Style Story By LM x The Wellground
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Some like it personal – the shopping experience…
As the world moves online and we’re staying at home/practicing social distancing, more than ever…
I am reminded of the type of experience I prefer when shopping.
I have never enjoyed being at department stores unless I am headed straight for the shoes, which has the best selection and feels as if I’m in an art museum. For clothing, décor, or gifts, I prefer boutique shopping.
The Wellground is all that and more with its founders being hands-on and connected in every way to the style, clothing, and customers. In addition to offering a totally personal shopping experience, Lanie Marcus and Manda Kovar also incorporate wellness services, products, and classes. In a separate space from the boutique, they have expert aestheticians and rejuvenating experiences. This is a place where you could spend a whole day and not even realize it. Lanie and Manda are so much fun to be around—you’ll find yourself shopping one minute and enjoying a salad and kombucha on the couch with them the next (I bring my own diet coke). Their styles are ever-so- slightly different, and yet they almost always agree when they are buying for the store. Lanie’s style is more bohemian, and Manda’s is more classic. But, when you see below how they separately answered questions, they actually have very similar wardrobe staples and go-to pieces (and similar to mine, which is how we were attracted to each other). Their store, The Wellground, is in Port Washington on Long Island. I met Lanie when I owned my store, and she was a great virtual shopper as we connected on style favorites. In Westport, we reconnected and since then, I have been working with them at showrooms and on projects as they complete their first year of business. Trips to the city with them are the most fun version of work, and we all get lost in the clothing and excited about the styles and fabrics and designs.
Above are summer vignettes we collaborated on with help from their manager Marni Leiderman, and you can shop these looks on their website, (photos are linked to one of the pieces), or pickup in person if you are anywhere near the area.
It’s definitely worth a trip to the store if you have time to work with Lanie and Manda, get amazing style ideas, and share lots laughs too. Below, I asked them each, separately, some fun fashion questions to get an even better sense of their style mantras.
Meet The Wellground’s founders:
Q + A with Manda Kovar + Lanie Marcus
Manda Kovar.
What is your go to look?
“Jean shorts and a white t tank or a midi comfy dress.”
What are 5 essential wardrobe pieces?
1. “A cozy oversized cardigan sweater” 2. “Leather pants (preferably cropped and a little flared)” 3. “A white t shirt” 4. “A great pair of jeans” 5. “A great fitting blazer”
What is the oldest piece of clothing in your closet that your still love and wear?
“A Missoni jumpsuit that I have had for ages, my mom’s cashmere turtleneck, and her classic grey and black sweaters that have held the test of time/make me think of her.”
More important: handbag or shoes?
“Both, lol.” ;)
What is the one trend you never want to see come back?
The cold-shoulder top…
What is the one trend you do want to see come back?
“I love a corduroy pant! (very 70's)”
What is your number one piece of fashion advice for your customers when styling?
"Only buy things that you feel good in and want to wear....it doesn’t matter what other people are wearing or what they think you need to. Own your style, and let it be your own!”
Lanie Marcus.
What is your go to look?
DAY: “Rocker or RE/DONE white tee with ripped jean shorts + fuzzy slides or birks.”
NIGHT: “Long skirt or wide leg pant with half tucked cami/flowy top.”
What are 5 essential wardrobe pieces?
1. “Jeans + white tee” 2. “Flatform sandal” 3. “Cardigan” 4. “Cool sneakers” 5. “Flowy top”
What is the oldest piece of clothing in your closet that your still love and wear?
“A worn in wide brown leather belt my mom got at Woodstock. Second place goes to my Chloe fuzzy slides, which I got 7 or 8 years ago and wear almost every day.”
More important: handbag or shoes?
“Hmmm...so hard. Well, since I could always throw on one of my boys adidas slides, I’m gonna say bag.”
What is the one trend you never want to see come back?
“Cold shoulder tops!! HORRIBLE.”
What is the one trend you do want to see come back?
“This is so hard for me because I really do keep wearing what I like. If there’s a trend I’m not ready to part with, I just make it work and put it with new stuff to make it look more current.”
What is your number one piece of fashion advice for your customers when styling?
“If you want to incorporate a trend, pick one “trendy” piece and let everything else be classic. One more: don’t stress so much about things matching exactly. I try to focus more on making sure the color tones go together...”