Brad Goreski on How to Dress for NYFW Without Looking Cliché

New York Fashion Week is just a day away, and to help you pack and plan your outfits, we've enlisted the expert advice of stylist Brad Goreski. Here, he reveals, his top tips for being a street style star, which designers he's loving, and the ruling on whether or not it's okay to wear flats to runway shows.

ELLE: What's your best advice for getting noticed for street style?

Brad Goreski: The people who get noticed don't really think about getting noticed. You really do have the license during fashion week to wear the things that you wouldn't necessarily wear to dinner, because it really is a fashion parade. So my advice would be, number one, to march to the beat of your own drum, to really wear the things that float your boat. So if you are really into the Oscar de la Renta rubber looks with the little jackets, fashion week might be an opportunity to wear that, as opposed to wearing it out to dinner with your girlfriends.

ELLE: If you were to be on Fashion Police, what would you say?

BG: Have fun, push the boundaries, and express yourself. But just to remember that it's not a Halloween or masquerade ball. It's work. We are all there looking to see what the designers do and what the new trends are. Editors are seeing what the shape of their shoots are going to look like. The other thing I can't handle is when people wear outfits that obstruct the view of the show-like wearing a bird on your head. Wearing a bird's nest on your head with eggs in it is great for Lady Gaga doing and interview with MTV Sweden but it's not such a great look to wear at a show.

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ELLE: What are your dressing tips for sitting front row?

BG: You always want to have good shoes because everybody can see them. You do not want to draw focus away from the runway and what is actually happening. And I'm guilty of that just as much as anyone else, because I like really bright colors, and obviously they are such a huge trend. But sometimes I am so focused on the people who are glowing like glow worms in the front row. Do not wear [skirts that are] too short. Often times people think about the look standing but forget that the majority of the day is spent sitting. You don't want to be fussing with your clothes, so make sure that the length is appropriate. Also stay awake. I see a lot of people in the front row who have been to way too many shows, and their eyes are closed.

ELLE: Can women get away with wearing flats at all during fashion week?

BG: Yeah, of course they can! One of the big trends we saw in the last set of shows for spring was a pointy flat with a longer dress, layered with a great coat or little leather jacket. It is promoting a look and a style direction while [being] comfortable. Would I advise wearing skinny jeans, a cardigan, a blouse, and a pair of flats? Sure, you could do that for the early part of the day, but I wouldn't suggest it for evening show. I would amp it up a bit. There is definitely a look for day shows, and then a look for night ones, because those looks transition into the late-night parties.

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ELLE: What is the easiest way to take a look from day to night? Everyone always says to add lipstick and heels, but what else works?

BG: Change in your car [laughs]. I think changing your beauty is really good. Glitter is always the rule for me. I'll wear a really good pair of shoes, whether it be, like, a Christian Louboutin Swarovski crystal-encrusted high-top that is fun to see in the sunlight and also fun to see on the dance floor. When you are getting dressed in the morning, pick that one thing, whether it is a dress, jewelry, or shoes, that will take your look to the next level-into party time and cocktail hour. And I think people in New York are quite savvy at taking their look from-what do they call it?-desk to dinner or computer to cocktails.

ELLE: What's a great piece that can be worn multiple times throughout the week?

BG: It's super important to have a really good coat, especially in February, because that is going to be the thing that most people on the street see you wearing. And I think this season there were so many great coats, from the supremely tailored ones at Altuzarra to the drop-shoulder [styles] from Jil Sander or Proenza Schouler. Number two: Footwear is always key. Whether it is snowing and it's a really strong boot, or if you are ready to brave the cold and wear your favorite heels.

ELLE: Which designers do you think are hot for people to wear to shows right now?

BG: I would say Proenza [Schouler] is always hot, and Prabal Gurung. I need to see somebody in some of those rubber Oscar de la Renta looks. I'm obsessed with them. Obsessed.

Catch Brad Goreski on season two of It's a Brad, Brad World on Bravo come March 6.

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