Building a wardrobe that works
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There was a certain ease to the afternoon at the Prestige Lounge in SM Store Aura last Sept. 24. Guests settled in with drinks and light bites as fashion pieces in soft, sophisticated colors took center stage, and Katarina Rodriguez began showing just how much possibility can be found in a well-chosen wardrobe.
Rodriguez shared three simple rules for shopping smarter and styling SM Woman pieces across occasions, seasons, and destinations.
For Rodriguez, great style starts with pieces that work hard.
As she moved through the SM Woman collection, she demonstrated how a satin skirt could shift from casual to dressy, how an asymmetrical white button-down could be worn several ways, and how a cardigan or jacket could instantly give a simple outfit more polish.
The secret, she revealed, is not necessarily having more clothes. It is knowing how to make each piece work.
“My rule is: Can I wear this for multiple weeks?” Rodriguez told the guests.
She explained that when she considers buying a piece, she thinks beyond the immediate look. Could she wear it to brunch with friends, a dinner date, or while traveling? Could it work in different destinations, weather conditions, and seasons?
Her practical approach to fashion ensures each piece is a great investment.
Then came another lesson: Invest in coordinates.
Rodriguez showed how matching sets can be worn together for an instantly polished look, then separated and styled with other pieces to create entirely different outfits.
“Coords are a nice investment because you could just throw them on, and then accessorize properly, and it's already an elevated look,” she said.
Her final tip was one shoppers could immediately try for themselves: Fit matters.
Rodriguez encouraged guests to try clothes on rather than judging them from the hanger. Sometimes, she noted, a piece that does not immediately catch your eye can surprise you once you see how its silhouette works on your body.
And just when the conversation seemed to settle on clothes, the afternoon moved into another layer of personal style: fragrance.
At the SM Beauty fragrance workshop, Luxasia Head of Training Cristina Conde invited guests to look at scent differently; not simply as something that makes you smell good, but as an “invisible accessory.”
“What am I wearing? Where am I going? And how do I want to feel?” became the guide to choosing a fragrance.
Guests explored pairings ranging from citrus and musk for a clean, effortless mood to floral and woody combinations for a more refined character.
The afternoon came with its own treats, too.
Guests enjoyed a complimentary upgrade to SM Prestige membership, along with a P1,000 SM Woman shopping voucher. BDO Credit Card holders also received an exclusive 10% discount voucher applicable to select SM Women’s Wear brands.
More than a styling session, the gathering became a celebration of thoughtful dressing for the season ahead, showing how a few well-chosen pieces, layered with intention, can create looks that are comfortable, sophisticated, and effortlessly suited to the cozier months.
By the end of the afternoon, the lesson was clear.
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Editor's note: BrandedUp is designed to provide you with insightful, inspiring, and educational content created by The Philippine STAR in collaboration with brands like SM Store.
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