How to dress now, by Stella McCartney
Trailblazing designer STELLA McCARTNEY has transformed the industry from the inside with her ethically produced luxury label, and is passionate about creating clothes that are both wearable and desirable. Here, she shares her advice on finding individual style, sustainably
Find your signature piece
“I’m obsessed with jumpsuits. I could probably boil my entire wardrobe down to one jumpsuit and live in it for the rest of my life. They’re so easy, have a fantastic attitude and are the perfect genderless item of clothing. You know exactly what they’re going to deliver – you can roll them up, you can unzip them down if you want to be sexy and wear a tight body underneath, you can dress them up or dress them down with a bit of makeup and a heel or a pair of vegan sneakers. They’re utilitarian and everyday but they’re also every night.”
Consume with a mindful approach
“Buy things that you can wear more. They say that fast fashion is worn a maximum of three times before it’s thrown away – don’t be a part of that. I understand the financial implication and the desire to want, want, want, but try to slow it down if you can, ask questions beyond that moment of want and try to buy things that do more for you. Think about having a core to your wardrobe that you can penetrate with highlights.”
Mix it up
“I wear our menswear pieces all the time. My wardrobe, and my label, is based on masculine and feminine, and the sweet spot where they meet. I’m all for a pretty slip dress, but I would wear it with sneakers or a man’s blazer over the top.”
Be an activist
“It’s so empowering right now to be a consumer; this is the time to get your rights back. Right now, if I didn’t only wear Stella McCartney, I would be writing letters to the big houses and asking questions, challenging them about how they make their clothes and seeing if they answered back. Why would you part with thousands of pounds for a handbag without asking questions?”
Celebrate your individuality
“I have an allergy to people trying too hard – I can tell immediately if someone is in what they want to wear or what they think they should wear. So I admire women who have a real level of honesty through the clothes they put on.”
The people featured in this story are not associated with NET-A-PORTER and do not endorse it or the products shown.