The R29 Fall/Winter Lookbook is out, featuring individuals who are redefining personal style. The stars of the lookbook are teaching others how to make classic pieces feel new again by pairing the ready-for-business pieces with dramatic ruffled sleeves anchored with kitten heels, ’90s-inspired Kangol hats styled with track pants, pinstripes paired with grills, and whatever feels right. Chamille McKay explains that the lookbook’s vision was to create something unique by combining different pieces. “None of this came together. Everything’s from somewhere else, but I saw the vision,” McKay says. “I was like, ‘We need the layers, we need all the things, but let’s make it cute.’”
Breaking the Rules with Great Basics
Tiffany Siripat proves that even the most buttoned-up uniform has room for a little sparkle, pairing her tie and sweater vest with a rhinestone-studded shirt, which arguably could be the hero of all of our winter wardrobes. Vanessa Camille Ronquillo started with a good shirt and built her outfit around it, demonstrating that sometimes breaking the rules is easier with great basics. Ronquillo says, “What I selected first was actually this shirt, and I love the drama it brings.” This approach shows that a single piece can make a big difference in creating a unique look.
Reworking Suits and Playing with Silhouettes
Sonia Ramos knows the power of playing with silhouettes and paying attention to the details. “I love a good bubble skirt, especially if you are curvy, you have some hips, some thighs…it balances you out,” she says. Ramos also emphasizes the importance of accessories, including nail art and jewelry, in making a look complete. Bayeenuh and Yiriya Shahdaiah demonstrate how a traditional suit can be transformed with statement belts.
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A checkered suit gets its shape from a perfectly tucked long tail belt, while zebra print paired with an oversized buckle turns another traditionally serious silhouette into something impossible to ignore. As the temperatures drop, it can be easy to reach for a sweater or scarf, but some individuals are choosing to start with something unexpected, like wearing a summer dress over jeans and a crisp button-down.
Refinery29’s Dawnie Jefferson makes a case for refusing to pack away warm-weather wardrobe by layering a striped dress over an Old Navy boyfriend shirt and loose Old Navy horseshoe jeans. Jefferson’s layers carry a story, with a necklace that belonged to her dad and a ring that is a friendship ring shared with her best friend.
Sometimes, the feelings come before the actual outfit, as Natasha Ferguson, also known as MAAD, says, “When I woke up this morning, I said, ‘What do I wanna feel like?’ And it always starts with an emotion for me, and today’s emotion was that girl.” Ferguson layered a vintage blazer with a bustier and mini skirt, proving that winter layers don’t have to be the most obvious ones. The key is to wear whatever makes one feel most confident.
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Pink as a Statement
For Paige Lauren Billiot, pink is more than just a Pantone swatch reference. “I love to match my birthmark as much as possible, so today’s look obviously had to have my pink statement.” This time, that statement came with flowy velour pants, a shoulder-baring top, and stacks of jewelry.
Adding a Personal Touch
ShaVonne Boggs showcases plunging necklines, razor-sharp tailoring, and sculptural hair, proving that black is just a starting point, and it’s what you put on top that really makes the outfit.
