Leandra Medine’s style is exuberant, colorful and like her blog, Man Repeller, defies standard definitions of beauty. You see the person first, not her clothes. And the clothes itself? There’s a sense of joyfulness in her wardrobe. Even when she’s wearing something that might look kitschy on someone else, what we first notice is the fun she’s having.
From where I’m sitting, it doesn’t look like she takes herself too seriously (probably my favorite thing about her) but big name brands and publications sure do as she’s in high demand by both. She wrote a piece for InStyle magazine earlier this year where she gave this bit of fashion advice:
Instead of thinking, “How can I stand out?” ask yourself, “What would make me happiest? What do I need to do to get there?” And then do that. Check in with yourself. Make sure you’re being true to who you really are. If you’re passionate about waist belts, run with it!
And run with it she does. Whether she’s wearing a flouncy skirt, high-waisted pants (when no one else is wearing them), or colorful boots, she adds her own twist to a look. And what says style icon more than the ability to make the uncool cool, as she did by pairing socks with sandals before anyone was doing it?
If like me you love Leandra’s style, here’s how to be inspired by it.
Leandra Medine Style Profile
We never want to “copy” do we? But to be inspired? Yessss! Here are some style cues you can take from Leandra:
Express your personality through personal style.
If you let the words you would use to describe your personality come through in your style, it will be authentic and memorable.
Put your own twist on things.
Leandra doesn’t just wear clothes, she wears them in an off-kilter way that showcases her creativity, humor, and love of fashion.
Know your silhouettes.
Leandra wears a lot of culottes and pants that fall at the ankle. Figure out your best silhouette–be it maxis or pencil pants–and repeat that silhouette often.
Know the designers that look best on you.
Two of Leandra’s favorites are Tibi and Prada; both brands have a creative and ethereal sense to them. Skip the mall and look for boutiques and vintage shops if you’re looking for less “commercial” pieces. For those basics and go-to pieces, know the designers who speak your language and who cut clothes in a way that flatters your figure.
Know your colors.
Leandra likes colorful clothes and color blocking, and she seems to have more than an affinity for the color red. Do you know which colors look best on you? Like Leandra, get shoes, sunglasses, and accessories in your favorite colors.
Dress for comfort.
Leandra often wears heels but looks just as cool and comfortable in flats and in her clothes. No matter how sharp and dressed up you go, score points when your wardrobe has a relaxed attitude.
Dress for yourself.
It’s believed that women dress for other women, not for men. There’s nothing wrong with that. After all, if you take pride in what you put together, who better to appreciate your artistry and effort than other women? That said, keep the fashion competition friendly by dressing for yourself first and being as appreciative of other women’s styles as you want them to be of yours.
To me, there’s nothing cooler than a woman who is warm, funny, smart, and comfortable with herself. To be all that and have a fabulous personal style too? That’s the most impressive thing about Leandra! I’ve taken quite a few style notes from Leandra over the years, but my favorite is that you can use getting dressed as opportunities to bring out your personality!
If anyone knows which consignment shop (in NYC) she works with, let me know.
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