Here’s my Q&A w/ the lovely Amelia Eaton, Co-Founder of The CHICago Life Blog:
Heidy Best is the woman behind one of the top fashion consulting companies in Chicago, BECLOTHESMINDED. Not only has Heidy specialized in women’s wear for over 12 years, she also has an extensive personal styling portfolio including Kelly Clarkson, Leann Rimes, Tim Gunn, Jonathan Adler, and Dr. Oz to name a few. Heidy’s passion has always been helping make women look and feel special at every age, size, and lifestyle. Her ability to mix and match pieces to create entire different looks gives her clients full range of their closets. Heidy’s love and expertise is demonstrated by dressing women for special events and galas. Her specialties include: organizing client’s closets, wardrobe styling, and personal shopping. She also offers services to brides, expecting women and moms on the go. In addition to starting her own business, Heidy had a successful career in personal styling at Neiman Marcus, where she developed a client base and even traveled to New York and assisted in the buying department for eight years. Most recently, Heidy was with Armani. Naturally, we couldn’t wait to get Heidy’s thoughts on what women will be wearing this fall, so we met the stylist at one of our favorite boutiques, Edith Hart, to browse the racks, talk trends, and get Heidy’s take on fall fashion…
What are your favorite trends for fall?
I’m loving all of the animal print this season! It’s a great way to show your wild side even if you don’t have one. A leopard belt or shoe is a great way to ease in to this must have trend for the upcoming season.
What piece should women invest in this season?
A great boot can go a long way to reinventing an outfit. Try belting a more feminine dress and add a casual boot for one look. Wear that same boot with a chunky cardigan, your favorite tee, & a pair of skinny jeans for a completely different look.
What items need to go in everybody’s next closet clean out?
The items that you keep promising to fit into each season. If 99% of your closet is a size 6 & you’re still holding on to that one item from college that is a size 2 it’s time to get rid of it – you’re a size 6.
What colors are you loving at the moment?
Being a redhead I gravitate towards greens and blues. We are already seeing blue for Fall and it is a great way to add a pop of color to a more toned down outfit.
What style boot should everyone have in their closet this fall?
I love a good rider boot. It’s a very chic way of making an outfit more casual without compromising style or comfort.
Is there a specific piece you’re coveting at the moment?
I’m a sucker for a chunky necklace and I was recently introduced to Christina Bock, designer of Bella Colletta Jewelry. She is based in Chicago and a lot of her pieces are carried at Edith Hart.
What should women have in mind before heading out the door (or opening up their browsers) to shop?
When I am shopping for a client I always ask her to write down what key items she is missing in her wardrobe & any upcoming events she has in her calendar. This helps me to avoid purchasing items she doesn’t need and removes any stress that comes along with last minute shopping for weddings, dates, etc.
For a woman shopping on her own I would suggest looking on her favorite retailers’ websites and take screen shots with a smart phone to show a sales associate instead of verbally describing the item. Visuals are always better so there’s no question as to what she is looking for and if the store currently has it in stock.
[Photos by Hallie Duesenberg]