Rachel Zoe's September Style Picks Are Delightfully Affordable

Throughout her decades-long career of celebrity styling, curating and designing, Rachel Zoe's style — replete with sequins and Hermès — hasn't exactly been associated with affordability. But while she appreciates one-of-a-kind vintage couture and an enviable smattering of David Webb diamonds, she also champions a mix of high and low and believes in the democratization of fashion. Zoe openly draws inspiration for her collection from the 1960s and 1970s, with every one of her 30 runway collections referencing a muse or era within those decades, but also looks to her employees and friends for real-life inspiration.

"I am most impressed by a stylish outfit that has been assembled on a budget," says Zoe, who frequently tests her designs on employees who pair the gilded blouses and blazers with vintage denim and slides. She also created a subscription box service that delivers a seasons-worth of essentials worth $400 for just $100 and recently collaborated with Macy's on a new line, Zoe by Rachel Zoe, which includes accessories and ready-to-wear pieces all retailing within a $89-$169 bracket.

Now that September is in full swing we tapped the multi-hyphenate to share her style obsessions and how she'll be incorporating them into the range of activities she's cramming into the busy month.

For Her Birthday

When it comes to celebrating her birthday, Zoe prefers to keep things casual and spend time with her family. "The beginning of September is already a crazy time, my boys start school, fashion month kicks off and I show my latest collection" says Zoe. Her uniform of choice is either a bathrobe and a tiara (courtesy of her boys), or a dress and sandals for dinner with husband Rodger Berman.

For Fashion Month

After starting the whirlwind with her own SS19 show in LA, Rachel ventures to New York Fashion Week to support friends like Tom Ford and Brandon Maxwell. Statement outfits are the name of the game, particularly ones that haven't even hit stores, but she also swears by some travel essentials that are available to everyone. Since planes are always freezing, Zoe travels with an extra blanket scarf to ensure she stays cozy. To minimize the effects of travel exhaustion, she also makes sure to keep a few beauty essentials close at hand.

For The Back-To-School Frenzy

In a sentiment echoed by every mother, well, ever, Zoe finds the return to school to be extremely hectic. "From pick ups and drop offs to after-school activities and playdates there's never a dull moment," says Zoe who tries to schedule her meetings around her boys' schedule. For days when she has to attend school and the office, she relies on comfortable and functional staples like an oversized bag and a versatile outfit of wide-leg jeans, a tee and a black blazer.