NEW YEAR, NEW STYLE
LANA WILKINSON Aussie celeb stylist Lana Wilkinson spills on making your fashion mark in 2022
Starting a new year can give us the urge to freshen up our wardrobe, but a big clean-out can often leave us lost and unsure of what looks will help us feel good. So what if you could take the stress out of a fashion shake-up, thanks to a few tips and tricks from a professional?
It’s safe to say homegrown talent Lana Wilkinson – who is a celebrity stylist for the likes of Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Georgia Love, as well as a footwear designer and mum-of-two – knows a thing or two about shopping.
WHO sat down with Wilkinson to pick her fashion brain about rediscovering your style, confidence-boosting buys and some wardrobe must-haves.
What are your best tips and tricks for finding your personal style?
Everyone has their own version of classic style. Fashion is so subjective, so I recommend getting online and researching your favourite style icons for inspiration. I tell clients to select someone who always gets it right for them and try to emulate the kind of pieces that they wear. You’ll be able to narrow down a simple outfit formula that they use, and if you’re ever stuck on what to wear, you can go back to their images for inspiration. Another way to find your personal style is to look at the most worn pieces in your wardrobe and also what you feel most confident in. From this, you should be able to work out what these things have in common so that you can really narrow down your style.
How does someone start afresh when it comes to their closet?
I think we need to aim to reinvent our wardrobes more than we currently do. Starting fresh can simply be playing with your essential pieces that you already own
to find new and interesting ways to build an outfit. Styling my garments and accessories in different ways gives me extra wear out of pieces, making my wardrobe habits more sustainable, which results in less stress when I get dressed in the morning. If you’re purchasing new items for the season, make sure that you can picture three outfits that you can wear the piece with. This will ensure that the item is wearable, versatile and won’t just go to waste.
What are your go-to confidence-boosting fashion items?
A great pair of stiletto heels for a slimming and elongating effect. However, a little black dress should also be in every woman’s closet. Having at least one LBD is a must as it’s a lifesaver when you have to get out the door quickly but still want to look confident. We all need a dress we know we look great in with minimal effort.
What are some wardrobe essentials you can’t live without?
SLINGBACK PUMPS OR SANDALS
They create the ultimate leg-lengthening effect, making you look feminine and elongated all at the same time.
BLAZER
A blazer is the ultimate wardrobe staple and has the power to make any outfit look more styled and put together. Blazers designed in a classic colourway will always be a great investment that you can (and almost certainly will) wear again and again.
DENIM
Jeans that make you look and feel amazing will be one of the most essential pieces in your wardrobe because they can be worn casually, but also with a great pair of heels. WHITE TEE
Basic tees are an easily overlooked wardrobe staple. They go with everything and can be worn in 100 different ways, so you won’t regret investing in some quality T-shirts to upgrade your casual looks.