Nora loves to wear jackets. So much so that she decided to design her own line. Almost every outfit of hers features a jacket and she has become a real expert on wearing them. I wanted to find out more about her love of jackets and how we can all wear them to great effect!
I am a fashion designer, stylist and now a style blogger who has worked in the fashion industry in Los Angeles for many years. I am also a mother to an eighteen year old son who is in his first year of university at USC. I am married to a wonderful English man who is not my son’s dad, this is my second marriage and we do not have any kids together.
I’m in the 40 category.
I started Jacket Society as a personal styling blog in September of 2013. The blog is about my own personal style emphasizing my love of jackets and how to wear them in different ways. Soon after that I decided to add a shopping web site to my blog to design and sell women’s jackets and blazers under the same name.
I have always had a passion for jackets. To me a lot of my personal style starts with choosing a jacket which will then set the mood for my outfit. With Jacket Society I do limited edition small cuts of novelty jackets that are only available on my web site. This makes them one of a kind and special, giving the customer an opportunity to buy something directly from me and not through a store. I also show my customers how to wear them on my blog stories.
Jackets like any other piece of clothing need to be flattering for your body shape. It is really important for a woman to be aware of their shape and look for jackets or blazers that work best for them. Also what type of bottom you wear with the jacket is just as important; the proportions have to work in order to make the whole outfit look good.
My top tip for wearing any jacket would be to know what to wear it with to get the best visual effect. For example you want to wear oversized and loose jackets with slim fitting bottoms and fitted and shorter jackets can work better with looser bottoms. Proportion is everything in making an outfit look good. Scrunching your sleeves or pushing your collar up is great fun styling tip but the core look has to be right.
It all depends on the silhouette of the dress and the length of the jacket. Shorter jackets work better over maxi dresses and longer jackets or blazers look better over a shorter fitted dress. Its pretty much the same as when you are wearing them with sportswear. I always say opposites attract, shorter jackets over longer dresses and longer jackets over shorter dresses.
My personal style is mixing the classical with the modern and edgy. I like to find a middle ground where you can wear timeless classic looks but mix them with some edgy pieces to look more current and trendy.
I would say the most important components of having great style are:
I live in Glendale California which is 10 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. It’s a suburban family oriented city. The fashion influence would pretty much be the same as Los Angeles. Unfortunately we don’t have big season changes here in Los Angeles. So you end up wearing a lot of the same looks throughout the year. The overall vibe is more casual and laid back than New York but still fashionable.
I like mixing the classical looks with something new and trendy to give the whole look an edge.
Since I am a fashion designer by profession, I look at a lot of magazines and on line fashion sites. I go to stores to research merchandise and I watch how women are dressing around us. All these things inspire me daily in my work and what I wear.
I think both of those factors are very important for any woman to know about themselves and to dress accordingly. Color and the right proportions in an outfit can make a big difference in your look. I definitely pay attention to both when I am getting dressed.
I don’t think my sense of style has changed. As you get older your body changes and you have to change your look accordingly but I don’t think you are changing your style necessarily. You have to think more about shapes that flatter your figure, rather than just covering a trend. There are certain pieces like miniskirts or short shorts that I won’t wear any more. I think this is different for each woman and you need to find what you feel comfortable with yourself so you can feel confident in what your are wearing.
Yes I do but “age appropriate” can mean different things for different women and that is ok. Like I mentioned, there are certain things like miniskirts or short shorts that I won’t wear. I think its whatever you feel comfortable with. If its your style and you feel good in it then why not?
I don’t think it has changed. I have always been interested in fashion and style; you have to be if you are a fashion designer by profession. As I have gotten older, I feel more comfortable with my look and I know what I like and don’t like right away but that comes with experience.
I think most women if not all women care about what they look like. I think the way you dress says a lot about your personality and like it or not a lot of people judge you by first impressions. If you are comfortable with how you look, that shows through and makes you look more confident and happy.
I only do a personal outfit or styling look once a week on the blog and each one is really thought out and planned so it’s hard to choose. But I get really excited when I am featuring one of my own “Jacket Society” jackets that I have designed. It feels really nice to get feedback on those looks because you created one of the pieces. I love hearing feedback from my clients about those jackets; it helps my design process for the future.
Yes I definitely follow trends; again you have to if you are working in the fashion industry. The ones I am liking for fall 2014 are: Robe and wrap coats (I actually have a blog story on this trend this week on my blog), faux fur or shearling jackets or trims, tailored masculine suits, colorful coats especially in red or orange which is a trend color, and I love the return of the midi skirt, it’s such a classy length.
I think its really important to know you body shape and what kind of proportions and pieces flatter your shape. If you have to work with a stylist, even for a couple of sessions to learn this, it will be worth it.
For the blog I am trying to find the additional topics to add to the blog content that would be interesting and informative for my readers. The first year I mostly did one story about personal styling a week, and in the last month I have added a second story about different fashion trends concerning jackets. Right now I am ok with the two stories a week. Because of the amount of time I need to dedicate to designing and manufacturing of “Jacket Society” jackets, it is difficult to do more. I am planning to grow the web site and the sales end of the “Jacket Society” jacket line by doing more shows and even possibly selling to some boutiques. I love doing both, but it is certainly a juggling act because both areas need a lot of attention in order to succeed.
I am just really grateful to be doing what I love. I have always loved fashion, styling and designing. And now the blog has become an important part of my life as well. I love the interaction with other women, customers and fellow bloggers like yourself. Thank you so much for contacting me for this interview.
For even more fabulous outfits with jackets and to buy them online, be sure to visit Nora’s blog Jacket Society.
Do you like to wear jackets? What is your favorite way of wearing them?