Wear This Not That

We are so excited to welcome a new guest to our Designer Spotlight Series: Gretchen Maull of GG Maull designer handbags. This is NOT your average designer, nor just another handbag.    Gretchen is an artist and a visionary, and we love having her on our podcast because she has built her business around empowering women and giving joy.   And #sorrynotsorry, but what else is there?   Designed in NY, and carefully handcrafted in Italy by cherished artisans — GG Maull is a handbag brand motivated by spreading JOY, building CONFIDENCE, and inspiring WOMEN.   But how Gretchen started her own handbag design company – and more importantly – why, is the real story.    Get the full episode here!    PRO TIP: This episode requires some visual assistance, so we recommend watching it on YouTube or visiting Holly’s Pinterest.    How it started:   Gretchen believes in only having things in her life that "spark joy." She nearly lost her sister to a horrific car accident and came face to face with life's fragility.    She had been in a hospital waiting room for hours anxious and desperate to hear whether her sister would survive, when the doctor finally announced that she would make it through the night.    Her now-husband gifted her with a beautiful pair of black and emerald earrings. At the moment, in the ICU waiting area, it was not something she was expecting, nor felt she could be present for.    But he insisted, "If these bring you joy for two minutes, that's two minutes of joy you need right now."  (Host note to ladies: Marry THAT man!)   Why GG Maull was started:   Joy in the face of incredible adversity. That moment laid the groundwork for Gretchen’s drive to empower women and equip them to live their lives to the fullest.    She looked around and saw many women in New York struggling to perform multiple roles and responsibilities: building a career, being a sensitive friend, achieving their health and fitness goals, dating eligible partners, having a rich social life, becoming an adult, leading a community, caring for others around them, becoming a solid partner, managing a household, raising a family, taking conscious care of themselves, and being socially responsible citizens.   ARE YOU EXHAUSTED YET???    In these pursuits, Gretchen found the women she came across being weighed down physically and emotionally.    So, she was inspired to take her 10-year experience in handbag design under prestigious fashion labels to create her own brand characterized by functionality, aesthetics, and purpose.   How it’s going:   Fast forward five years, and GG Maull now delivers functionality through handbags that can be worn multiple ways, including hands-free, with removable pouches that make it easy to change between handbags, and with even weight distribution.   Gretchen’s objective in delivering these unique functionality features is to provide customers the feelings of lightness, freedom, strength and security.    “She observed her husband “preparing” to leave the house with astonishment that all he needs to do is grab his cell phone and wallet.”     In contrast, she felt compelled to have a bag that gave women the ability to contend with expectations for the day ahead.    Women fill multiple roles during the day, from perhaps mother in the morning to executive by day to sexy dinner companion or concert-goer at night.    And while these roles certainly bear their respective shares of responsibilities, women don’t have to feel anchored down anymore.  With Gretchen’s “multi-wear” approach, every woman can feel that as her role transitions, so can her handbag. Loving this journey for us!   Gretchen’s designs are different because they are versatile. But they also look different because of her passion for the types of leather she sources and her love for all aspects of design: color, texture, uniqueness.   If you wear Gretchen’s bags, you are considered one of her “Rebels,” because her customer does not live, breathe or dress like everyone else.    A few of Holly’s favorite styles:   Power Belt Bag Don’t call this a fanny pack, but it’s a fanny pack. In the most glorious way!  The Power Belt Bag can transition from a hands-free belt bag to fashionable tight cross-body to an evening clutch. #totallygettingthisone   Rebel Holster Imagine the wild west of motherhood, when your hands are full, but you need your stuff handy at your side – well this ‘holster’ slips over your back and rests two small handbags at waist-level on your sides. You have to see it to believe it! (Hint, go to Holly’s Pinterest board!)   Power Tote: To address the age-old challenge of switching between bags, the Power Tote was designed with a removable insertable pouch with magnetic snaps large enough to fit a laptop. It also has an outside cellphone pocket, so you don’t spend 20 minutes searching for it in the bottom of a deep bag. (PS, it’s also a killer diaper bag). #Finally #ThanksGretchen   Cocktail Clutch: The Cocktail Clutch was designed with unique beaded fringe and Italian snake leather and was inspired by vintage cosmetic cases. It has a silver-plated ADJUSTABLE brass wristlet chain, so your hands are free for cocktails and crudité!   There are just too styles many to love!! As always, Holly has hand-picked her favorites and created an episode board on Pinterest!   Holly and Gretchen talk about so much more than just handbag love. This is truly an in-depth conversation about purpose, women supporting women, being a female entrepreneur - and the powerful impact of choosing to live life with joy as an end goal.     We hope you will listen and come to love and appreciate Gretchen as much as we do! Follow her, support her, become a GG Maull Rebel!   Thank you for joining us again this week. FASHION CRIMES PODCAST ‘The Best Fashion Friend You Never Knew You Needed!”   Hosted by your favorite personal stylist, Holly Katz!   www.fashioncrimespodcast.com

If you’ve been following this podcast at all, you will know by now that Holly loves to talk about boots. All sorts of boots – all styles, all heel heights, all brands.  Holly Loves Boots...and you should too. She has reported seeing them everywhere at NY Fashion Week in the Fall of 2022, she owns a bunch herself and she almost never gets through a styling conversation without mentioning them at least 10 times. HOW. EV. ER. What we have not yet discussed is “How to Style Boots,” which is different from “designers are showing boots right now,” and “everyone is wearing boots this season.” #FACTS   Example:  If you are a woman of a certain age, and you think you want to wear boots that go up to the top of your knees or even to the middle of your thighs, you need to try them on first.    If you have crepey skin that falls over your boot tops, these are not the boots for you.  (You know what we are talking about, don’t act like you don’t!) Get EPISODE 115 here! There is absolutely no reason you cannot wear any style of boot you love. Cowboy boots, vintage boots, the new lug-sole boot. Boots are timeless (if not practical and just fab). What matters is HOW you wear them. (Pro Tip: As always, Holly has curated an episode-specific Pinterest board with all the style suggestions mentioned in this episode. It is always fun to follow along while you listen!) So, let’s start with the differences. Boots are usually determined by the height of the shaft, or the amount of leather or material that covers the lower part of your leg.   Booties:  The shortest shaft, stops at your ankle. Make sure the ankle opening is comfortable, and not rubbing your tender ankle bone skin off. Booties are a great way to get a boot look under jeans without a large shaft that's going to look bulky. Booties are dressy if they have a high or stiletto heel, and can be sexy.   Mid-Height: The shaft stops in the middle or top of your calf.  This is typically a cowboy boot and is a style that will never die. Wear them with shorts, pants, skirts, maxi dresses, or jeans. They are not, however, considered dressy. This is a great way to bring something dressy down a notch to make it more casual. This is a very important fashion fact. #takenotes   Below the Knee:  This is the most common, comfortable, and popular style of boot. They look great on people of any height, and can be worn with dresses, skirts, slacks, jeans, and even shorts and tights in the winter! You can wear them season after season. They might go in and out depending on a hot trend, but they really don't go out of style. These are keepers.   Thigh-High: These go over the knee or up onto your thigh. These have the highest shaft. If you are 7 feet tall, you will love these boots and can wear them with short skirts, short shorts or over jeans – anything to show off your 6-foot legs!! If you are not 7 feet tall, well then, wear them under a dress that hits you at the knee to show a little boot when you sit. This is an excellent idea.   From there, you will find any heel height in combination with any shaft height. And, as with all shoes, a higher-heeled boot tends to be dressier, with mid-to-low heels being more versatile.    So how do you choose? Well, with some major caveats.   In the exact words of Holly, if you are going to wear a tall boot, especially ones up to your thighs, make sure it is super cold outside. If you're a hot natured person who is schvitzing all the time, an over-the-knee boot is not a good idea for you.   Another thing to think about if you are purchasing a new boot style is: Do you have the personal style to support this? If you are super conservative, or if this is a risky purchase for you, make sure you have something that you can actually wear with them - instead of just blindly purchasing something.    This is called a style plan, people. If you want an over-the-knee boot, you need to have the outfit to support this.    Cowboy boots: If you want a cowboy-style boot that's not real cowboy boot, but has the look of a cowboy boot, there are millions of good options. You can shop on Freebird to see different price points and quality, or you can go with a more authentic company like Luchesse,  Tecovas, Ariat or Dingo to get the real deal.  Fashion Facts: If you buy cowboy boots, you might want to go up a half- or full size because you're probably going to need a thicker sock. Also, if you're going to buy new boots, try to find a store to try them on first. You must see what the most comfortable and wearable fit is for you.  Ankle Boots/Booties: These are not necessarily a cowboy style. They can be plain or fancy, and are definitely worn for fashion. Fashion Fact: Low boots that are made for snow or rain are not booties, and you only wear them for inclement weather. Holly is watching. Don’t do it.  Fashion Crime Alert! Do not wear Hunter rubber boots up to your knees if it is not pouring rain or a hurricane. And do not wear Ugg (we call them Uggggggly) boots if it is not 20 degrees outside. Period. You can walk the dog in them, fine. But these must be worn in. the. cold. Holly does not care what the weather was when you left your house. If it stops raining or it warms up, you better have a change of shoes in your trunk!    And finally, the Care and Maintenance of Boots.   If you're already taking great care of your shoes, most boot companies want you to use a leather conditioner or a non-silicone, waterproof stain protector.    For someone who's new to the boot trend, the care of leather is a learned art. Instead, get to know your local cobbler or find a shoe person.  Have your boots waterproofed, regularly cleaned, re-soled if needed, and fix those stiletto heels you keep ruining by stepping into the middle of cracks. Try not to do that, please.  In summary, anyone can pull off the boot trend! Just don’t go too far out of your reality zone, try boots on before you buy them - and learn to take care of them so you can enjoy this timeless fashion trend forever.    FASHION CRIMES PODCAST “The Best Fashion Friend You Never Knew You Needed!”   Hosted by your favorite personal stylist, Holly Katz.   www.fashioncrimespodcast.com

Didn’t your mother ever tell you that certain topics are not appropriate in polite society?  Well… beyond sex, religion, and money - are FASHION and POLITICS. What? How can those two words even be in the same sentence? Are you nervous yet?  This is a non-partisan issue, people.  Regardless of your politics (not goin’ there), one thing you should know is that fashion matters in politics (as in everything) and our ROCK STAR guest this week is here to explain it all to you – IN THE MOST DELIGHTFUL WAY! Meet Skye Ostreicher, otherwise known as The Political Personality. (Isn’t that the mother of all oxymorons?)  Skye is the host of City & State’s online video series, Political Personalities with Skye, where she brings a fun flair to New York state and local government-related conversations. Her goal is to interview politicians to bring out their personalities, not their politics.  Who knew? Politicians are people, too? She also just happens to love fashion and has built her personal brand on her style choices (in a very male-dominated, opinionated world). Skye’s passion is to interview elected officials who determine the future of our democracy in order to humanize the person, not their political positions.  And, WHY, you say, would Holly bring THIS to the Fashion Crimes Podcast? (FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!). Because just like fashion, people run from the things they are not comfortable with.   “Fashion is your friend, not your enemy.” Sound familiar? Well, Skye is here to tell us in this episode that politicians have hobbies, favorite foods, and families they love - just like you.  So maybe, if you get to know those in leadership positions as humans, rather than political operators, you just might find that you CAN stomach learning about candidates, political issues, and the people who make the laws in this country – WITHOUT FEAR! Your Hostess with the Mostess, Holly Katz, admits early on that keeping up with politicians is “not her thing.”  Well, obvi! Who enjoys that, let alone is not scared to death of the entire political system in general? Meet The Political Personality:Skye was born and raised on Long Island where she earned a dual master’s degree from Stony Brook University in public health and public policy.  She then went on to work in government affairs for eight years before being asked to spearhead the Mike Bloomberg presidential campaign efforts for Long Island at the end of 2019.  During COVID, which coincided with the end of Bloomberg’s presidential bid, unemployed and locked inside, Skye began an online video series on her Instagram profile, highlighting on-the-ground efforts by local elected officials.  This series continued to grow into what it is today – after working with a few different media outlets, Skye has nearly 900 episodes total, all with the goal of highlighting the positive work of elected and appointed officials as they navigate the complexities of municipal and state government.  She has a passion for connecting people and facilitating positive political relationships. And guess what? We are OBSESSED!! This week, Holly and Skye trade similar stories about stereotypes (politicians must dress conservatively), the mixed signals fashion can give in a professional or political environment – and how fashion can actually be a friend in politics! Gone are the days of Hillary’s pantsuit and office outfits. Like everything, what you wear gives signals of who you are as a person and can affect how people view and accept you. Especially in politics. As politicians, if you dress too conservatively, are you out of touch and out of date?  If you embrace fashion and style, are you spending your tax-supported salary irresponsibly? It seems to us that they cannot win.  However, Skye informs us that if you get to know the person – who happens to be a politician, chances are you might find a way to engage in politics without being overwhelmed.  Humanize the human! In this episode, Skye and Holly hash it all out: How did Skye go from being a pre-med student to being a lobbyist and finally a political reporter? Learn about Skye’s stand-out personal style and love for fashion – and as a woman – how she has been successful in building huge respect in the political world and her brand. What are the fashion and style mistakes she has seen people make in their professional arenas?  How, as a young, attractive woman – with a major flair for fashion - did she get past “her looks: to being respected for her skills?  Why fashion matters in politics and the positive impact it can have. How did Skye mix basketball and politics in the Bronx to bring people together?  How can people become part of the democratic process – without fear or fighting – by understanding politics through people, not platforms? By the end – AS PER USUAL – Holly has adopted Skye as her new best fashion friend forever – and now they are planning a political fashion show during NYFW next September. The fashion gods have spoken – and these two shall meet.  We loved meeting Skye! Learn more about The Political Personality and Skye’s work here: City and State online media:  https://www.cityandstateny.com/ The Political Personality with Skye:  https://www.cityandstateny.com/topic/political-personalities-skye/ Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thepoliticalpersonality_/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/skyestats YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOpxxW82euaKmNnaXMlpp-fWcxfkJcv0f FASHION CRIMES PODCAST “The Best Fashion Friend You Never Knew You Needed!” Hosted by Your Favorite Personal Stylist, Holly Katz www.fashioncrimespodcast.com

This week, Holly introduces us to an innovative, up-and-coming fashion designer named Evan Hirsch. We want y’all to remember that you heard this name here first, on the FASHION CRIMES PODCAST, because this unique designer is ‘transforming’ the fashion world. Literally. Evan Hirsch is a 25-year-old fashion designer, entrepreneur, TV personality, stylist, make-up artist, and content creator from New York. He is most known for his transforming dresses, under the name EvanHirschFashion on TikTok, where he posts for over 460,000 followers. His designs have been viewed by over 65 million worldwide viewers and have captured celebrity and the fashion industry’s attention. Evan currently creates transforming designs out of his New York studio space is going to have a Made-to-Order collection launching very soon. From Vogue Business: “Evan Hirsch is a young fashion designer who has gained millions of likes on his social media for his transforming, shapeshifting designs, and funny narrative videos. His most viewed videos include a leopard-print shift dress that becomes a gilded gold ballgown or his attempts at recreating CGI dresses from movies such as The Hunger Games and Cruella.” Think of a combination of high costume, high drama, and the Transformers, all wrapped into one. If none of this makes sense to you, then you need to listen to every second of this episode!  Evan designs and constructs transforming clothing that starts out as one item, and then right before your eyes, completely turns into something else: another type of clothing entirely, a different fabric, a different color, or a different shape. You must see it to believe it! SIDE NOTE: As always, this is the part when we encourage you to head over to Holly’s Pinterest board and follow along with the visuals for this episode.  You can also see Holly and Evan in person on our YouTube channel! #gettherenow Evan has just come off his first show on the New York runway – but the real story is how he got there.  In this episode, learn about Evan’s start in the fashion business, his design process, and ultimately displaying his first collection at New York Fashion Week: Evan Hirsch Spring/Summer 2023. YYAAASSSSS Like many in the creative industries, Evan’s path to fashion design took him from being a theatre kid to sketching designs and eventually learning how to sew. He worked in the boring, but necessary side of fashion – intern, tech designer, etc. – but longed for more creativity.  And then the pandemic hit. He started creating at home and posting on TikTok. And the rest is history, as they say!  Well, it wasn’t that easy. His new fashion brand is in its infancy, and he still has the business of fashion to tackle, but Evan has incredible ideas and a trajectory – so hwe know he is on his way!   And Holly, being the best fashion friend that she is, has offered herself to be his first Met Gala customer. Can’t wait for that! #DUH In this episode:  Where does the inspiration come from for his designs? Who is the Evan Hirsch customer?  What is Evan’s creative process from idea to final product?  How are his complicated designs constructed? Are his designs functional, or all for show? How will Evan scale up his business from concept to Made-to-Order and beyond? How and where does he source his fabrics?   Where does he get his confidence as a 25-year-old in the competitive world of fashion? We are so excited for you to meet Evan and learn about his fabulous designs. You can learn more about him at:  Website: https://evanhirsch.godaddysites.com/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@evanhirschfashion  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evan_hirsch/ FASHION CRIMES PODCAST ‘The Best Fashion Friend You Never Knew You Needed!” Hosted by your favorite personal stylist – and the only Holly you need to know – Holly Katz!

Feel anxious about your high school reunion? Embrace it with confidence! Dressing well is key to having a great time, and showing up fabulous can transform your experience. Discover tips on nailing that elusive dress code—find the perfect balance between casual and formal. From avoiding jeans to showcasing your style, learn what to wear to outshine your peers without going overboard. Remember, reconnecting with old friends is the real joy, so just go and enjoy!

Did you know? 85% of women are wearing the wrong bra right now? You need to grab your “girls” and an adult beverage, and get ready to meet our new BFF Jené Luciani Sena, aka “The Bra Expert”! This one is of our more insightful and helpful episodes to date – in our humble opinion – so do not miss it! Get EP 111 here or wherever you get your podcasts. Jené Luciani Sena is an accredited journalist and internationally renowned bestselling author, regularly seen on national TV outlets such as Access Daily, Today, and Dr Oz. Touted as one of Woman’s World Magazine’s “Ultimate Experts,” she’s a TED Talk speaker, a podcast host - and a busy mom of four! Her life’s mission is to help other millennial moms like herself make it through life with humor, heart, and a proper-fitting bra. Jené made a name for herself as a bra expert and has made a successful career of guiding and encouraging women through their biggest fashion and lifestyle challenges. And guess what? Jené believes helping women look and feel their best starts with the right foundation. If you have been a friend of the podcast before, then you already know this is one of Holly’s #1 styling recommendations, which has been covered many times on the podcast. Because this matters, Fashion Friends! As you know, “necessity is the mother of invention,” and in the case of Jené, this could not be more relevant.  She shares her personal story of needing specialty bras and, frankly, real information on breast shapes and issues during her formative years, which led her to become an expert on finding comfortable and confident bra styles that are unique to each person. Starting with herself! Her career has evolved into fitting and styling women to look and feel their best, and you just cannot do any of this without a proper foundation. As Holly herself has said many times, you will look good only if you feel good! But an ill-fitting bra can ruin even the most expensive or fabulous outfit. Boob rolls, boob tubes, boob-smashing minimizers, and back-fat squeezing bras that are too small will be all anyone will notice – and not in a good way. #seriouslyserious Holly and Jené cover these critical bra topics you need to know: What are the physical differences between wearing the right size and the wrong size bra? Why do we care about bras?  What is a bra-fitting? The importance of bra-fittings by a qualified professional, and when to be refitted over your life stages.  The mechanics and construction of a quality bra. Do you need an underwire? How good are the new generation of bra designers?  Do you really need a bra if you are just an A cup?  If you have huge boobs, are you required to wear a minimizer bra? What are the types of bras you need in your life?  How much money should you spend on a bra, and does it matter? How to care for your bras: How often to clean, how to wash, how to dry. Can you go braless? Why do you need to take care of your breast tissue? Can you sleep in a bra?  Should you? Along the way, they discuss kids and boobs and books and careers. This is a real-life conversation full of humor and heart – and just some damn good and helpful ideas! We are so honored to have Jené join us. To learn more about her business and the topics she discusses in this episode, see the links below: How to Find Jené Luciani Sena: Website: https://jeneluciani.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/jeneontv Books: https://jeneluciani.com/books Podcast: https://jeneluciani.com/visible-panty-lines-podcast Gem Bras: https://thegembra.com/ Thank you for joining us again this week! Remember to send your fashion questions and podcast topic ideas to Holly – we’d love to hear from you! Follow us on Social, Leave us a 5-Star Review, and Share with your Friends! FASHION CRIMES PODCAST “The Best Fashion Friend You Never Knew You Needed!” Hosted by your favorite personal stylist Holly Katz. www.fashioncrimespodast.com

Fashion insider besties.....this is going to be epic. So, as you know, Holly spent last week at New York Fashion week, dragging herself from hair and make-up to fashion show after fashion show – ALL FOR YOU......just sayin. Consider this reseach for the greater good, because this is what will determine what YOU will be wanting to wear in the next few months, albeit, translated into real clothes for real people. Here's the deal: Fashion Week previews the art of fashion designers. That art is paraded down catwalks and photographed, and then shared a zillion times on Instagram.  THEN, it goes into the heads of mass market fashion producers, watered down to be wearable, and re-interpreted and produced by everyone from boutique designers to box stores. THAT is how the latest trends come to you.  So, if you hear Holly talking about a ‘windowpane petticoat” do not stop listening. This is a precursor to what is coming your way.  Get the latest episode here! If you're not sure how the fashion cycle works, this is a quick fashion lesson: Trends from Europe come over to the United States. They get shown on the runway, and then what's known as the trickle-down effect happens in the market. This means that what's on the runway gets reinterpreted and knocked off by several different companies to reflect what the trends are for that current season for the general public.  So, for example, let's say you see a mesh cage petticoat on the runway - which Holly did see - 99% of the people at the show would say: “That's amazing! It's a piece of art. It's incredible! The construction is to die for!”  In addition to those comments, Holly would say: “Who is actually going to wear that?” Well, other designers will take that particular style and make an “idea of that style” adaptable to the mass market.  It may have started as a windowpane cage petticoat. But then it turns into something that simulates the artistic style. Maybe it's a black skirt with a windowpane print that looks like a structured petticoat with a tulle or crinoline skirt.  This would give the idea of the petticoat. One that might go into actual production for a label.  “Mass market companies want to emulate a trend so it's adaptable and makes sense for a mass market crowd. If you're more confused than ever, keep listening! Brands that cater to mass markets take the idea of a trend and break it down and make it less scary for us regular folk.”  – Holly Katz, your favorite personal stylist Top Fall 2022 Trends | See Holly’s Pinterest Board for Images: Neon: The first trend Holly loved - and saw at almost every fashion show - was COLOR!! More specifically, pink, purple, orange and highlighter neon colors. This goes for men as well as women.  Yes, neon is still here. The brighter and louder, the better.  There are so many ways to interpret color. One being taking ONE piece of your outfit, like a shoe, a bag, or a blazer, and pick a color so outrageous, that it stands out as the star of your outfit.  Holly saw someone last week in neon yellow everything: jacket, shorts, thigh-high boots, and even accessories. It was not hard to spot her, but for adaptation to everyday life, remember: less is more!!! This look is certainly a conversation starter, and it is a great way to take a fashion risk without getting crazy.  Crochet Everything: When we say ‘crochet,” we mean crochet everything: pants, tops, bathing suits, jackets, dresses, everything!  When you think of crochet, the first thing most people immediately think of is: “Oh, you can see through it!” Because if the weave is not tight, then you will be able to see through it.  However, you can easily work with a crochet top by pairing it with a cami underneath. When you see the crochet dress designs, you can think of two things: wear it over a bathing suit on vacation - or simply wear it with a full slip underneath. Denim, but:  We know that sounds obvious, but denim is all the rage right now! Look for a more relaxed fit that sits lower on the hip. Very loose in the legs. Think of a boyfriend cut or stovepipe leg that is straight all the way down. If you are rail thin, lower on the waist or low rise looks really great. But if you're curvy, you can simulate that look by wearing a mid-rise looser fit. (If you have any additional questions about denim, go back and listen to Episode 65 called “The Deal with Denim and hopefully you can get more specific information.) Tie Dye: There's certainly a way to wear tie dye that looks sophisticated. When wearing tie dye, less is more. Holly has been seeing it more and more with intricate dyeing techniques like ice dyeing and something called Shibori print dyeing.  Ulla Johnson had some of the most intricate tie dye designs in her separates and dresses, along with Naeem Khan. Holly was not invited to these shows, (completely rude), but boy does she wish she was.  Just a little sidebar for all you insider besties out there that just wear black every day:  We know it's super easy to fall into that trap, but for God's sake, try something different for once! Wearing bold out-of-the-box colors is super chic as well.  Flowers and Floral  Appliques: Now, we know what you're thinking: floral prints... big deal. But no. This is different. This is a giant flower application and larger-than-life flowers. One brand to check out is the shoe brand is called Cecilia New York, by Ashley Cole. She's one of the nicest people Holly has ever met, and she’s just got some of the cutest shoes we’ve ever seen. And for a very decent price point. Pictures from the presentation of course are going to be on Holly’s Pinterest board.  She has giant flowers on her shoes and we love them so much.  For clothing: you must see PatBO who had GIANT flowers on their designs, as well as Markarian, who had beautiful embroidered flowers. Giant applications -which is all the rage right now. Metallics First of all, everything was metallic going up and down the runway: Jackets, Pants, Skirts, Boots – ALL the boots were metallic; especailly at the Tom Ford Show; which Holly attended this season. Remember: When it comes to metallics, wear them with solids, and let the metallic piece be the star! Lace Hollys love this trend! She really loves a lace moment - but it's got to be done tastefully (just like when you were in High School, people!!). Lace tops, pants, shorts, jackets, skirts, etc. Lace really never technically goes out of style, per se, but when several designers show it on the runway - it is considered “back”, and of course, both in neutrals and bright colors alike. International Global Dressing: This is cultural styling by international designers who are bringing their cultural dressing to the runway and American buyers. Look for designers like Silvia Tcherassi from Columbia and Raquel Orozco from Mexico.  In Summary: Color! Orange, purple, metallics, lace, flowers, giant flower appliques, tie dye, denim, crochet, highlighter colors. There are so many trends out right now. This is what you will soon be seeing in the stores.  You can do this! You don't have to do all these trends. Just pick one trend that you like and go for it. If you need more help, remember to see Holly’s Pinterest board so you can see some of the trends and how you can apply them to your everyday wardrobe.  That’s it for this week! Send Holly your fashion trend questions – via email or DM on social! FASHION CRIMES PODCAST “The Best Fashion Friend You Never Knew You Needed” Hosted by personal stylist, Holly Katz. www.fashioncrimespodcast.com

It's New York Fashion Week, insider besties! This is the SUPERBOWL of fashion just FYI in case you weren't aware. Join us this week as your favorite personal stylist Holly Katz and celebrity stylist Nolan Meader fill you in on literally EVERYTHING that happened at New York Fashion Week, September 2022.  As personal stylists, their job is to drag themselves all over New York City from one fabulous fashion show to another, scouting out the latest fashion trends from new and famous designers alike.  It is grueling and horribly difficult, but hey, that is why they are “The Best Friends in Fashion You Never Knew You Needed!”  They do all the work for you.  Now, are you going to be wearing what Bella Hadid walked in at the Tom Ford show? Do you even know who Tom Ford is? If you don't, then you're about to find out! That is why you need Holly and Nolan. They have been there to see it all and take notes. From the before- and after-parties to the big designer shows and the up-and-coming designer presentations – their job is to collect new style ideas and translate them into fashions for their personal styling clients – and more importantly – for the regular people who just want to know what the next fashion trends will be.  Grab an adult beverage and follow along on our social and Holly’s Pinterest boards and get ready for Nolan to name-drop celebrities from left to right, all day long.  This is one of our “Fabulous” episodes where you must listen and laugh.  Be sure to click the links to see the designer shows covered in the podcast: Tom Ford Markarian Sukeina Silvia Tcherassi Khaite PatBO Supima  Proenza Schouler  Raquel Orozco Monse Go ahead and explore some new trends! You might see one you love, and can be the first to try out.  FASHION CRIMES PODCAST“The Best Fashion Friend You Never Knew You Needed”  Hosted by Holly Katz, with special guest and our "lady about town", Nolan Meader. #fashion #newyorkfashionweek #NYFW

Welcome back to another fabulous fashion episode covering one of our most important topics – and one we hope everyone is becoming more and more aware of every day -  Sustainable Fashion! This week we are SO honored to have Selina Ho, the Founder & CEO of Recloseted, gracing us with her AMAZEBALLS presence on the podcast! She is our new *BFFF, and she will be yours, too! *Best Fashion Friend Forever Selina is a BADASS  SUSTAINABLE ROCKSTAR who started an consulting company to help brands transform the harmful practices of the fashion industry. She has gathered a team of all-stars — from sourcing experts to material scientists - and leveraged her own business experience working at startups and Fortune 500s to help “slow fashion” clients get on the path to fashion sustainability.  Recloseted is the first one-stop consulting agencies for sustainable fashion brands. They launch and scale sustainable brands and help existing apparel brands become more environmentally friendly. Selina knew she wanted to start doing her part in changing the world after breaking out in a vicious rash while wearing a polyester shirt (poly is made of OIL, eeew) and doing some research which led her to some devastating truths behind the production of garments.  Her company is on a mission to transform the harmful production practices of the fashion industry. It’s a lofty goal but they hope to accomplish this by launching and scaling sustainable fashion brands in addition to making existing brands more conscious. She and her team may be small, but the mighty Recloseted team is now a force to be reckoned with! The Recloseted motto: Together, let’s transform the harmful fashion industry. If that wasn’t enough, Selina is also the host of the Recloseted Radio podcast, and the self-published author of “The Recloseted Handbook: Your Sustainable Fashion Guide”, a 200-page e-book detailing exactly how to become a stylish yet conscious clothing consumer. #lovingthisjourney What can the normal person do to start being conscious about sustainable fashion? Do your best, and fill your own cup first. When you give to yourself (Moms!), you have more to give to your kids, your family and your job.  Do not feel guilty if you cannot be the perfect person to others - or to our planet - every minute of the day. Because, sorry Boo, you cannot. Try to figure out what ‘sustainability’ means to you. How can you incorporate thoughtful environmental practices into YOUR life? Not your nosy neighbor’s life. Not the fake person on Instagram’s life. Not your BFF’s life. YOUR life. Want to take a deep dive into the story of the fashion industry’s harmful impact on our planet? Go watch The True Cost – a documentary.  It’s tough love, but if you are interested, check it out. (Holly and the Podcast team are too chicken to watch, but they're gonna do it anyway.) Be imperfectly perfect. The issue of fashion sustainability, as well as all environmental causes, can be overwhelming. But with small baby steps, we can at least work toward being more intentional.    FACT CHECK: Holly reminds us here that we need to have a Style Plan. You don’t go to the grocery store and just pick one of everything, do you? Um, no. You have a meal plan for the week, and you only buy what you need.  Only. Buy. What. You. Need.  In addition to what you buy, pay attention to where you buy. Shop local and shop small. Vote with your wallet. The big box stores do not need your money (uhm, think Jeff Bezos. Just no!) Entrepreneurs and small businesses do. They really, really do.  (Hot Tip: If you find a creator or designer online that you love, be sure to purchase their items directly from their own website versus 3rd party sites like Etsy.) What does “Fashion Sustainability” really mean. For Selina, it means “balance.” How do you balance your lifestyle while still taking care of the planet?  Find a way to live with more intention. The choices you make every day, big or small, can add up to make a difference.  There are many fun and easy fashion sustainable efforts you can try: Host a clothing swap with friends where you drink wine and trade clothes and accessories. Super fun!!! Go thrifting with your girlfriends one weekend. Even more fun! Invite friends over to help you clean out and organize your closet! Fun, with champagne! Don’t indulge in retail therapy, aimlessly buying things you don’t need to make yourself feel better. You will not feel better.  Start with just one item. Decide you are going to buy one pair of shoes from a sustainable brand next time. It’s literally that easy. What does “Greenwashing” mean? Don’t be fooled by appearances.  As you start looking for sustainable brands, be aware of something called ‘greenwashing’. Many brands promote themselves as being earth-friendly, but in fact, they may only have one product that fits that description in order to market themselves a ‘sustainable’ brand. #dontfallforit Think of the grocery store again: many items say they are organic or gluten-free…. But are they???  Brands marketed with social or health benefits sell better, so, just make sure who you buy from is legit. “When companies invest more time and money on marketing their products or brand as “green” rather than actually doing the hard work to ensure that it is sustainable — this is called greenwashing.” How does a company like Recloseted help fashion companies become better at being sustainable? Selina’s group offers various consulting package for new brands – giving all the fashion and the business information they need to be a sustainable company. They tell brands to put their clients first and be strategic and intentional with their products. For instance, instead of buying another sweater. Be intentional and buy from a smaller brand that's more versatile: maybe it can still be worn despite your size changes, or maybe the fabric is transitional for more than one season.  Recloseted shares viable production mills and fabric sources, helping brands use fair labor and best practices supplier all over the world. And what is sustainable junk? Is that like space junk?  Well, yes. It is. Brands should not make or sell products that check-off all the sustainability boxes if there is no market for the item. This is where brands need to put their customers first: are you producing items that people really want or need?  So, even if it is totally green, if no one wants it, they’ve just made junk. Brands need to instead solve “pain points” or the areas where customers are frustrated and need a solution.  Cleaning and care of your wardrobe. When do we know when it’s time to let something go? Selina and Holly are of one fashion brain on this one: If you keep your closet clean and organized, you will aways know what you have. Routine clean-outs keep the chaos away! Do your clothes still fit? Do you still love your items? Maybe you could swap with your friends. Just make sure to give your clothing as much life as you can before you finally decide on discarding.  What are some of Selina’s favorite sustainable brands?  Shop Firebird Adeera Styelle Swim Also, don’t forget about accessories and jewelry! Look for designers who use recycled gold and lab-grown diamonds, like our BFF of the podcast www.AmandaPearl.com! OK, so AFTER you listen to this episode, please engage with her on social and learn how to have a more sustainable wardrobe. It's starts with just one item. It's that simple. Website: www.recloseted.com Podcast: https://www.recloseted.com/podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recloseted/ Handbook: https://www.recloseted.com/shop/p/handbook  Use the code PODCAST for 10% off! Start by taking baby steps, but let’s get on the sustainable train together!!! Xoxo, Holly, Your Favorite Personal Stylist!

So, it’s the end of the summer. What exactly does that mean for fashion people when it is still 90 degrees literally everywhere? Can you wear white after Labor Day? Do flip flops go with wool pants? Should you shop the Labor Day sales? Is it a good time to buy summer clothes?   Help us, Holly! What in the world do we wear when our brain says fall, but the thermomotor says HOT?  Turns out, many people are fashionably confused right now. Just because you are dying for those Pumpkin Spice Lattes to drop at Starbucks does not mean fall weather is here. Regardless of what part of the country you live in, it's still very much summer weather.   This week, we are talking about the awkward “end of summer” and how to survive it. You know what we are talking about: Just because you decided to buy a new jacket at a pre-Labor Day Celebration sale last weekend does not mean you can actually wear it yet. We'll get there. How many of us have been tricked by the start of the school year into wearing a bulky new sweater, only to end up melting by 11:30 am? Not only are you miserably hot, but you look ridiculous. Sorry, Boo. It's still 85 degrees. I'm just sayin.  Lucky for you, we are here to work it out. We're going to tell you what to wear so you look age- appropriate and on-trend without looking like a fall bumpkin in flip-flops.  Fashion Disclaimer: All this style advice is relative depending on where you live in the universe. It's very important for you to know that you have Holly’s permission to dress in summer-weight clothing as long as you need, because let's face it, its hot.    However, you are going to start watching what you are wearing. You are not going to wear sandals anymore. Nor sun dresses, shorts with tank tops and no flip flops. No more thin spaghetti  strap summer tops, or floral miniskirts.    We need you to take baby steps. No need to bust out the leathers or the knee-high boots, or especially, Uggs!  Ew, no. Nothing is weirder than walking down the street and seeing a person in a scarf and leather jacket right now. We are in what the fashion industry calls “pre-fall’ or transition fall. So, what does that mean? It is exactly what it sounds like: clothes that you wear right before the calendar says that it's fall. Which in this case, is September 22nd.  What’s the secret to Pre-Fall? You transition by mixing a bit of your summer clothes with some lighter-weight fall clothes. It’s really simple once you know how to do it. You will be comfortable and stylish with these easy tips:  Number 1: Do Not Switch Out Your Closet Seasonally Don’t bother with turning over or switching out your ‘summer clothes” for your “winter clothes.” FASHION CRIME!  If you’ve listened to us at all before, you know you should be keeping your closet organized so you always know what is in your closet. If you have so much stuff that you are hiding sweaters under your bed, go back to EP 106 and listen to “How To Clean Out Your Closet.” It is a life-changing episode, trust us.   Here’s the problem. Let's say you do get your fall and winter clothes out of storage, and then you take your summer stuff out of your closet. You are going to be very upset when you find out some things no longer fit, or are looking ragged, and maybe out of style! Now you are annoyed, because you have a bigger project than you intended and frankly, you forgot what you even had. Just don't do it. It's not a great headspace to be in. You want to be in control of your wardrobe at all seasons. You can't do that if half your crap is in storage.    Number 2: What to Wear?  (As always, be sure to follow along on Holly’s Pinterest board this week.)   Try wide-leg pants with a tank top. You can pop a light-weight blazer over your shoulders if you like. Wear an oversized white button-down shirt with a tank underneath. Be sure to roll up the sleeves for a breezy look. Pair that with a maxi skirt and a platform sandal, a chunky necklace and you're good to go.  Try the Mom jean! Baggy jeans very on trend right now with a light, sleeveless summer sweater and a short, white boot. Now understand this: baggy jeans are fine on six foot tall, size two models. If you are short, and you're little in the middle but you’ve got much back, baggy jeans don't look great. You can try a jean that's looser in the thigh instead of a full on baggy jean. (Believe it or not, Guess jeans are back, and we are not mad about it.)  Instead of white sandals or shoes, Holly is loving a white boot. Try a white cowboy style boot with a summer sweater. Pair it with statement earrings and gold stacked bracelets. Boom! (PS: metallic cowboy boots are in right now and don't think Holly’s not going to get a pair of silver boots.)   You can also try a strapless top or one-shoulder top with skinny jeans or fall trousers, and add chunky sneakers. This is a great way to execute a pre-fall look.   Get yourself a bodysuit. They come in a million styles and a million price points, and you throw it on with those mom jeans.  Holly can’t believe this next thing is back in style, but women are wearing dresses over pants again. In this case, take a slip dress or one of those dresses that are cut on the bias or sundress and you wear it over pants. It could be jeans or it could be a wide leg trouser. It's totally up to you. Holly would totally wear this again with one of her slinkier dresses for summer with a very minimal shoe or bright colored flat.  Super bright neon colors are in. We know. It's ugly. But it's really not on the right person. Anyway, if you can get this into your outfit, somehow, some way whether it be your jewelry, a bag, a shoe, earrings, a funky-colored jacket or even a pant is super on-trend right now. (Remember, when you wear something like that, this one piece is the star, do not upstage yourself by wearing too many brightly colored things that compete with each other.)   So here is the good news about bags right now. Yes, you can totally still use your summer handbags, especially straw bags.  There are so many different types of wicker bags that Holly is crazy about right now so be sure to go to her Pinterest board for the week.  Number 3: What about Fall trends, you say?   Well, Holly doesn’t know yet, because she has to go to Fashion Week and that is not until next week. So be sure to come back an listen to that episode to find out!  And finally, Holly’s biggest tip of the week is to get your wallet ready, because Labor Day is the best time to buy summer clothes and accessories in sale, y'all! Stores have got to get the summer merchandise out and the full price fall merchandise in. This is the best time to buy anything for summer!  Pre-fall is just that. Mixing your summer with your lighter fall items to create a look that says you're ready to transition your wardrobe into the next season. Buy with intention knowing you can wear something from season to season or at least layer with it. Having pieces that can be worn for multiple seasons builds a cohesive wardrobe.  From your favorite personal stylist and the only Holly you need to know....Holly Katz Fashion Crimes Podcast "The best friend you never knew you needed in fashion!"