Wear This Not That

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!"

Do you ever wonder what might be blocking your style and holding you back from fashion happiness? Almost everyone makes the same ONE major fashion mistake, and it's called Closet Chaos. There is literally a name for it. This week, your favorite personal stylist Holly Katz holds your hand and guides you through "How to Clean Out Your Closet" (without crying). This episode is fabulously fun and informative, and is just the pep talk we all need! These are the ULTIMATE Fashion Crimes: Disorganization The number one reason your closet looks crazy is disorganization. If you think you are an organized person, but you can't find anything to wear or it's taking you too long to get dressed, guess what? You are not organized. Clothes are energy. What you wear and how you feel in your clothes all starts with how they are presented to you every day. You need your clothes to be organized so they make sense to your eye and your brain. If they are hanging in a way where you can't recognize what is what, then you either aren't going to take the time to figure it out, or you will take too much time trying to decide what to wear. Are your clothes in piles on the floor? Stuffed into a tiny closet? Shoved inside your drawers? Messy closets will make your morning dressing routine chaotic, and leave you stressed out before your day even gets started! "Here is an analogy: 'Eat this eat, not that.' Holly heard this on her favorite TikTok feed (where everyone goes for important info). And she had an epiphany! You know what? We all need to be an adult at some point and eat vegetables with every meal." Same goes for keeping your closet organized. Be an adult. 2. Inconsistent Laundry Practices You need a laundry plan: start it, finish it, put it away. Do you forget to put your clean clothes in the dryer? Do you leave your clothes in the dryer for days to get wrinkled? Do you have piles of clean clothes in laundry baskets? Do you send everything, or nothing, to the dry cleaner? If you answered yes to any of the above, you have inconsistent laundry practices. You need to know HOW to do your laundry: read the care labels, know what to send to the dry cleaner, put your clothes back where they belong, and remember to always iron/steam when needed. 3. Over-shopping Do you know what you have in your closet? News Flash: You do not need to buy a new outfit every time you have an event or occasion. Repeat that to yourself at least once a day. You most likely have what you need in your closet right this very minute! But you can't even see any of it, because of your chaotic closet. Yes, shopping is thrilling! And it often seems easier to just buy something new than deal with issues like a chaotic closet, or the real reasons why you are shopping too much, or spending money you do not have. Do not shop to fill a void. "It could be something as small as a pair of earrings. If you have 78,000 pairs of earrings that are all over the house, and you can't find them, you are just going to buy more because you don't want to deal with finding them." You can stop this madness. And try going shopping in your closet first. More 'stuff' only adds to the chaos. You now know the reasons why your closet needs help and why it could be holding you back on your style evolution. We've identified the reasons why, now let's talk about the solutions. SIDEBAR: If we were to look back at pictures of you from 15 years ago, and you look the same in the exact same clothing, you are stuck in a style rut and you need to clean out your closet. Jussayin, boo! So, how do you clean out your closet on your own? Change all your hangers. We swear to God, Holly could scream this from the mountaintops for the next 20 years. You need to change all your hangers. Right the second. Right now. Not yesterday, not in two weeks, not tomorrow. And, you must change all your hangers to velvet, slimline hangers. If you have shitty-ass plastic hangers, hangers from dry cleaners, or plastic tube hangers or wooden, this is your first issue. Please understand that this is the most common issue. And the easiest one to fix!! No matter how you hang your clothes, when you use these types of hangers, they take up the minimum amount of space. You're not only going to save room, your space is going to look so much more organized. 2. Make 3 Piles. Keep. Giveaway/Sell. Throw Away. To start, everything comes out of your closet, and then your drawers. Everything. Make it look like you're about to move. Keep: Put on a velvet hanger or back in your drawers...(not overstuffed) Giveaway: Put these items in a bag, put them in your car, and drive them to the donation center. DO NOT leave them sitting around in your home...you will be temped to go back through the bags! Trust me, we've witnessed this..... Sidebar: Please consider people who are coming back into the workforce after jail time, homelessness or poverty, places like battered women's shelters, local churches or religious programs that provide support for refugees just arriving in this country, or anyone who needs aid. Drop off your items at your local community services, and always consider the programs in local your community first. Here's a list of others you might want to consider! Dress For Success American Red Cross One Warm Coat Soles4Souls Vientam Veterans of America American Kidney Fund The Salvation Army Goodwill Sell: Post on a resale app like Poshmark, The RealReal, or THREDup or you can take them to a consignment store locally. It's super easy and you can make good money. Did we mention that if you leave these items in your trunk or backseat, or in your closet, we will find out? You do not want a visit from the fashion police. Trust us. Throw Away: Do not give items you do not want to someone who has not asked for them. A trash bag of clothing dropped off at your sister-in-law's house just made a bag of junk her problem. This is a major fashion crime. We can hear the sirens from where we are. Do not do it. "Just so you know, before you throw things away, please remember that somebody else can really benefit from bras, socks, underwear, or pajamas. As long as the item is clean, gently used and in good condition." How to Organize Your Closet and Drawers You must put your clothes back into your drawers and closet in a way that makes sense to YOU. Not to Holly, not to your husband or your partner, or your sister or your kids. YOU. REMEMBER: When hanging things back up...like goes with like. All short sleeve tops, long sleeve tops, short dresses, long dresses, etc. When putting things back into your drawers, store like, with like. Bathing suits and underwear together. Some like socks, sports bras and pajamas together. Even more like workout pants with workout shirts together. Or, sweaters with sweatshirts. Regardless: try to get as much as you can in one drawer - but do not overstuff it. Don't forget...... Get your shoes off of the floor, for the love of GOD! If you have shoe overflow, this means you have run out of shelf space if you have shelf space for shoes. It also means you most likely have too many pairs of shoes. However, here is the fashion crime: Do not, do not, do not, do not, do not keep your shoes in shoe boxes. Did we say DO NOT? Here's why it doesn't look neater, and it does not save space: Boxes actually take up more room. Do yourself a favor, get rid of the shoe boxes and put your shoes out. Bonus: you can actually see them so you know what shoes you have. You can donate shoes boxes to a preschool for art projects, or please recycle them. 2. PLEASE do not use your closet for a dumping ground. Nothing should be in your closet that does not belong to you. No Halloween baskets, no Easter baskets, no kids' stuff, no diapers, no toys for Christmas. Nothing should be in there that you do not wear. This is a sacred space for YOU. Your closet is not a storage room. So now the rest is up to you! Clean out, clear out, keep it clean. Your brain with thank us, we promise. Want to really join in on the fun? Holly has a challenge: Whoever has the most garbage bags full of items to give away, send us a pic at holly@fashioncrimespodcast.com Please send a description of what you're giving away, the number of bags you're donating, and the name of the charity where you're donating to. The winner will win an exclusive phone interview with Holly, LIVE on the show, to tell all of our fashion crimes podcast insider besties about your closet clean out experience. YOU CAN DOOO IT!! FASHION CRIMES PODCAST www.fashioncrimespodcast.com Hosted by your favorite personal stylist, Holly Katz. www.hollykatzstyling.com

Ladies and Gentlemen, we are BEYOND honored to present the one and only, one of America's MOST iconic fashion designers, the legend: NICOLE MILLER! Join us this week as your favorite personal stylist and the hostess with the mostest, Holly Katz, sits down for an exclusive interview with Nicole Miller, who is celebrating 40 years as a fashion industry trailblazer and innovator this year! Nicole is here to share it all: from her historic rise in the fashion industry to what inspires her renowned designs, and her current views on the fashion industry today. This is a fashion design-lovers episode, y'all, and we are here for all of it. So buckle up! Get Episode 105 here. As always, follow us along on Holly Katz Styling Pinterest boards, and this week, be sure to see the entire interview on the FASHION CRIMES PODCAST YouTube channel. ABOUT NICOLE MILLER: Nicole Miller is an American fashion designer (with a French mother and an engineer father) and a businesswoman who was born in Texas and then grew up in Lenox, Massachusetts. Her iconic designs are elegant with a hint of rebellion. The result is a look is both sophisticated and sexy, with the drape and cut of gorgeous fabrics that always look fresh. In this episode, she tells our Holly that her creations stem from art, her travels, and popular culture combine in unique prints and imaginative uses of color throughout her designs. Innovation, too, finds its way into her work; she has often been the first to popularize a new technique or fabric, including sustainable fabrics such as denim made from recycled bottle caps and plant-based materials. Nicole attended the Rhode Island School of Design and earned a Bachelor in Fine Arts degree in Apparel Design. For a year, she studied at L'Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. There she learned the art of fabric drapery and classical method of dressmaking. She has previously described the training sessions as "intense," but the course gave much help in fabric manipulation, which soon became her signature style in her designs. Her outfits have been worn by Beyoncé Knowles, Angelica Huston, LeAnn Rimes, Jennifer Stone, Eva Longoria, Susan Sarandon, Brooke Shields, Angelina Jolie, Lauren Hutton, Cindi Lauper and Sheryl Crow, among others. "Nicole's vision is to create sustainable, accessible luxury and premium fashion and lifestyle products for eco-conscious, empowered women and their families who want to look their best, feel good about their consumer choices, and participate in making the world a better place." THE BRAND: The Nicole Miller brand is a global fashion and lifestyle brand headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1982, the iconic brand has grown to be one of the premier names in American fashion. "With an emphasis on signature graphic prints, luxe fabrics and innovative silhouettes, the womenswear collection cultivates a look of elegance with a hint of rebellion while bringing accessible luxury to the modern woman. Known for her skillful draping and unique detailing, Nicole Miller designs every piece for the woman who wants to look and feel her best." In addition to its contemporary womenswear lines, the company has partnered with leading licensees in numerous lifestyle categories including handbags, shoes, jewelry, eyewear, denim, activewear, sleepwear, kids, fragrance and beauty, and home, among others, and can now be found online and in over 1500 specialty and department stores worldwide. The Interview: Fresh off Hamptons Fashion Week 2022, where she was celebrated and honored as one of America's most highly regarded fashion icons for 40 years, Nicole Miller graces our podcast with her wit and wisdom regarding all things fashion! From her deep American roots, to earning her degree at the Rhode Island Institute of Design and studying design in Paris, Holly uncovers all sorts of fascinating facts and insights about Nicole that most people would never know – all of which have blended to be Nicole's secret to fashion design success. She is a force to be reckoned with; her signature style has traditionally been bold colors or black – with interesting cuts on clothes. Her key concern has always been necklines, curves and proportion, with designs that are considered classic and sexy at the same time. She creates cocktail dresses, lounge wear, wedding clothes and form-flattering gowns. She draws inspiration from a number of sources including contemporary art, cinema, 20th century cultures and architecture. Nicole is first and foremost an artist and designer; she is also a skiier both on snow and the water. This outdoorsy and slightly competitive element is perhaps just one of the millions of layers that feed her enormous creativity. She also loves to cook and, of course, travel. Listen to this episode to learn more: From her start in the fashion industry to today, how has she been able to successfully manage and evolve her brand for 40 years? What is Nicole Miller working on now? What does she see trending now? What fashion trend does she enjoy? What annoys her? From owning brick-and-mortar stores all over the country to conducting online sales, how has she navigated running her company and kept up with sales trends? How was she able to expand to her brand into eyewear, jewelry, shoes, makeup, perfume, home goods - and now - a Rose'? What is her favorite thing to wear? What does she do for fun? For inspiration? What is next for Nicole Miller the brand? For those of us who grew up with Nicole Miller, to anyone just discovering this marketing maven here, this intimate conversation is a fun and fascinating insider's look at the world of fashion and a legendary designer. And you can only get it here. FASHION CRIMES PODCAST "The Best Fashion Friend You Never Knew You Needed" Hosted by your favorite personal stylist, Holly Katz. www.fashioncrimespodcast.com

Wardrobe maintenance and clothing care might not be the most exciting topic out there (THAT would be shoe shopping, just FYI…), but nevertheless, we are sure no one needs Holly to point out that there's not much point in buying nice clothes if you're not going to look after them, are we right? (*She is going to point it out anyway. You're welcome.) As with any investment, taking the time to properly care for your wardrobe will ensure its value. Beautiful clothes are worth the extra time and care needed to keep them preserved. So, this week, we are sharing some TRUTH BOMBS and handy tips to help you on your way to crafting a well-maintained wardrobe. Listen to this new episode here. Follow along on Pinterest and on Social. And, please: Don't forget to LIKE, REVIEW and SHARE our podcast as much as you can! Thank you! Anywho… Here is the goal: Everything in your closet should be: 1. stuff you like 2. stuff that fits you well, AND 3. you know where it is There are a few different buckets when taking care of your clothes: No. 1: Organization No. 2: Care and Cleaning No. 3: Maintenance and Repair NUMBER ONE: Organization So, let's start with #1- organization. How you store your clothes is part of taking care of your wardrobe. Clothes are energy. How they present themselves to you is very, very important. So, here's the deal; if you have a shitshow going on in your closet when you open your door, and you don't know where anything is, this isn't taking proper care of your clothes. It will also make you crazy. No one wants to shuffle through stuff until you find something that's clean or trying on a bunch of shit because you have 12 different sizes to go through. It's not a great start to your day. That is ridiculous. PS: This is where we rant and rave about the value of a professional closet clean-out. Also available in Episode 60. If you need help with what to wear and cleaning out your closet: hire a professional personal stylist. If you need help organizing your kitchen, do not. Hire a professional organizer. KEY POINTS: Hangers: Get yourself some non-slip, slimline velvet-covered hangers. Remember Mommie Dearest? Not kidding. If you have shitty-ass plastic tube hangers, plastic hangers from Target, or wire hangers - or if you're lazy and you leave your stuff in the dry-cleaning poly bags until you wear it – you need to need to stop it right now. All your hangers must be changed to the velvet slimline hangers. We know exactly what you're thinking, and why you're cussing Holly out right now: What is so wrong with putting the dry cleaning up in the polybag on the wire hanger? Number 1, it looks terrible. Number 2, you need to welcome the item back and put it on its appropriate hanger where it lives in your closet. You will also avoid like hanger and shoulder bumps, and it will get it back in its proper place so you can find it again. ' Drawers: If you go through your drawers to get rid of old stuff or the things that you've worn to death, you're going to feel a lot better. If you know what's in your drawers and they aren't over stuffed, this is really going to help you tremendously. Shoes: Let go of any shoes that are worn to death, or are old or dogged out. Only keep the shoes that you are actively currently wearing. If you haven't worn them in three years, they gotta go. Another thing: Keep your shoes organized in your closet so you can see what you have, so you can find them, and so that you don't impulse buy new shoes you do not need. You probably have a pair of rain boots. So no, Boo, you do not need the ones you found on sale with pink duckies. YOU HAVE A PAIR ALREADY. #preach Final shoe tip: Find yourself a shoe repair guy. Call him a cobbler if you are fancy. But just like clothing, you can repair shoes (and handbags, fyi) and extend the life of the things you love the most. If you take care of your investments, you can enjoy them again and again. NUMBER TWO: Cleaning Your Clothes This is simple. You either wash your clothes or you have them dry-cleaned. When you wash your clothes, you need to do it properly, and then fold and promptly return them to their spots. Over-washing and not reading the care labels can lead to problems and issues. If you want the longest life out of your clothes, and you need to read the care labels. Do you have a dry cleaner? If yes, are you going weekly? Are you going biweekly, or are you stubborn and you don't go at all? Some people over dry clean to avoid laundry. They just send everything to the dry cleaners. That's a BIG NO-NO. And some just don't go to the cleaners ever, which is not good either. Don't be either one extreme or the other. Washing vs. Dry Cleaning: Cotton, cotton-poly blends, jeans, workout clothes, unders, socks, pajamas and your kids' stuff should be washed at home as needed. Anything outside of these categories - slacks, dressy dresses, blouses, button-down shirts, jackets, blazers - all these things need to go to the dry cleaner. Regardless of your method, just know that pressing your clothing is important. Get Holly's favorite steamer, or use the iron in your hotel room. Just don't be wrinkled. Ever. How often you wash your clothes, the type of laundry products you use, how you dry them – these all add up in the condition and longevity of your items. Knowing how to treat your laundry can be your superpower! NUMBER THREE: Alterations and Repair Holly is on her soap box again, so please get the memo this time, because we can't say it enough. If your clothes fit you perfectly, you will always feel better and look better. Find yourself a place for alterations and clothing repair so that everything fits you well – no matter what body stage you are in. Did you pop a button? Keep it! Does your favorite dressy winter jacket need repairs or buttons before the cold weather hits, or before you go on a trip. Get yourself organized here. You can find talented alteration people at your dry cleaner, local tailors shops, or at department stores like Nordstrom's. To conclude: Take pride of ownership in your clothes. It really makes a difference on how you feel about yourself and your clothing. And that really is the point is it not? You're supposed to feel fabulous in what you're wearing. Why would you wear something that you don't feel good in or that doesn't fit properly? Give your clothes the long life they deserve by taking care of them. And you know what? Dammit, they're gonna take care of you. Love, Holly Katz, your favorite personal stylist and the best friend you never knew you needed in fashion. FASHION CRIMES PODCAST | www.fashioncrimespodcast.com Podcast: https://apple.co/2XXKHfC Instagram: www.instagram.com/fashioncrimespodcast Facebook: www.facebook.com/fashioncrimespodcast YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCJSbw7VOQhPmQwmYbnJmIwQ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/hollykatzstyle TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hollykatzstyling Twitter: https://twitter.com/fashioncrimesp

Join us this week as we shine our DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT on a rising star fashion designer, Mimi Prober. This episode is a FASCINATING deep dive into one designer's passion for fabric, vintage textiles, sustainable fashion, and creating a brand with a purpose. Mimi Prober has dedicated herself to "the sustainable practices of natural dyeing and design with a focus on textile narratives, preservation, and process - honoring those involved in the creation, from farm to fiber." She is celebrated for her decorative and unique beading, embroidery, and lace designs. "Integrating the artistry of the past and establishing a sustainable future through the reuse of antique materials to create modern handcrafted heirlooms." Founding her namesake label in 2014, Mimi has become known for creations using "forgotten textiles with documented stories to tell from a previous time." So of course, her designs are GORGEOUS and highly regarded! Her collection has been worn by industry icons Chloë Sevigny, Misty Copeland, Erykah Badu, and Rihanna, just to name a few. #JUSSAYIN! And this year, she was just named one of fashion's "Rising Stars" by the Fashion Group International – a BFD, friends! Mimi's bio is vast: she is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, the creator of her own clothing brand, a lover of vintage textiles and fashion (especially rock T-shirts!) and has been a designer-in-residence at the Jill Stuart Gallery at Cornell University. If that is not fabulous enough: Mimi's work is part of the permanent collection at the Museum at FIT, where a collection piece was on view for the exhibition 'Fashion Unraveled.' AND, her creations are now on view at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York for the Costume Institute's "In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion" through September 5, 2022. "Intricate hand embroidery, hand spinning, weaving, and knits in organic natural fibers, antique textiles, and local luxury wools. Created with artisan and women owned natural dye houses, fiber farms, and mills with the commitment to ethical production and preservation. Signature silhouettes include hand knits, motorcycle jackets, draped details, and 19th century inspired workwear reimagined into modern heirlooms." Mimi has long had a passion for finding and preserving fragments that were discarded at some point because they no longer had a use. She sources heirloom antique fabrics from the 18th to early 20th centuries at auctions and markets, and sometimes individuals reach out to her when they've inherited something that holds meaning for them, but they don't know what to do with it. Her philosophy is based on a desire to create mindful pieces and bring to life the stories embedded in them, sharing them with the next generation. "There's so much work that goes into making a garment, consumers don't always realize that it's not automated." "We live in a society where it's so easy to forget about where we came from," Mimi says. "So much is mass produced these days, and it's a whole different mindset. I appreciate the detail from the past." Her company has invested in community engagement, and she has partnered with a female-founded, all-women-run natural dye house in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and a women's lace guild in Kollam, India. A certified sustainable and organic factory in India that makes materials for her ready-to-wear line also provides full funding to all the female employees and their children to attend school. On this episode, Mimi shares her love for sustainable luxury fashion and a deep appreciation for history and handcraft, while your hostess with the most-est Holly Katz masterfully asks all the great questions: Where does Mimi get her inspiration and passion for vintage textiles and the repurposing of materials? How did she get started? How does she source her materials and create her designs? Why is sustainable fashion important to her – and to all of us? Who are the artisans and creators she works with? Where does she find them? What does Mimi herself wear every day? What are her favorite fashion pieces? What is next for the Mimi Prober brand? What is her point of view of the fashion industry? Where can everyone find and purchase her designs? We don't want to give you all the answers here – you need to hear Mimi's voice to feel her passion as an artist and a designer. Her ideas are big and creative, and she gives us so much to imagine and think about. This is one podcast episode you will want to immerse yourself in for a minute and learn about a myriad of philosophies and ideas that you just may not have ever heard before! Mimi Prober's ethereal designs are evergreen, collectible pieces. And her ideas and concepts are intentional and thoughtful. Join us for this refreshing point of view on fashion and the fashion industry. Mimi Prober is an inspiration, and we are so pleased to introduce you! Learn more about Mimi Prober at www.mimiprober.com or find her on Instagram. FASHION CRIMES PODCAST "The Best Fashion Friend You Never Knew You Needed!" www.fashioncrimespodcast.com