Celebrity Stylist Britt Bardo

Legit style advice is hard to come by these days, as we fashionistas get bombarded daily by random sale alerts, archaic rules (i.e. Don’t Wear White After Labor Day), and trend reports on out-of-our-reach accessories. Fortunately, even while being a stylist-to-the-stars, today’s resident expert Britt Bardo maintains down-to-earth approach to fashion and has a few DIY style tips up her designer sleeve. Here she briefs us on her background and reveals that the ultimate must-have accessory is a mega-watt smile:

o Hometown: I was born in Lima, Ohio, moved to Indiana when I was 13 and then To Detroit, Michigan when I was 18
o Current residence: Los Angeles, California
o Years in the business: 6
o First job in fashion: Helped run the G Star New York Showroom.
o Biggest Break: When I was an stylist assistant and Jennifer Lopez asked me to stop assisting and be her personal stylist.
o Favorite stylist trick: Take Polaroid pics of yourself in outfits so you can compare and see what looks best on you.

o Five items every girl needs in their wardrobe:
1. A pair of sexy but comfortable shoes
2. A great-fitting, sexy little white shirt. It is classic and chic and goes with everything.
3. Bold accessories. Give an outfit some ammunition with bold accessories
4. A pair of great fitting dark jeans with a touch of stretch for comfort. They can be dressed up or down for day or night.
5. Lastly, every wardrobe needs a natural and effortless touch. Smile! It’s so simple yet so effective. My secret weapon is Aquafresh White Trays Revive. It’s a touch up for previously whitened teeth. In just two days, you’ll have a brighter smile.

o Favorite summer trends: I love that any length is a go on dresses these days. Easy, comfortable Maxi and mini dresses are perfect for summer. Combine with a great gladiator sandal or high heel. Also I am really into accessories with light and delicate feathers right now. I have seen tons of earrings and bracelets that are incorporating this beautiful natural touch.

o Most treasured item in your closet: I have a small collection of chiffon vintage dresses from the 20’s and earlier which I LOVE and have helped inspire me when designing my own collection ROSE.

o Biggest inspiration: So many things but probably first and foremost my handful of super close girlfriends whom are so creative and have such beautiful spirits. We are constantly bouncing thoughts and ideas off of each other. Nature, the Ocean and the unconditional love and devotion I receive from my two dogs.

o Favorite vintage stores: The Way We Wore (Los Angeles), New York Vintage (NYC)

o Describe your own personal style: MOODY. A lot of black, definitely always an underlying tone of a harder edge there but pretty simple. I tend to focus on simple great silhouettes and add an amazing shoe and I like to pile on tons of delicate jewelry.

o Biggest mistake women make when shopping or getting dressed: Not buying or wearing the right undergarments. Also check out what you look like from both front and back.

o Favorite spring runway shows? Fall shows? Sonia Rykiel Spring 2008, Preen Spring 2008 Sonia Rykiel Fall 2008, Alexander Mcqueen Fall 2008, Alexander Wang Fall 2008

o Favorite city & why: It’s a tie between New York and Paris. New York for its electric energy that you feel the moment you arrive and Paris for its breathtaking old buildings and the sense of history, romance and magic the city puts out and of course because they are both fashion capitals.

A few examples of Bardo’s recent handiwork:

Malin Ackerman at the Heartbreak Kid premiere, Kate Hudson at the Dior couture show, Emmanuelle Chriqui at the Don’t Mess with Zohan premiere

*Snaps = Wireimage

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Long before Ralph, Tommy, and Tory dabbled in country club-chic, brands all along the Eastern seaboard pioneered—and perfected—distinctive preppy styles. In honor of summer’s arrival—and with it, many picturesque clambakes, tennis matches, and polo games—we pay homage to iconic blue-blood brands. So before you board the puddle-jumper or pour yourself a T&T, take cues from this short-list when planning your preppy summer wardrobe:

Lilly Pulitzer

Jackie Kennedy—the patron saint of all-American style—was one of the first lady-like tastemakers to sport Lilly Pulitzer’s distinctive, patterned frocks. (The former First Lady and the designer were class-mates at the Chapin school in Manhattan’s Upper East Side.) Since the Palm Beach-based label’s inception in the late ‘60s, many of Jackie O’s fans (and really, who isn’t one!?!) have followed suit.

Stubbs & Wootton

A favorite all along the Eastern Seaboard from Palm Beach (where the label got its start) to Newport, Stubbs & Wootton slip-ons are a staple of upper-crust attire.

Emilio Pucci

A favorite of the pearl-wearing set, Pucci’s swirling prints have been hostess-attire since the 1960s, when hostess-with-the-mostesses like C.Z.Guest and Babe Paley began sporting the Italian house’s signature frocks.

Vera Bradley

Vera Bradley’s quilted duffel bags are a frequent fixture on Nantucket ferries, Palm Beach puddle-jumpers, and Newport sidewalks. Fortunately for us, these cheery satchels–priced between $50 and $150–don’t require trust funds to purchase.

Sperry Topsider

Whether on or off the water, the yachting crowd often opts for the sweet, starboard-ready boat shoes from Sperry Topsider.

CK Bradley

Founded in 1999 by young Manhattanite Camilla Bradley (then a student at the prestigious Trinity school) CK Bradley features a candy-colored assortment of cheekily-printed belts, headbands, and more Blair Waldorf-worthy accessories.

David Yurman

Those that think of “summer” as a verb prefer the sophisticated, yet simple designs of David Yurman. The jeweler’s signature twist and buckle-accented baubles complement both private school wardrobes and doyenne dress.

Kenneth Jay Lane

Coral pendants, colorful enamel, and charming aquatic animals are key motifs in Kenneth Jay Lane’s cheap’n'chic baubles. (Because the diamond tennis bracelet can be so gauche to wear non-stop in the summer.)

L.L.Bean

A must-have from Cape Cod shores to South Hampton greens, monogram-ready totes from Maine’s L.L.Bean label appeal to those whose surname comes with stately roman numerals.

Vineyard Vines

Founded by former investment bankers, brothers Shep & Ian Murray, Vineyard Vines takes its name and aesthetic inspiration—think seersucker shorts, patchwork skirts, and ribbon belts—from the tony vacation hot-spot, Martha’s Vineyard.

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Now, don’t get stressed out: This isn’t an I.Q. test or anything, but take a second to look at the shapes below. Which one seems, how shall we say this, more streamlined?

The blue one on the right, right? That’s what I think too. Today, this elementary school exercise came to mind as I walked by a major retailer (who shall not be named) whose store windows were filled with dozens of these knee-length skirts:

Now, to the untrained shopper’s eye, these breezy pieces may seem a comfy summer classic, but to a savvy sartorialist, they scream UNFLATTERING. Tapering at the waist and breathing out at the calf, the skirt emphasizes the widest part of the lower leg: the hard-to-miss calf. Even with a sleek top, this leg-heavy silhouette makes the wearer seem short and stumpy, adjectives few find appealing.

To avoid such wardrobe pitfalls, try this simple styling trick: To figure out if a potential purchase will be flattering or not, try to zone in on the silhouette by thinking of every garment as a square, rectangle, diamond, or circle. (This I learned from a fantastic ballet teacher who instructed her students to think of their bodies as wooden blocks, and to think of every ballet pose as aligning the blocks in a particular composition. The concept works just as well when applied to body parts and wardrobe pieces.)

Here, an example of some of the most slimming warm-weather silhouettes:

*Snaps= 4 silhouette examples from Victoria’s Secret

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In case you haven’t noticed, there’s a rather charming little video right here.

If you click on it—which I think you should—and you’ll find a short clip about eco-style from the geniuses behind WhoWhatWearDaily. Over the following 60 seconds, you’ll notice a few things to admire: 1)It doesn’t make you feel bad about not wearing—or wanting to wear—head-to-toe green garb. 2)The wardrobe tips actually seem possible to pull off. 3) It features endearing taste-makers including KT Tunstall. Three counts of sartorial inspiration in under 100 seconds; Can’t say that for very many things now can you? So what are you waiting for? Click on it and cheer up.

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Sarah Jessica Parker wears Erickson Beamon necklaces at last night’s Point Foundation Honors The Arts at Capitale,NYC

While not the kind of die-hard SJP worshipper that some of my colleagues are (the most devoted of the bunch has a photo of Carrie Bradshaw’s expansive closet as her screensaver. For reals! That is love!), I can appreciate her styling prowess. For instance, last night she stepped out (along with her Sex & the City cohorts and West Village neighbors Gwyneth Paltrow and Helena Christensen) wearing a simple satin dress and three bold necklaces from Erickson Beamon.

Now, the statement necklace trend has hanging around for some time, dripping off runway all-stars and red-carpet regulars with a high fashion I.Q. —like SJP herself—for good reason: One easy piece can gussy up every thing from jeans to simple shift dresses. Plus, the kookier the piece, the less you have to worry about finding a garment of the same hue, era, etc. (As and added bonus, long lariats like SJP’s tend to elongate the figure—a trick that comes in handy when you’ve got paparazzi nipping at your Louboutin heels!) Should you want to channel her highness on your next SATC-infused evening (You know, when you slip into some multi-hued get-up and transform into one cocktail-swilling, snarktastic flirt. Don’t deny it!), try one or two of these cosmopolitan stunners instead of the locket/name in script/charm of your homestate necklace you usually wear:

Stephen Dweck, $3150

Subversive, $2400

Tom Binns, $698

Subversive for Target, $59.99

Erickson Beamon, $798

Urban Outfitters, $14.99

J.Crew, $125

*Snaps: Wireimage

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Imagine, if you will, that every time you left your house, you were photographed; snapshots of your best (and, gulp, worst) wardrobe choices had the possibility of winding up in places where your appearance—from hair to heels—was scrutinized by the masses. Now, put yourself in the shoes of a designer who has to whip up 30+ novel looks four times a year all while having to develop, represent, and maintain a certain type of dressing that sets them apart from hundreds of competitors.

If placed in either position—nevermind both at once—you’d need (an iron will) and few fail-proof wardrobe guidelines to make it through the day, wouldn’t you? And chances are you’d have learned way more than your fair share of style secrets, right? We thought so, which is why we asked Nicky Hilton—red carpet regular, Nicholai designer, and world famous pop culture icon—for her top 10 fashion rules. While Hilton’s codes have little to do with leather-like leggings, military jackets, and mod accessories—all key motifs of her fall ´08 collection—her no-nonsense tips are guaranteed to work for everyday Janes and paparazzi magnets alike.

1. Always have a black pump in your closet.
2. Don’t buy up every “it bag.” They go out of style fast. Invest in a classic.
3. If you’re short, avoid ankle straps on shoes. They cut your leg off and make your legs look short.
4. Wear your jewelry during the day. Its ALWAYS ok to wear diamonds.
5. Buy a great coat every season. It doesn’t matter what you’re wearing underneath if you have a fabulous coat.
6. Wear color. It gets you noticed.
7. Always have manicured nails.
8. Accessorize with colorful or printed scarves. They can really dress up an outfit.
9. Buy vintage. That way, you know you’re not going to bump into anyone wearing the same thing as you.
10. Buy a great pair of boots. Knee-high, ankle…whatever.

*Snaps = Nicholai Fall ‘08 runway from Nicholai, Hilton from Wireimage

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Admit it: We’ve all been guilty of it from time to time—even high profile celebrities have committed style crimes. To make sure you’re not on anyone’s worst-dressed list, brush up on the top 5 fashion faux pas—and find out what you should wear instead.

Fashion Faux-Pas #1: Excessive Accessorizing

Wearing sparkling shoes, shiny wrap, bag, headband, and an armful of bangles, Paris Hilton OD’s on accessories.

The Fix: Unless you’re going for the young-Hollywood, super-accessorized look, abide by the rule of three when it comes to accessorizing. Pick any three accents—a headband, necklace, watch, earrings, glittery heels or scarf—for every outfit. Wearing any more than a few accessories at a time can look messy and distracting, and keeping baubles to a minimum prevents the shopping stress of having to find pieces that look harmonious together.

Mayle Bag, Joie Flat sandal, Shopbop scarf

Fashion Faux-Pas #2: Over-Dosing on Animal Prints

Bai-Ling shows off her adventurous side in a wild zebra caftan gown.

The Fix: With the safari trend in full swing for spring, wild animal prints are looking pretty appealing. To avoid looking like you belong in a zoo, skip the head-to-toe looks in favor of a few bold accessories. Remember, when it comes to zebra stripes and leopard spots, less is more—more fashionable that is.

Nordstrom bangles, Manolo Blahnik heels

Fashion Faux-Pas #3: Mis-Matching Heels & Hemlines

Pairing short-shorts and super-high heels, Jenna Jameson commits a fashion felony.

The Fix: Figuring out which shoe and skirt or dress combo looks the best is a science—one that’s all about making the legs look good. As a general rule, hemlines above the knee work best with flats—think of all those cute ‘60s styles. Skirts or dresses that hit right at the knee can be paired with slight heels, while high heels look best with styles that hit just below the knee hemlines. When wearing something super long, unless it’s an evening gown, stick to fuss-free flat sandals.

From left to right: Wayf skirt, Miu Miu heels, Swell dress, Loeffler Randall Target flats, Tibi long dress, Juicy Couture flats.

Fashion Faux-Pas #4: Too-Trendy Jeans

While uber-trendy, Kim Kardashian’s wide-leg high-waist jeans seem to swim on her petite pear-shaped frame.

The Fix: Denim trends fluctuate every six months or so, but that doesn’t mean that you should test-drive every new style that resurfaces. To avoid bold wardrobe experiments back-firing, stick to silhouettes that flatter your figure as well as straight-leg dark-wash versions that will never go out of style.

Jeans: Gap & Citizens of Humanity

Fashion Faux-Pas #5: Too Many Textures

Juliette Lewis gets lost behind her many layers.

The Fix: Tempting as designers’ slick, sequined, or lush knit pieces may be, pulling off today’s trendy mix and match look is all about practicing restraint. Keep things simple by sticking to two textures, with an emphasis on classic combinations like hard (denim) and soft (knits) or sleek (patent) and stiff (starched cotton).

Vince Patent Coat, Banana Republic Cotton Dress

Victoria’s Secret Denim coat, JCrew Cashmere dress

*Celeb snaps = Splashnews 

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*Snaps from designers themselves 

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#1) Nothing says Modern-Day Betty Crocker like a checker-print mini-dress. LAMB @ Shopbop

#2) Your Bravo bud Kelly Wearstler doesn’t own the boho look you know. For the BBQ challenges, channel Talitha Getty! Sunner @ Shopbop

#3) Easy Exotic you say? How ’bout giving Etro’s swirling prints a whirl? Etro @ Bergdorft Goodman

#4) The recipe for style success: 1/2 sexy, 1/2 fuss-free = 1 silk shirt dress. Tucker @ Saks

#5) Leger & Louboutin are great and all, but is that really kitchen attire? Show your fans that you wear the pants in the Tom Colicchio-Gail Simmons threesome by sporting some trousers. Alice & Olivia @ Bergdorf Goodman

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‘Round this time of year many of us mourn the loss of our youth—specifically that jovial time period where one could indulge on spring break. As per the academic calendar, next week kicks off fun-filled festivities for many glowing, youthful faces, including those on the Victoria’s Secret PINK style squad like models Miranda Kerr and Behati Prinsloo. On Wednesday March 12th, the VS models will host their annual “Rally at the Raleigh” Vanessa Minnillo, Brody Jenner, and more fun-loving pals to partake in twister matches, piñata-bashing and shopping at the bash at the Miami hotel’s super-chic pool. The bodacious beauties will be joined PINK pop-up store. Should you be of a certain-age and have a Miami-bound plane ticket in hand, you too can take part by picking you your VIP pass here.

But if you’re land-locked, here’s something guaranteed to brighten your day: By simply posting a comment below before March 12th, you can enter yourself to win one of 5 limited-edition “Rally at the Raleigh” PINK tees*! Shiny and cheery like the Miami-sun itself, it’s sure to cure—or at least provide temporary relief from—even the worst case of spring fever.

*The Fine Print: To be eligible to win, you must be aged 16 or older, a resident of the US or Canada. A winner will be drawn from commentors’/entrants’ names at random on Wednesday March 12th,2008. Chances of winning depend on number of entrants. Entrants are only eligible to win 1 of the 5 prizes. Winners will be notified via email, at which point Glam Editors will request their mailing address to send their prize.

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