Our Fashion & Creative Director Shares Her 10 Style Rules
Created in association with PORSCHE
Find your three words. Mine are classic, contemporary and effortless. Relaxed is another word that comes to mind, as I don't like to look too ‘done’. I used to love the off-duty model street-style looks at Fashion Week – they would still be in full glam from the shows, but they'd be leaving the venue in jeans, trainers and a tee. The balance of the two has always been my inspiration, and it’s where I first discovered the power of good basics. That’s why I live in denim. I like the way it grounds a look and makes everything more chilled, whether it’s off-duty or for a night out.
Focus on a ‘capsule’ way of dressing. Whenever I buy something, I always think about how many ways I can wear it and how many places it will work for. Everything fits within a certain colour palette because I don’t like to feel restricted. I want everything to work together. This is especially important when packing, which I hate because I don’t like the idea of having to build ‘outfits’ before I go. I just need to know that everything will mix and match while I’m away.
Know your formula. The basis of my wardrobe has stayed the same for years. A knit or t-shirt, some denim, a blazer – it's very simple. It’s the accessories that I switch out season after season to make things feel a bit more on trend. But what I truly feel good in has been consistent throughout the years.
Build a wardrobe that suits your lifestyle. When I’m planning an outfit, I think about what I’m doing that day – i.e. if I'm in meetings or if I'm going to be on my feet. Your wardrobe should be an extension of who you are, and it has to work with what you are doing. Since becoming a mum, that’s never been more important, but the wardrobe I've built over the years works just as well for running after my toddler as it does for attending a work dinner.
Shop from brands that feel seasonless. I’m not really a spring/summer dresser, I'm way more into layering, tailoring, knitwear and jackets. So, brands that make pieces that will last in my wardrobe are key. Khaite is probably my number-one inspiration – its pieces are polished and refined, but never too ‘done’ either. There’s such an effortless ease to the styling, too. Isabel Marant will always be one of my favourites – for that kind of cool girl, dressed-up look – while Anine Bing and Totême have nailed that quiet luxury look but with a modern approach. For jeans, it’s Agolde, Tove, Citizens of Humanity and vintage Levi’s. For knits, Almada The Label is my go-to – the quality is second to none.
Don’t follow trends. Each season there’s a fresh way to wear a classic, and that’s what I look to. For example, the cool denim shape this season is much longer and wider, and boot toes are longer and squarer. I like brands that reinvent traditional pieces each season, but my advice is to try to update pieces you know you already wear – don’t buy into a whole new trend or look just for the sake of it. If you think about the most enduring brands or businesses – like Porsche – they always stay true to their aesthetic. It's about finding the essence of your personal style and sticking to it.
Find inspiration on Pinterest and Instagram. It's easy to be overwhelmed by all the noise out there, but if you work out what you are drawn to and go from there, you won’t go far wrong. I’ve always been inspired by Jane Birkin, who had her own kind of signature style. It wasn’t about crazy trends; it was t-shirts, wide-leg jeans and a belt. She proved that a pared-back wardrobe doesn’t have to be boring, which has validated my own sense of style. Others, like Emmanuelle Alt and Lauren Hutton have done similar. Sometimes, I feel like I should be more experimental with colours or styles, but actually, neutrals are what I feel most comfortable in. It doesn’t need to be overcomplicated.
Understand the power of accessories – they really can make or break a look and I rely on them to pull everything together. For me, it’s a belt that can really change a look – the Khaite Benny belt, which was so hard to get hold of, has elevated a lot of my basics. Whether you wear it cinched over a smart blazer or just with a pair of jeans, it can make a real impact. You can make a high-street outfit look so much more expensive with good accessories – think a killer bag or a good pair of shoes. It’s all you need to bring the classics in your wardrobe right up to date.
Make resale platforms your new best friend. Good accessories, like bags, are crazy expensive now. The bag I most use is my Celine Sac 16, which I bought on Vestiaire. It’s just such a good shape and it's quite ladylike, which juxtaposes my style nicely. Hardly Ever Worn It and Reluxe are also good platforms to browse for investment accessories at a great price.
Remember, confidence is the greatest style rule of all. Whatever you’re wearing – super eclectic, colourful, monochrome, feminine, whatever – it's all about having confidence in what suits you and what makes you feel good. That’s the key to looking good; it's the way you wear the clothes that really shines through. Wearing something comfortably and well, and putting your own stamp on it, is the key to good style.
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