Stylist Lloyd Boston Goes on the Road for Jones New York

Saturday I hoped in the car to see stylist Lloyd Boston at Macy’s in Costa Mesa. Lloyd’s appearance was billed as a chance to see Spring style trends from Jones of New York  via a mini-runway show.  But it was actually way more than that.  It was a chance for fashionistas of all shapes and sizes to get style advice, color suggestions and positive encouragement from that rare mix: a chic stylist and  a personal cheerleader.  I have never seen a celebrity so full of excitement and genuine enthusiasm in a weekend in-store appearance. If he comes to your city, my advice is run don’t walk to sign up. If you attend, you not only get to see Lloyd moderate a runway show, but the chance to sign up to receive a 5 minute personal styling session with Lloyd. And best of all the entire event is free of charge.  What a fantastic way to spend an afternoon.  To top it off, one lucky attendee is entered in a raffle and the winner gets a makeover, a styling consultation and a free outfit from Jones New York.

Lloyd Boston is the real deal. The former VP of Art Direction for Tommy Hilfiger  knows what he is talking about and clearly enjoys getting close to his customers.   He’s almost like a great inspirational speaker the way he gets women excited about their current shape.  He doesn’t call hips full, he calls them “proud.”  He tells women not to be afraid of their curves but to embrace themselves at any size. As a stylist, Lloyd is like your best girlfriend urging you to try this on, or look at this color. And it’s amazing the ease with which he can do this with total strangers. It’s easy to see why Oprah loves him.  The ladies I saw at Macy’s were completely smitten.  That’s because Lloyd is on your side! He genuinely wants you to look good.  He is not there to judge you or tell you what you are doing wrong.  With Lloyd, it’s all about encouragement and showing some style love.  With all the gorgeous new pieces from Jones New York, there is plenty of style love to go around.

I had the opportunity to talk with Lloyd before the show, and hear some of his tips to help you dress better, and more importantly feel fabulous in your clothes.  After all, that’s the beauty of blogging, you didn’t need to be there in person to learn some great tips from Lloyd. Here are a few basic tips from Lloyd.

• Don’t buy something if you can’t wear it 3 ways. “You want to be able to wear a piece modern, classic and bold,” he told me.
• Don’t be afraid of color.  Use color to accent your look.  Lloyd notes, “You don’t want to wear it head to toe, but to enhance a piece. Wear a gorgeous scarf or wrap, a jacket or a blouse.”
• “Classics are back with an updated edge,” says Lloyd. The current economy has brought us all back to buying classic pieces that we can invest in and wears for years.  The Jones of New York line offers many classic pieces, including an easy care line with suits you can clean at home to save on your dry  cleaning bill. Black and white pieces are part of the classic look that is back.
• Most importantly, instead of rushing out to buy all new, work to edit your closet. Listen up recessionistas! To properly edit your closet, Lloyd advises,”Call up a girl friend and take everything out all at once.  Put back only your greatest hits, your sexiest shoes and your strongest pieces.” Lloyd also advices that matching hangers are a girl’s best friend. Organize all the jackets on one set of hangers, all the dresses on another set.  Color code them if necessary.  Make sure when you open your closet you can see what you have to wear. (note to self: I need to do this, do you? )

As for the rest of the show, Jones New York has some terrific pieces for Spring and beyond. Check out some of the fashions from their J, Easy Care, Nevis and Jones Collection Platinum lines.  This is not your mother’s Jones New York.

If you’re interested in learning more about JNY, check out Lloyd’s webisodes on JNY.com.  If you’re interested in buying Jones New York, then good news, if you spend $100 on  JNY.com. then you’ll save 25% on your purchase.  If you’re a Macy’s shopper, watch their  friends and family event coming at the end of April.  (April 25th I think.) If you shop at Belks, look for discounts on JNY  at  the upcoming  Belk Spring Charity Sale on Saturday May 1, 2010, from 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Get the savings!

If he’s coming to a city near you, you might want to check it out.  I’ll be taking my Mom to the Belks event May 8th in Raleigh, NC for her Mother’s Day gift shopping.  Mom was always encouraging me to buy classics like Jones New York, and she was right!