WHETHER WE CAREFULLY PLAN OUR LOOKS FOR THE WEEK OR WAKE UP EACH DAY AND LET OUR MOOD MOVE US, THE WAY WE GET DRESSED IS PERSONAL. HERE, FOUR FASHIONABLE WOMEN WALK US THROUGH THEIR RADICALLY DIFFERENT APPROACHES
RAHEL STEPHANIE
PEDAS, THE INDONESIAN WORD FOR spicy, is how Rahel Stephanie describes her style, which she explains is an extension of her ‘fiery personality.’ What does that look like? Sexy, and short. Very short. ‘If I feel shit and I put on a mini skirt, I suddenly feel powerful,’ says the chef and founder of Indonesian supper club, Spoons. ‘I could absolutely get into that kitchen and start throwing down some instructions!’ she laughs, likening the effect of a high hemline to a superpower.
It wasn’t always this way. Growing up, Stephanie was plagued by insecurities. Born in Jakarta and raised in Singapore, she came to London 11 years ago and decided to ‘start afresh in every single way, including how I perceived myself. Building that confidence reshaped my idea of how I wanted to dress.’ Today she has a ‘massive pet peeve’ about fashion diktats, particularly those about what is (supposedly) flattering. ‘I encourage people to try on an outfit without preconceptions. It’s about how you feel,’ she says, adding that even the most conventionally, obviously sexy outfit will look awkward as hell if worn hesitantly.
Stephanie’s favourite way to get ready is to ‘get two to three outfit options, try them on, take selfies, drop them in the group chat and let the girlies deliberate on which looks best’ (she returns the favour).
Sometimes she knows a week ahead what she wants to wear; often it comes down to mood. On days when she’s in the kitchen, it’s baggy Stüssy or Lazy Oaf pants – but, of course, with a pedas kick. ‘If I’m going to be sweating and covered in grease, at least I’ll be cute doing it’.
KATE BRINDLEY
‘I USED TO TAKE HOURS TO GET READY IN the morning – much to the annoyance of friends that I lived with, or partners. I’ve really cut it down,’ says Kate Brindley, the marketing and culture director of the Standard hotel in London, and a lover of colour and sartorial drama.
Since skincare is a non-negotiable part of her routine, Brindley’s time-saving hack is wardrobe related. ‘I always pull out what I’m going to wear the night before. If I don’t have an idea of what I’m wearing in the morning, it will really throw me.’ Think that’s organised? She’ll often have outfits in mind for the whole week. ‘It’s just easier that way. It frees up so much time’.
Things Brindley thinks about when she’s prepping include, ‘what I’m doing, where I’m going, how I need to get there, even “can I wear heels?”’ Still, she says, the best
