Fashion Cents From an Expert

It's that TIme of Year

Christmas is the one time of year when most women have a chance to dress up, but it’s nearly impossible to think about ourselves with all of the holiday scrambling. This year I say take time to treat yourself! And to keep things fun, I tracked down a professional stylist to share the scoop she usually saves for clients.

Effortlessly Chic

Cecile Blanco is the perfect person to chat up about style―her roots make her effortlessly chic. “I’m a Southern girl, too, you know,” she explains in her South of France accent. She’s also a mother, wife, and working woman whose mantra is “down-to-earth solutions for style emergencies.” It’s not just about the clothes though. Her other mantra resonates even more: “Looking your best is a great shortcut to feeling better on a bad day.”

Here she offers her specialty: one full day of shopping with a clear sense of self on a tight budget.

A Day in the Life

8 a.m.
Cecile Blanco dashes from her Atlanta home to consult clients.

10 a.m.
Cecile collaborates with the owner of James Madison Salon.

12:30 p.m.
The stylist explains how to use eye color to guide clothing color choices.

2:30 p.m.
She uses a point system to prevent overaccessorizing. Each eye-arresting feature earns a point, and you should never exceed 10 points.

4 p.m.
Mix interesting accessories with a solid black dress for a fresh look.

Shopping Sense

After I complete a personal style assessment, she takes me on a day of dashing from boutiques to bargain stores to a hair salon. Energy bars are needed to make it through our fast-paced schedule. Cecile coaches constantly―pointing out flattering garment cuts, suggesting accessories to complement facial features, and using eye color as a guide to fabric color selections. These new shopping guidelines give me a huge confidence boost. They help me feel like I’m making expert choices. It’s fun to feel so intelligent while shopping.

Frugal Fashionista Cheat Sheet

Cost-Per-Wear Formula
Cost of garment = Total cost paid / anticipated number of wears

• Buy it: $100 trousers, worn 10 times = $10 per wear
• Beware: $600 evening gown, worn twice = $300 per wear

Holiday Accessories How-To

• Don’t: Wear a necklace with matching earrings, matching bracelets, and matching rings.
• Do: Show off your creativity by mixing different types of jewelry.
• Don’t: Think about wearing that holiday sweater with glitz and ornaments again.
• Do: Play with colors and incorporate red and gold into your accessories.
• Don’t: Use ornament-type earrings.
• Do: Go over the top by wearing unexpected, bold accessories that are still tasteful.

Top Five Accessories a Woman Must Own

1. Quality black leather bag
2. Signature necklace that makes a personality statement
3. Glossy sling-back pumps that dress up any outfit
4. Quality leather boots that go from office to a fun dinner
5. Large cocktail ring that says “here I am!”

Homework-Really?

We end with her signature double-cheek kiss. But, alas, so much knowledge in one short day is bound to be forgotten too soon. Aha―Cecile has prepared a take-home folder with all of her best tips. The perfect ending to a perfectly fabulous day!