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[title]RECOMMENDED: See all of this year's fall fashion content
Before
CASE 1: THE NEW MOM
Caroline Denunzio39, Morningside Heights; visiting nurse
“The baby is five months old and I’m still having a hard time finding clothes. The only pants that fit me are my maternity jeans. I’m wearing a ton of black and brown because they’re dark and slimming. I’m just really lucky that higher waists are in style.”
STYLISH FRIEND
Heidee Tabudlong, 33, Harlem; emergency-room nurse
“Caroline has a nice style, but it’s conservative and stuck in the ’90s. She’s afraid to try new things, look sexy and show a little skin.”
Stop No. 1
Pookie & Sebastian
Heidee picks a pair of skinny jeans, which causes Caroline to put up a fight right from the start. Once she’s in the complete outfit, though, everyone agrees she looks great. “It’s flattering to her figure, opens her face up and complements her skin tone,” says Heidee. Caroline likes the look and loves the fact that “the boots make my legs look longer and slimmer than they really are.” 1069 Third Ave at 63rd St (212-991-9636, pookieandsebastian.com)
CASE 2: THE SCHLUBBY HUSBAND | CASE 3: THE WORKING GIRL
FALL FASHION ’08:
What fashion archetype are you? | Bite my style | What’s mine is yours+1 = style | It all goes together | Who wears the trou?
Stop No. 2
Searle
Though she’s hesitant about the dress on the hanger, Caroline tries it on and comes out loving it. “I could wear this on a date night with my husband,” she cheers. Heidee agrees: “It hides all the stuff that needs to be hidden.” 1051 Third Ave at 62nd St (212-838-5990, searlenyc.com)
FALL FASHION ’08:
What fashion archetype are you? | Bite my style | What’s mine is yours+1 = style | It all goes together | Who wears the trou?
Stop No. 3
Club Monaco
“This is one of my favorite stores,” says Heidee. “Everything here fits perfectly, and the cuts are classic enough to wear year after year.” Caroline zips easily into a skirt, proving Heidee right. “This is great if I have a business-casual event, or I can dress it down and wear the top with jeans,” Caroline says, while reaching for her recently awakened infant. 1111 Third Ave at 65th St (212-355-2949, clubmonaco.com)
—Lisa Freedman
NEXT: CASE 2 THE SCHLUBBY HUSBAND»
FALL FASHION ’08:
What fashion archetype are you? | Bite my style | What’s mine is yours+1 = style | It all goes together | Who wears the trou?
Before
Shawn Killebrew 32, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn; TV editor
“Nobody cares what I look like at work, because I’m in an editing room. I don’t go to a lot of meetings, so I don’t have to look superhip. But I know my wife wants me to meet her places after work without everyone thinking, Who brought the undergrad? I like Gary’s style because he’s understated.”
STYLISH FRIEND
Gary French, 38, Park Slope, Brooklyn; freelance art director
“I’d like Shawn to look stylish without looking like he’s trying too hard. I’m going for simple and not too flashy.”
Stop No. 1
Uniqlo
“I like this store because it’s good quality and just as cheap as H&M,” says Gary. Almost immediately he finds an outfit that works with Shawn’s casual style. “I like how low-maintenance it is,” says Shawn. Adds Gary: “He could wear the dark denim a couple times in one week and change the look just by changing the tops.” 546 Broadway between Prince and Spring Sts (917-237-8811, uniqlo.com)
CASE 1: THE NEW MOM | CASE 3: THE WORKING GIRL
FALL FASHION ’08:
What fashion archetype are you? | Bite my style | What’s mine is yours+1 = style | It all goes together | Who wears the trou?
Stop No. 2
H&M
Shawn proves that he’s open to anything, especially when Gary hands him both a vest and a hat that he calls “a stretch.” Both are too small, but Gary scores when he discovers a dark-blue jacket. “The jacket is a classic example of something I’d never pick up for myself, but now that it’s on me, I really like it,” Shawn beams. 558 Broadway between Prince and Spring Sts (212-343-2722, hm.com)
FALL FASHION ’08:
What fashion archetype are you? | Bite my style | What’s mine is yours+1 = style | It all goes together | Who wears the trou?
Stop No. 3
Urban Outfitters
The entire day, Gary is on the hunt for some nice-fitting corduroys because, he says, “cords are so fall.” He finally finds some at Urban Outfitters and pairs them with a red-plaid shirt and a tweed blazer. “This is by far the most comfortable outfit,” says Shawn. “I could fall asleep in this.” 628 Broadway between Bleecker and E Houston Sts (212-475-0009, urbanoutfitters.com)
—Marisa LaScala
NEXT: CASE 3 THE WORKING GIRL»
FALL FASHION ’08:
What fashion archetype are you? | Bite my style | What’s mine is yours+1 = style | It all goes together | Who wears the trou?
Before
Elisa Benson 24, East Village;magazine editor
“Everything I wear is from either my roommate’s closet or Forever 21. My main problem is that I don’t really know how to accessorize.”
STYLISH FRIEND
Jessica Strul, 24, East Village; editor
“We’re roommates, so I’ve seen Elisa make small improvements, but she still tends to dress more on the professional side instead of the fun and trendy side. Her office is relaxed but put together, so she needs to loosen up her wardrobe.”
Stop No. 1
Loehmann’s
Overcome by all the options, Elisa tries to jump in headfirst. “This is cute,” she says, grabbing a frumpy button-down. Jessica makes a face and picks out “classic pieces that every girl should have.” Dressed in the outfit, Elisa’s all smiles: “I could wear this to work or out to dinner. Actually, there’s nowhere I couldn’t wear this outfit.” 2101 Broadway between 73rd and 74th Sts (212-882-9990, loehmanns.com)
CASE 1: THE NEW MOM | CASE 2: THE SCHLUBBY HUSBAND
FALL FASHION ’08:
What fashion archetype are you? | Bite my style | What’s mine is yours+1 = style | It all goes together | Who wears the trou?
Stop No. 2
Barneys Co-op
“Elisa goes to a lot of work events, so she needs a special party dress that’s simple but can help her stand out,” explains Jessica. “This dress has great details, and you can tell she feels good in it, which is huge.” It’s more than Elisa wanted to spend, but if she doesn’t get it, she swears she’s “going to have dreams about it.” 2151 Broadway between 75th and 76th Sts (646-335-0978, barneys.com)
FALL FASHION ’08:
What fashion archetype are you? | Bite my style | What’s mine is yours+1 = style | It all goes together | Who wears the trou?
Stop No. 3
Filene’s Basement
Elisa picks up a sweaterdress and puts it back immediately. “Wait, try that on,” Jessica yells across the rack. “I wouldn’t have given this a second thought, but Jessica saw its potential and she was right,” says Elisa, stealing a glance in the mirror. “It’s crazy comfortable and looks very pulled together when paired with the leggings and boots.” 2222 Broadway at 79th St (212-873-8000, filenesbasement.com)
FALL FASHION ’08:
What fashion archetype are you? | Bite my style | What’s mine is yours+1 = style | It all goes together | Who wears the trou?