Nicole Feld, 29 

Producer, Feld Entertainment, which produces Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus

How would you describe your style?

I’m always on the run, but I want to look pulled together.

Where do you shop?

The Saks Fifth Avenue Club in DC. I’m very petite—everything I get needs to be altered. Maria Benites at Saks works magic; she’s an amazing seamstress. I’m always out of town, so it’s easy to buy on the Internet. I love ShopBop.com and BlueBee.com. The Blue Bee boutique in Santa Barbara has great sweaters, T-shirts, and jeans that I wear when I’m in rehearsal with the circus in Florida.

What do you splurge on?

I am my mother’s daughter—I have a weakness for shoes. I’m a size 5—if the shoe fits, I buy it.

What outfit always makes you feel terrific?

I have Stuart Weitzman red patent-leather pumps. Whenever I wear them, I feel great. I also love my Paige jeans.

What was your biggest fashion disaster?

I’m not a flashy dresser. But one year I wore a Roberto Cavalli leather minidress to the opening of the circus in New York. While I was watching a motorcycle act, I felt a rush of air. The dress had split open. Thankfully, the costume shop sewed me into the dress.

Since you travel so much, do you have a packing secret?

It’s all about the shoes. I plan my clothes around one or two pairs of shoes.

What’s the best fashion advice you ever received?

Never cheap out on a haircut—that’s one thing you wear every day.

Want to nominate a local woman for next year's best-dressed list? Send suggestions to Leslie Milk at lmilk@washingtonian.com.