June Ambrose Exclusive: Fall Fashion Tips from Famed Celebrity Stylist

Celebrity stylist and author, June Ambrose's persona, like her wardrobe, is larger than life. Having worked with members of the entertainment industry's elite such as Jay Z, Mariah Carey, and Missy Elliott, to name a few, If any one knows fashion, it's Ambrose. The founder of her own full-service styling firm, Mode Squad, Inc., and author of every woman's fashion survival guide, 'Effortless Style,' June is a true curator of style. So quite naturally, as soon as I spotted her at the 2009 Black Girls Rock! Award Fundraiser, looking fabulous in an Alexander McQueen coat, YSL shoes, a to-die-for Hermes handbag and chic black shades with honey-tinted lenses she designed herself, I had to pull her aside for a quick fashion chat. She was kind enough to share with BV on Style her Top 5 Fall Fashion Trends, and even celebrated her own recessionista status!

Trend #1: "Every woman should have an over-the-knee boot," she told BV. "Well, I wouldn't say you must have one because if you're short they can make the body look un-proportioned -- I am really particular about silhouettes and proportions -- because it's a trend doesn't necessarily mean it's for you. But if you can pull it off, a thigh-high boot is definitely a must have for the fall."

Stretch Suede Over-The-Knee Boots, ($41.99, gojane.com)

Trend #2: "I love classic looks that can carry over to the next season, and a good military pea coat is a great investment. I just posted a shopping excursion of me shopping at K-mart on Twitter, and I found this great military-parker style jacket, and it was under $99.00! There are a lot of great finds this season!"

Snag the very same pea coat June did at K-Mart as seen in the video below!

Covington Melton Double Brested A-Line Topped with Metal Ball Buttons, ($89.99, kmart.com)

Trend #3: "Plaid, and lots of it!"

Plaid Ruffle Top Tunic, ($48.00, ardenb.com)

Trend #4: "Denim, denim, denim! Play around with denim and layer it with all of your luxury fabrics; such as tweed and just have fun with it!"

Denim Jacket, ($36.97, applebottoms.com)

Trend #5: "Accessories are also very prevalent this season, a great pair of shades goes a long way. You must have accessories and your basics, and add the punctuation to your wardrobe that way, because after all, we are in a recession!"

SB Shine's, ($30.00, StevieBoi.com)

Bonus -- Ambrose on being a recessionista: "I am a recessionista! Why wouldn't I be? Of course I love Zara, Club Monaco, and Chanel, but hey, I am realistic. If like I like it I like it, and if something is made well, and if it's of good quality, then I'll rock it. There are so many respected designers doing lower end lines, everyone from Malandrino, to Anna Sui; you can't help but become a recessionista. . . .and still look fabulous!"