Get Katie’s stylist on speed-dial!
Katie Holmes’ stylist reveals her golden rules – and she’s even available for virtual one-to-one sessions
IF YOU DON’T know who Allison Bornstein is, she’s cool with that. ‘I don’t want it to even look like I exist,’ she says. As a stylist, her aim is to make her clients look and feel as much ‘them’ as possible.
One such client is Katie Holmes, who has captured the fashion zeitgeist without relying on loud labels or faddy trends. Her quiet approach to fashion and luxury resonates now. Her collaborative relationship with Allison has resulted in a succession of looks that are minimal and easy but never dull. ‘You can wear simple things but it doesn’t have to be boring,’ says Allison. ‘It’s about the way you wear the pieces, the way you tuck in your shirt, the collar of a white T-shirt peeping out of a sweater. Little touches make a big difference’.
And now we can all access Allison’s expertise. Alongside her handy Instagram videos, she’s been holding Facetime styling sessions ($150 an hour), where she’ll go through your wardrobe, put looks together and identify any gaps (although, she says, after her closet therapy, many people realise they don’t need to buy anything new). ‘Sometimes, you just need a cheerleader.’
Here are Allison’s top tips for styling your winter wardrobe…
KNOW YOUR DENIM
‘I’ve been telling clients to look for jeans that are a little bit longer. I love the high-waisted, vintage look. With rigid denim, people make the mistake of going too large because they feel uncomfortable, but it moulds to your body and those are the jeans that actually end up being the most comfortable.’
DOUBLE UP YOUR COAT
‘A double-breasted wool overcoat is the best, hardest-working item. Put it over leggings and you look instantly more put-together. You can wear it over a jacket or blazer – it can change the whole look if you see the lapel of a blazer.’
DON’T BE AFRAID TO MAKE AN EFFORT
‘Something I hear a lot is, “I don’t want to look like I tried too hard.” But it’s good for your wellbeing to put in a bit of effort. Take 15 minutes to try on a bunch of outfits.’
DON’T DISMISS A BELT
‘Wearing a belt is such a game-changer. It’s all about dressing intentionally. It’s that extra step that makes it look like you’ve put some effort in, and it also adds structure. It’s a really easy way to feel a little bit more styled.’
LEARN THE POWER OF SWAPPING YOUR BAG
‘Changing your bag once in a while is an easy way to change your whole look. I do dress kind of the same every day, so having a different bag is helpful.’
PICK A STATEMENT PIECE
‘Invest in, say, an animal-print coat or boots, something a little bit different to your normal wardrobe. I dress super-simple, jeans and a sweater, but if I add a faux-fur coat, that’s doing the work for my whole wardrobe.’
TRY DRESSED-UP LEGGINGS
‘Leggings can become fancy work pants if you style them the right way. Dress them up by wearing them with high boots and a tailored shirt.’
ACCESSORISE!
‘I love mixing up textures. A great way to break up a look is with a big scarf. How to wrap it? The more natural and messed up it is, the better.’