Street Fashionista: A New Take on a Classic

With the recent departure of the Erie Reader's Street Fashionista, Leslie McAllister, you may be feeling lost and wondering how you're going to get your fashion fix now. Allow me to introduce myself; I'm Lili Morton, and I'll be your new Street Fashionista. I know I have some pretty stylish shoes to fill and I intend to start doing so right now.

You may be asking yourself, why this girl? Let me start by sharing a bit about myself. Since my high school days when I convinced my Home Economics teacher to let me educate the class on designers and sketch my own designs instead of sewing a knapsack like the others, I knew fashion was in my blood. I studied Fashion Merchandising at Michigan State University before moving to New York City where I worked for the iconic Diane von Furstenberg, styled for a trendy boutique in NoHo (where celebs such as Keri Russell and Leven Rambin often shopped), and worked on indie film sets and on television shows, like Law & Order as well as a Verizon Commercial. I was constantly surrounded by the most beautiful fabrics, prints and cutting-edge styles. I learned a lot from my surroundings. I watched and took notes from the best and I saw how looks were created – noticing why something worked and why another something else didn't. I learned how to take risks, experimenting with new trends to make them work for me.

After moving home to Erie five years ago, I started working with others (mostly business men and women) to help them develop their own personal style. My friends, family and colleagues were always asking me for fashion advice and wanting me to revamp their closet or go shopping with them. I used their interest to reach out to more people – from freelancing fashion articles to conducting seminars on fashion and style.

Fast-forward to April 2014: I am still very much a part of the fashion industry, having become a top stylist for Keaton Row, a virtual styling platform where women can work with a stylist for free. After completing an online style profile, a woman is paired with a stylist who creates a lookbook to fit her needs, budget, body type and, of course, style. The clothes come from popular online retailers such as Shopbop, Nordstrom, Asos, and Les Nouevelles. Prices range from $20 for a top to $2,000 (yes, $2,000 for one top!). I style women all across the country, from high-level executives and film producers to stay-at-home moms and recent college graduates.

But enough about me – I'd like to hear from you as the Street Fashionista series begins its new chapter. So tell me, what do you want to read about in this new take on an old favorite? Do you want to read Q&As? See designer profiles? Explore trends?

Share your thoughts and ideas at LMorton@ErieReader.com. I'll be writing interesting fashion articles that both educate and inspire, and reader suggestions, feedback, thoughts, and opinions are always welcome.

For now, I thought I'd end on a stylish note by highlighting some of my favorite trends for spring and how to wear them:

Wide-Leg Trouser: A sleek pair of white, wide-leg trousers paired with a crisp, blue button-down, a wide-brimmed hat, chunky wedges, and cross-body bag is perfect for a day of wine tasting or dining al fresco.

Tea-Length Skirts: These work for the office or the weekend. At work, pair with a more fitted top to create balance (caution: voluminous skirt with voluminous top = voluminous girl). On the weekend, opt for a crop-top. Crop tops can bare your belly or they can hit at the waistline of the skirt to cover any skin. Opt for what makes you most comfortable.

Slip-On Sneakers: Create a stylish, androgynous look by pairing with boyfriend jeans, shlub tee and cool jacket. Steve Madden and Loeffler Randall are my favorites.

Lili Morton can be contacted at LMorton@ErieReader.com, and you can follow her on Twitter  on Twitter @SatinAndScotch.