The Essential List 26. Elyse Winter’s Forever Favorites
The Los Angeles–based stylist shares her go-to shoes, the tee she wears weekly, the one makeup product she swears by, and what most clients tend to overlook about their own style.
I first came across Elyse in an interview on
’s Substack (Sarah herself was featured here in January) and I’ve been following her ever since. I love her strong sense of personal style — she knows exactly what she likes and isn’t swayed by trends. She dresses for everyday life but manages to make it look considered, effortless, and chic. Her influence comes mostly from Paris street style, and her approach to beauty is equally refreshing and unfussy.Elyse recently became a mother and is expecting her second child this fall. That life change shifted her mindset on getting dressed and feeling her best — inspiring her to help others who might be feeling the same. She’s been sharing roundups of her favorite T-shirts, sweatshirts, and jeans — the kind of edits I love for The Essential List — and I reached out to see if she’d share more of her go-to pieces.
First, Elyse shares some of her forever favorites that she reaches for on repeat — the perfectly broken-in sneakers, a subtly sexy tee, and a locket she treasures. Then, in our Q&A, we discuss how she helps clients gain confidence in their style, where she saves vs. splurges, and what she’s learned from years of dressing others.
Manolo Blahnik Carolyne I always come back to this shoe. It is the most classic, flattering, comfy, and chic shoe in my opinion.
Frances de Lourdes Johnny Tee I wear this at-least once a week. I don’t show a lot of skin, so this is my way of feeling hot — it’s sexy without trying too hard. The material (a cashmere/silk blend) is glorious.
Converse Chuck 70 Canvas This specific high top converse is my most worn “everyday” shoe — this is the best color combo in my opinion. I prefer when they’re super worn in and look filthy, to be honest. I can’t stand wearing them until they get to that point. Got to go with the 70s or don’t go at all!
Sherman Field Locket One of my most prized possessions — a locket with a photo of my daughter inside. I’m looking forward to adding a photo of my future son this October. Anything Danielle makes I want and need! She makes the most beautiful vintage inspired jewelry on the market.
Glossier Lash Slick I hate almost all makeup — I think I dislike it so much because I’m not the best at applying it. With that being said, this is my favorite makeup product ever made. It doesn’t make you look like you have anything on- just a lash lift.
The Row Slouchy Banana Bag The Row has had a grip on me since my Barney’s days. This is the most practical “mom bag” and serves a huge purpose in my life. I wear it to the playground, birthday parties, long walks — basically to bed.
Elyse has spent nearly two decades in the luxury fashion world, starting at Nordstrom and Barneys before working as a personal shopper at Farfetch for close to 10 years. Today, she helps clients create everyday wardrobes that are both chic and truly wearable.
You spent years as a personal shopper in the luxury space, first at Barneys and later at Farfetch. How did those one-on-one client experiences influence the way you approach styling today?
It was a big shift going from working for another company, with that safety net behind me, to working one‑on‑one. It takes a lot of confidence, and it’s humbling to work for yourself. Early on, I hired two assistants—one in New York and one in LA—which really helps create a small team to support me while I’m servicing a client.
I also learned so much at Nordstrom about handling customer‑service issues, and those lessons still inform how I work with every client. But for me, Barneys was the most significant turning point. My boss there is now a dear friend, and she showed me how to up my game for very high‑end, niche clients—how to understand their demands, work with luxury brands, and consistently meet their needs and expectations.
What does a typical day look like for you — how much time is spent sourcing or buying versus working with clients?
Every day is different — I know it’s a cliché answer, but it’s true. My day is mostly focused around my family to start—that’s my number‑one priority. I drop my daughter off in the morning; she goes to a class for a few hours, which is really helpful. Then, from 9 to 10am, I’m answering emails—whether it’s to a brand, a new client consult, or texting back East Coast clients who reached out the night before—really just catching up. If I have a partnership (for example, J.Crew this week), I prepare my links, my content, and strategize that in the morning, since I’m most productive then.
From 10am to noon, I generally have a Facetime or an in‑person appointment—anywhere from two to four hours. Yesterday, for instance, I had a four‑hour appointment in Brentwood, LA, which was fun. In the remaining hour before I pick up my daughter, I’ll answer brand emails again, respond to requests on ShopMy, and post a recap of that appointment—because social recaps are a big part of my business and help get new clients interested.
Then I pick up my daughter—it’s a zoo—and we do it all again.
Is your brand discovery driven more by brands reaching out to you, or proactively seeking out new brands?
It’s a mixture. I’m always browsing small‑boutique websites for new arrivals, and I’m constantly on the big retailers—Saks, Neiman’s, Net‑a‑Porter, MyTheresa. I have partnerships with a few of these brands and with Shopbop, so they’ll often reach out: “Hi, here’s what’s new this week.”
But I also actively look for new labels—that’s a huge part of my business. My mindset is to support smaller, lesser‑known brands, because clients don’t want to wear what everyone else is wearing; they want something unique. Of course, I still love the easy basics from known denim companies, but I’m always scouting niche brands to offer my clients fresh, interesting pieces.
Are there any small brands you love and think more people should know about?
I’m absolutely obsessed with a jeweler called Sherman Field. Danielle is amazing and very selective—her pieces are sold only at Bergdorf Goodman, through her own showroom, and on her website. Her jewelry quality is unparalleled; prices are high, but worth it, so she’s definitely a brand to watch.
Another favorite is Róhe. Their pieces are beautifully made at an emerging‑contemporary price point, with a unique take on basics and dresses. Dresses are normally a hard category for me since I’m not a big dress person, but I’m really drawn to their designs and their pricing.
What are your personal filters when shopping—what has to be true before something earns a spot in your closet?
I’m really, really picky. There’s a myth on Instagram that I only buy designer pieces—but I actually love contemporary and emerging brands, and I mix in J.Crew and L.L.Bean totes. I’m not all designer.
I read tags like an inspector—what is it made of? Where was it made? Was it crafted with care?
For me, a piece needs to be unique, interesting, and special. I don’t want to wear what everyone else is wearing, even though my style is pretty simple and basic. Quality is key: the material has to feel substantial. I read tags like an inspector—what is it made of? Where was it made? Was it crafted with care? So I avoid fast fashion (no Zara or Mango), even if something looks cute.
I also look for unique details and a great fit. I love oversized silhouettes and volume—pregnant or not—as a way to show my style. I gravitate toward pieces with volume or size up in items that aren’t meant to be voluminous.
When working with clients, how do you guide them on where to save vs. where to invest?
Not all my clients want to shop designer or emerging designer, so it has to be a balanced mix of both. Balance is key—whether we’re balancing logos or proportions or budget.
It’s very specific to each client. For example, I have a client who wants—and is willing—to buy all The Row’s sweaters. I deter her from buying most of them, with the exception of one that I think is worth it, The Ophelia. I’ll say, “Okay, you want to buy all The Row’s sweaters, but put it down. You don’t need that—this is the best one.” I don’t like being a billboard for any single label.
That’s where I step back and ask, “Does this need to be branded, or is this just great marketing?”
On the “save” side, basics like T‑shirts are cheap and cheerful. For underwear, I usually recommend Skims—that’s affordable, high‑quality, and what I wear myself. Same with maternity wear: I tell clients not to buy dedicated maternity pieces. I just size up in my regular wardrobe—or borrow my husband’s clothes—and I don’t spend on nursing bras, either.
I’m also minimal with makeup and beauty. In my client edits, I include my go‑to hair products and my favorite makeup picks. For instance, you don’t need a $90 YSL mascara if it doesn’t work—my favorite is the $22 Glossier formula. That’s where I step back and ask, “Does this need to be branded, or is this just great marketing?”
Is there anything that consistently surprises people during a styling session—something you see again and again across clients?
Yeah, I think what’s interesting is, yesterday I had a session with someone who was amazing. She has great taste and an amazing collection of pieces that I’ve sourced for her and that she’s put together on her own—I want to give her that credit.
The magic sauce is when someone else looks at you with a fresh perspective, they can put it all together and offer a new perception of you. Perspective is key.
I find that she, and many of my clients, share the same thing: a level of confidence to say, “I’m going to lean into my style and just wear what I want.” I have to be there to push them to lean in, be who they want to be, and wear what they want to wear—without being apologetic about it. Yesterday, she said, “Can you help me put some outfits together?” Of course—that’s my job. We used the pieces she already had to create very simple, chic outfits that she could then put together on her own.
The magic sauce is when someone else looks at you with a fresh perspective, they can put it all together and offer a new perception of you. Perspective is key. I’ll have clients message me, “Oh, your client looks so chic,” but then that client messages me back saying, “You look so chic.”
People need to build that confidence where they believe they look good, lean into their style, and feel great—rather than admiring someone else and thinking, “Wow, she looks amazing.”
Do you think that comes from seeing others wear certain things and not feeling confident enough to try them yourself, or more from a hesitation to dress a little differently than everyone else?
I think it’s a combination of both. As women, we’re always told we’re not good enough, pretty enough, or “enough,” and we’re very hard on ourselves. I’m my own worst critic. It’s tough to see the same bracelet on me and then on a client and think they look better. It’s a total mind‑fuck, to be honest.
I get it—I’m the same as my clients. If I see someone else wearing a certain sweater, I’ll think, “Oh, wow, she looks amazing.” But on me? “Okay, whatever.” Because I own it and it’s on me—it doesn’t feel special.
Adding jewelry—or wearing your hair natural and just owning it—are little things that seem insignificant but have a lot of styling power and give you a real boost.
But the finishing touch, to be honest, is jewelry. I know it sounds silly, but people come up to me and say, “Wow, you have such great style,” and I’m laughing because I feel like a hot mess—I just rolled out of bed, I’m tired, I didn’t sleep, I have a toddler, I’m pregnant. Yet because I added unique jewelry and layered it with my sweatshirt and jeans, it looks like I put in a lot of effort. It also feels very personalized to me. Adding jewelry—or wearing your hair natural and just owning it—are little things that seem insignificant but have a lot of styling power and give you a real boost.
So it really comes down to the internal work: we’re our own worst critics, we see something on someone else and love it, and yet the power of those little touches—layering a necklace or adding a watch, even with sweats—makes such a big difference.
What’s the last thing you bought that you feel really good about, and how did you find out about it?
Oh my goodness—I’m a big shopper, so let’s see. Last night I purchased the Comme Ci boxer pant in navy, which I already own but sized up in for pregnancy. I get inspired by my clients: yesterday I styled a client in the navy Comme Ci set (button‑down and pant), and while I had the set already, I felt the pant sizing was off—so I sized up, and that’s what I bought. I have them in a million colors: they’re great — pregnant or not. I wear them to sleep, as a cover‑up with a one‑piece, or as a chic set. I think they’re so versatile, and I love the brand — the designer is very sweet.
Thank you, Elyse! I loved getting a peek into your styling process and I’ve been coveting the Frances de Lourdes tees for ages too!
Follow @styledxelyse on Instagram for more from Elyse.
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Elyse is a woman after my own heart! When I got to the ‘reads fabrication labels’ part, I felt such kinship! And no Zara! xC
Love this so much!