Mix Master
This event planner has a grand old time combining high- and low-end pieces.
Ali Achtmeyer has style with a capital S. It's literally her calling card, as Style Alli is the name of her consulting business. Though she plans memorable social soirees for a living, the statuesque blonde is equally well known for her highly original fashion sense. "I like big scale, and I like quantity in both my interiors and accessories," says the outgoing 34-year-old, who's currently working on an "all things stylish" coffee-table book. "I would never wear just what's on a mannequin in a store window, no matter how nice." Simple, chic silhouettes are the starting point for the Beacon Hill resident, followed by spur-of-the-moment, quirky accent pieces. Achtmeyer often sports a carefree all-American look that comes from her California roots. Mom to an active 10-month-old, she races around town in jodhpurs, riding boots, and colorful shirt/sweater combinations. "Riding pants are so much more comfortable and flattering than jeans," she explains. "And I tell everyone my horse is tied up outside."
Where She Shops
FOR JEWELRY "I'm not into precious jewels at all," says Achtmeyer, who shops at Looc (12 Union Park Street, Boston, 617-357-5333, loocboutique.com) and Holiday (53 Charles Street, Boston, 617-973-9730, holidayboutique.net) for unusual costume pieces. But when she really wants to pile it on, Achtmeyer scoops up all the beads and bangles she can find at Target (South Bay Center, Dorchester, 617-602-1921, target.com).
FOR EVERYDAY BASICS Achtmeyer's riding pants are the real deal, purchased at Dover Saddlery (595 Washington Street, Wellesley, 781-235-1411, doversaddlery.com). At 5 feet 10 1/2, she tops them off with oxford shirts from the Tall Girl shop (211 Berkeley Street, Boston, 617-424-7164, tallgirlshop.com). "They're super long, so they don't come untucked."
FOR CASUAL CHIC When she's in the mood for a frilly white blouse, Achtmeyer heads to Anne Fontaine (318 Boylston Street, Boston, 617-423-0366, annefontaine.com), with a stop next door at Hermes of Paris (320 Boylston Street, Boston, 617-482-8707, hermes.com) for scarves to wear around her neck, waist, or wrist. And J. Crew (Copley Place, Boston, 617-236-5950, jcrew.com) is a favorite for cashmere sweaters, which she buys in every color available. 