Blazers, Lady Jackets, Crops and Trenches – The Fall Layer for Every Outfit

As the colder season approaches, transition and update your autumn wardrobe with our favorite trending easy-to-layer lightweight overcoats and jackets for Fall 2023! We’re diving into top layers we’ve seen on the runway and on influencers alike to bring you the ultimate layering edit. Want to skip straight to our must-shop list? Scroll to the bottom of the article.

Prepare your wardrobe for Fall/Winter 23 with the help of Los Angeles Personal Stylist Meg Gallagher! A list of Meg’s wardrobe styling services can be found here.

Layering on the East Coast

Layering looks different on opposite ends of the country! Average temperatures in NYC are already 64°(high)/50°(low) by October, compared to the much warmer 79°(high)/60°(low) average in Los Angeles. To combat cooler temperatures on the East Coast, Pair light to mid-weight coats, oversized blazers and trenches with sweaters and turtlenecks.

Layering on the West Coast

Thin, light layers for cool mornings and evenings out over your tanks, tees and slip dresses are perfect for autumn in Los Angeles! Expect oversized blazers, lightweight trenches, denim jackets and Moto jackets to be popularized this season.

Khaite Leads the Way With Fashion Forward Layering Silhouettes

Khaite’s Fall jacket styling perfectly encapsulates the trends we’re seeing for Fall 2023. Moto jackets, lady jackets, denim, crops and trenches are styled in classic chic neutral colors, opting for embellishments in python print, fringe or rocker-chic silver studs. We’ve picked out our favorites of Khaite’s directional styling images to inspire your wardrobe.

Shop Fall Jackets Here

The post Autumnal Layers, The Fall Layer for Every Outfit this Season appeared first on Madison to Melrose.

Business Casual: What To Wear As You Head Back to the Office

We’re entering 2023 with borrowed rules from both our relaxed days indoors and the structured outfits from years prior. As more businesses are transitioning to hybrid work models, some are summoning their employees back to the office full-time, or for even  ~1-2 days a week. Whether going back to the office for you is considered a cross between virtual meetings and business casual style (workleisure), or a full (9-5) at the office, it’s important to revisit your work wardrobe to adapt to an ever-shifting office culture.

Corporate office environments that have traditionally been ruled by strict dress codes are introducing business casual workwear and hybrid workwear options! We’re seeing long-term trends like pants with elastic waistbands, oversized silhouettes, and relaxed silk blouses in powerful colors that translate for virtual meetings and days in the office.

If you are ready to make a change and bring a bit more comfort and style into your business attire, consider my Return to Office Package for purchase (only available for a limited time) or shop the following casual work outfits and recommendations for men and women. Further, view my personal styling services to work with me one-on-one (or as a couple) so that you can fall back in love with your closet and come out of the pandemic as someone you really want to be in your career and in life.

The Working Wardrobe for Women and Men

The New Blazer: Collarless Jackets and Chore Jackets

We are loving these new jacket options over the traditional blazer! The new blazers for men and women are generally a lightweight and less structured option. They’re used as a layer to create texture in the outfit and yet, still finishes the look. The shoulder on a jacket is always good for an in-person or zoom meeting and offers authority. One collarless women’s jacket that we’re coveting right now is this luxe tweed collarless jacket.

Oversized Silhouettes and Unstructured Tops 

The oversized silhouette works for many! You can easily pair an oversized piece with a fitted contrast top or bottom. These relaxed shapes provide movement, while silently expressing ease. When shopping for an oversized top, be thoughtful about necklines so that you choose one that flatters your frame.

Stretchy Pants With Elastic Waistbands & Wide-Legged Pants

Instead of wearing overly restrictive tailored trousers, many are opting to wear loose-fitting pants with elastic waistbands back to work. The men’s carrot pant is a great example of this relaxed pant silhouette that shows a step in the right direction and a move away from sweatpants. When it comes to the perfect combo of an elastic waistband and wide-legged pants for women, we are loving these trousers at the moment.

Comfortable Work Dresses

A dress is an easy workwear staple, as it’s one piece head to toe! Right now, the softer flowier dresses speak to more business casual over a tailored sheath dress. To keep this look more relaxed, try pairing it with a tall boot or leather sneakers. Be thoughtful of necklines and sheerness – which can always be resolved with a topper or skin-colored slip.

Still Struggling With What to Workwear Outfits?

As a Personal Stylist, my job is to help you with transition—to consider new ways to breathe life into your wardrobe whether that be with business attire or not. Whatever the case may be, together, we can redefine your wardrobe and determine what works best for YOU as you navigate your return to the office. For more information and to see how my process works, contact me!

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Change up your at-home routine with our favorite feel-good addition to a spring wardrobe: the kimono! In a time where many of us are confined to an indoor wardrobe, this piece can add an element of artistic prowess and sensuality to otherwise simplistic loungewear. Here are three inventive ways to wear kimonos for undemanding flair in your everyday outfits!

Changing Up the Classic Denim + Tee

Wear your kimono casual-style with a simple tee and denim skirt, shorts or jeans! Pair with sneakers, sandals, slides, or comfy mules for Zoom meetings, online dinner parties with friends, or essential errands and for around the house!

Wear it For Date Night

Wear a kimono over a slip dress for an effortless date night indoors or over webcam!

Pair it With PJs

Movie nights and lazy Sundays get their upgrade when you mix PJs with a cozy kimono. We love how this simple addition to your ensemble can change a feeling of idleness to purposeful sophistication!

For more inspiration on how to wear kimonos, check out our Pinterest board!

Women’s kimonos We Love:

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Vans has re-introduced their familiar slip-on shoe with affordable custom designs which net proceeds will directly support small businesses in need. This is a shoe for EVERYONE! The classic slip-on sneakers transcend both age and gender with the ability to hyper-customize its design, material, and color right down to the sole.

Suitable for both indoors and outdoors, you can enjoy your custom sneaks around the house or slide them on with ease for day-to-day errands. For women, it can be styled with anything from a day dress to jeans and a tee. For men, up your street style sneaker game and pair them with a cool hoodie or jean jacket! With the purpose of continuing to enable creative expression, please join us as we lend a helping hand to FOOT the BILL!

Check out our how-to-style Pinterest boards below:

Shop Foot The Bill:

Supporting The Give-Back Initiative

Here are three more companies who are donating a proportion of their proceeds towards relief funds and food banks, and redirecting their production towards personal protective equipment for healthcare workers!

• Crocs have pledged to donate 10,000 pairs of shoes per day to healthcare workers.
• Everlane is donating all of the proceeds from their 100% Human Collection to Feeding America’s COVID-19 Response Fund.
• Hugo Boss has dedicated its clothing production site to the manufacturing of face masks, which will be donated to public facilities. 20% of HUGO BOSS’ (US) sales will be donated to the American Red Cross due aid with COVID-19 relief until April 5, 2020.
  

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We’re taking to Zoom for conference calls, getting in touch with family, convening for book club, and even hanging out with our friends. It feels great to see others and be seen! However, it’s no secret that without putting in any effort, web cameras are a recipe for unflattery. Indoor lighting and unforgiving camera angles are enough to kill the air of professionalism, as well as amplify shadows. We’re here to guide you on work from home/play from home outfits that will combat the perils of less-than-great lighting and help you express yourself while putting your best foot forward!

Tips and Tricks to Make a Brighter Presence on Any Video Platform:

Better in Bold

Brighten up dark days by wearing patterns, whites, brights, and shine!
Black reads harsh on camera, so try breaking up dark hues with bold statement jewelry.

Waist-Up Mentality

Let sweat pants be your secret weapon with these cozy-chic outfit ideas on dressing for your next virtual meeting.

Upkeep-ing the ‘Do

What goes on up top can make or break your look, too. Can’t get to your hairstylist? Try these easy-care hair tools and products.

Check out our Work From Home Outfit Pinterest board below!

WFH Outfit Ideas:

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While we are at home keeping our community safe, we at Meg Gallagher are determined to inspire however we can. One way is for us to keep sharing our creative style posts that can offer newness to your existing wardrobe and elevate your mental start to the day.

So whether you’re facing yet another week in social isolation, or you just got the memo that you need to stay indoors – Kick off your days at home with the NEW work uniform. De-stress and be cozy with our best-of-picks for men’s and women’s loungewear!

Top 10 Women’s Loungewear

Top 10 Men’s Loungewear

The post Our Top 10 on Loungewear appeared first on Madison to Melrose.

Meet the loafer, the shoe trending in Spring 2020 footwear! This shoe is walkable, office-friendly, and surprisingly versatile. Read on for three ways to style this smart silhouette.

Pair it with Jeans

Loafers are the perfect in-betweener for those casual jeans outfits that need an extra bump towards sophistication. Swap the sneakers for loafers, add a blazer or light trench and you’re ready to stroll the streets in style!

Leather n’ Loafers

Who knew that loafers would provide the perfect duality for your leather jacket? Reel in the punk with a bit of prep for a balanced outfit like no other.

Rock the Sock

What may seem somewhat satirical as a classic fashion “don’t” – bearing your sock has evolved into a boundary-breaking fashion “do”! Utilize sock color to work back to colors within your outfit. This can be applied not only to loafers, but most any other ankle-bearing shoe!

Check out our pinterest page for more styling and outfit ideas!

Shop Loafers:

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Valentine’s Day 2020 is upon us, and the casual date is more canon than ever before with low-key movie nights, daytime pizza dates, Galentines hangouts and romantic picnics in the park. We have some ideas on how to look cute without over-doing it for all of your Valentine’s needs!!! Read below for our top 5 favorite outfit ideas, and be sure to check out our Pinterest board for more outfit-bilities here.

Head-to-Toe Red

Monochrome is an easy way to bridge any outfit from the everyday into a well constructed date-ready look. And what better a statement color than sharp, powerful & passionate red?
If you’re not sold on the monochrome, check out our post on statement red shoes for a *step* into red territory!!

Shop the Look:

Say it With the Skirt

Elevate a simple top or sweater and sneakers with a statement skirt! This easy-wear ensemble is especially great if you’re planning to walk around town or stroll through the park.

Shop the Look:

Hint of Mystery

Preparing for a first date? Intrigue your partner-in-question with a hint of mystery. A black turtleneck creates a sophisticated air that will easily impress! Pair with a trench or blazer and you’re set for a night on the town.

Shop the Look:

Romantic Florals

Let a floral pattern speak to the theme of Valentines romance in the form of a dress, skirt or top!

Shop the Look:

Trophy Tops!!

Perfect for brunch, a sunny day at the art museum or a trip to the food truck, we love a flouncy trophy top paired with jeans and heels for that chic, it-girl vibe we can’t get enough of.

Shop the Look:

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Sustainable fashion is more accessible than ever with big names like Net-a-Porte (See: NET SUSTAIN), Nordstrom (See: Nordstrom Sustainable) and H&M (See: H&M Conscious) paving the way with their promotion of recycled materials and sustainable sourcing. While we are excited about these ever growing environmentally friendly options – there are many other ways to create a more conscious closet, and we’ve compiled some of our favorites! Here are five tried and true ways to create a sustainable wardrobe. 

1. Hosting or Attending a Clothing Swap Meet

We asked LA Clothing Swap Meet host and attendee Annie Girard (instagram: @AnnieGirardYAY) to explain swap meets to us and divulge what elements create the most successful event! Annie explained that organizing the pieces people bring by type or size before the swap begins and using predetermined rules (such as a game, or drawing numbers from a hat) keeps a swap meet light and fun while allowing people to get things they may actually want. People can bring anything from clothing items they no longer wear to accessories and unused makeup samples. For hosting an event, have hangers, clothing racks and food and drinks to share! Any clothing not taken by the end of the night can be donated.
Hosting a smaller event as a girls’ night between friends can be especially successful if people share a similar sense of style, or ideal for giving away any sentimental pieces you no longer wear but feel guilty donating. For larger events, Annie says swap meets instill a warm sense of community between women.

2. Shopping Resale

Find pre-owned pieces for a chunk of the original price! Here’s a list of some of our favorite resale sites and shops.

TheRealReal.com is a valuable source for authenticated luxury consignment – great for both purchasing and selling!

Rebag.com is a Manhattan-based luxury bag consignment website and store with the option to buy, sell or exchange bags – Go from one handbag to the next with no regrets! In-store locations: LA, NYC and Florida.

Vestiairecollective.com is a French company dedicated to a sustainable approach to luxury fashion, taking a unique approach to consignment with it’s careful curation of desirable and expertly authenticated pieces. We love it’s strong international community that spans over 50+ countries!

With new arrivals every day, Tradesy.com is a reliable and popular authenticated luxe style consignment site that creates easy opportunity for you to sell and buy fabulous pieces! Free returns makes Tradesy a great stop for first-timers in luxury consignment.

With shops in Studio City, Los Angeles, Santa Monica and San Fransisco, Wasteland is a well stocked source for current pieces – great for men and women!

3. Shopping Vintage

Like shopping resale, shopping vintage is an easy way to snag covetable already-existing piece! Whereas you may see many seemingly unique, historically rich items in any given shop – you’ll want to find pieces that have withstood the test of time (See Article: How to Buy Vintage Clothes for Beginners). Risky pieces to buy vintage include belts and shoes especially – both of which have likely endured tension and wear-and-tear that leave pieces to fall apart soon after purchase. Despite any risks, there is high reward to finding a great vintage piece that no other person will be wearing out on the streets. Here are some thoughtfully curated sites and stores that specialize in selling reputable vintage we love!

Poshmark.com sells both resale and vintage! We especially love buying vintage on this site because the format includes in-depth descriptions, allows for plenty of product photos and has a comments section to allow for further questions about the product before purchasing. You can negotiate pricing and for further protection, Poshmark has an involved protection systems for refunds on misrepresented items, including pieces with undisclosed damage.

Resee.com is a resale and vintage site that has pieces from as far back as the 1920’s. We love this site for it’s beautiful product photos and easy site searchability.

Both online and on La Brea Avenue, this Los Angeles based vintage store is filled with unforgettable pieces fit for the stars!

4. Shop Your Closet

Now more than ever is a great time to shop your closet! There’s limited newness in store time of year, so dig up that vintage piece hidden in the back of your closet, or visit pinterest for new ways to wear last season’s top. See our post on reworking pieces you already have in your closet for cold weather outfit inspiration.

5. Rewear Your Cocktail and Black Tie

Find a new way to wear the pieces you’ve only worn for that one party or event. Pull out your LBD and re-work it with different jewelry! Add a different coat, leather jacket or blazer. Swap heels for boots!

This post is dedicated to Australia in lieu of the fires that have recently ravaged it’s southeast coast, in the states of New South Wales and Victoria. We believe that being mindful of our environment in everyday choices provide positive steps toward a brighter, greener future. If you feel inclined, we invite you to take a look at two verified Australian relief organizations whom are currently accepting donations that provide assistance to those affected in the tragedy.  

VICTORIAN BUSHFIRE APPEAL
“The Victorian Government has partnered with Bendigo Bank and The Salvation Army to establish the Victorian Bushfire Appeal. 100% of donated funds will go directly to communities in need. “
(description via www.vic.gov.au)

AUSTRAILIA ZOO WILDLIFE HOSPITAL
“Bindi Irwin, the daughter of famed wildlife conservationist and “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin, has been taking in many displaced animals at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, which is owned by her mother, Terri. “
(description via USAtoday.com)

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The New Year sales are here, but what should you buy? This week we take a look at what Personal Stylist Meg Gallagher and her assistant Keli look for and purchase during a sale.

Meg says that a sale is the perfect time to stock up on luxury basics you normally couldn’t afford. Great coats, jeans, sweaters, blazers, cardigans, boots and bags that can be worn again and again lower the cost per wear and make jumping on a sale a worthy investment. Here are some of Meg’s favorite picks of the current New Years Sale!

Meg’s Sale Picks

Keli’s all about stocking up on flattering statement pieces that can be worn back to neutral color palettes. We’re talking versatile animal patterns, unique silhouettes and textural pieces like fringe, tulle or shiny silks that take an outfit to the next level. The key to a worthy sale purchase is finding an interesting but adaptable piece that can be layered and styled to match any season!

Keli’s Sale Picks

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