Mother of 5, wife of Rich Amons, Founder of Labels for Love, and cast member of Bravo's reality television series The Real Housewives of DC, Mary Amons was my first choice to interview for MyDCStyle's Closet Talk!
Beyond her time on reality TV, she is a dedicated mother, wife, and woman in all areas of her life - family, friends and philanthropy - and she also happens to have a great sense of style! So I went to meet with Mary at her gorgeous home in McLean for some Closet Talk to discuss a few of her favorite things when it comes to fashion as well as a mutual brand we both love, Piazza Sempione.
How would you describe your style?
My style has evolved over the years into a very casual hippie chic, Colorado inspired style. As a busy mother of 5, philanthropist focused on fashion and now hard at work building a career in film and television, I need to be relaxed, but always pulled together, polished and sophisticated. I love pieces! I collect interesting and eclectic pieces to mix up my style. I have a boot obsession and love to wear boots all year round. I like to pair a classic dress and mix it up with a funky pair of boots and accessories like a scarf, belt, etc. Rachel Zoe is an enormous inspiration to me as I consider her the queen of a relaxed hippie chic yet sophisticated style. Jeans are a staple in my wardrobe! I live in jeans as I run around between shuttling kids and casual business meetings and if I’m going out I can easily transition into evening by mixing in a great pair of shoes (or boots!) and a fun top.
Why were you drawn to Piazza Sempione?
I have always been an enormous fan of the Piazza Sempione collection! I’ve admired it for years especially on my occasional shopping trips to Barneys NYC! I love the way the line marries simple classic with edgy fashion using high-end fabrics, high quality construction offering versatility in building a wardrobe. A line that can easily be layered is what draws me in. I consider Piazza Sempione one of the best collections to consistently year after year offer the best in staple pieces for a wardrobe regardless of a woman’s style.
What's is/are your favorite Piazza piece/s?
My favorite pieces are the stylishly constructed cashmere coats to layer with a great cashmere scarf. Such a welcomed outer layer during the chilly DC months! Also, my body shape is a bit tricky with a broad back as well as being a bit busty so I struggle to fit in many fitted/zippered dresses perfectly. Given that most of the fabrics and styles Piazza Sempione offers are mostly giving and forgiving, I can walk into the showroom and have most of what I try on fit like it was made for me, which is a rare find within an entire collection. I love that!
What are two staple pieces you think every woman should have in their wardrobe?
Every woman should have a perfect black dress that can be dressed up or down and a great pair of boots that can dress that black dress up or down! In order to build a wardrobe, I think it is important to collect classic staple pieces and keep things current with interesting current accessories. I do collect staple pieces, in fact my favorite black dress has been with me for 14 years and I altered as my body has changed over the years as I had my babies.
With your busy schedule between philanthropy work running Labels for Love and doing interviews across the country, you must have a need for versatile yet stylish clothing. What are your go-to pieces when you're packing for a 3-day trip filled with dinners, appearances and touring a new city?
It is key to pack wisely when traveling on a quick busy 3-day trip and needing to be pulled together. Depending upon the season, I usually pack a tunic that can be worn as a dress with boots, but also worn over jeans for a second look. It’s rare that when traveling on a busy 3-day business oriented trip that you would be seen by the same people from one day to the next, so wearing something twice is most of the time a smart move to simplify things. I always pack a nice dress and a great pair of shoes so I’m ready and not scrambling in case something should come up unexpectedly. I’ll wear jeans and a great pair of boots to travel in and a cashmere wrap that doubles as a scarf for layering is always in my carry on bag. In the warmer months I always travel in comfy jersey knits that I can layer and dress up. Instead of boots for travel, I’m usually sporting my grey converse “chucks” for comfort and to mix it up for a relaxed yet funky sophisticated style.
Both dresses worn by Mary are two of my favorite Piazza Sempione pieces! The red dress is sophisticated and the color is sexy and the fit is so flattering! The print dress is delicate and feminine and looks like a piece of art! Piazza Sempione is available at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, and Nordstrom among others. The nude heels - which I love - are Prada.
Keep up with Mary on Twitter @maryamons and follow http://www.labelsforlove.org to stay abreast of upcoming fashionable charity events!
The photography is by my dear friend and amazing photographer, Laurie Bracewell Photography. She specializes in wedding photography - if you need a wedding photographer she IS THE WOMAN TO BOOK - but as you can see above is an amazing editorial photographer as well! You can click here to check out more photos from the shoot!
XOXO
~MyDCStyle
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