• By KAREN MARTIN
• Advocate assistant People editor
• Published: Nov 17, 2009 - Page: 1D

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When we stopped the subject of this week’s “Style File” at a luncheon, we got fashion advice doled out with humor.

NAME: Genevieve Stewart, Baton Rouge
AGE: “Well over 50 and loving it.”
OCCUPATION: Talk radio producer-host

Tell us about what you’re wearing.
“My suit is by Tahari; jewelry and cami by Ellen Tracy, shoes by Stuart Weitzman.”

Who or what most influences your style?
“My style is influenced by good fabric, good lines and colors compatible with my complexion and hair. I’m also influenced by the amount of feedback I receive from women whose sense of fashion I admire. That confirms or denies my inner sense of style and I correct accordingly.”

What’s the best fashion advice you’ve ever gotten?
“‘Makeup — never leave home without it.’ (Unless you’re actually trying to convince someone that you’re deathly ill.) Much to my husband’s consternation, I’ve even applied it as he was trying to race me to the emergency room. Seriously, the best advice was to stick with the better designers in your wardrobe basics (a good suit is always appropriate) and accessorize with the more trendy items to update your look. Same with hair and makeup. That way you are building a wardrobe that can last for a decade or two. And, lastly, I learned the hard way to never go shopping with friends whose taste and body type are completely different than yours, but they think they are the Sarah Jessica Parker of fashion. It can be a costly mistake.”

What’s on your must-have list for fall?
“An absolute must is a new, shorter slightly sassy hairstyle and a few highlights that subtly makes a statement, draws the eye up and away from the sags and wrinkles, provides a tres jolie sense of playfulness by lifting one’s spirits before the winter ‘blahs’ and makes last season’s outfits appear brand new because you have a ‘new attitude.’  Rigsby Fredrick, get ready for my transformation. I’m sitting in your magic chair tomorrow!”

Finish this sentence. I splurge on …
“The ‘never fail you’ investment wardrobe staple clothes — good, basic pieces and classic suits that are versatile. And I splurge on jewelry. Good jewelry is like capital. It’s a deal closer in business. But don’t over do it. Appearing too ostentatious and or like a clown will only make you a joke as you leave the board room empty handed.”

I skimp on …
“Some accessory items that are trendsetters to update your wardrobe for a season or two until they appear very dated. You’ve lost a minimal investment but demonstrated an appropriate fashion sense.”

Are you a shoes or handbag kind of woman? How many do you have?
“I am a handbag person. The 100 plus tucked away that fall on my head from the upper closet shelves will attest to that. It’s utterly ridiculous, I know.”

Name the celebrity whose closet  you would like to raid.
“I would love to raid Hillary Clinton’s closet so I could discard, throw out, give away (adios!!) some of her dull, boring horrendously repetitious pantsuits to the Dress for Success charity, which clothes less-fortunate women for job interviews. Hillary already has the job. Now she needs help in understanding that women no longer have to emulate men in their office attire in order to successfully assume the seat of power. It’s called ‘dress’ for success (as in skirt) for a reason. I love my pantsuits, especially for travel, but Hillary can afford three-piece suits with the skirts to match for a quick change. They all don’t have to look like Chanel knockoffs with June Cleaver’s (a.k.a. the ‘Leave It to Beaver’ mom) jewelry.”

What’s the one beauty product you can’t live without?
“I cannot live without moisturizing creams. They are sooo soothing. And your glowing complexion is the stage upon which your crown (hair) rests …  Plus the glow reflects light away from the fine lines.”

Your house is on fire and you can grab only one thing out of your closet. What would it be?
“What does a woman grab first? That’s a silly question! The jewelry, of course. Then I grab the family photos so my great-grandchildren will be able to see how sharp I used to be before the fire.”