On the Street

Graphic designer Grace Williams brightens up every day with her fun and colourful style. She’s not one to shy away from trying something new, in fact, she finds that’s half the fun. Grace shares her maximalist style secrets.

What are you wearing today?

I nabbed my orange long sleeve top from Designer Wardrobe. My asymmetrical skirt is Tussah and my baby blue boots are Public Desire. I’ve paired my look with a pair of beaded palm tree earrings, gifted to me by a friend who bought them in Rarotonga. And, of course, when selecting my outfit I had to make sure the colours wouldn’t clash with Monty, who is the main star! He is wearing a cobalt blue striped collar, paired with a red name tag to contrast his cookies and cream complexion.

What is your style?

My mum says, “you have no one style, you just wear it, and you own it.” I don’t play to any fashion rules, I’ve got a bit of a maximalist streak to be honest. I thrive in my closet of bright colours and bold patterns. And I’m a huge fan of mixing and matching and layering to find new looks – they aren’t all winners, but at least no one else will be wearing what I’m wearing.

What is most of your wardrobe made up of?

Bright colours, especially blues and pinks, cheetah print (which makes up at least 20 per cent of the entire wardrobe) all sorts of patterns, graphic tees, Doc Martens, a gazillion jackets, and a heap of dresses and skirts.

What are you loving at the moment?

I’m loving the blazer. It’s versatile and brings any outfit up a couple of notches. I’ve been pairing my plain blazers with my patterned dresses for a ‘work’ look, and my patterned blazers with jeans for a ‘dinner with the girls’ look.

What is your approach to shopping?

I’m trying not to be such a rampant consumer, so I won’t buy an outfit I know I’ll only wear once. Similarly, I won’t buy the piece unless I’m absolutely in love with it. But if I love it, it doesn’t matter if the piece matches absolutely nothing else I own, I’ll buy it and make it work (that’s half the fun). If I’m buying new, I try my very best to buy quality from quality stores and brands.

What wardrobe item should everyone invest in?

A pair of Doc Martens. They go with anything and everything and they will last forever. I’d say I wear my pair 300 out of 365 days of the year.

If you could raid one person’s wardrobe, who would it be?

Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl. Her style is preppy glam, and her looks are always polished, brimming with colour, patterns and textures. Whatever she is wearing will always be paired with the perfect pair of shoes and great accessories.

Finish this sentence – You would never catch me wearing…

Fur, socks and sandals, or my pjs in public.