Tomoko Ogura, the women’s fashion director for Barneys New York, answers style questions in this week’s nytimes.com. Ogura’s expert answers? Scarves and stripes. Two items I can’t live without and sounds like I’m not the only fan. The Q & A: What’s your best-selling item right now? “A.L.C. dresses, in particular the navy and white striped jersey T-shirt dress (shown below, $295). Andrea Lieberman has nailed the stylish yet comfortable dress. She uses beautiful Japanese and Italian fabrics that are luscious to the touch.” What’s the one thing...

Photo courtesy of nytimes.com. Not including underwear, shoes, and accessories, could you do what other “sixers” have done and wear only six carefully-planned items from your closet for an entire month? Stella Brennan, 31, an insurance sales executive from Kenosha, Wisconsin did just that. Her six chosen items were: A black blazer from H & M Pants from H & M Two button-down shirts — one black and one pink A pair of Old Navy jeans A pink T-shirt. Brennan’s experiment, called a “shopping diet,” is one of several discussed in a recent nytimes.com article titled,...

Photo courtesy of nytimes.com. Catherine Deneuve makes 66 look pretty darn good. Yesterday’s New York Times highlights “Ten Ways to Age Like A Frenchwomen” and although there were no big surprises, the list seems to encompass a more general philosophy of how French women approach taking care of themselves. A related Nytimes.com article, “Aging Gracefully the French Way,” quotes Françoise Augier (a friend of nytimes writer Ann Morrison) as saying: “For Parisiennes, maintaining their image is as natural as tying a perfect scarf or wearing stilettos on cobblestone...

This is the first in my series of blogposts on what to be on the lookout for this Fall. I’m starting with the draped skirt because this versatile and super stylish item goes under the category of “MUST HAVE.” You’ll find them in several different fabrics and colors, but I’m liking the ones in black, gray, and taupe the best and I think a hint of leather or going all leather really turns up the style. The best part about the draped skirt is how forgiving and flattering it looks on almost any figure. Most of the styles aren’t fussy in the least — nothing worse...

Photo courtesy of AMC/Banana Republic On July 25th, season 4 of Mad Men begins. I know I’m anxious to see what Joan, Betty, Don, and Peggy Olson will be wearing. Coming soon, regular folks like us that spend our time in 2010, can wear looks inspired by this super stylish and popular show. Banana Republic is once again (this happened last fall as well) teaming up with the AMC show. Stylelist.com reports that Banana Republic is, “promoting the series via its store windows, a how-to style guide (which shows readers how to dress from 9 to 5 and then for dinner at 8), online instructional...

Brenna Egan is an LA-based television and film wardrobe stylist and former Vogue staffer. Her vintage clothing website, Chic and You Shall Find, offers buyers a little something extra with their purchase; a little backstory. Featured in the July issue of Entrepreneur, Egan is credited with, “hunting down covetable clothes and writing tall-tales copy and also acts as the site’s photographer and model booker, shooting professionals and amateurs (her friends, mostly) at her house in Los Angeles.” “That’s why I’m super picky about what I buy,” Egan says....

Photo courtesy of shesaid.com. My book club finds it a challenge to stick to just talking about books so we like to occasionally throw something else in the mix. Last month, we had a vision board party and this month, we held a clothing swap. A clothing swap is a great way to revamp your wardrobe without spending a dollar. Plus, nothing new was manufactured making it an eco-friendly practice as well! Here’s how a clothing swap works: Everyone brings 10-15 items. Our book club also brings beverages and snacks. Once everyone arrives, quickly sort all the items. Clothing should go on a wardrobe...

My daughter and I are bridesmaids in my best friend’s wedding this August. The bride has only one request; that we wear gray cocktail dresses. Any shade of gray will do. Sounds easy enough, but as someone who shops for a living, I can assure you that gray dresses are going to be a challenge to locate in the summer. Rent the Runway to the rescue! The $295 Rebecca Taylor dress I chose for myself rents for $50 and the $550 Robert Rodriguez dress my daughter chose rents for $75. The rental is good for four days and they also have an eight-day rental option for an extra fee. At no extra charge, you...