Buy it, keep it, let it go–it’s the perennial wardrobe dilemma. We asked the advice of two top Chicago stylists, Patric Chauvez and Sam Sok.
These fashion pros, whose clients include celebrities, magazines and TV shows, share their secrets on keeping your look fresh and your shopping smart.
WHAT TO KEEP
Patric: SKINNY TROUSERS
Sam: AN A-LINE SKIRT
WHAT TO PURGE
Patric: ANYTHING MILITARY
Sam: PONCHOS
MUST-HAVE FOR SPRING
THE DRESS
Patric: A BRIGHTLY COLORED OR BELTED DRESS. CHECK OUT LANVIN.
Sam: A FLORAL PRINTED DRESS LIKE THOSE BY STELLA MCCARTNEY, BALENCIAGA OR DRIES.
SECRET SHOPPING ADDRESSES:
Patric: Leslie Hindman Couture Auctions
lesliehindman.com
Sam: Gamma Player
“This Wicker Park shop carries chic, classic labels that are hard to find in Chicago and the U.S.” Also, netaporter.com
Patric: “Remember–everything eventually goes on sale.”
SURE-FIRE METHOD TO THE SHOPPING MADNESS
Patric: Stalk your must-have until it goes on sale. If it’s gone, get the next best thing–on sale.
Sam: Know the shopping calendars, when to shop for the best deals. Twice a year: late November and early December. For spring, May and early June.
THE ONE THING TO BUY ON SALE
Patric: A PAIR OF STILETTOS BY CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN OR MARC JACOBS
Sam: A FEMININE WHITE BLOUSE BY RALPH LAUREN OR ZAC POSEN
Your fashion muse?
Patric: Carine Roitfeld, (left) the editor of French Vogue. “She is so self-assured that the most flamboyant outfit that would consume most women look superb on her.”
Sam: Cate Blanchett, (above) “She is the quintessential fashionista who knows how to make it her own. The clothes never wear her. She is well put together. Judging from the type of woman she is, she is intelligent and makes great choices in her career and certainly has a say in what she wears as well.”
WHERE TO BE SEEN:
Patric: Don’t be a follower–create your own scene.
Sam: Starbucks at Rush near Oak. Locals, retailers, tourists. You get a mishmash of all kinds of fashion.
Favorite fashion film
Patric: “I love the James Bond girls.”
Sam: “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” I have seen it 50 times, and it’s still a lot of fun to watch. The opening scene where she is getting ready–so effortless, a black dress, black shoes, great accessories and she’s done. She got dressed in 5 minutes, but she looked incredibly chic because she had the right pieces.
