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Bryn Taylor, a professional stylist, is the founder of The Re-Stylist a personal styling service and site devoted to the fashion needs of women over 40 living in or around New York., The Re-Stylist helps clients create modern, flattering ways of dressing that suit their evolving tastes, lifestyles, and body types.
Through in-depth wardrobe consultations and closet cleans, clients learn what looks good on them, where and how to shop, and how to use outfit-building tools and an organized closet to make getting dressed fun again.
Bryn Taylor has been in the industry for over seven years. She’s worked with Bloomingdale’s, Phillips Van-Heusen, J. Crew, Vintage Shoe Company, House of Lavande, and L’Oréal, among others. Her greatest joy, however, comes from personal styling, where she can help change someone’s whole outlook through a simple change of clothes.
Bryn prides herself on listening, giving sincere advice, and offering a fresh perspective to help her clients feel confident and chic. There’s a particular place in her heart for women of sophistication. They are the most beautiful. And, of course, the most fun to dress!
For more information on The Re-Stylist and services offered, please visit therestylist.com or email Bryn at bryn@therestylist.com.
Restyling Yourself:
Because every woman evolves
Breaking Down Business Casual
If you work in an office, summer can be quite a perplexing time when it comes to clothing choices. Especially when said office promotes a ‘business casual’ dress code. What exactly is business casual? Do I have to wear suits? Can I opt for jeans? Are open-toed shoes okay? These are just a few of the questions I hear from clients in this very common predicament.
Business casual is a ridiculously broad term that can be defined many different ways according to the company you work for. Annoying, I know. First and foremost, check with your human resources department to acquaint yourself with any specific rules they may follow. If they don’t have too many restrictions, then you can stay in the safe—yet chic--zone by sticking to these general guidelines.
The key is to think polished and tasteful at all times. And since there are fewer restrictions, you can take this opportunity to have some fun with your choices!
1. Ditch the suit.
A suit is strictly for business attire. Opt instead for a pair of tailored trousers and airy blouse or crisp button-down. For more coverage, try a cardigan over the whole look, or a blazer that’s a different color than the pants.
2. Keep it PG.
While the summer months make it tempting to bare all, remember you are in a place of work and shouldn’t be flaunting your business for the world to see. Skirt and dress-wise, this means nothing that goes too far above the knee. If you think it’s not that short when you’re standing, consider what happens to those precious inches when you sit down for a meeting!
3. Sleeveless is fine, as long as the top is polished.
Showing your arms is totally acceptable in a biz casual situation (just look at Michelle Obama), but you have to make sure the top or dress is polished enough for the office. Avoid flimsy cotton tanks or too-casual summer dresses, and opt instead for a sleeveless blouse or structured sheath dress.
4. Stay away from jeans unless it’s specified that you can wear them.
Office rules are usually very clear on if or when you can wear denim. To err on the side of caution, ditch the jeans for some tailored chinos, slouchy trousers, or twill pants. If your office does allow jeans, flaunt an unexpected white pair with a sharp black blazer.
5. Shoes should be flirty, but not vampy.
Closed-toe shoes are always acceptable (I prefer a nice kitten heel if you’re going to be on your feet all day), but open toes are also fine. Just make sure to strike a happy medium – nothing too casual like flip-flops, and nothing too ‘sultry date night’ like ultra-high strappy heels.
Stick to these general guidelines, and you’ll have business casual in the bag. And remember to have fun with it! Play around with mixing colors and prints, and use bold accessories to jazz up any ensemble. The sky’s the limit, as long as you keep things classy!
Check out more insider style tips, including this season’s jewelry must-haves on The Re-Stylist’s blog.
