Secrets of style: Pernille Teisbaek
Every city has its style tribes, and Copenhagen’s brand of Scandi-cool is perfectly personified by Pernille Teisbaek. Known for her seemingly effortless skill at dressing down outré trends and mixing catwalk pieces with off-kilter streetwear, Teisbaek swears by the rule that, as well as being meticulous about fit and proportion, you must dress for yourself. Sound like a plan? Read on for her secrets of style.
Change with the seasons
“Always have separate spring/summer and fall/winter wardrobes. Not only does this clear space so that you can actually see your clothes, you’ll be surprised by pieces that you may have forgotten about and can get excited about wearing them again.”
Risks can bring rewards
“Challenge yourself by taking a dress that you normally wear at night and wearing it by day; over a turtleneck or with jeans and a pair of sneakers. We automatically categorize things, but they can look really cool out of context. If you’ve got some really great gym pants, try them with a top and a pair of heels and wear them ‘out out’. Pieces that we may have put in the casual box can be really versatile – and vice versa.”
Don’t underestimate jewelry
“Jewelry is genius for traveling as it’s super-light and practical – you can upgrade a really simple outfit with some amazing earrings or a gorgeous cuff. Plus, it’s a quick solution for turning your outfit from day to night.”
Know what suits
“A great blazer is essential in every wardrobe, but instead of choosing one that’s super on-trend, invest in a style that suits your body type. It’s better to have something that flatters your shape and will go with the other pieces in your wardrobe, as a great blazer pulls every outfit together.”
Find the right tone
“It’s important to find out which colors suit you and whether warm tones or cool tones complement you more. For example, my skin is yellow-toned so I don’t wear silver jewelry; gold suits me way better.”
Refine your jeans
“Denim is the foundation of all properly edited wardrobes. The key is to keep things as simple as possible. Instead of having 20 pairs of jeans, sort through and cull any that you haven’t worn in years. Anything you have real conviction that you will wear again, keep it in storage so that you have a clearer view of the jeans you really love wearing now.”
Preparation is key
“Plan your outfits in advance. We all feel rushed and have a million things on our mind in the mornings, so I put a couple of hours aside each week to try new outfit combinations and style up looks with jewelry and accessories so that I can just grab and go in the morning.”
Opposites do attract
“I love mixing feminine and masculine pieces. It’s here that I’ll get creative and try a boxy, mannish jacket over a silk top or a slip dress. Try it with basic pieces; it’s amazing how the contrast in silhouettes and textures can create an interesting and modern-looking outfit.”
Comfort brings confidence
“Before you leave the house, make sure you feel comfortable – when you feel good you’ll carry yourself with more self-assurance, you’ll look instantly cooler and your outfit looks more considered.”
The people featured in this story are not associated with NET-A-PORTER and do not endorse it or the products shown.