-Lauren Hutton via JCrew, Alexander Wang’s niece via Style Frizz

Is this the coldest winter in forever or what? Our friends in the Upper Mid-West are dealing with a deep freeze, but we’re not staying much warmer down here in the South. Layering is your friend…and these ladies look lovely doing it. Some pages from our own personal Style Files:

We’re waving our kerchiefs fondly as Summer sets out over the horizon.  

But our tears won’t last as we joyfully wrap ourselves in the luxurious textures of a winter wardrobe.  So snuggle up and enjoy some inspiration.

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Just got the fashion scoop from Domby, my sister’s fabulously chic clothing store in Iowa City.  (Yes Iowa, but don’t let that fool you.  It’s 2010, in the age of the Jetson’s you can be chic anywhere.)  But I digress…  Olive shades are big!  Let this tear sheet inspire you to up the chic factor and have fun with color this fall.

I’m sure this far into the summer you’ve found the most fabulous beach bag and it’s racking up the miles.  But don’t forget your towel is just as integral to your beach ensemble as those Prada sandals.   Here are some low and high options to complete that beach bombshell look.

Beautiful brocade inspired designs by Amy Butler

Gucci

Wallet feeling high or low?  High?  Try Tory Burch.

Low?  Try Dwell Studio for Target

Our flag fetish realized in towel form!  From Trussardi.

Burberry says don’t forget the baby.

Oh, and PS…

Who says rattan is just for sitting?  Love this rattan clutch from Tory Burch.

Jesse’s fabuously embroidered shirt from Laguna Beach Jean Co. has us itching to stitch.

It’s fun to don your country’s colors, but we’d rather not look like a cross between Wonder Woman and Evel Knievel.  Have always loved this shoot from Vogue 2008.  The union jack just seems to have a bit of rocker appeal.  Makes me want to break out my sewing machine and rock out with the stars and bars!.

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.                                                                                             Designs by Malene Birger

Soft hues with lots of Sparkle are just the right mix for a summer day and they also light up for a fun night!

One of Catherine’s great tips to help develop your own style-voice is to keep a “personal style file”.  We do this with clients as we collect tear sheets to inspire interiors work.  We discovered many of us in the studio do the same with fashion as well.  So we thought it might be fun to show you some images from our personal style files as well as an exclusive peek at the style file of the fashion maven herself, Catherine Horgan of Closet of Style.  Enjoy!

At risk of appearing shallow, we think “trendiness” gets a lot of bad press. To be clear, we love classic styling and looks that endure through years and generations. But, we reserve the right to be whimsical, spontaneous and adventurous. If that means pink kicks with a oversized taffeta bow, so be it.  Guys who come along for the ride in hot pink and plaid score high marks in our book.