solve your fashion and style issues!   FASHION CRIMES PODCAST  www.fashioncrimespodcast.com  Your favorite personal stylist and the only Holly you need to know,  Holly Katz  

Last week, your favorite personal stylist and our podcast hostess with the mostest, Holly Katz, shared EXCLUSIVE fashion news straight from New York Fashion Week 2023 in Episode 132. This week in Episode 133, she’s back with an in-depth discussion on the NEW TRENDS you will be seeing in stores and online soon, and how to incorporate them into your own wardrobe.  Note to some of us of a certain age, these “trends” may not necessarily be “new” to you:  Moto jackets Cargo pockets Leather pants, shirts, shorts, tops, dresses, and blazers Viva Magenta dressing – Pantone’s Color of the Year Tie Dye  Minimalist neutral  Deconstruction dressing Storybook dressing Pop Art on clothing MOTO JACKETS: If you have been a fan of the podcast, or a client of Holly’s, you will know that the classic Moto jacket is considered a staple for anyone looking to zhoosh up their style. Wear casual with jeans, dress one up with a maxi dress, or even wear it over your shoulders with a more formal dress. Loving this! These jackets come in a variety of colors and embellishments, and never really go out of style. A moto jacket (or motorcycle jacket) is the one with large lapels, zippers and hits shorter at the top of your waist. The moto jacket is evergreen. Other leathers like a bomber jacket or other styles of leathers aren't always in style, but the moto jacket is. You can wear it for any season, day or night. Try one in a fun color.  Brands to Shop:  Iro | www.iroparis.com All Saints | | www.allsaints.com Nour Hammour | www.nour-hammour.com CARGO POCKETS As much as it pains Holly to say it: cargo pockets are back. #NOTOKAY. She has never liked this trend. Ever, Never. Ever. However, anything high-end designer with a cargo pocket is obvi an exception to Holly's "DO NOT WEAR" rule. Keep in mind that it is still a Fashion Crime to wear cargo shorts, or ugly camo cargo pants. #GIRLNO Of Note: Cargo pants add volume to your thigh area, so be aware that this style is not for all body types! If you are ready to try this trend, dress it up. Get some designer slacks and pair them with a blazer.  Or maybe silk cargos or faux silk joggers and dress it up with a heel. An oversized jacket with cargo pockets is also a great way to try this trend. Brands to Shop:  Marc Jacobs | www.marcjacobs.com Proenza Schouler | www.proenzaschouler.com Rag and Bone | www.rag-bone.com Heron Preston | www.heronpreston.com   EVERYTHING LEATHER: Leather is not just for jackets anymore. Every designer at NYFW had some version of leather (or faux leather) in their shows. Holly saw everything from soft draping leather, to structured blazers and long, plain, A-line dresses. Look for leather pants, leather shirts and shorts, blazers, tops, dresses and skirts.    Brands to Shop: Proenza Schouler | www.proenzaschouler.com Bibhu Mohapatra | www.bibhu.com   VIVA MAGENTA – COLOR OF THE YEAR: If you missed our “Color of the Year” episode, please go back and listen to Episode 127 - Viva Magenta | Pantone’s Color of the Year. Literally, everything from the pink family was featured in all the shows that Holly attended. This pink trend, in various shades from the Color of the Year to bright neon, will be everywhere and isn't going away any time soon.   TYE-DYE: This is not your Grateful Dead T-shirt tie-die, people. The newer version is a lot more sophisticated. Designers at Zara and Proenza use ice dyeing on velvet maxi dresses and it. was. stunning. Ulla Johnson’s Serafina Gown is made from prismatic silk twill, with a lightweight purple fabrication printed with shibori motifs.  There's also botanical dyeing, which Holly has seen quite a bit of lately, using real flowers and plants to create designs on clothes. What she loves about dyeing is the originality of wearing something that's very unique and unlike anything else. It's really an art form. Look into the tie-dye trend and see if there's something that you would be interested in. We also have a FABULOUS episode dedicated to the art of tie-die, featuring our Bestie Lindsay of Made by Keeper. Listen to Episode 76 here.   Brands to Shop:  Zara | www.zara.com Proenza Schouler | www.proenzaschouler.com Ulla Johnson | www.ullajohnson.com   MINIMALIST NEUTRAL: This really goes back to monochromatic dressing but with simpler, easy silhouettes. Pair some easy slacks, like a wide-leg, high-waisted pant that's comfortable with a bandeau top and a long cotton trench. Think of it as a long matching set.  Designers were showing muted colors like grey, sea foam, ivory, and the beiges.  See Holly’s curated Pinterest board this week for images of this trend, and everything discussed today.  DECONSTRUCTION DRESSING: What is deconstruction dressing? It looks like one garment that was totally made up of pieces of other garments. Designer Thom Browne is well-known for this style, and many others have taken men’s dress skirts and blazers and cut them into new items while maintaining their original elements. It may not be a look for everyone, much but one that will always leave you as a conversation starter!   Brands to Shop: Thom Browne | www.thombrowne.com Monse | https://monse.com/   STORYBOOK DRESSING: Think of the Grimm’s Fairy Tales. In the old days, we called it Goth.  Holly saw it all: old-school 1990-2000s Gothic! Yes, you heard it right. It’s painful: Rave pants with chains, bonnets, dark makeup, Victorian-style boots, Peter Pan collars just like the Adams Family, petticoats, and layered dresses with really large collars. As she has said before: the 90s are back. Ugh!    Holly has already warned you that if you're seeing this trend for the 2nd time around, it's okay if you want to wear ONE element of a trend. Moderation, people!! For many of us though, this is a trend we are seeing this again and might bring back some not-so-great college outfit memories. Tread carefully!   POP ART CLOTHING: NYFW was full of models walking down the catwalks wearing art-inspired images on clothing. And just like art, style is subjective. This trend must make sense for you and your lifestyle.  It will be interesting to see what you like out of these trends - and how the stores will be interpreting the trickle-down effect to the middle-American customer. Let us know what you like and if you try one of these new trends! We’d love to hear from you! LOVE us, FOLLOW us, SHARE us, DM us! Join our posse of fashion besties by listing every Friday to the FASHION CRIMES PODCAST! FASHION CRIMES PODCAST  www.fashioncrimespodcast.com

Holly recently attended the 2023 February New York Fashion Week and is here to report that this was one for the record books! On this episode, she shares the highs – and the lows – of what is about to come your way in fashion and style. Traditionally, your favorite personal stylist, and podcast hostess with the mostest, attends about 13 to 15 shows during NYFW. But this year, Holly took the new approach of quality over quantity, and frankly, she is not sorry. Getting to enjoy the art of fashion, rather than running all through NY traffic and weather, really gave her a chance to study what the latest trends, designs, and fabrics designers are showing this year. The purpose of this episode is to encourage you to learn how to interpret these new fashion trends, and ultimately, incorporate them into your own wardrobe! Now would be a good time to remind you to head over to Holly’s Pinterest boards to see all the new fashions mentioned in this episode, as well as photos from the shows. Make sure there are no distractions for the next 30 minutes because let's be honest, this is the stuff we all need to know! PROENZA SCHOULER What Holly saw: Their clothes were on another level this year! They paired a fleece hoodie with a black A-line leather skirt. Holly loved the way they style their suiting, which has been around for several seasons now. They paired an oversized white jacket with like an asymmetrical midi straight skirt and slouchy white boots. There was a skinny contrasting black belt around the jacket. And there were several dresses that were long with “carwash” detailing. (If you don't know what carwash detailing is – think of when you go through a carwash and you go through the strips that are wavy like noodles. THAT is the detailing of some of the dresses at the show.} What Holly liked: #1 – This company has nice people who work there and appreciate their customers. #2 – They have a variety of price points, meaning their current line is expensive, but they carry another brand, which is a lesser price point called White Label with the same aesthetic as the full price line, just different fabrics that are a little bit more relatable to moderately priced consumers. #3- Lastly and most importantly, consistent sizing. Season in and season out, the Proenza sizing and fit are something you can rely on.   PATBO What Holly saw: PatBo is a very hip women's wear brand by Patricia Bonaldi. She is a Brazilian designer who has been sewing since she was a child and started making gowns for private clients in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The woman who wears this brand tends to skew a bit younger with styles that show a lot of skin and leg. Along with gorgeous gowns and two-piece sets that are full of embellishments, sequins, and beads for days. All beautifully made.   What Holly liked: Holly loves this designer’s playful and beautiful use of embroidery, fringe, beading, sequins, and adornments that are over-the-top and fabulous.   UMMM VERY IMPORTANT PSA: Just know that at this point in the episode, Holly shares that she met one of her Peloton idols: Ally Love. And if that wasn’t girl-crush enough, Ally had on the most spectacular PatBo two-piece ivory fringe and pearl embroidered mini skirt set ever seen. DYYYIIINNGG. We love her. The PatBo customer is definitely a party girl who loves to turn heads when she walks into a room. This is always a fabulous show and never disappoints. SERGIO HUDSON The Sergio Hudson collection is a ready-to-wear label crafted entirely in the USA, with meticulous attention to detail that is at the forefront of every single garment. He is known for dressing celebrities, such as Beyonce, Priyanka Chopra, Michelle Obama, Kamala Harris, and Jennifer Lopez. What Holly saw: Hudson’s show was a complete and total throwback to the early 90s. All the models channeled their inner “Fran Drescher,” with literally the same hairstyle, a suit with a short short (and we mean SHORT! Like no pants on short!) skirt, pumps, a suit jacket, and dark pantyhose. Every single model had their hair wavy and very long past their shoulders, with part of their hair up and part down like we used to wear in high school - complete with a scrunchie! What Holly liked: This show was really playful and played up the styles that are just for the show and some that will actually go into production. It was all about neon colors, and 90s hair and makeup. Flirty clothes with a twist on a business suit in a really fun way. There are so many things in his ready-to-wear collection that Holly would love for herself: Jackets with very strong shoulders, wide-leg pants, and the belts, the belts, the belts, they are really the most elegant way to top off one of his looks. Holly highly recommends you try a pair of pants just to see if you like the fit. CAROLINA HERRERA (omg) This was literally the opportunity of a lifetime for Holly. (She tells us how she ended up getting a seat at the very last minute because someone very special went above and beyond to get her a ticket.) The show was at the Plaza Hotel and if you've never been to the Plaza, do yourself a favor the next time you are in New York City and go there even if you go sit at the bar and have a Bougie overpriced drink! Anyway….. What Holly saw: Timeless, ageless, elegant style. Needless to say, when you go to a show like Carolina Herrera, you just cannot compare it to the other brands. Herrera makes gorgeous, showstopping, and timeless clothes that are an investment. When you purchase a dress from this designer, you wear it forever. It never goes out of style. This is true elegance. There is just no comparison to it. What Holly liked: Beaded, cropped pants and a matching jacket, a color-blocked sheath dress, a purple and green damask dress with a train, a black and white striped strapless dress with floral shoes, a floral gown with sheer sleeves, a yellow and white chevron dress with pants underneath, a red and pink striped dress, AND, a floral pantsuit. She loved it all. All of it. Every bit. She will get one of these dresses. Oh yes. Markarian NYC This designer has been sewing since she was a child with her grandmother. She started this line in 2017 and designs dresses, bridal wear, blouses, jackets, and everything in between. She can make anything custom – a customer can change the top of one dress or put them on the bottom of another, change the fabric, or use a different strap. You can choose from anything she has to create your own look. Everything is made locally in New York City.  She had a presentation, not a runway show, which means it was like a cocktail party where she shows her line in a more intimate setting. What Holly Saw: The venue was stunning with clothes in different rooms that were decorated with gorgeous dried flowers everywhere. There was a jazz band, and the whole aesthetic was very 1920s, and very, very, iconic New York. What Holly liked: Party dresses and sequined skirts–and especially a sequined fish-scale skirt that has Holly’s fingerprints all over it. Holly loves this brand because it is sophisticated, very achievable, and wearable for all. This designer is not out of reach, nor is a ridiculous price point. Please visit Markarian-nyc.com. They are a small company and you would be supporting a small women-owned brand that is fabulous! For more visuals and to really get a taste of Holly’s NYFW, check out her Pinterest board and follow her on Instagram!

Footwear designer Ashley Cole has had a passion for business and fashion from a very young age. After graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a Bachelors of Fashion Merchandising, she worked for Giorgio Armani, Diane von Furstenberg, and JetBlue Airways. Ashley comes from a very entrepreneurial family – her father, David Neeleman, is the founder of JetBlue Airways. Her first real job after college was working at JetBlue under Stan Herman, an American fashion designer who was President of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), until 2006 at which time Diane von Furstenberg took over the position. He is also known worldwide for his leading-edge corporate uniforms. Ashley tells us she feels very lucky to have worked with Herman, as he was hired to lead JetBlue toward being a fashion-forward airline.  And while that was an incredible experience to work with him, Ashley was ready to go off and do her own thing.  In 2015, Ashley created Cecelia New York, named after her first daughter. Her designs incorporate style and comfort with the highest quality of materials and craftsmanship, using Italian leathers with a range of authentic and luxurious materials.  The Cecelia New York shoe line is now carried at Nordstrom, Anthropologie, SAKS Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and specialty stores internationally. In this episode, Ashley tells us about life as a designer and business owner, while raising her 6 children in Holladay, UT, near Salt Lake City. You read that right. 6 KIDS. She continues the family tradition of raising entrepreneurs by involving her children along every step of the design, production and marketing processes and values their input!  Holly asks about Ashley’s design background and start in the fashion industry:   “In my life, I have to be really engaged. And I if I can hyper-focus on something, I feel like I can make anything happen. So, I wanted to find a place where I could do business and fashion because fashion is such a passion. But I knew I loved business, too. So, I did some electives in design, but it was not my major. My major was actually in business.” – Ashley Cole After hiring different designers to help start her business, she felt frustrated when no one was able to really get to what she had in her mind.  She found herself sketching out her own ideas. She wasn’t formally trained for that, but she feels her exposure while working with major designers and mentors gave her a real-time learning.  Who is the Cecelia New York Customer? Ashley tells us that her customer is a woman who doesn't mind getting noticed, and who likes a little something special, a little different. But it needs to be wearable. As a mom of six herself, she is always chasing kids. The Cecelia customer needs function, but also a little extra. The target age is mid 30’s and up to whoever wants a little more style in their life. #YESPLEASE What is the price point of your shoes? Ashley says she is sensitive to the expense of her shoes, but just cannot skimp on the craftsmanship of her shoes, or compromise on the quality of the materials she chooses.  “I wish I could help people understand what a quality shoe costs to produce. We use the best leathers, we bring them in from Italy. We really work on quality and comfort. And, try to give a price that is attainable. There is so much that goes into making a quality shoe.” – Ashley Cole Sustainability is also a factor.  Her team spends a lot of time in their factories in Italy. There are very strict tests that monitor the chemicals and processes they use.  They are working toward more sustainable designs because Ashley knows it is so important. People want durability, but not by hurting our earth, when wearing something beautiful.  Key to this area is taking care of the people who work in her factories. She says the workers are happy and love their jobs. She makes it a point to visit the factories and to care for the people who ultimately produce her designs The Cecelia Shoe Designs: From Ashley’s famous Hibiscus flower embellishment to high-style boots and functional, pretty flats, not only are her designs fun, flirty, pretty, and unique, but they are COMFORTABLE!  The HIBISCUS FLOWER Heel: A bold flower blooms at the ankle of an attention-grabbing, lace-up sandal lifted by an angled block heel. Comes in a rainbow of beautiful colors! Heel style:  block/chunky. Toe style:  open toe The LILA Flat: The LILA Flat is the perfect flower flat.  The leather upper and moldable flower add a chic touch to a comfortable flat - designed to wear comfortably all day. The BRACKET Boot: The BRACKETT ankle boots are ideal to wear from season to season with transitional ease. These bootie style leather uppers have leather fringe dripping off the top, a pointy toe and padded insole. YES!! THANK YOU FOR THE COMFORT!  The EMMIE Boot: A sheer mesh, suede synthetic, stretch boot with a clear 3-inch heel. Please run to Holly’s Pinterest board to see this fabulous style!  The WHINNEY Wedge: The Whinney is a standout wedge sure to turn heads, with an ankle strap, a 4-inch wedge heel, padded footbed, 2-inch platform, fabric bow detail, and double toe strap in bright color combos like blue and red, or multi-pinks.   The REGGIE Tweed Flat: Tweed fabric upper flat with large buckle detail and the soft sole is the perfect slip-on shoe for all your needs. There’s so much more to learn about this amazing designer!  We loved getting to know Ashley Cole and how she built her designer shoe brand. You too will love learning about her journey through the fashion industry, the importance of her family in her business model, and her passion for beautiful and highly-crafted footwear designs – that are as comfortable as they are stylish. To learn more about Cecelia New York, visit their website at www.cecelianewyork.com. You can also follow them on Instagram @cecelianewyork.  Please LIKE, LOVE, SHARE, DOWNLOAD and SUBSCRIBE to our podcast wherever you listen! FASHION CRIMES PODCAST “The best fashion friend you never knew you needed!” www.fashioncrimespodcast.com Hosted by your favorite personal stylist, Holly Katz.

Sheeeee’s baaackkk!  Our favorite celebrity stylist, fashion partner in crime and lady about town, Nolan Meader, joins Holly this week for their annual Grammy Red Carpet Fashion Review! Find out their picks for best dressed, who committed fashion crimes – and a ton of commentary in-between.     Buckle Up, babes.. 'cause they’ve got a lot to say.  Mkaay. Let's hit it.   (Before we get started, did you see Holly’s Grammy fashion insights from  AP News on Sunday night? Read the article here: https://apnews.com/article/2023-grammys-fashion-photos-71628ee2a73e43a445d921c0ebfb2fb5)  YYYYYYAAAAAAASSSS   Also, to help follow along with the conversation, please refer to all the fashions listed below on Holly’s Pinterest Board here.    Holly and Nolan’s lists:     MEGA Hits:    ADELE, wearing a velvet custom oxblood Louis Vuitton gown and Tiffany jewelry   Giving. Us. Life.   Rapper DOJA CAT went the vampy route in a black, one-shouldered latex gown by Versace—complete with the matching opera gloves.  All. Day. Long.   ANITTA, the Brazilian singer, opted for a vintage Versace gown from 2003. Don't know who she is, but BIG FAN.    CARDI B in Gaurav Gupta  WOULD DIE FOR THIS DRESS.   FRAN DRESCHER  Are you serious right now? She looks amazeballs.   MARY J. BLIGE in The Blonds  ALWAYS A QUUEEEN.    HEIDI KLUM in The Blonds  BEYOND. I CAN'T.   KELSEA BALLERINI in Prabal Gurung with Brilliant Earth jewelry  HOLLY WOULD LOOK FABULOUS IN THIS. #justsaying    BONNIE RAITT  Queen of Country-Always true to herself.   SHERYL CROW in Alexander McQueen  LOVING THIS JOURNEY FOR HER   LAVERNE COX in Kim Kassas with Commando leggings  SLLLAAAYYYY   BEYONCE in a sleek black Schiaparelli Haute Couture corset-and-skirt combo, one of three Grammy outfits.   JUST. STOP. IT.      Holly and Nolan Can’t Agree/Meh:    JENNIFER LOPEZ in Gucci with J Lo Jennifer Lopez shoes  YES. YES. YES. Nolan says no. This might cause us to break up.   MACHINE GUN KELLY in Dolce & Gabbana  Looked like tinfoil but he rocked it.   PARIS HILTON in Celine  Come on. Not your best.   TAYLOR SWIFT in Roberto Cavalli  Loved this, but we wanted more.    SHANIA TWAIN in Harris Reed (should be a “Miss” but her heart was in the right place)   Alrighty then. Fun but giving us Alice in Wonderland Vibes.   BRANDI CARLILE in Versace  Please explain this to me.     Misses:    LIZZO in Dolce & Gabbana   Whhhyyyyyy.   HARRY STYLES in Egonlab  He can never look bad but I can't with this.   MEGAN FOX in Zuhair Murad  Total Meh.   OLIVIA RODRIGO in Miu Miu with Tiffany & Co. jewelry   That's it? I mean...so underwhelming.   CAMILA CABELLO in PatBo  Meh. But I'm sure better in person.   KACEY MUSGRAVES in Valentino  wwwaahhhhhhh (me crying.)   JACK HARLOW in Ernest W. Baker  Whatever, dude.   DJ SPINDERELLA (no t-shirts at the Grammys)  SHE CAN DO NO WRONG.   MAREN MORRIS in Off-White with Commando briefs  GORGEOUS. But totally see through.   DARYL HANNAH What in the literal hell.   Best Dressed:    Holly’s favorite was Prabal Gurung’s Goddess Gown created for Kelsea Ballerini.    Nolan chose Adele and Beyonce    Reminder to check out Holly’s Pinterest and our Instagram to see images of all designs mentioned!    Enjoy this episode wherever you get your podcasts or at https://apple.co/2XXKHfC.    FASHION CRIMES PODCAST  “The Best Fashion Friend You Never Knew You Needed”  www.fashioncrimespodcast.com   

Take Note: “Work from Home” attire no longer means pajama pants. Most of us have had to migrate back to the real world at some level – whether it be hybrid, full-time or even still remote.    It doesn’t really matter – you need to know what is acceptable to wear to work now – because while people are still dressing comfortably, there IS a dress code to follow.    PANTS: Let's talk about the difference between pants and jeans. Some like to call them slacks. Some people call them trousers. The truth of the matter is, y'all have no excuse not to have a good-fitting and comfortable pair of slacks. #TRUTH   With the advancement of fabric technology, this is what people are really demanding: wrinkle free, easy to care for, easy to travel in, comfortable pants. By the way? This means you.   These are not sweatpants, or joggers, or pajama pants. They are pants made with quality fabrics and with quality seams and finishes.    Shopping tip: Look for fabrics that give you a bit of stretch in the material, and importantly, a little support in the stomach and/or the butt.  Finely made slacks will hold you up and hold you in - and will take you through an active day without wrinkles. Loving this journey for you!   Slacks are real pants that can be seen in the real world. Just in case you forgot? I know I did for a hot minute.    Choose a dark color to start the foundation of your outfit, like a navy, black, smokey grey or even burgundy.  Any of these colors will create a great foundation for work outfits.   BECAUSE YOU'RE MY FAVE PERSON:  All of these styles are on Holly’s Pinterest board – if you are ready to research and purchase. You can doooo it!   She has done all the work for you. You will find some moderately-priced, and some high-priced options, but for a quality pair of pants for work, you should be spending at least $150 or more for things that will incorporate into well-constructed outfit.    Holly’ Picks for Pants:   High Rise Flair by Spanx The Atala Pant by Veronica Beard Maeve Avery High Rise Pleated Wide Leg Trouser at Anthropologie Kick Cotton-Blend Cropped Pants from High Sport   DRESSES: If you want to really be comfortable – and be dressed nicely at the same time – the answer is always a dress or skirt.  You can move around, sit, look presentable in and out of the office, and be active. We are not talking fancy or dressy, but pretty and presentable dresses!   Wearing dresses and skirts are a favorite of Holly’s when working with her clients. Dresses are easier to wear more than anything else. It is the epitome of comfort when having to be on your feet all day, or moving around a lot, or talking to people all day.    A dress is the no-brainer for a what to wear to work solution.  Just make sure you choose quality fabrics that you cannot see through (a lined dress is best), and that you conduct the Holly Sit-Down Test:  Your dress is too short if you sit down and you can see parts that shouldn’t been seen. Choose a knee-length dress for work; just make sure it's not ass-tastic when you sit.   Also, these are not special occasion dresses. If you need shapewear to wear a certain dress, it’s not a work dress. You don’t need that kind of body-conscious stress in your life all day at work! #PREACH   Holly’s Picks for Dresses:   Petite Lena Dress by Hobbs London Valentine Dress by Ramy Brook  Averiee Draped Neck Midi Dress by Ted Baker Kamala Dress by Trina Turk   BLOUSES: Sleeve length is critical here. Some like to show their arms, some do not. It doesn’t really matter as a beautiful blouse on top of your solid foundational slack is the work outfit uniform you need. But, you should really have a mix of both, and not to wear the same thing all the time.   Holly’s Picks for Blouses:   Frankie Henley in Noir by Frame. Nemona top by ba&sh Calli Tuxedo Blouse by Reiss Kallie Bodysuit by L’Agence So, to recap: You wear pants with a top, or a comfortable dress, or a skirt with a top to work now. 2023. No pajama pants on the bottom for zoom. I will find you.   But that is not the end of it. There is much more we could discuss – like jackets, accessories and shoes. But we are taking baby steps back into the world.    So, let's start with pants. Be the best dressed in your office. They should pay you for being so hot. xoxoxo Holly Katz  "The best friend you never knew you needed in fashion." The ONLY Holly you need to know-live it, learn it, love it.  

This week we are talking about “How to Style Sneakers.” So, pay attention, women over 40! And we mean, waaaay over 40!  One of the most common questions your favorite personal stylist Holly Katz gets is, “Am I trying to look too young by wearing sneakers?   And the answer is a resounding, NO. There is actually a perfect way for you to look younger by wearing a hip pair of sneakers!  (For those of you in the back of the room: Fashion sneakers are more popular than ever right now.)   Not only are sneakers a multibillion-dollar industry, but they have also created a global movement of collectors and fans around the world that buy, sell, and trade for a living. There are so many different types of brands and styles of sneakers, it’s confusing. You are probably very unsure about how to navigate through the zillions of choices when trying to purchase a pair.   So just know this:  a good pair of sneakers is something that should always be a wardrobe staple for you. You only need to continually update the styles.   NOTE:  As always, for the best podcast experience, please follow along on Holly’s curated Pinterest board just for you to see all the outfits and styles she will be discussing this week.  A good pair of sneakers can last several years if you take care of them and keep them looking new. Just like polishing your leather shoes, you can't let your sneakers get beat up or worn down. That is NOT a good look (even though the Golden Goose brand may try to say otherwise.)     “Don't look like you're trying too hard. Sneakers go with most clothing items,  but it's important that you plan a cohesive outfit – and not wear basketball sneakers with a fucking dress.”   #duh – Holly Katz    There are many different categories of sneakers, but you only need to worry about 2. So, let's break it down.   The Recreation Sneaker            a. Rec Sneaker usually means this is just a shoe for looks, not for function, also called a                fashion sneaker.       2. The Work-Out Sneaker             b. Anything that you would go running in, or to the gym. PERIOD.    FASHION CRIME ALERT:  Your sneakers have a purpose: Either they are for working out, or they are for fashion. They don't do both.   Do not let Holly catch you in your On Running cloud workout shoes with a dress.   DON’T DO IT! She will hunt you down and find you.    Holly’s favorite way to style sneakers? With leather or faux leather leggings and an oversized chunky knit sweater.   There are so many ways to wear them! Try them with dresses, skirts (like a maxi skirt) suiting, and, definitely, with a mini skirt in the summer (instead of shorts). JEANS:  Obviously, this is the most common item to wear them with. But not with your Mom jeans and a sloppy sweatshirt. You need to ELEVATE YOUR LOOK if you are going to wear sneakers with jeans.   Want a big fashion cheat? Wear a nice blazer over your jeans! You can even wear just a T-shirt and then add your sneakers. But do not wear your workout sneaks. #nomaam Otherwise, it will be a miss. Not a hit.  Add lots of jewelry and a really nice handbag, and you are DRESSED UP! It’s magic.  ATHLEISURE:  You can go for leggings or track pants (which are really on-trend) if you want to be more on the comfortable side.   A rec sneaker, with large statement earrings and a trench coat, is a super no-brainer when heading to the airport for a long flight. Holly loves that look. You look dressed up, and put together, but not like you just rolled out of bed.   It looks intentional, which is what we're going for.    HOT STYLES, AGAIN:  Just so you know, Holly is 49 years young. Don't get mad at us, but all the shit from high school is back.  And we mean: Air Force Ones, Tiger, Fila and K Swiss (which Holly wore every day of her senior year of high school.)  It's all back. Every bit of it. So, if you're trying to get a sneaker that you already know you're going to love, go for one of those!    IMPORTANT NOTE:  One last thing that we want to mention is the correct socks.   If you are wearing a low-cut sneaker, that means it goes below your ankle bone. You don’t want to wear a full sock, so you need a no-show sock.  Do Not Wear Sneakers Without Socks. Ew. The best socks come just to the top of the back of the heel, and then they cover the entire top of your foot. Cover your foot, not your ankles. Or your calves all the way to your knee. No knee socks. Duh. We can’t believe we need to say this, but we do.   That’s a wrap for now. There are a zillion more tips and ideas in this episode, so please DOWNLOAD, SUBSCRIBE, LIKE and SHARE!  In the meantime, Holly has a ton of great style and new wardrobe information she is working on for you: Trend information and new designers that are up and coming, as well as amazing new fashion inspo, just for you.    Be sure to set a reminder on your phone to take 30 minutes a week for yourself and make time to listen to this podcast. New episodes drop every Friday wherever you get your podcasts.  It’s a kind of meditation of sorts! You don't have to think, you don't have to take notes. Holly has done it all for you.    Fashion Crimes Podcast  www.fashioncrimespodcast.com   #fashion #sneakers #podcast 

What the in the world does Viva Magenta mean? Who and what is Pantone? Why am I being told I need to know about the color of the year?     This is actually a very exciting subject for our podcast! There is nothing more fun than a new trend, a new color, or a new style to spice up your life – just as long as you have your favorite personal stylist (Holly Katz) here to guide you in how to make it work for you and your wardrobe. First off, what color is it? Is it red? Is it pink? Does it have purple in it? Or maybe blue? And what does Viva Las Vegas have to do with it?  Ha!  Let's figure this out.   First of all, if you've never heard of Pantone, this is the company that provides everything that has anything to do with color, color placement, and product design for almost every industry. Pantone literally covers all things color....paint swatches, art and design trends, global color trend forecasting, as well as products and consulting services for anyone in the fashion design, textile, interior and manufacturing businesses.  This is where color is born.   They are the ones who determine what colors will be popular. And of course, the world just follows suit for everything from clothing to furniture to carpet to cars.    Pantone sets the stage for what consumers will be looking for, and more importantly, incorporate color psychology and emotion of a company's design strategy.     If you go to their website at www.pantone.com, you will be amazed at how detailed the business of color can be. It goes way beyond paint stores and samples. When fashion companies pick colors for the season, they go through a very extensive process of color labs, color dipping and dyeing to get the shades of fabrics exactly correct.    Next, what color is Viva Magenta?    In their own words, “Pantone’s Color of the Year, Viva Magenta 18-1750, vibrates with vim and vigor. It is a shade rooted in nature descending from the red family and expressive of a new signal of strength. Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, and a pulsating color whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative.”    Mmmmmkay. So, what is it, really?     It’s basically pink. But a strong pink, with red in it. And, blue. And somehow, some earth tones, too. This is not your Barbie’s bubble-gum pink, people.     If you really want to visualize it, please jump over to Holly’s Pinterest for her newest board with the Color of the Year trends and more style ideas.     How to Wear a New Color Trend:    If you have been a listener of the podcast before, you know exactly what Holly is going to say:   Shop for Fit First.   Shop for Your Body Type.  Do Not Shop for a Color or a Trend.     How many episodes to we need to record before you learn this??    The best place to start is with my Wardrobe Checklist (Episode 118), which is THE ONLY wardrobe checklist you will ever need! By starting here, we can start with the basics, which is a blank canvas like a top or pants.     How to add Viva Magenta to your wardrobe.    First, pick your blank canvas: jeans or pants.    Next add a top: a T-shirt, jacket, shirt, blouse, or blazer. This is where you can add your new pop of the Viva Magenta color!     You do not need to invest in a brand-new wardrobe. Start with one statement piece and build your confidence from there.     Once you have graduated past one item, next you can try monochromatic dressing – like a pant suit. If that is too much of a commitment, then try the monochrmatic color in some pants and a sweater. That way you can break them up if it is too much for you.     Another simple idea is to wear two colors from the same color family, like a light pink with viva magenta-esque pants.     FASHION CRIME ALERT: Do not chicken out and wear just an accessory or a scarf. That is not ‘wearing' the color of the year. You need to jump in a little deeper to really claim that you are trying the color of the year.   It's just a color. It's not scary. Getting into fashion and elevating your style means taking risks. Small risks. Subtle changes.  Not crazy, outlandish costume looking clothing or anything like that.     Just try one thing that's out of your comfort zone. Fake it ‘til you make it, and you will start to get more creative and courageous with your style choices. YOU CAN DO THIS!    Speaking of which, did you know color is proven to affect your mood? The colors that you wear can make a difference in how you feel according to psychologists.    Warm colors like brown, orange and read are known to help you feel energetic. Cool colors like blues, greens and soft tones can calm you down.     With that being said, when you wear black and gray all the time, what is that saying about your mood? When you wear color, it's just human nature for people to take notice and comment. Happiness occurs because the chemicals in your brain are being activated. Color makes people happy. Just an observation for you to be aware of next time you're choosing your clothes.    Want more good news? Holly discusses even more color trends for this year, the power and fun of color in fashion and what to expect in the upcoming fashion seasons – and HOW TO WEAR THEM.    We are all about fashion over 40, and we mean, wayyyyy over 40. So do not be afraid to try some of these ideas out. You cannot go wrong with Holly’s personal styling tips and tricks, and in fact, she can prevent fashion crimes before they happen.    Just by listening! As Holly would say, “You’re Welcome!”    Enjoy the show! Please share, like, repost, and rate our podcast. And as always, thank you for being our fashion besties!!    FASHION CRIMES PODCAST  www.fashioncrimespodcast.com