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Personal Stylist Ali Wolfe and the Art of Effortless Chic

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Stylist Ali Wolfe finds fashion inpiration. Photo by Cynthia Ever
Stylist Ali Wolfe finds fashion inspiration.
Photo by Cynthia Ever

 

By Michelle Moskowitz
Sentinel Correspondent

Can you define your personal style? Is it boho chic, conservative, trendy or something in between? That’s the first question that personal stylist Ali Wolfe asks her Greenwich clients.

The Sentinel sat down with the in-demand stylist recently to find out how Greenwich women are measuring up fashion-wise these days.

According to Wolfe, Greenwich is going through an evolution in which women have fewer limitations on what they can wear to different venues. “This is such a wonderful town, rich in culture and conservative roots, but women today don’t need to adhere to a certain stereotype.”

Dressed in an ensemble that prompts an admiring double take, Wolfe is effortlessly chic in well-fitting black pants, a bright red sweater, short boots with just enough heel, and a wide-brim fedora.

“My goal is to help women identify and articulate their fashion sense and then elevate it to a level of chic, sophisticated style, no matter what the occasion, even just running errands around town.”

While Wolfe explained how in large part the Greenwich woman has shifted from conservative attire to more relaxed, modern casual wear, the main focus of the conversation turned to workout attire becoming the new “it” uniform for many women in town. Practical, yes, comfortable, yes—but chic, not necessarily.

How can the Greenwich women go from a gym workout, such as a power yoga class or an hour sweat session at Punch, to a work meeting or a lunch date without too much fuss?

“It’s so easy for women to utilize some of their gym pieces—such as a black fitted pant or tank top—but to just switch out a few items for an upgraded look for their next appointment. I want to empower Greenwich women to feel confident and look their best all day, every day, not just on a Saturday night.”

Wolfe suggests swapping out sneakers for a cute bootie, adding a great scarf and a button down or a loose-fitting top or sweater.

When asked what celebrity style Wolfe most admires, she said, “Kate Moss and I grew up together. She’s the reigning queen of boho chic and the whole layering thing that is so much a part of my personal aesthetic. And no matter what your personal style is, the point is to look effortless, but at the same time glamorous.”

Wolfe adds, “Fashion can be intimidating for many women, and most of the time people only need a few additions to freshen up their wardrobe. Often enough, I am simply helping women to put their existing wardrobe together differently, which makes it that much easier to glamorize.”

Some of her clients are in need of a complete fashion makeover, while others will hire Wolfe simply to purchase black-tie evening wear for special events. She has long-standing relationships with Greenwich buyers and retailers, such as Alice and Olivia, Intermix, and Saks Fifth Avenue, as well as Bergdorf Goodman and Barney’s in New York City and the fashion houses Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, and Gucci.

“Having access to the ‘buy’ books ensures my clients have priority to the limited and more exclusive items,” Wolfe said. “My relationships to the retailers are as important to the relationship with my clients.”

Between serving her clientele and raising her two children, who attend Greenwich Country Day School, Wolfe makes twice-yearly jaunts to Paris and devours fashion magazines and fashion news sites like Business of Fashion.

Her fashion background includes Women’s Wear Daily, Intermix, Giorgio Armani, and Big Drop. Prior to settling in Greenwich with her husband, she lived and worked in Los Angeles for many years, which she attributes as the source of her personal bohemian edge. Wolfe also credits her love of film—mostly classics—with heightening her sense of fashion know-how. She mentions in particular “The Philadelphia Story” (which she cites as the peak of chicness for Katharine Hepburn), “Saturday Night Fever,” and the 2009 documentary “The September Issue,” which gives insight into the world of Anna Wintour, editor of Vogue magazine.

“It’s always better to look chic and sophisticated over trendy,” said Wolfe. “When a woman wears clothes that make her feel good and confident, it shows in the way she carries herself and it all comes together.”

For more information or to book an appointment with Wolfe, please visit DohenyDesigners.com. You can also follow her fashionable life and style at aliwolfestyling on Instagram.

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