Help! I’m Going Out This Weekend—What Do I Wear?

Westchester’s Maritza Bernard, founder of shopping and styling agency Milkshop, knows how it feels to have dressy dinner plans—and a closet full of nothing to wear. Before you fake the flu, read on; plus, answers to more style quandaries.   

Are there any easy, night-out options that are mid-winter appropriate? Leather and sequins! I have a pair of faux-leather leggings from ZARA that I get a ton of use out of. They are easy to dress up, but you can also dress them down by wearing them with a chunky cable-knit sweater for girls’ night out. Sequins are another one of my favorites—a little bling on a top can go a long way. 

Or, if you are feeling really bold, wear a top completely covered in them.

What about picking everyday pieces with versatility? How can you make sure big buys will last? The areas I like to invest in are shoes, bags, and coats. I recommend investing in genuine leather shoes and bags that will last a lot longer than man-made ‘leather’ and wear beautifully. With coats, make sure the structure is timeless and clean and that the fabric isn’t itchy or uncomfortable; stay away from trendy pieces with ruffles, bows, neon colors, et cetera.

Is there a seasonal style rule you think should be broken? No white after Labor Day. I love winter white, especially on chunky sweaters and beanies with pom-poms.