Style Rules: Pia Vibeke Grace
I started on Instagram after giving up work. I was missing retail, my customers and putting outfits together for them, so I started with my daily outfits and went from there. Now, chatting on Stories about what I'm wearing is part of my day – I tend to get things done in the house first thing then, having already decided what I'm wearing for the day, I'll pop onto Instagram and chat through my outfit and accessories.
My day-to-day style is fairly casual. I'd describe it as modern classic. I'm definitely comfortable with my style now I'm in my 60s. I think we all go through various fashion phases in our lives, and then you find – through years of experimenting – the look that feels the most you.
The most important thing for me is to feel comfortable in what I'm wearing. I tend not to be influenced too much by current trends. I'll usually adopt them when they've been around a while, and I’ve had time to digest them and decide whether or not they’ll suit me. I'm probably always a bit late to the party.
My go-to fashion formula and one that feels very me will always be a great pair of jeans, a crisp, white cotton shirt and a jacket. Whether that’s a tailored blazer or a more casual style just depends on the weather or occasion.
I believe fashion rules are made to be broken. Does anyone actually adhere to them? My advice would be to wear what you love and, possibly most importantly, what you feel confident in.
I tend to choose my daily outfits depending on two things. Firstly, my mood and, secondly, the weather. If there’s one thing I don't like, it's wearing the wrong clothes on a cloudy day. I love to dress for the sunshine and I'd hate to miss that opportunity.
When it comes to getting dressed in the morning, I usually start with either a dress or jeans. From there, I’ll add layers and accessories. I keep cool in the summer months by wearing natural fabrics like cotton, linen or silk, and opting for flowing, slightly bohemian styles.
One of my go-to fashion brands for pretty tops, blouses and knitwear is Sézane. I love Wyse for feel-good clothes that you just know you'll wear on repeat, and Boden for colour. Jigsaw is always great for jeans and linen tees, and The White Company for cashmere. If I’m looking to splurge on something a bit more luxe, I’ll head to Joseph.
Some of my spring/summer wardrobe staples include a white cotton or linen shirt, great fitting jeans in blue or ecru, a piece of cashmere (to wear on cooler summer evenings), a pretty, ditsy floral dress or skirt and a tuxedo jacket in navy or black.
Our home is quite simply styled, with muted Scandi colours and a definite Danish look that is a part of my heritage. I may like to wear colour, but I like to keep our home pared back and feeling calm.
I love to shop for unique items that you won't see everywhere. Brocantes are a fabulous place for individual homewares, and nothing thrills me more than finding or creating a look with items that haven't necessarily cost the earth.
For me, good style is all about presentation and a less is more approach. It's far better to buy a quality item once than buy three or four cheaper items that won't stand the test of time. Cheap, acrylic knitwear is a great example of this – buy a piece of cashmere instead, look after it well and you'll still be wearing it for years to come.
There are so many women I find inspiring from classic dressers like Riki Lauren, Lauren Hutton and Linda V Wright to the more fashion-forward Sarah Jessica Parker and the laid-back Jo Whiley. They all offer something unique.
When it comes to Instagram, some of my favourite accounts are @thestylistandthewardobe for her paired back lux style; @emmahill for her wearable everyday style; @styleinthestix for giving me outfit ideas to interpret into my style; @sissiottostyle for her incredible Italian styling; and @mum_mode_and_surgery for her pure and chic French vibes. Instagram really is the most fabulous fashion journal.
My handbag always has a pair of sunglasses and, at the moment, it's a Jimmy Fairly tortoiseshell pair in navy. I always have a Burt's Bees lip balm, my lip colour of the moment (Perricone No Make Up Lipstick in Berry), a tortoiseshell hair barrette from J Crew, a pack of tissues and hand sanitiser. Oh, and my pretty nude reading glasses from The White Company.
The most treasured items in my wardrobe are a pair of Prada ombre leather barely there sandals – I've worn these so much and they just go on and on; a pair of AllSaints military boots that I bought when they first came out many years ago; a Theo Fennell key pendant which my husband bought for me around 28 years ago. I've recently traded two vintage diamond rings, which held no sentimental value, for the most joyous Citrine lab diamond ring.
One of my failsafe and favourite looks for summer is an AllSaints billowing silk maxi dress in a gorgeous shade of dark plum. I wore it to London on a sunny day and had so many compliments. I pair it with tan sandals that tie at the ankles.
There are always a few things on my wishlist. At the moment it’s a Loewe Puzzle bag in classic tan leather; a shirt dress by Evi Grintela which I spotted on Carolyn Martins (Fiona Shaw) in Killing Eve; a Chloe velvet blazer and a pair of wide-leg braided waistband Chloe jeans.
Follow @PiaVibekeGrace
Shop Pia's Style Favourites Below...
DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at info@sheerluxe.com.