We are very excited in this next interview in our 'What's in your closet?' series to explore the closet of the lovely fashionista and female scientist, Taylor, you can find her on Instagram @stylishlytaylored or you can check out her blog at stylishlytaylored.com!
We hope you enjoy her interview as much as us!
Tell us about yourself
I’m a Ph.D. Candidate at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and a lifestyle blogger at stylishlytaylored.com.
I learned to love style, and use it as a form of expression, from my mother who made it a point to tell me to dress for my mood and that classics never go out of style.
Describe your style
I describe my style as 'eclectically chic'. I use this phrase because the source and style of my pieces are a little all over the place.
I love repurposing vintage and thrifted pieces to create bold and timeless looks, unified by a structured femininity. This method of shopping also ensures my style is conscious and sustainable.
At the end of the day, I value the quality of pieces in my closet over anything else.
Do you have any favorite brands that you like to wear?
This is a hard question to answer, as a lot of my clothes are vintage or thrifted. I don’t always shop by “brand” but rather by fabric or piece.
Some of the brands I get inspiration from include: Tanya Taylor, DVF, Tibi, Sam Edelman, Universal Standard, and Moda Operandi.
What is your go-to outfit?
I feel like I have three go-to looks:
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High waisted pants + cropped top
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A jumpsuit
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Jeans with a belted tee + blazer
What’s the oldest thing that you have in your collection?
The oldest thing in my collection right now is a vintage cape dress from the 1930s, purchased by my mom in the early 2000s from a vintage store in Lancaster, PA. It fits me, so she passed it down to me recently.
"Every time I wear it I feel like Audrey Hepburn..."
What’s the newest addition(s) to your closet?
The newest addition to my closet is a pair of yellow snakeskin boots! I bought them as a present for myself while in NYC. I’ve been really into bold snakeskin recently, so I couldn’t resist.
Do you have something that you keep, but never wear and/or use?
I rarely have pieces I’ve never worn, but I definitely have pieces I’ve only worn once. These are prime candidates for me to resell!
Do you have a favorite and/or special item in your closet?
A vintage Gucci clutch!
Would you buy secondhand items? If yes, do you have favorite places to find secondhand clothing?
Of course, I shop secondhand a lot! Two of my favorite places to find secondhand pieces (including shoes) are Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake and the Carry On Shop, a women-run secondhand store with high-end pieces. Profits benefit patient care and scholarships at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, so the shop is close to my heart!
Do you wear vintage clothing, shoes, handbags, and/or accessories? If yes, do you have any that you LOVE wearing?
Yes, yes, and yes!
My vintage Gucci clutch is one of my most cherished pieces, while I have a lot of other vintage pieces (jackets, dresses) in my closet. Out of all of my vintage, I’m proud of my vintage fur coat collection. There’s something so elegant about vintage outerwear, especially when it’s finished with a vintage fur collar!
Would you consign your gently used items you no longer wear?
I don’t - but I should! I resell some of my everyday items on sites like Poshmark, but I’d like to consign some higher-end pieces when they’re in need of a new home.
Do you wear fast fashion items?
I’ve really reduced the amount of fast fashion items in my closet. There is a time and a place for these, but if I wear them, I try to source them from Poshmark (or a resell site) so there’s still an element of sustainability to the piece. I’ve also recently shopped H&Ms Conscious Exclusive 2020 collection.
Do you have any high-end contemporary designer items in your closet? And/or do you have any dream items you would aspire to have?
Not at the moment, but I’m very selective about the pieces that I buy. I don’t make a ton of money as a graduate student, so I’m conscious of how much I’ll pay for pieces. Safe to say I’m not at a point financially to splurge on items I really want. When I shop, I’m always on the hunt for designer shoes and bags.
My dream items? Balenciaga boots (with the gold toe logo) and an Hermès Birkin!
Do you have anyone who inspires your clothing aesthetic?
I think I draw a lot of inspiration from retro photos and trends more than exact people, but Grece Ghanem and Aimee Song definitely inspire my aesthetic.
How do you keep your closet organized?
Right now, my (small) closet is organized by seasons: Winter/Fall and Spring/Summer. I have my outerwear on a clothing stand. My shoes are on a rack and my handbags are in a centralized location.
What would your dream closet look like?
My dream closet would consist of two closets---one for my clothes, another for my shoes, bags, and accessories. Both would be organized by color! And I would have a floor-to-ceiling mirror for try-ons and outfit shoots.
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We hope you loved the look into @stylishlytaylored's closet and clothing aesthetic! Be sure to stay tuned for our next interview in our 'What's in your closet?' series!