Expert Advice: Lori Goldstein on What to Buy in the Summer Sales

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Introducing Racked National's first celebrity guest blogger: Lori Goldstein. One of the most iconic fashion stylists of our time, Lori is also one of the most sought-after creative visionaries in the industry.

She's worked with celebrities including Madonna, Demi Moore, Julianne Moore, and Anne Hathaway, has held the position of Contributing Editor at Italian Vogue and Allure, and has worked as a creative consultant for brands including Vera Wang, Nina Ricci, Carolina Herrera, BCBG, and TSE. Lori currently has a featured fashion line with QVC called Logo Instant Chic.

Logo Instant Chic tees on sale at QVC

Summer Sales: I love this time of year

Lori: Let's talk clothes, accessories and sales. I love this time of year. We think we're done for the season, moving on to shop for fall, but no way—not when so many coveted pieces are below their original retail prices! It's the perfect time to get that major investment piece you've wanted—the one dream you had to let go because it was way beyond your price range. It's about when you can score that designer piece, the big gun, to have and hold on to forever I've gotten some of my favorite pieces, one's that I've had for years and years to come, in this wonderful flux of time called sale.

Every Valentino bag is a collector's item, and this season, they were the best yet. I want this top handle bag, right, it's butter soft leather and the size of a tote, it may be crunched to perfection. And the details are the details that I dream about—silk tulle, laser cut leather, features and sequins all swirled together for beauty beyond belief. It's a real artisanal confection. I could go on and on about the black tote choke-a-block with rosettes and tulle, but you need to see it for yourself at Valentino, Saks Fifth Avenue or Bergdorf Goodman.

This Marc Jacobs jacket has been my absolute staple all this spring. I love it when I make the right purchase, and I live in the piece. Then it becomes guilt free. Now it's on sale, and I highly recommend going for it. The weight is perfect to transition to fall and, need I say, the style is spot on the fall trends too, so it's even more a great investment. BTW, I changed my buttons to gold military ones—another way of making something your own. It's available at Marc Jacobs stores.

I walked by Iris on Washington Street in Manhattan, the store that carries all of the shoes manufactured for Chloe, John Galliano, and Viktor & Rolf (to name a few). There were the Chloe shoes that had been on my mind all season. Should I? Shouldn't I? Will everyone have them? Will I be over them before wearing them? And, well, the shoes were in the window, and I loved them just as much as I did at the beginning of the season. Only now they are on sale. They will look amazing for fall as well, worn with a chunky sock. I can't wait!

The hat is a crucial element this time of year. The sun is so hot (and the enemy) when walking the streets or even by the pool or beach. Who does a better, more whimsical hat than Alber Elbaz for Lanvin? They are so gorg and heavenly, that I can't chose which one I love, so get two—which is like getting one, since they are on sale, right?!

Then there are the pieces that are always necessary. We can never have too many tees. They make our outfits: easy ones, oversized ones, embellished ones in colors, black and white. We live in them, and are so comfy. They make summer cool. The original price for my Logo Instant Chic line of t-shirts was so right at retail, now they are marked down—a total steal. We really can get a wardrobe of tees that we wear all year long—with jeans, shorts, skirts and even a t-shirt dress! Summer never looked so good, and there's still July and August. Here are some of my favorites (above), each under $50.

xx, Lori

· Logo Instant Chic [Facebook]
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· @LGInstantChic [Twitter]
· All Lori Goldstein, all the time [Racked]