How My Style Has Evolved: Julia Sokele
I would say my style is a blend of 90s-inspired minimal looks and Parisian chic. I used to be a lot more androgynous and trend driven with my choices, but recently I have been loving a softer and more classic silhouette. This type of look is more aligned with my lifestyle. My everyday uniform would be an oversized blazer, white T-shirt, a belt to cinch in at the waist, wide-leg trousers and black sandals or New Balance trainers for busier days.
For style inspiration I look through copies of Vogue from the 90s and to Princess Diana – I love the daytime looks of that time. For evening looks, there are Saint Laurent shows. I also love discovering new and emerging brands such as Tove, Casablanca, Leset, Misha, Aya Muse and Bazilika.
My style changed a lot when I started working in social media. I previously worked in womenswear at Louis Vuitton so my style was quite out there and one sided in terms of designer purchases. I felt I didn’t have the basics in my wardrobe, and struggled to put an outfit together as all the pieces had their own identity. My current role prompts me to discover new brands and style up a variety of looks daily, so I’ve been investing in staple pieces and curating a wardrobe that is versatile, fun and suitable for all occasions.
I used to be a lot more trend led. I would get side tracked and buy pieces that weren’t true to my personal style – they would just gather dust in my wardrobe as I didn’t have the confidence to wear them. Nowadays, I’m a lot more considered as I know what I like and what suits my body shape. I tend to stick to a neutral colour palette but love an interesting cut or design to elevate the look.
Summer is when I tend to have the most fun. I wear colourful pieces on holiday, but still stay true to myself with a style that I know suits me. I love to find clothes that have something cool and different about them.
I’m a great believer in curating a timeless wardrobe and investing in premium or high-end pieces that will last me for years to come. I enjoy saving for something special and purchasing pieces that I know are good quality, whether it’s a simple white t-shirt or a designer handbag. You end up getting a much better cost per wear.
There are certain pieces I’ve had for years and I still enjoy them just as much today. I love my Prada Nylon Backpack and Loewe basket bag – classic pieces that are practical. I also couldn’t live without my Arket blazers and t-shirts – I have them in every colour. I love my New Balance 530s for daytime and Saint Laurent heels for evenings. I also have a black Zara dress in my wardrobe that I’ve had for over seven years and it always gets the most compliments – never underestimate a classic LBD.
I tend to follow women who embody timeless and classic styles. For me fashion is not just about clothing, it’s about lifestyle, music, interiors and just an overall vibe. I love accounts and looks that make me feel something. I also love following Vogue Runway.
Fashion is always evolving so I try to have fun and embrace it. I find I minimise mistakes by keeping my outfits simple and classic. Of course, there has been a few questionable looks in the past, but they were current at the time – and who’s to say they won’t be back on trend next year.
Nothing gives me more joy than a capsule wardrobe – especially when I am getting dressed in a rush. It allows you to build a look with ease, and you know you will always look put together. I think it’s important to have a few fun pieces that make your looks pop, but they should always be in addition to a staple wardrobe.
The brands I love for summer include SIR The Label. It’s an Australian label that’s great for summer dresses and separates. I always find the pieces have the most perfect fit and the designs are fun yet classic. I am also obsessed with Deiji Studios for linen co-ords. I have them in so many colours now – they are so easy to throw on over a bikini on holiday or you can style them up with sandals and a bag for a city look. Finally, Jacquemus. The brand just knows how to nail summer looks, and I feel it’s quite reasonably priced for such creative and flattering designs.
I have three go-to brands for capsule dressing. My number one is Arket. You just can’t go wrong: it has the most perfect wardrobe staples – a lot of my classic pieces are from Arket as the quality and cut is so good. I also love Anine Bing. She styles the pieces herself and I get a lot of inspiration from that. Finally, Musier Paris I love for the French aesthetic. The details on the garments are always great – it has such good staples but also fun pieces for the evening.
I very rarely impulse buy unless I have a gut feeling the piece will sell out. Then it’s all systems go and I’ve got no regrets, as I’m usually right. For designer pieces, I put them in my basket and hold off to see if I really want them after a week or two. For staples like t-shirts, jeans and blazers I tend to buy something new every month to keep my wardrobe fresh.
I love renting designer pieces from Cocoon, Hurr and Hirestreet. It’s a far more conscious way to shop and it gives you a test run before committing to buy.
The advice for my younger self would be to have fun with fashion and experiment to discover what styles suit you best. But also don’t forget to invest in classic pieces that will complement you and that your future self will thank you for.
For everyone else I have two pieces of style advice. The first is to always size up in blazers, outerwear and shirts – clothing that fits looser and appears oversized gives a premium feel. Secondly, get your clothes altered to fit your silhouette. My mother is a seamstress, so this is ingrained from childhood.
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