The author, stylist and influencer shares some sage style advice for the season ahead …
A former fashion editor and now influencer, Erica Davies issues her style advice with an earned sense of authority. A lover of maximalist prints and vivid colour, Davies has mastered the pattern clash – in 2020, she published her first book titled Leopard Is A Neutral – and we couldn’t agree more, for the record.
In her more recent release, Style Chapters, she addresses the disillusioning truth that, while we know that clothes can bring us joy, what happens when life throws your sense of style off-course? Chock-full of refreshingly honest advice, it’s a fuss-free and practical tome to help you rocket yourself out of a rut, no matter what your life stage.
We caught up with her at Kildare Village where she shares her thoughts on viral trends, panic-induced shopping and her belief that the right fashion buy is always the one you are the most comfortable in …
On viral dressing trends: It’s hard because I feel like dressing is becoming quite a homogenised thing where we are all after that viral hit. You really have to dive into something and think, ‘Do I need it?’ If you want it, obviously, go for it but there’s a panic sense of buying because you’re seeing an item repetitively on your social media feed. I think that’s where your sense of personal style comes into play. If you are just buying it for that dopamine hit, step away from the phone!
On honing your personal style: For me, it’s learning about the styles and shapes of particular items that I’m constantly reaching for, and working out why I like them. Then looking at different iterations of those things, whether it’s a different fabrication or print. At the moment, I’m going through a bit of a more muted phase, but I love colour. It’s also about appraising where you are in your life currently. In my book, I discuss how we live in different style chapters where we go through different versions of ourselves. Our bodies, needs and wants are different in different periods. It’s about checking in to see, ‘Is this trouser shape still working for me?’ Now, there’s a real moment again with skinny jeans, but for some people they’ve never gone out of fashion. Other people would never be seen dead in a pair! It’s about constantly appraising the idea of trends versus what makes you feel comfortable.
“I’m very much a believer that if you feel comfortable in something, it’s the right thing for you.”
On the SS25 trend she’s buying into: I’m definitely interested in that whole Chloé boho vibe at the moment. It taps into my personal style because that is very much my style in the summer. I also love all of these pastel shades – like a stick of butter yellow suit. Pastel shades look great with denim or with black. My advice? Don’t go head-to-toe in it. Go with one statement piece and a great piece of jewellery like a pair of earrings, layered necklace or, for footwear, chunky wedge heels.
On the buy she’s coveting: I’m not so keen on cow print, I tend to favour more classic cat prints. But there are a great pair of shoes in M&S that are a fisherman-style sandal in cow print. That’s a bit of an oxymoron … fisherman and cow print! However, I thought they could look great with all of the brown and burgundy shades that are around at the moment.
On the least fashionable thing she owns that she wears all the time: I refer to this outfit as my ‘prison’ trackie. It’s a grey sweatshirt, sweatpants and cashmere socks. I’m so happy in it. If I’m wearing it, it means I’m not leaving the house.
Style Chapters by Erica Davies, published by Hodder Catalyst, €36.25.
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