For the last article of our $1500 Challenge series, I thought it best to cover something we all tend to shop for as an afterthought: accessories.  Accessories keep an outfit interesting and can convey your personal style much more easily than a Splendid tee.

Try and find the best quality you can afford when it comes to your accessories since they last a lifetime (or should!) in your wardrobe.  Here’s some recommendations to get you started:

• Diane von Furstenberg Deidre python chain belt, $175. This thin double belt is super elegant and can dress up a long knit top or your little black dress.
• Gold Concave Ring, $84 — this is the perfect subdued statement ring.
• Marc by Marc Jacobs croc handbag, $278. This ultra soft croc-embossed patent leather bag perfect for Spring and Summer.
• Tissue-weight cashmere wrap, $90. You can tie it around your neck as a scarf or use it as a wrap for a night out.
• Rachel Leigh Jewelry Gumball Ring, $72. Okay, so it’s resin but the real one would throw us out of our entire budget.
• Echo oblong print scarf, $58. An oblong scarf is much easier to tie and looks great around the neck or used as a headband.
• Michael Kors Gansevoort tote, $330. If you have a black or brown handbag, add some fun to your wardrobe with something colorful. Green or blue are great colors for handbags since they tend to go with most everything.
• Tuleste Market chain link necklace/belt, $148. I love multi-functional items and this necklace/belt combo is perfect for any gal’s demanding clothing moods. It looks great as a necklace and even more sublime as a belt.
• Lauren lizard embossed clutch, $250. An animal print bag or shoe is perfect for day and night — this one is the ideal addition to a wardrobe.

The total accessories wardrobe comes to $1485 –  there’s certainly enough to buy yourself some fun bangles (from Target, uh-em.)

The $1500 Wardrobe Challenge continues and today’s post is for mom’s and gals who lead a more casual lifestyle.  When carving the wardrobe, I took the approach to spend the money on the items where the cost per wear is worth it (bottoms, special dresses and shoes) and go for inexpensive but fun tops that can stand the abuse of children yet not have you fret if it just got ruined during a finger-painting session.

The two bottoms that I always recommend have a super high satisfaction rate for fit and style.  If you don’t own any of these, you should:

• Joe’s Muse jeans, $165. The perfect rise, the perfect fit
• Jersey fold-over skirt by Three Dots, $90. The band adjusts based on your comfort level and looks dressed up with a black tank for day or night.

Since being a mom is about needing clothes that you don’t care ruining, a trip to Old Navy or Target is a great way to load up on simple and cute tees. Most women seem to be top-deprived in their closet so here’s a slew to consider — all for under $165:

• Hooded henley in one of your favorite colors, $13.
• Twist neck tee in a couple of colors, $14.50 ea for $29.
• Ruched henley top in a midnight blue, $10.
• Pleated v-neck tee for wearing with jeans or the skirt, $14.50.
• Casual camp shirt, $24.50. This looks great layered over colorful tanks with jeans and sandals.
• Racerback tank ($8.50) paired with a sheer Splendid slouchy tee, $65. An up-to-date look that is super comfy.

Add some great layering items such as these:

• Casual hoodie jacket, $138.  This jacket certainly veers from “boring” with it’s interesting details and muted color.
• Supima draped cardigan - super soft and looks great over jeans or a casual dress, $19.50

A couple of comfy shoes - one for the park and various playdates, Privo Popcorn ($80) and one for more chic casual outings, try Gentle Souls flats. The Iso Bop style is on sale for $155 but if you’re willing to go over your budget by $24, the Gentle Souls flats in pewter ($190) are super comfy.

And because you aren’t a slave to your kids, every mom needs to show off her sexy side.  You want something in your closet that you can wear for an important evening that is simple and effortless to throw on and makes you feel like a million bucks.

• This Diane von Furstenberg Whitley dress ($365) shows off your curves yet covers any lumps and bumps you may have.  This drop-dead color looks great on dark brunettes, auburn brunettes and blonds.
• Botkier crisscross platforms in a neutral champagne, $311.50. These feel like a 3″, have a stable enough heel so that you don’t feel silly walking in them since you don’t wear high heels during the day, and they look great with jeans for more casual evening get-togethers.

The grand total: $1488.50.  You have a little left over to grab the kids an ice cream cone.

This week, we’ve decided to challenge our stylists with the ultimate question:

If you were given a $1500 clothing budget, what items would you get?

What a fun thought:  How would I spend $1,500?

I would invest in what Nina Garcia [Elle, Project Runway] calls “the bones” of a wardrobe - classic building blocks that are always chic.  I love affordable “fun” clothes and jewelry, but with a chunk of change, I’d buy a few more expensive items that are well made and last forever.

• The trench coat will always be in style, whether over jeans and a t-shirt or a dress.  The Moschino Trench Coat is a modern version of this classic look, with ties at the cuffs and an unexpected pleated back.

• I loooove denim.  I spend most of my days wearing it.  I love that the concept of cost per wear exists, because without it I may not be able to justify spending $200 on a pair of jeans.  To take me into fall on the East Coast, these Hudson jeans are perfect.  The dark wash is so slimming, and the back flap pockets add a little oomph to my backside.

• These peep-toe Theory pumps are both beautiful and leg-lengthening.  Wearing a shoe that closely matches your skin tone makes your legs appear longer.  A hot look with a little black dress….

• Speaking of LBD’s, this one with it’s asymmetrical neckline is gorgeous and  another basic that will get lots of use.

• Finally, this Linea Pelle Dylan croco handbag in a luscious caramel color can be worn with almost anything.

What would you buy with $1,500?

Many of the women execs I work with are quickly able to put together outfits on their own for their nine-to-five work week, but seem to panic when it’s party time.

My $1500 wardrobe challenge focuses on getting dolled up for a night on the town while looking pretty, polished and still professional at a work-related event. You’ll notice I’ve added a rain jacket - given all the precipitation we’ve had in the mid-Atlantic this summer, you’ll want to have a chic wrap just in case the skies open as you exit that limo (hopefully!) or taxi cab.

The ensemble comes to a grand total of $1228. Consider spending the remaining $272 on a manicure, pedicure and a couple of pairs of $30 Power Panties by Spanx.

• Lined Stretch Silk Sheath Dress, by Anne Klein New York, $395. The deep V neckline is flattering on most women, and the A-line skirt with a hint of Spandex is also quite forgiving. In a delicious slate gray, available in sizes 6-16.

• Cotton and Nylon Hooded Coat, by Eileen Fisher, $195. A perfect match for a dressy evening, but it will also work well with less formal outfits. It’s a light layer with a hint of sheen that will add interest and keep that silk dress clean if you end up in the taxi and not the limo.

• Printed Resin Bar Clutch, by Tory Burch, $255 (on sale!). It was love at first sight when I saw this clutch at the Tory Burch boutique – unique, beautifully made, and did I mention it’s on sale?

• Stuart Weitzman Shashay Heels, $298. The color “fire quasar” is a perfect counterpoint to the gray dress and jacket – these peep-toe patent leather shoes sport a four- inch heel and are sophisticated without being over the top.

• Handmade Triple Cascade Earrings, in aquamarine and black onyx, $85. These earbobs give off just enough sparkle and movement for a work-related event after five. From Dasha Boutique.

This week, we’ve decided to challenge our stylists with the ultimate question:

If you were given a $1500 clothing budget, what items would you recommend someone get to develop their ultimate wardrobe?

This can be answered so many ways depending on your lifestyle.  Lucky for me, I get to answer this question three different ways this week!

Today, I’m covering the work wardrobe. I love the challenge of helping a gal out that wants a high-quality wardrobe yet she’s on a major budget.  Typically, she’s going back to work or starting her first job out of college where creating a great first impression is critical. And buying quality is going to help you in the long run so “bite the bullet” and do it right the first time.

The wardrobe shown on the left features four outfits that can easily mix and match to create other unique outfit options. The grand total? $1499.  Shown clockwise from left to right:

• Sleeveless print sheath dress, $118.  This is great alone or with a black jacket. The style looks good on all body types.
• Black gabardine jacket by Diane von Furstenberg, $365. This is travel-proof.  It follows your curves and never wrinkles — perfect for business travel.
• Trina Turk twist front top in white, $50.  The comfy fabric makes this a stylish alternative to the shell.
• Classiques Entier bootcut stretch wool pants, $100.  In a deep chocolate, they look great with the black jacket as shown or mixed with the grape top.
• Madison Marcus grape pintucked silk ruffle blouse, $143. This can be worn alone or layered underneath a jacket or cardigan and is perfect for going out after work.
• All-season black pants by Theory, $245. You want a great pair of black pants and Theory’s Emery style is modern cut with a slight bootcut and is made out of a stretch wool.  Perfect for every season.
• White button-down shirt by Theory, $90 on sale. A simple lightweight cotton shirt that looks great layered over a white tank.
• Long merino wool cardigan in camel, $90.  Worn belted or open, this sweater is a nice option to a jacket for a more business casual look.
  Lightweight wool pencil skirt in black, $80. This comes in petite, regular and tall sizes and is perfectly detailed so that it works from day to night.
• Stuart Weitzman Midlogic heels in black suede, $147. The 2-1/4″ heel looks great and is low enough that you can walk comfortably.
• Gold tassel necklace, $55. This reminds me of one of my favorite necklaces from my mom’s collection.  A timeless, yet fun piece to punch up your work wardrobe.
• Black stretch snake belt, $16.  Big on style and with $17 left in our budget, New York & Co. comes to the rescue.

• Black silk ruffle top - taking cues from the slouchy tee trend, this long silk top adds sophistication and style to your work outfit.  You can wear it belted or tucked in.  Here, we show it long since it covers the tummy nicely but still outlines your silhouette so it doesn’t look like you’re wearing tons of fabric on top.
• Pair the top over some sleek cropped pants by Theory.  In a stretch cotton, these are the perfect black summer pants to add to your wardrobe.
• During the daytime, wear a fitted jacket in a light neutral. Black and tan (or khaki) is an effortlessly chic color combo for work. The top will peek out — don’t worry, it’s supposed to!  If your company is more conservative, simply belt or tuck in the top.
• Carry your laptop and other essentials in a great bag like this black Kooba tote. For shoes, we love these Portia Air wedges by Cole Haan or try some fab black and tan spectator pumps.

And remember, although the work mood is more carefree at these events, don’t get too carefree with the drinking.

A summer dress is an easy item to reach for and immediately look dressed up. You’re in your jeans or shorts all day so why not show your feminine side and wear a dress? This  Gap tier dress comes in black and purple and can be worn as casual or you can dress it up with accessories. It works well on the  Rectangle, Hourglass and Inverted Triangle body types.  If you don’t know your body type then take our Body Type Quiz and order your Body Type Recipe Box! Our body types can change after having children so it is important to have an outfit resource to guide you in your apparel decisions.

You are probably thinking - what bra do I wear? While you are at gap.com, check out this backless bra that is perfect for this dress and other dresses or tops. If you’re too endowed on top, we love the idea of wearing a neutral colored tank underneath such as white or gray.  Since summer evenings can be chilly, try a cotton short-sleeve cardigan in camel.

Add a fun necklace like this gold Hippopotamus necklace (the mouth opens up to store your kids secret treasures) along with these gold bangles.

The finishing touch will be your sandals and these by Athena Alexander are super comfy and have just the right height.

Every year for as long as I can remember, Old Navy releases Fourth of July tees for men, women and children.  I know some families who make a tradition out of getting their tees for the big day. At $5 each, it’s a fun way to show your spirit but I would hurry — these sell out super fast. Here’s something casual to wear as you enjoy the day’s festivities:

• Rachel Pally cinch back vest layered over a July 4th tank (in stores)
• Bop Basics Crop Sash Pant, these 100% cotton pants will keep you cool and stylish. For $85 they come in navy, white and stone.
• Dress up your feet with these leather flip-flops by Bernardo
• For the evening, throw on a drapey cardiganin navy.

• Theory Noriko Pants - wear them rolled up a couple of times or down, these slim pants look best with a little volume on top.
• IRO Benli Top - this sheer, racer back top looks great over a simple light neutral scoop tank.
• Dolce Vita Triton Woven Wedge Sandal - the perfect neutral wedge for every summer outfit.  If you’re petite, you’ll be loving these for their height  at a tall 4″.  Three inches is the actual height your feet will experience.
• A chunky long necklace adds interest with a stylish summery fedora to top it all off.

Under your suit, you’ll want something that will make you look crisp and pulled together, while at the same time, keep you cool. This is where a sleeveless blouse with a no-iron finish comes to the rescue. A cotton or cotton-blend button front blouse shouldn’t pull at the bust line, and those with ample curves will want a blouse with darts or seaming to allow for shaping.

Another option is to select a shell made out of silk or a silk blend. To stretch your budget, buy a twin set and wear the shell under your suit, and wear the set with a pair of trousers or a skirt later in the week. I don’t like 100% cotton knits as a rule, because they can look too casual, and after a few washings tend to look worn and lose their edge.

When selecting your suit, think fabric, fit and fun, in that order. For a meeting in late June, July or August in the District, try tropical-weight wool suiting. Just the word “wool” may make a few of you out there cringe, but tropical weights are lighter than you think, breathe beautifully, and the wrinkle factor is low. Another alternative is cotton mixed with a bit of Lycra and perhaps a dash of linen.

Once you’ve decided on the fabric, be sure your suit fits you well. I’ve seen one too many ladies wearing jackets this summer with the sleeves rolled back, exposing the sleeve’s lining. Spend the $15 to have the sleeves shortened – it will make a huge difference and you won’t look like you’re wearing someone else’s jacket.

Now comes the fun part.  Because it’s summer, many Washingtonians wear seersucker, the quintessential summertime fabric. I love seersucker and find it quite appropriate for just about any summer meeting. Blue and white is the classic, but it also comes in brown, pink and beige stripes. If seersucker isn’t your glass of iced tea, consider pairing that more conservative wool or cotton-blend suit with a brightly colored top and shoes with either an open back or open toe, but not both. It’s still the capital, after all.

This small cobalt multi color tote adds a perfect touch to your look.

Next time, we’ll discuss why wearing pantyhose in July still makes sense for those of us inside the Beltway.

As a personal stylist, I do all kinds of interesting things.  I help dress women (and some mannequins) for Anthropologie, I see clients in the Providence and Boston areas, I appear on a local morning show as a style expert, and starting today, I am the official East Coast Style Correspondent for Wardrobe 911’s Style Blog!

(I also have two cute kids that could care less about any of the above things, so long as they can have macaroni and cheese for dinner.)

Those of us living on the East Coast are thrilled to be entering into our sacred summer months and all the celebrations that come along with it.  My brother’s wedding was in Cape Cod last weekend, right on the ocean.  There’s nothing quite like a party on the beach to kick off summer!  There was, however, some confusion about what to wear - it’s a wedding, so it’s dressy…  but it’s on the beach, so it must be casual…

I’m looking forward to sharing with you my humble opinions on this and other style dilemmas.

Let me know what you’d like to hear about!

NO! Silvers do! Silver, gray, platinum — these are the hair colors that every person will experience in their lifetime…and yes, that means you. Whether you gray prematurely as I did or you gain them through the wisdom of your years, a new life awaits you. And let’s face it, some people won’t like it.

How many sexy gray-haired ladies do you see on TV? In commercials? In print ads? Perhaps some ‘adventurous’ fashion designers will showcase the beauty of silver but most often they end up in financial services ads. Ask Yasmina Rossi and Cindy Joseph; two beautiful women on the inside and out who model for a living — and, who happen to have silver and white hair.

Last week, several of us silver-haired sisters gathered at the Hudson hotel in NYC courtesy of the great Diana Jewell of Going Gray Looking Great. She wrote the book on it and pulled together the models (Yasmina, Cindy, Chazz), the writers (herself and the elegant Anne Kreamer of “Going Gray”), the beauty industry executives and entrepreneurs (Sue Phillips and Cindy Joseph), the fashion expert (moi) and some of the great women who have decided to go gray.

It was a luncheon that lasted 4 hours. One in which people kept stopping by to tell their stories of family members going gray, showing their gray roots and commenting on the gathering. It was inspiring. You see, gray is not about aging regardless of what the beauty industry has told us. I know we live in a youth-focused, anti-aging culture but, let’s get real: we ARE aging. I don’t care about looking younger, I care about looking beautiful as I age.

I wish that we would embrace our authentic beauty and recognize that how we carry ourselves and take care of ourselves speaks more about our age and vitality than our hair color. I dream of the day when I’ll see a beautiful silver-haired woman grace the cover of a magazine not for her age but just because.  Because nearly 70 MM women in the US are over 40.  Because more than 40% of women have some  gray by their 40th birthday.  Because silver is the new black.  Because silvers DO have more fun.

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Special thanks to Yasmina for taking the great picture of me and Diana.  Also, if  you live in LA or San Diego and you’re interested in getting your very own custom fragrance made by the expert, Sue Phillips, she’s holding events at The Nile Institute on Nemo Stress in West Hollywood this week and in San Diego on Saturday June 20. Just send her an email!

• This  Splendid gauze tank top comes in 4 fun colors to make your outfit pop.
• These Joe’s Jeans trouser shorts have a slight whiskered front for a little flair. The rise is high enough so that you don’t have to worry about bending over and exposing yourself.
• The Cole Haan-Air Ibiza strap slide looks chic and has that added cushion your feet crave. The pewter/ivory combination is the perfect neutral for whatever colors you decide to wear.
• A summer hat like the Juicy Couture ribbon floppy is a daily must and it has plenty of coverage  for your precious skin.
• Add a hip leather bracelet like this one by Gorjana Graham and an earthy
  cross-body bag.

1. Chanel Lift Lumiere Fluid Makeup — My new dept store fav.   If you suffer from sun damage, mild rosacea or wrinkles, this makeup feels lightweight on but provides full coverage so you look even-toned.  It even works overtime to firm your wrinkles and fine lines. With an SPF of 15, this newcomer is welcomed with open arms.
2. bareMinerals Mineral Veil — OMG! If you have not tried this, you are missing out.  Used as a finisher or all alone, this mineral powder vanishes all those damn spots. It is the killer beauty app.
3. NARS Multiple in the ever-popular Orgasm.  I love the creamy texture and how it adds the perfect, natural color to your cheeks…or lips.
4. Often passed over by many women as another makeup ‘to-do’, this is the secret to big wonderful lashes. Shu Uemura’s eyelash curler is the shiznit. And for those who wonder how to pronounce - it’s SHOO OOMURA.
5. CoverGirl Lash Exact mascara — it really is that good and continues to remain a favorite in my makeup drawer. ‘Nuf said.

What are your favorite-can’t-live-without beauty products??

This exciting style tool also helps you determine if you are missing an essential wardrobe element for your outfits (e.g. belt, jewelry, top, etc.) and can help relieve the fashion emergencies you may experience at the beginning of each week.

How do you use them? You can create your own style planner by inserting these cards into a Junior-size day planner. The style cards are color-coded into three outfit categories: Daily, Going Out and Important Event. Have some fun and take pictures of your outfits and place them on the outfit card. You can even note on the back of the card when you wore the outfit and who saw you in it.

Check out the new Wardrobe 911 Style Planning Cards and let us know what you think!

When thunderstorms are forecast, it’s all about smart layering to manage the day.  And since the weather is warm, bundling up doesn’t really work.  Here’s an outfit to inspire you as you venture out.

• Rich & Skinny high jean - this has a higher rise which is non-marmy and the denim is super soft. You’ll want to sleep in these they are so comfy. (Note: these are best found in stores at Bloomies or Nordies)
• Wear the latest in tee styles on top — a slouchy tee such as this slub pocket top layered over a racer back tank.  Wear a long necklace if you so desire.
• Wearing some cute cut-out booties or ballet flats will work but if you hate getting your feet wet, wear some killer platform boots like these from Stuart Weitzman over your jeans.
• Tulip rain coat - super stylish and it works great even when it’s not raining.
• And, of course an umbrella you can tuck into your purse so that you’re ultra prepared.

So, what to wear when you know you may be sitting on a lawn or running around playing frisbee? Here’s a picnic outfit to inspire you:

• Twinkle waterfalls top - because every gal needs a great black jersey top.
• A simple, non-holey boyfriend jean - we haven’t tried these ones by Banana Republic but we love the wash and the price.
• Colorful strappy sandals for kicking off on the lawn
• Marc Jacobs ‘Picnic Hatty’ Shopper -  love the green and the name
• Eric Javits Wide Brim Hat - to keep your beautiful face protected from the damaging rays
• A great picnic basket filled with your favorite things, including a portable speaker system for your iPod - perfect for creating the right mood.

And, if you’re in your 20’s and are a fashion trendsetter, here’s a perfectly apropos picnic romper by Elizabeth and James. (we couldn’t resist)

• If you’re looking for a super multi-purpose cover-up, a sarong (aka pareo) is the ultimate in my book and perfect for vacation travel. The Antik Batik Cami Pareo is multi-functional and works as a skirt, scarf, towel or dress.  There are literally about 10 different ways you can tie it.  Have a contest with your friends and see who can come up with the most combinations.
• Surf Side Kurta in an olive print. Swim caftans and kurtas come in all kinds of prints and fabrics, look great on all body types and certainly keep your arms well protected from the elements. We also love the Diane von Furstenberg Edie Cover-Up (not shown) which comes in a gorgeous color.
• Juicy Couture Terry Smocked Waist Surplice Dress - one of our favorites for it’s ability to soak up the water from your suit and it’s ‘cute’ appeal.
• A multipurpose skirt/dress combo is a nice way to go from the beach to drinks.  BCBG Swim always carries something like this each summer but the brown 2 in 1 skirt shown is by Athleta. Wear it as a skirt on the beach or lake, and as a dress for grabbing a bite or drink later.
• Melissa Odabash Robin Cover-Up Dress is one I could live in. It’s made of a wrinkled cotton gauze that is super comfy as well as gorgeous.

And don’t forget some great sunglasses.  I’m all over Mykita frames as of late (Diana is shown) because of their high quality.  Definitely pricey but they are certainly worth it — handcrafted in Germany with expertly designed soldered joints, meaning none of those pesky eye screws.

I thought a little lesson in color harmony would be fun today since many people have a hard time mixing and matching. As color concepts can be quite confusing, I’m going to focus on how to mix and match with just one neutral. The true neutrals (black, white, gray) go with everything but some of the other colors we call neutrals (eg navy, brown, olive) are actual colors.  So, let’s take a look at brown:

For our bottom, we show a cute foldover jersey skirt in brown. You can easily add a neutral colored top and be done. But, since brown is basically a darkened yellow/orange or orange, by using a handy-dandy color wheel you can create easy outfits that are harmonious and look great.

Analogous harmony:

• Floral cut-out tank in red.

Tertiary harmony (split-complement):

• Embroidered gauze top in blue
• Paired with a violet tank underneath

Tertiary harmony combo (triadic):

• Layering tank in red-violet (also known as magenta)
• Flutter-sleeve jersey top in blue-green

Complementary harmony (not shown):

• This blue wrap cardigan paired with a white tank or
• A simple blue 3/4 sleeve cowl neck

And although there’s not a lot left in sizes on these particular Elie Tahari wedges shown, a nice brown wedge is a perfect complement.

I, your humble Washington Correspondent, have been given the privilege of letting readers know what’s going on style-wise in DC. Check back every other week, and you’ll see that our nation’s headquarters is far from the conservative, seer-sucker-May-through-September place it’s alleged to be.

We’ll examine ways to balance a look that conveys confidence and competence, without compromising on style. We’ll look to politicians, entrepreneurs, local celebs, and inside-the-beltway movers and shakers to see what’s what when it comes to dressing and expressing oneself in this mid-Atlantic hotspot. As a graduate of Wardrobe911’s Fashion Stylist Bootcamp, I’m prepared to talk line, design, color and cut. I’m also ready to dish some dirt and point out fashion missteps wherever they might occur.

But who is Gretchen Neels? Briefly, I’m Founder & CEO of Neels & Company, Inc., a training and consulting firm. As a former resident of Washington, DC, I am returning after a nine-year stint in Boston, gladly trading the cold and snow for heat and humidity. A workplace and communications expert, I am passionate about helping professionals present a more polished and sophisticated image aligned with their career goals and aspirations, and look forward to working once again with executives in the metro-DC area.

I’d love to hear your ideas about this column, and welcome your questions and comments.