How To Dress for Mediation and Court

I was recently asked by my friend, attorney Claire Samuels, to share a little about what would be proper dress for the courtroom or any type of mediation associated with divorce. Claire has been practicing law in Charlotte for 13 years and now, after her training with Bill Diehl and tenure at well known firm James, McElroy & Diehl, Claire has open her own firm that places great emphasis on a respectful, dignified approach to divorce that aligns with your core values, promotes healing, and minimizes trauma.

As a mother of two school aged boys having been through divorce, on day I shared in conversation with Claire how proud I am of the way my ex husband and I have handled our separation through the years. At the end of the day, arguing, fussing and fighting—and negativety of any kind—lead to nowhere good. For your own sake, and that of your children and everyone around you, the best thing you can do is put your things aside and move forward with integrity. It may not be easy, but it is the right thing to do. You can read my entire article on Claire’s sight here if you would like.

If you or anyone you know is going through a seperation or divorce seeking legal advice, contact my friend Claire. And if you or that person would appreciation some style therapy and a wardrobe to help lift spirits and maintain that good integrity, please contact me. I’d love to help. In the meantime, below are a few of my recommendations for dressing in style in the courtroom or in mediation. Just click on the images to shop the look!

Shop The Post + Get The Look

What Whitley Wants: Top-Handle Bags

Shop The Post + Get The Look

If there is one accessory I love it is a super chic lady like purse. I inherited several of this style of bag from my Grandmother and Great Grandmother and have always adored the sophistiecated structure of it so much. That tangerine colored number by Hunting Season and the white with diamond patterned black lines by Valextra hit the nail on the head like we were living two generations ago. And who doesn’t love the little feet on that Lizzie Fortunato version for an added twist? Shop my selection of hot handle top bags for the season ahead by simply clicking on the below images. If you got business to do, this bag is for you!

What Whitley Wants: Holiday Edition

Shop The Post + Get The Look

Oh My! Where do I start?! That Shrimps coat is such one heck of a bad, made, as in totally rad, statement coat that I want, I need, I have to have! And we both know there is no way to totally pull off that look without a fedora like this one from Janessa Leone! Need total darkness to sleep while Santa and the elves deliver their fits? Get some shut eye in style with this Marie Oliver eye mask! And then there’s that Paco Rabanne sweet little bag and couple glasses I spied on The English Room. Yes, I”m still mourinng the loss of my most coevet Chanel purse. This close to Carolina Blue one keeps catching my eye… and the list goes on! Shop all of these looks by click on the below images. Happy Holiday Shopping!

Designer Crush: Rodarte

Limited but mighty this season’s Rodarte collection on the Moda Operandi Trunk Show didn’t stop me from loving EVERY. SINGLE. PIECE. of it. Goodness. Gorgeous. Gracious. The fact that designers keep cranking out anything, but less the crazy good designs IN A PANDEMIC just amazes me. Flowers, lace, ruffles…. I just mean! This ruffled floral-print silk maxi dress is an absolute feminine dream. Add pink and hearts and even more ruffles, I just don’t even know what to say about this one! Then THISSSSSSS… OMG. That’s all.

Shop The Post + Get The Look

What Whitley Wants Vol. 5

What can I say but we all NEED a fab midi denim skirt! Period. The End. And all this other suff, well, I just think it’s all sooooo good. Those Paco Rabanne gloves, yes ma’am. That Johanna Ortiz women belt, yep. You likey? Well then… Shop The Post + Get The Look! You can also follow me on LiketoKnow.it to gets deets on all my looks.

Shop The Post + Get The Look

Designer Crush: Ulla Johnson

What can I say, but Ulla strikes again. If there is one brand that continues to turn out aspirational yet all the while wearable designs season after season, impressing all the rest, Ulla Johson keeps on remaining right up there at the top. Girly and flowy meets trailal and bohemian for a carefully clever mix. Cult-like individual pieces range from instantly indentifiable to cute but steady Sally staples that will remain in the forefront of your wardorbe for years and years to come. Shop all of these designer crush looks by clicking on the below images.

Shop The Post + Get The Look

Youth + Young Adult Styling

Back to school, Debutante Ball, Greek rush, job interview; whatever the occasion, no more stress shopping with your son or daughter! Looking for a fun and unique gift to give the youth or young adult in your life? Give the gift of style! Similar to working with an adult, Whitley will come to your youth’s closet for a one-two hour closet evaluation. Together, they will decide what stays, what goes, what gets donated or consigned. Whitley will then hit the stores and curate a dressing room of options for your youth or young adult to try on and make selections, followed by outfit coordination at home where Whitley will put to work her genius in creating one of a kind outfits. Save time and money by helping the youth or young adult in your life purchase items they will enjoy wearing as well as through the creation of unthought of outfits that will grow legs in his or her wardrobe! Email Whitley at Whitley@thequeencitystyle.com for more deets!

House of Landor + March 30th Trunk Show

Happy Thursday(/Friday, depending when you read this) Y'all!  I just had to share this little video my friend Mary Beth sent over to me.  

You know how much I love good vintage, and as a result you likely know my equal fondness for my vintage dress dealer, House of Landor, Mary Beth's business.  I had some updated photos taken yesterday by Richard Israel, with Cali Stott on Hair and Makeup, and of course there was plenty of House of Landor in the fashion mix.

Lots of you came to the trunk show/all day long party my great friend Pam and I hosted back around Christmas. Laryn Adams brought her amaze-balls jewelry stash, and Hallie Eban sold out all of her designs with her new line, Piet Jac Designs.  For me, this entire day was a way to share my passion for great friendship and style with others.  Back by popular demand, we'll be hosting a spring show (On my 40th Gasp! Bring It!), and we'll also be adding gorgeous Arzberger Stationers to the mix.  I just picked up my new note cards for letter writing, and I couldn't be happier.  So class. 

So, go ahead and put it on your calendars!  Bring a girlfriend or several!  Get ready to drink champagne and fall in love with the day.  It will be one filled with friendship and amazing style from each and every corner. 

Olivia Palermo Guest Bartender

The lovely, always on time style maven Olivia Palermo strikes again.  This time as a guest "bartender" for the fantastically affordable and religiously on trend jewelry site, Bauble Bar.  I've featured below some of my favorite pieces from the collection. Click on each image for product info, or simply shop the entire collection HERE.  You'll find the perfect gift for your accessory-loving girlfriend, just in time for the holidays.

SouthPark Mag: How It Went Down & Get It

Model: Chelsea Lewis, Photographer: Zach Alston, Hair and Makeup: Chelsea Kimrey.
Adrienne Landau Fur from Denim House, MinkPink Crop Top from KK Bloom, Alice + Olivia Loran floral jacquard skirt from Neiman Marcus, Eugenia Kim hat, Joie taupe suede boots and Nima jeweled clutch from Sloan, Twine & Twig Cowrie Collar, Chakoor silver bracelet from ChezElle.

I shared this photo last week at the bottom of a previous post.  This project is one of my favorites to date, if not my favorite.  A big thank you to SouthPark Magazine for putting their trust in me and giving me so much creative freedom for this shoot.  When I met with the Editor to discuss ideas for their Fall Fashion editorial, she asked me for my ideas.  My first question was "Do you have any parameters?"  Her answer?  "Fall Fashion".  Okay. Well, let's play ball!  I had not given it any forethought, because I was just so excited for a second opportunity to express my love of fashion on the pages of this great magazine.  But goodness, the proverbial flood gates were wide open.  No trends. No boring catalog sales pictures. Just straight up art, created with an amazing team and the intent to showcase the fall fashions available at some of Charlotte's hottest boutiques.  

The cover shot, taken in Dilworth, is one of my favorites. Just about every single items the model, Chelsea, is wearing, comes from a different store.  If you are interested in how the outfits came together, the crew came to my house; my basement transformed into a studio.  I mixed up some Buffalo Trace and Coke, along with fresh muddled cherries. We turned up the music, and suddenly I was that little girl at my Grandmother's house. Mixing and matching her clothes with my Great-Grandmother's.  This skirt, that hat, these shoes, that shirt, no this one, these earrings, this necklace, another necklace, oh wait one more.  Oh hell, just put 'em all on.  And so the outfits were born.  Not too much time, not a great deal of thought, but certainly a fair amount of discretion. If you live in the Queen City, be sure to visit these stores, or you may shop the post straight from this page, below the above image. 

Jeans That Charge Your Phone

There is really is something for everything.  Made By Girl blog editor, Jen Ramos clued me in on this one, and its just too good not share with you.  Have you ever been out an about for the day, fretting that your battery is going to run dead before your important call comes in, or you just really neeeeeed to see what your friends are doing tonight.  Well, this is just jean-ious.  Joe's Jeans has come out with the #Hello jean, a denim that charges your phone right in the pocket. With two small children, I am always on the go.  Because I need and want to be hands free, I often carry just my phone in my back pocket along with my ID and debit card, so this jean is actually quite brilliant if you ask me. Don't believe me.  Watch here....

The #Hello jean comes in a variety of colors.  I'm thinking about the grey pair for myself, because this color is great for casual during the day or paired with heels at night.  Check them out here...

Your Head Looks Weird

If you live in the Charlotte area, next time you are at SouthPark Mall or in the area, be sure to snag a copy of SouthPark Magazine.  I very worked hard on this one, along with an amazing team of individuals, businesses and boutiques, and I am flattered, humbled and excited to be a part the May issue.  The below picture is one in the series of images where I get to show off some really amazing clothes from a few of my favorite local boutiques.  My oldest son, Hank, now 7, saw the below image come up on my facebook page.  I couldn't help but chuckle at his reaction to seeing me dressed up like this.  (Let's be honest, I am a working mom of two active boys, the only time I look like this is for a photo shoot.  The next closest I come is on Sunday for church, date night or when I am meeting clients, but it is a loooong way off from this.

Hank: Mommy, is that you?
Me: (Excitedly) Yes!  What do you think? 
Hank: I don't get it.  it's weird.  Your head looks weird.  You look like you are someone else.
Me: Okay, well, does the rest of my body look like me?
Hank: Yea.
Me: Well, then do you at least like my outfit?
Hank: Why would I like it?!  I'm not a girl! (Runs upstairs to yell at little brother Worth for singing Let It Go again).

Ahh.  The honesty of a child.

Photography: Zach Alston. Hair and Makeup: Deme Fourtounis. Jumpsuit: Yoana Baraschi (from ChezElle), here in black. Kimono: Tracy Reese (from ChezElle), and here. Wedges: Jimmy Choo (from Coplon's) or here. Earrings: Kenneth J Lane (from Coplon's), similar here. Ring: Available at ChezElle. Necklace: by boe.

I Wore Self Portrait

I recently attended the Carolina's 75 Most Stylish event hosted by Carolina STYLE Magazine.  It was so flattering to be included on their chosen list of most stylish, and boy was I in good company.

Roxy Owens, Richard Petty (let's just be honest, with his signature hat, belt buckle and dark sunglasses, the man is a style setter!), Liz and Clary Hilliard, Linda Martinez, sisters Elizabeth and Jacquelyn of Twine & Twig to name a few.  

I decided the event would be the perfect place to wear this little jumper by Self Portrait.  As you can see in the picture below, when they called my name first to come have my picture taken, I had no idea what to do before the camera in a sea of people standing and watching. When in doubt jazz hands and say cheese! 

Here are a few of my favorite current pieces from Self Portrait.  You can shop them all here, here and here, including my jumpsuit.

So Long, Farewell Piperlime

Ugh ugh ugh.  One of my favorite on line shopping sites, Piperlime, is closing their virtual doors. They also had a storefront in SoHo in Manhattan that, sadly, has closed doors too.  I went with Nic to their Grand Opening party.  It was so exciting to be able to step foot into the store that so quickly became one of my favorite on line destination go-to's for client shopping. Piperlime has masterfully carried (or at least I thought) a mix of everything from denim shorts to beaded sequin gowns in brands from 7 For All Mankind to Cynthia Rowley, at price points from $50 to $550.  Something for everyone.  Piperlime will close by the end of April, so get moving on the savings before the good stuff's all gone.  I've included a few of my current favorites here. 

Get Your Stretch On With Run For Your Life

I'm back with one more post with my running partners over at Run For Your Life. Today's post is about the importance of stretching.  While I won't be running the Boston Marathon this year, I think about my training last year and all of the friends I'll be cheering on in spirit this year.

If you are a runner who likes to visit the Queen City Style, here are a few stretches to keep your body flexible and muscles conditioned.  We used the Pro Tec Foam Roller to help stretch and stimulate the muscles for the following - hamstrings - IT band - quads and calves.  Roll each muscle back and forth 10 times, and do at least three sets. By doing these exercises on a daily basis it will help alleviate muscle and soft tissue tightness of the upper and lower back, IT band, hamstring, abductors, and upper arm + more. We also used the Deep Tissue Massage Ball which targets similar muscle groups but focus on smaller areas.

The key to Running is COMFORT! Running is hard enough, so it's important to be as comfortable as possible by wearing and using the following items... Moisture wicking clothes and socks...NO COTTON, Hats and Sport Sunglasses, Proper Shoes, Body Glide, Water Bottles and Belts.  With regard to nutrition, you should put something back in your body every 45 mins. All of these stretching and nutritional products are available at your local Run For Your Life.  Check out Run For Your Life's four locations.

Join Me For Style Night On East Blvd

I'm thrilled to be a part of a fun night of style, style and more style next Wednesday, February 18th.  Won't you please join me  for an evening of style hosted by one of my most favorite boutiques in town, summerbird, (think all things couture at the girl next door's price point) and the QC's leader in men's upscale consignment, Revolve Consignment.  Music will be playing, discounts will be discounting throughout both stores, fantastic art work and jewels will be on display, Three Hunters Vodka is hosting a special tasting, light bites provided for all, Jeffre Scott Apothecary will be on site to doll you up, and I will be styling the night away along with fellow stylist Julian Clark.  Oh, and who doesn't love a raffle giveaway?  Style, fun and more style.  And oh, did I say fun?  Grab a girl or guy friend, and come on!

Olivia Palermo, The Band Jacket And Me

Last week I couldn't help but throw myself a virtual deuce when I opened up my WhoWhatWear email to see none other than the one and only Olivia Palermo in the headlines wearing a jacket the publishers stamped with a big APPROVED by the one and only most impeccably dressed of all impeccably dressed women. This would typically come with no added excitement or surprise for that matter except for the fact that the jacket she was wearing, a Band Jacket, reminded me of the one I just wore in a Christmas photo shoot three weeks prior.  Even more, it resembled the one I styled on super model Amy Lemons in Charlottesville, Va. last Fall.

I'm just going to seize this as an opportunity to say I'd be lying if I didn't say I love hitting the trends before they actually become a trend.  Want to jump on the Band Jacket band wagon? Here are a few of my current favorites for your lassoing pleasure. 

'Tis The Season

Photograhy: Zach Alston. Models: Emma Claris and Tyler Von Seggern (Marilyn's Model and Talent Management). Hair and Makeup: Tia Rivers. Freaturing Kristin Hayes Jewelry.

'Tis the Season from one very special young couple on their first Christmas together!  This photo shoot with models Emma and Tyler was so much fun.  Everything about it was so magical and perfect.  Thank you to a good friend for opening her gorgeous home.  It was all made for a very prominent magazine if you ask me!  I had to get in on the action in the last picture.  How do you like my sexy tough model pose?  Ha!  Merry Christmas Everyone! I hope yours was filled with love, laughter, family and eggnog to your hearts delight.

Lolabean Lightening Bolt

I think most of you know I am somewhat of a runoholic and that I ran the Kiawah Marathon last weekend.  I was nervous going into the race since I have maintained some sort of injury for the better part of the last 12-18 months.  This was the first race in at least that long that I was showing up for totally injury free and healthy.  Totally awesome but also scary at the same time. I realized my speedy training at both short and long distances was likely what was causing the break down.  I ran a conservative race at Kiawah, felt great and qualified for Boston again in 2016!  This my third marathon, and I was about a minute shy of my fastest finish, BUT I placed 5th in my age division, so I am very happy with the entire experience and feel very blessed.  If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you likely saw this awesome Lightening Bolt necklace from Lolabean, sent to me by way of an awesome friend of one of my hippest friends.  I wore my Lightening Bolt necklace as a good luck charm for fast feet during my race.  It worked!

Want to a Lightening Bolt swift feet good luck charm like mine?  Through January 1st Lolabean is offering 20% off all products to all readers of the Queen City Style.  Shop all their delicate wonders here, and enter code queencitystyle20.

Chelsea's Christmas Outfit

Let me have that green tulle skirt, please!  Just click on the cross mark above to shop any of the items directly from this page. Who is Chelsea you say?  Please join me in extending a warm welcome to my new Chief Creative Officer!  I am so excited.  Words cannot say!  This girl has got it going on and is just so stunning on the inside and out.  I am feeling a very lucky girl to be able to call her a part of the team!  Carrie Bradshaw lovers unite!  You simply must WATCH...