Styled By: Lawren Howell

As I shared yesterday, I met Lawren years ago when I first started showing at New York Fashion Week. A fashion editor and stylist, she began her career at Vogue working for the Editor in Chief and Executive Fashion Editor, and later moved to the West Coast to work out of Vogue’s LA office. Today, she works in a freelance capacity, styling for a myriad of brands, magazines and personalities. Needless to say, her style and eye are impeccable, and she was kind enough to share just a few of her secrets, below. I hope you enjoy. XXJKE

R+T: How would you describe your personal style?

East Coast patrician meets Californian boho.

R+T: What are the five timeless pieces you could not live without?

my Irene Neuwirth custom rose cut diamond wedding ring

my vintage French navy sailor striped shirt

my Proenza Schouler motorcycle jacket

my Band of Outsiders army green canvas jacket and pant suit

Charvet white pintucked tux shirt

R+T: What are the five pieces you are loving this season?

Newbark loafers

Junya Watanabe jeans

black Acne skinny jeans

Ancient Greek Sandals

Marimekko red and white striped boxy tee.

R+T: Fill in the blanks…

 Feeling good  is more important than _looking good   .

Every woman needs _a well-made bag__.

When you can’t find anything to wear,    a black cashmere sweater   and _black jeans_ never fail.

  Lee Radziwill_  is a classic style icon that I think always got it right.

_A crazy accessory   can make or break an outfit.

_A fabulous winter coat_  is a worthy investment piece.

R+T: After years of working in the fashion industry and styling professionally, what are 3-5 pieces of wisdom about personal style, shopping and fashion that you consider worthy of passing on to others?

– I think it’s wise to clean out your closet every 6 months.

– Find a great tailor – and use that tailor to update items from your closet that you’re not ready to part with but that need an update.

– I love vintage, but I would advise against wearing head-to-toe vintage as it can run the risk of looking costumey.

– Always add a rubber sole to shoes that get a lot of wear or have thin leather soles, like sandals. I have a few pairs of sandals that have been with me for years and years because I continue to take care of them, and bring them into the shoe repairman when they get worn down.

– As much as I love Zara, I don’t love the concept of fast fashion. I think as consumers, we need to be mindful of our choices, and careful not buy clothes that have a short life span. There is a lot of waste and excess in the fashion industry as a whole, yet most stylish men or women adhere to their own strict style code and do not transform themselves with each passing season.

Lawren is wearing a Jenni Kayne Grid Georgette Dolman Top

Photos: Yayo Ahumada