Get dressed with Hilary Rhoda
Since bursting on to the scene with an exclusive catwalk appearance for Givenchy in 2005, Hilary Rhoda has been a firm favorite with the fashion establishment, loved by brands such as Hermès, Ralph Lauren and Dundas. Here, the all-American model reveals her rules for looking – and feeling – great
LEARN WHAT WORKS FOR YOU
“As a model, I’ve pretty much worn everything imaginable, and over time I’ve really learned what looks good on me and what I feel comfortable in. I’d describe my everyday style as pretty simple, classic-with-a-twist and never too trend-focused. During summer I live in printed, feminine dresses by brands like Rixo, while in the colder months I like to dress in a more masculine style. My everyday look is jeans and a sweater – I have tons of camel-colored ones in my wardrobe. I never feel fully dressed without earrings. Right now, I love Alighieri and Jennifer Fisher for hoops.”
REUSE AND REPAIR
“Sustainability in fashion is really important to me. I love NET-A-PORTER’s Net Sustain initiative, as I appreciate being able to see whether a designer is sustainable or not. Another simple way to be sustainable is by avoiding buying things you’re likely to wear only once. There are things in my closet that I have re-worn dozens or even hundreds of times, and I don’t shop that much. It’s another reason my style has stayed pretty classic, because I wear things season after season. I have a jacket from Ero that I’ve had for 10 years, and a pair of Tabitha Simmons boots that I’ve owned for about the same length of time and have had repaired and resoled countless times – they’re just so great.”
KEEP BEAUTY LOW-MAINTENANCE
“For events, I always do my own hair and makeup. Over the years, I have always paid attention when make-up artists are working on me, and I’ve learned loads of tricks and techniques from them, such as how to contour properly. I like to wear my hair simply: slicked back and off my face, and I use products like Living Proof, Oribe and R+CO to keep it looking healthy. For night-time makeup, a red lip is a fun and easy way to look more put together.”
PLAN YOUR TRAVEL WARDROBE
“When I travel, I always bring compression socks in my carry-on bag and wear them for the whole flight. This helps with circulation and stops my feet and ankles getting swollen during long-haul trips, meaning I’m always job-ready when I land. I dress for comfort on the plane and I like to pack a big scarf that can double up as a blanket. I like to travel light, with only a carry-on where possible, and I really plan out what I pack – carefully configuring outfits for each occasion or meeting I need to go to. I only ever pack as much as I need and try not to just throw things in randomly from my closet.”
BUILD EXERCISE INTO YOUR ROUTINE
“Exercise is really important to me. I work out every day, even when I’m traveling, and I don’t feel like myself if I haven’t. I’ve done the Tracey Anderson Method for the past 10 years. It’s a mixture of dance cardio and mat work and it’s super-intense, but I love it and have never strayed from it. Working in this industry, I don’t feel the pressure to do unhealthy crash diets for a job, because if I exercise regularly, I’m always ready. It’s a part of my lifestyle that makes me mentally and physically stronger. One of my fitness-wear brands of choice is All Access. Smoothies – which I make with matcha and flax seeds – have also become an important part of my post-workout ritual. I can just tell they’re filling me with all sorts of goodness.”
SHOES ARE MADE FOR WALKING
“New York is a big walking city. I walk everywhere or take the subway, and in warmer months I ride my bike. As I’m on my feet so much, I like to wear flats and cool sneakers mostly – Adidas Gazelles are my favorites. I really love the current Western trend; a cowboy-style boot with a bit of a heel still works for everyday. In New York, there’s never any pressure to wear a fancy dress and heels if you’re going all out, although I do love Gianvito Rossi’s shoes.”
The person featured in this story is not associated with NET-A-PORTER and does not endorse it or the products shown