This is an Allison Bornstein fan account now…
If you’ve browsed one of my social media channels for even a second in the past three months, you’ll know that I’ve become slightly obsessed with Alison Bornstein and everything he does. A celebrity stylist (think Katie Holmes in the knit bra and KHAITE cardigan!!!) who also shares her style tips with the masses – I’m rooting for everything she puts out. It’s practical, it’s relevant, and even though it absorbs its content daily by osmosis, it helps me tremendously with my own personal style. There was only one thing left to do. Book a personal styling session with her. Sessions can focus on whatever you want – maybe you need help clearing out your wardrobe and defining your style, or maybe you’re going away and want a capsule holiday? Or are you getting married and want Alison to help you pick out your outfits for a weekend of celebrations? Or like me, you have some items you’ve invested in but just can’t seem to make them work. Whatever your need, it just asks that you come prepared with a few questions. And I came with questions from bucketload! Within an hour we created 11 “looks” and I got so many more tips along the way…
Ok here are the basics. I paid for the 1-hour FaceTime styling session with links (where she’ll send a personalized email after the call with suggestions of things that could go well with your wardrobe) – her top-of-the-line package, which costs just under £300. but prices start at £65. It’s an investment piece, you know? But what did we collect in an hour?! INCREDIBLE. It’s a FaceTime call, so you’re both on video, but I’m here to tell you that it was NOT OKAY. I’m someone who googles unknown numbers as they call me as I am that hates to pick up the phone but Alison is just as warm and friendly as her videos and the whole thing felt very comfortable – like being in the fitting room and shopping with your friend. Oh and your room will end up a full tip, but that’s part of the fun.
So what I learned about my style and the pieces I bought for show-and-tell – let me tell you…
Match the colors together. I was really struggling to get my style right Manolo Blahnik Ballerimu Pointed Toe Mules* which I bought used. They just felt too pointy and like they drew attention away from whatever I was wearing. Allison said they just had to ground it with something else black in the outfit – blue jeans, a black tee and a black bag is an easy look that most of us can pull together and it worked really well. We then challenged ourselves a bit more by choosing a contrasting color and wearing a cream skirt with a white tank and just adding a black bag for that ‘grounding’ effect. The same theory applied to me Anderson’s Belt in Tan*. Whenever I wore it, I always ended up taking it off and going back to my black. So Allison suggested I pair it with something brown elsewhere in my outfit. It turned out to be the perfect thing to wear with me MANGO knitted vest* and it looked better than the black belt would have. This is one of those really easy tips to remember and definitely something I felt like doing when picking out my outfit in the morning.
Sometimes you just have to sell it. I had a Ray Camisoll* that again I had bought preloved that I just couldn’t make work for me. Allison’s first goal is to always try it on with what you wear the most which is for me – jeans – OF COURSE. I put it on and even from my attitude we quickly came to the conclusion that it just wasn’t working. The straps were too short and the whole thing just didn’t sit right on my body. Instead of wasting time, I put it on myself Vinted stack and cut my losses. Sometimes you just have to give up.
Wear it with your ‘normal’. As I mentioned, Allison’s first tip if you’re struggling with a certain item in your wardrobe is to pair it with what you wear most often. Aka, the “regulars” in your wardrobe. We did this with every piece and nine times out of ten, with maybe a small change, we made it work. It can be that easy. With three of the four items I asked Alison about, that was all she needed. We might have rolled up a sleeve, changed a bag or added a layer – but the basis of the look was what I normally wear, meaning I felt very comfortable in it.
Open the bag. I’m a fool to stick with a bag. I mean just look at mine Whering App and see that the most worn item in my wardrobe BY A MIL is mine Loewe Small Puzzle Bag*. I’m wearing my new one right now St Agni Bagu Woven Bag* most, but Alison has changed my bags way more than I would and they really have the ability to completely change the vibe. Of course she didn’t know every element of my wardrobe, but she could see my bags behind me, so she said “Why don’t you try on that rope bag you have?” or “Do you have a black leather bag you could wear with it?”. It’s all about using what you already have and I LOVE it.
Lay it on. If you’ve watched Allison’s videos before, you’ll know she’s all about layering. But it’s something I often forget when I get dressed. Quite often during our session she would ask if I had a plain white shirt to layer over something or if I had tried wearing an oversized blazer over it Waistcoat SIR*. The end result? Perfectly balanced ensembles that are also practical for the fall transition. So if your outfit doesn’t look right, see if you can add a layer.
My three words. You think I was going to have an hour session with him Queen of Three Words and not my own wonderful brain for my own three words? HA! During the session, Allison added “Refined” and “Organic” to the mix to describe the elevated and refined feel I like to have in my clothes, but also that relaxed fit and textured look. It was perfect. We emailed afterwards and I asked about my third word, which I felt needed to be tougher and contrasted with the other two, so we settled on “Tailored” which I really think adds to that structured element. I can literally see the moodboard in my head for those three words and I feel like my wardrobe fits so well. I am!
Sometimes you need to change your brand. I have one LVIR Shirt Custom Linen* that I had tried to work many times but kept failing. It has a lot of bulk in the shoulders, which is just not for me. Instead of adding it to the “for sale” pile, we tried a few things. In fact, Allison said before I even put it on to put a white vest underneath, so apparently she already had the vision! In the end we made it work as a “backpack” with a rolled up sleeve. So it has been rebranded. It’s no longer a shirt, but part of my jacket collection and I’ve found it much easier and more flattering to wear.
To see all the outfits we’ve created together, check out my latest YouTube videos.
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