Friday Fashion Face: Matt

Are you ready for this week's face of fashion? Meet my friend Matt! I dig this kid's style so much and just love everything he has to say. Read and enjoy! 

How would you define your personal style?
I think that personal style is a product of interest, environment, and experience. I’d define my style as thrift-classy. For me, style is just what works! If it’s not convenient, I try not to wear it. That being said, I like to dress classy, which isn’t always comfortable, but I like to think that apparent gap is made up by how I great feel when I dress nice. But sophistication doesn’t mean much to me if I overpaid for my clothes or I can’t wear them long without getting uncomfortable.


Where is your favorite place to look for clothes?
As with most people my age, I’m on a budget! That is the number-one factor that goes into what I wear.
New - My favorite places to look for new clothes would be Sierra Trading Post or Ross. I can sometimes find good deals at Nordstrom Rack, too. It’s also a good place to find larger or taller clothes, (I’m 6’5” so that is one thing I have to keep an eye on), and large shoes as well. Marti and Liz (here in Franklin, Tennessee) is a shoe store that I love as well. Technically, their shoes may have been worn down the runway a time or two, but are still new in my book. And sometimes can be upwards of 75% off before any in-store deals. Oh, and Old Navy of course.
Used – Okay, “Used Clothes” doesn’t sound very appealing, but shopping at consignment stores or thrift outlets is a much cheaper alternative to the mall or factory outlets. Another benefit to shopping “pre-loved” clothes (that title works much better, right?) besides saving a bundle is that there is usually much more variety to shopping at a thrift store. You never know what you’re going to find! Here in Franklin, I like “Our Thrift Store” over off of Columbia Ave (scored some brand-new Teva sandals for $3.50 one time!), and the Goodwill on Highway 96 is also a pretty solid bet. You can’t dress as trendy if you take any of these routes, but the most refined people I know rarely follow current style trends anyways.


Who or what inspires your style?
I owe a lot of it to the decade of the 1980’s. I’ve always liked New-Wave look (Flock of Seagulls haircut, white nike’s, a shirts and jackets like Daniel-san’s from the original Karate Kid). I’m also inspired by the form vs. function of outdoor wear and professional cyclists. For example, I maybe have a couple hundred miles on my Ecco hiking boots, which have never let me down. I like the idea of being ready to jump off into an adventure anytime, so I do wear outdoor gear more often than most. See also: http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/the-25-most-stylish-cyclists-of-all-time-160810

(UCI ProCycling sprint champion Macel Kittel’s hair in all its glory.)


How has your style changed over the years?
Hahaha oh gosh. As a kid, I had this green jacket, it was a nice Lowe Alpine waterproof shell, and I loved it so much. I’d wear it every day to school, and one day this girl asked me why I wore it every single day. I’d just moved from Tennessee from Seattle, where it was normal to do that kind of thing, but I couldn’t give her a good reason as to why I was still doing that! I got tall very quickly as well, so I had to make an adjustment in my wardrobe anyways as I aged. Serving as an LDS missionary got me used to wearing nice clothes every single day (instead of weekly like my friends and I would do at school, we called it “Classy Tuesday” and we’d wear shirts, ties, and slacks every Tuesday). Now I just try to dress as nice as would be appropriate for the occasion. I don’t believe in looking like a slob if I’m not one!
(that’s me on the right, Classy Tuesday with croquet match, circa 2012)

What is your current favorite outfit?
Birkenstocks, patterned crew socks, I have some Wrangler jeans that are a few years old that have worn in really well, button-up shirt or long-sleeve T-shirt, and a baseball hat, of course. #stocksnsocks for days!
What current fashion trends do you love?
I’m not really sure about the whole buttoned-all-the-way-to-the-top trend that’s going around right now, but I do like seeing more people wearing button-up shirts. I like to think that it takes more time to put on one of those shirts, so you have to think about wearing a button-up shirt more and your choice to wear one is more deliberate. Just one example.

Who do you think is the classiest person of all time?
Frank Sinatra, or anyone in the Rat Pack for that matter. The Chrysler 300’s and Dual-Ghia cars were fantastic to go along with their dress, and I couldn’t leave out the hair that looked like it was held in place with Crisco (my grandfather actually would do that). Watch “Ocean’s 11” if you don’t know what I mean!

What style advice would you give yourself five years ago?
Don’t be afraid to disagree with current style trends if it means keeping your own look that will outlast the trend. I wore a lot of skate clothes as a kid before I realized that I didn’t enjoy skating as much as my friends’ clothes told me I should. And take off that green jacket if it’s sunny and 80 degrees outside!
If another guy asked you for style advice, what would you tell them?

I have a book that really changed how I think about style. If you don’t have it already, buy or borrow a copy of “Dressing the Man: Mastering the Art of Permanent Fashion” by Allan Flusser. The book goes deep into classic examples of men’s fashion, many pictures of how to dress nicely without coming off as being trendy, also style rules such as don’t put narrow/narrow stripes or broad/broad stripes together, color coordination, etc. It’s a must-read for guys who want to look as good ten or twenty years from now as they do today.

Intersted in being an upcoming Friday Fashion Face? Email me at emmaanne 501@gmail.com!

Friday Fashion Face: Hannah Rose

This week's style spotlight is one of my all-time favorite fashionistas, my amazingly wonderful sister, Hannah Rose! I absolutely love her sophisticated, southern-inspired style and am super excited to give you a taste of it! Enjoy

How would you define your personal style?

I like to define my style as preppy chic. I have always loved the appearance of designer clothing, but I also believe that clothes should be practical. I grew up in a small town, Franklin, Tennessee. Although the town is small, there is no shortage on style. The women of Franklin wear their pearls and their Pulitzer proudly. These southern elements combined with looks inspired from j crew and a little bit of sparkle create my personal style. 

Where is your favorite place to look for new clothes?

I think that the most important thing when shopping is to remember quality not quantity. But there are always secret sales and coupons that allow you to buy quality clothing on a budget. My favorite place to start looking is at Nordstrom. They have a fantastic resource called Style Watch. I usually look at up and coming trends that they publish and then choose the ones that I think best fit me. Because that is what style is all about, finding trends that work for you and rocking them. After looking at Nordstrom, I usually check j crew factory, and Gap clearance. After that I check target clearance and Old Navy. I have also set a rule for myself that when shopping, I can only buy one thing full priced. This allows me to splurge on fun pieces like party dresses and formal wear, but still keep my budget in check. 

Who or what inspires your style?

The biggest influence on my style would definitely be my southern roots. I love pink and pearls and smart preppy looks that you can find all throughout the southern United States. However, I am also inspired by strong female figures in history like Princess Kate, Audrey Hepburn and more recently, Michelle Obama. Style can speak for you. I believe that your style can create a poise that leads people to recognize you are of worth. I think this is especially important in today's society. A modest, classic style tells others that you represent more than a body and that you are strong and capable of doing hard things. 

How has your style changed over the years?

I have always been drawn to trends, which sometimes can be a flaw. Trends come and go, but style lasts forever. I admit I did own a pair of bedazzled crocs and several pairs of gouchos at one point in my life. Which is not to say they are bad, but I wore these clothes for the sole purpose that other people were wearing them, not because I wanted to. My personal style started to emerge my sophomore year of high school. I finally decided that instead of following trends to the core, I would apply them in the ways that I liked to see them. Since then I have dressed to make myself feel good, not others. If you haven't already gathered I love everything that has to do with shopping and style. I think it is an incredible way to express yourself when you might not have any other way to do so. 

What is your current favorite outfit?

My current favorite outfit is a printed black and white shift dress. It is quarter length sleeves and goes with anything and everything. I usually pair the dress with nude heels or gold sandals. I sometimes add a gold necklace for a pop of color, however the best part about the dress is that it can often stand on it's own. Aren't patterns great? Bold patterns need no accessorizing which saves time and is very practical!

What current fashion trends do you love?

My favorite trends right now are booties and gold accents. I think that black white and gold together look extremely classy and chic. I also love the look of skinnies and booties together. Especially as the weather is getting colder, booties are the perfect shoe to throw with a blouse- they help create easy breezy fashion just by slipping them on. I do have wider calves, so sometimes booties can make them look even bigger, but I don't really care because they're cute and style is about doing what you want. 

Who do you think is the most stylish person of all time?

The most stylish person of all time hands down is Audrey Hepburn. She is the most stylish of all time because her style was reflected in her actions. Her dress and appearance was poised and graceful, which is who she was as a person. She was constantly giving to others and decided to stand for something in a time where women were not listened to. 

What is your favorite time period in history for fashion?

My favorite time period in history for fashion is literally all of them. I love studying the different ideas of beauty that each specific time period associates with fashion. I consider myself to be a bit of a feminist, so I am extremely grateful for today's fashion that allows women to truly wear whatever they want. I think it is important to have freedom in fashion so that people can find their specific look. But I love the boho chic of the seventies, the bright colors of the eighties and the formal attire of eighteenth century Europe. I think that style over time all works together. Especially in today's day and age we see elements of all decades involved. Scrunchies are back from the eighties and the grunge of the ninety's is definitely in! However we also have new trends! There is  just so much to consider, which is the coolest part.

If someone asked you for style advice, what would you tell them?

I would simply say, wear clothes that make you want to act and to be better. Wear clothing that makes you feel good. I would strongly suggest that modest clothing allows for focus and stability when it comes to conquering fears and achieving dreams. For women and men, dressing proactive will help you to be proactive. 

Interested in being my next Friday Fashion Face? Email me at emmaanne501@gmail.com

Friday Fashion Face: Me

Welcome to post No. 1 of a weekly special called "Friday Fashion Face", where I will be interviewing real, everyday people about thier personal style. Brace yourselves. This could get pretty exciting.
Who's my lucky Fashion Face this week? (Drumroll)

Me! (Because who better to interview Em than Em, amiright?) 

Alright, let's get this thing started!

How would you describe your personal style?

My personal style is always evolving, but I'm usually drawn to things with a vintage vibe. I'm a huge fan of polka dots, dresses, high-waisted pants and lipstick. I love things that are ecclectic or unexpected but simple. I wear what I feel most comfortable and confident in. Lately my outfits have been having more of an Adele-ish vibe; all black with neutral accents, but, like I said, my style is always evolving. I'm also a huge fan of finding good deals and a bit of a cheapo which has definitely affected my style. I think it's allowed me to be more creative in my style. One of my favorite quotes, I think from the White Stripes is "Creativity can only exist within limits ". By creating limits for myself when it comes to how much I'm willing to pay for clothes I have this environment where my creativity seems to thrive. I've noticed that when I give myself more options by opening my price range, I have a difficult time finding my groove because there are just too many choices.

What is your current favorite outfit? 

My favoritre fancy outfit is a fabulous vintage-style red dress I found on clearance at H&M with matching red lipstick and nude heels. For everyday wear, my current go-to is my high-waisted jeans, camel colored booties, black T-shirt and leather jacket. 

Where is your favorite place to shop for clothes?

Easy. The thrift store. You never know what you're going to find and I love the excitement of finding unique pieces.

Who or what inspires your personal style?

I'm inspired by old movies from the 50s and 60s, especially Audrey Hepburn movies. I love taking aspects of Audrey's style and adapting them into my own. Some other random things that inspire me are vintage postcards, street style, Norman Rockwell, Andy Warhol and pretty food. I love pulling color schemes from artwork and photos. I'm fascinated by extreme styles (I.e. Lady Gaga, Katy Perry). Again, I love taking small aspects of these styles  and integrating them into my own. 

What accessory do you never leave the house without? 

Lipstick or my pearl earrings.

How has your past affected your personal style? 

Growing up, I was always fascinated with old things. I loved reading books about World War II and the American Revolution and imagining what life was like then. This is still reflected in my love of vintage and vintage-inspired pieces. I also learned to sew when I was pretty young and have always been pretty artsy-craftsy which has opened doors by allowing me to alter and make my own clothes and accessories. 

What style advice would you have given yourself in high school? 

Stop trying to dress like everyone else. Just find what you love and rock it. 

What style advice would you want to give to others?

Stop telling yourself you can't pull things off. If you want to wear something, wear it. Don't be afraid of looking crazy, too fancy or too... Well, anything. Remember, style isn't a destination. It's an ever evolving characteristic of who you are. Don't be afraid to take risks in the process of that evolution. Also, remember that your style is just a small reflection of the awesome person you are on the inside. You are worth so much more than your outward appearance. Also, stop believing all those fashion rules about what's "flattering". Who cares about flattering. You wear what reflects the amazing, smart, capable person you are. 

Interested in being my next Friday Fashion Face? Email me at emmaanne501@gmail.com!

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