Shopping with. . . Hitha Prabhakar

By Lauren Sherman
March 22, 2010

Hitha Prabhakar is a bit of a renaissance woman. Not only does she run The Style Group, her own fashion and retail consulting firm, but she also contributes regularly to publications like Elle India and Zink, all the while finding time to make frequent appearances on CNBC to debate the state of the fashion and retail industries. What's more, she spent several years as a stylist, so she does it all dressed better than pretty much everyone else in the room. Prabhakar took time out of her busy schedule to chat with The Inside Source about dressing, living and—and shopping!—the part.

The Inside Source: Tell us a little about The Style File Group.

Hitha Prabhakar: The Style File Group is a buy-side retail consulting company I started about a year and half ago. I have twenty companies I cover and write research reports on every two weeks (when earnings come out it's a little more frequent) and one monthly sales report. Unlike most analysts, I try and look at the big picture when I analyze a company, meaning I speak with the designers, do a ton of store visits (I am constantly replacing the heels of my Botkier boots), pour over Q4 earnings call transcripts and 10K filings and synthesize all of that information with macroeconomic indicators like consumer confidence numbers, jobless claims, inventory levels and domestic and international currency fluctuations. I know, I know—whenever I tell people what I do, their eyes sort of glaze over faster than you can say "discretionary recession." But I'm big math/fashion/retail/journalism nerd, so this job marries my four great interests! [Editors' note: Prabhakar's clients are retailers, designers and finance firms who want to understand the spending habits of consumers.]

TIS: You run your own business and you make television appearances almost daily. On top of that, your expertise is fashion and the retail business, so obviously, you need to present as such. What are your go-to pieces to wear everyday?

HP: The great part about being on TV is that most of the time, people are only seeing the top half of you! I usually have an arsenal of Amanda Uprichard dresses that I dress up with J.Crew and Brianna Fano statement necklaces. On occasion, I will wear a Club Monaco or H&M dress, but that's only if everything else is at the dry cleaners. Bright jewel tone colors look the best on camera, especially if you are being broadcast in HD.

TIS: You've also done quite a bit of styling. Any suggestions on a fool-proof look that translates well from day to evening?

HP: I think women underestimate the power of a great fitting dress and accessories. If your office look is casual (my office look happens to be leggings, boots, an oversized oxford shirt and a cardigan, which is so casual, it's almost beachwear), it's super easy to make a basic look glamorous with a bunch of spangly, different-width bracelets and a great handbag (make sure the hardware on your bag matches the metal on your accessories). Or a large statement necklace or earrings. Just don't wear them all together! Also, I am currently obsessed with patent leather for shoes as well as handbags. If you rock a pair of patent leather heels and a great necklace with jeans and a shirt, you're ready for an all night extravaganza. If you work in a more corporate setting, wearing a dress as basic as those amazing cotton dresses from American Apparel can look incredible with just a quick change of shoes and an addition of necklace, bracelets or a handbag.

TIS: Great advice! Do you shop often, or is it more of a couple of times a year thing?

HP: In the past, I used to shop for myself often, but now I barely do. When I do venture out, it's to J.Crew or the Barneys Warehouse Sale and maybe Topshop or Uniqlo. I'm a big online shopper, so if you really want to see me out shopping, you'll have to find me in front of my computer at 2am.

TIS: We're guessing that means you end up on eBay now and again! Any particularly memorable finds?

HP: Oh wow. I will never forget finding my favorite pair of Manolo Blahnik patent leather mary janes on eBay. That was, I think, my most favorite eBay find. I still wear them and I got them almost six years ago!