What the Team at Steven Alan's New York Showroom Wears to Work

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In the 21 years since launching his namesake label, Steven Alan has become synonymous with Brooklyn-prep—capital "P" Prep's muted, rumpled, chambray-happy cousin. We stopped by the brand's Tribeca headquarters to find out what the Steven Alan staff wears to the showroom on a typical workday, and to pick up their tips on uniform dressing, when to splurge, and how to style a button-down for maximum coolness.

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Kate Francis, Account Executive, is wearing an Acne jacket, Steven Alan top, Nicholson & Nicholson trousers, Vans shoes, and jewelry by Grace Lee and Odette New York.

Your closet's on fire! What do you save from the flames?

My Acne leather jacket—I'll likely be buried in that thing—and my pink Steven Alan suit. I wore it to see two of my best friends, who are like sisters to me, receive their master's degrees. It holds a strong memory!

What's your uniform?

Layers of my favorite Acne leather and R13 denim jackets over a solid woven Steven Alan shirt with tailored pants from either Hope or this amazing Japanese line Nicholson & Nicholson. When I'm running around to stores, I'm probably in Vans. Give or take a few different jewelry choices, this is what I wear almost every day at the showroom.

What trends are you into?

I think it's great that consumers are showing interest in the human and environmental cost of their retail purchases. We're fortunate to work closely with small and mid-size independent designers who are involved with every step of the production process. That learning experience has definitely influenced how I shop for myself.

What do you splurge on? What do you cheap out on?

I splurge on my hair! Whitney at Suite Caroline salon in SoHo does beautiful balayage—it looks great and natural even without any styling. It's still a luxury, but I go for affordable, no-frills foot massages in Chinatown—it's helpful to get the blood flowing after a long day on my feet in market appointments.

What's your favorite way to style a button-down?

Buttoned to the top, and worn with my hair up or braided—it's my favorite way to show off necklaces and earrings.

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Jamie Leone, Account Executive, is wearing a Horses Atelier dress, vintage leather jacket, Grace Lee jewelry, and Rag & Bone shoes.

What's your uniform?

In the warmer months, I'll wear a fluid dress, flat slides and the occasional fedora. During winter, I work, eat, sleep and play in cozy oversized sweaters.

Pick one: plaid or stripes?

Always a stripe!

What's your favorite way to style a button-down?

The first few top buttons undone, rolled sleeves, with a pair of denim boyfriend shorts.

What's the best piece of shopping advice you've ever gotten?

Only buy pieces you LOVE, don't be swayed by a good deal or label.

Who would you trade closets with in a heartbeat?

If Kate Moss and Alexa Chung's closets had a baby.

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Emily Basenberg, Senior Account Executive, is wearing a Marissa Webb dress, her grandmother's ring, and Veronique Branquinho shoes.

What's your uniform?

Steven Alan shirts with a straight-leg white jean in summer, or a shirtdress worn with a heeled sandal when I need to feel more dressed up.

Pick one: plaid or stripes?

Stripes!

What's your favorite way to style a button-down?
I wear button-down shirts in a preppy-messy way—partly tucked in, buttoned fairly high up, and well-fitted. And cuffed when it is hot out.

What's the best piece of shopping advice you've ever gotten?
The stylist Tracy Cox once told me that a blazer should be the foundation of one's wardrobe, and I have found this to be very true. I will definitely splurge on a nice blazer, they're very versatile and always appropriate.

Who would you trade closets with in a heartbeat?

Stella Tennant.

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Phillip Nevins, Showroom Manager, wears a Steven Alan 'Classic Collegiate' shirt, a John Varvatos sweater, Gap jeans, Happy Socks socks, Common Projects sneakers, and an Odette New York leather bracelet.

Your closet's on fire! What do you save from the flames?

My Von Dutch hat—it's traveled the world with me.

Pick one: plaid or stripes?

Can I pick both? Can I also pick polka dots?

What do you splurge on? What do you cheap out on?

I pretty much cheap out on just everything, but splurge on home furnishing.

What's your favorite way to style a button-down?
Under a sweater or with the sleeves rolled up past my elbows.

Who would you trade closets with in a heartbeat?

Mariah Carey for the actual closet space and then Joe Jonas for the clothing.

What's your most regrettable purchase?

I once bought a pair of Levis jeans—they fit me so bad that they sat in my closet unworn with the tags on for almost year. Then one day in I cut them into Jorts and I swear I didn't take them off all summer long.

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Samantha Smith, Showroom Director, wears a Steven Alan shirt, Dries van Noten blazer, Acne jeans, Isabel Marant belt, Ann Demeulemeester shoes, Grace Lee and ZDesigns jewelry, and a Clare V. 'Kenya' bag.

Your closet's on fire! What do you save from the flames?

My Mom's vintage Bottega Veneta bags and a few favorite shoes, like my Band of Outsiders brogues.

What's your uniform?

Skinny jeans, a button down shirt, a blazer. and sneakers.

What trends are you into?

Sneakers! Especially ones by Common Projects, Isabel Marant, and Shoes Like Pottery. I'm always on the run!

What do you splurge on? What do you cheap out on?

I splurge on shoes and haircuts, but cheap out on socks.

What fashion rule do you shamelessly break?

I wear white jeans year-round.

What's your favorite way to style a button-down?
I'll wear an oversized Steven Alan boyfriend shirt—unbuttoned and tucked in front—with cargos. I always roll up the sleeves.

What's the best piece of shopping advice you've ever gotten?

Never get rid of investment pieces, even when they are out of style, because everything comes back!

Who would you trade closets with in a heartbeat?

Sienna Miller or Natalie Massenet.