/ 23 October 2020

Style Rules: Tess Hellström

Splitting her time between Copenhagen and Paris as fashion director of Danish brand Custommade, Swedish fashion influencer Therese Hellström’s colourful and preppy looks are a constant source of inspiration to her 60k followers. Here, she reveals the style rules she lives by.

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Every woman needs a padded shoulder blazer in her wardrobe. It can make you feel so powerful and it never really goes out of style, so it’s worth shopping for a good one. Try looking in vintage shops, as they tend to have the kind of shoulder pads that look amazing – I’m living in one I bought in Paris which dates back to the 60s, and my favourite thing in my wardrobe is my mother’s blazer from the 80s. I can chuck them both on with jeans and a blouse, and feel confident in any situation.

The five pieces every woman should own are… a pair of straight leg jeans (vintage Levi’s are best), a white blouse with preppy details like a ruffled collar, a red bag and a sky high pair of pointed stiletto pumps. And a good blazer, of course. Individually all those pieces can elevate an outfit, but together they create a timeless, chic look.

Always style bright colours with neutrals. Just be wary about pairing them with black, as the contrast can be quite harsh. For a more harmonious look, try something like brown or military green – or even cream for a pared-back take.

You can add interest to your wardrobe just with a peter pan collar. It’s almost been overdone, but I still love a statement collar. If you’re in a bit of a rut wearing jeans and a jumper, then it’s a great way to make an outfit feel more exciting.

@TESSHELL

Bucking the ‘take one thing off’ rule, I prefer to always add something extra. It could be anything from a statement belt to an embellished headband or a fedora hat.

@TESSHELL

Don’t be afraid to add an extra piece to your look. Bucking the ‘take one thing off’ rule, I prefer to add something extra. It could be anything from a statement belt to an embellished headband or a fedora hat. For me, those details are often the difference between a good and great outfit.

Vintage bags are always worth the investment. They’ll always be sought after in the second-hand market, and most are likely to hold their value. My favourites are my Hermès Constance bag which I got earlier this year – it just feels so Parisian. I also just bought a vintage Chanel 2.55, which will go with everything in my wardrobe.

Impulse purchases are not always a bad thing. I really wanted a pair of Amina Muaddi classic cocktail heels when they first came out 18 months ago but didn’t take the plunge – which I now seriously regret. They’ve since increased in price and the colour I want is sold out everywhere. Lesson learned: if you love something, buy it.

Don’t be pressured into following the biggest trends. Chunky boots are everywhere this season but they’re the opposite of my style. Just because everyone else is wearing something doesn’t mean you have to.

@TESSHELL

Trust your gut when it comes to styling – if you dress according to how you feel, you’ll find your own personal style in no time.

Always keep an eye out for new brands. It’s a great way to keep your wardrobe fresh. Right now, I’m loving Rowen Rose – everything she does is so interesting and unique. I’ve also fallen for the brand GAUCHERE – it has this new kind of minimalism I’ve not seen before.

If there’s one cult product to buy this season, make it… Chanel’s logo tights – if you can get your hands on them! I love how subtly preppy they are. If I had to shop from one brand for the rest of my life it would be Chanel – everything they do is so timeless.

Try to find fashion inspiration not just on Instagram. I still love the ‘old school’ way – whether it be looking through magazines, on the street or going back through fashion archives. That being said, I do like to follow industry insiders on social media – but I relate more to brand directors, PRs and journalists, i.e. those working behind the scenes. In terms of my style icons, I love Kate Moss, Olivia Palermo, and Emmanuelle Alt.

My best piece of fashion advice is: when everyone’s going right, go left. Don't always following the crowd. For me, it’s much more stylish to wear something unique than look like a copy of everyone else. Also, trust your gut when it comes to styling – if you dress according to how you feel, you’ll find your own personal style in no time.