/ 03 February 2021

Style Rules: Emily Wells

Always laidback and cool, Emily Wells’ wearable approach to fashion has earned her more than 100k followers on Instagram. From finding ways to keep neutrals interesting to rediscovering your personal style after having a baby, these are the rules she lives by…

Save To My Favourites

For me, simplicity is key. My style is probably best described as refined, androgynous and easy – mostly because I wear simple outfits that are simple to recreate. Androgynous fashion is something that’s always appealed to me – I was a tomboy when I was younger, and these days, I’m always borrowing my boyfriend’s clothes.

The best piece of style advice I’ve ever received is to never force it. Someone said this to me before I started my Instagram account, but it’s relevant for all aspects of getting dressed. Do what’s best for you, not necessarily what others are doing and wear what makes you feel good – I always remind myself of that.

I’m still loving loungewear. I’ve only really started to incorporate joggers and sweatshirts into my outfits in the last couple of months, as I’ve always been worried they would look too slovenly on me. However, I’ve been proven wrong – I’ve loved styling my loungewear sets under a Mango trench coat, then adding a beanie and chunky boots. One of the biggest positives to come out of the pandemic is all the work brands have put into their loungewear collections and I’m particularly loving Zara’s offering – they have every kind of sweater, jogger and knitted set you could want.

@EMSWELLS

My style is probably best described as refined, androgynous and easy – mostly because I wear simple outfits that are simple to recreate.

Every woman needs good quality basics. In my opinion, every woman should own a long wool coat that’s oversized with a drop shoulder; a pair of black chunky sole ankle boots; an oversized blazer; a pair of black tailored trousers and a chunky knit in a light colour. All of these pieces can be worn with a variety of different ways, so it’s worth investing in good quality to make them last. My advice would be to stick with neutral colours, so you can get more opportunities to wear them now and in years to come.

A neutral wardrobe is one of the easiest ways to look polished. Opting for an outfit made up of neutral tones like beige, grey, black and khaki will ensure you look chic, as they’re appealing to the eye and match easily with each other. Also, make sure everything you own is tailored correctly – I’m currently wearing a pair of & Other Stories tapered trousers on repeat, which I had altered.

Lean on accessories to keep your outfits interesting. They have the power to totally change the vibe of your look, so use them to your advantage – but don’t overdo it. Try a beanie, a scarf or some chunky gold jewellery but, for example, if you’re wearing a beanie perhaps don’t wear as much jewellery. I’m a huge fan of using sunglasses to elevate an outfit, regardless of whether the sun is shining or not. Usually, I go for a pair of black RayBan Wayfarers.

@EMSWELLS

A neutral wardrobe is one of the easiest ways to look polished. Opting for an outfit made up of neutral tones like beige, grey, black and khaki will ensure you look chic.

@EMSWELLS

It’s always worth investing in outerwear. But that doesn’t necessarily mean buying a handful of new coats every autumn. If you choose well, picking quality over quantity, then you should be able to wear them for years to come. If you’re not sure, try to imagine yourself wearing the coat for the next couple of years and if you feel like it could be just a passing trend, then it likely is. I’ve got my eye on The Row’s Malika coat at the moment – it’s a gorgeous, timeless shade of brown.

Rediscovering your personal style after becoming a mum is normal. I struggled terribly with postnatal depression after having my daughter Emilia and it took me a while to get back into the swing of things. If you feel out of touch with the world, then look after yourself – meditate, see family and friends (where possible right now), try and set yourself a routine that you can realistically stick to and keep active. All these things helped me find myself again – when the time was right.

I find most of my inspiration on Instagram and Pinterest. I’ve recently discovered @NaaomiRoss. I also love @Monikh – her creativity is so inspiring and her feed is totally refreshing. I really like the way she showcases timeless, easy pieces that she wears in multiple ways. My ultimate style icon, however, is Bianca Jagger, the queen of Studio 54. She really paved the way for androgynous dressing in the 70s and was fearless when it came to her own fashion sense.

Shop Emily's Style