09 February 2022

Style Rules: Danielle Jinadu

A forceful voice in disability advocacy, Danielle Jinadu started documenting her outfits during lockdown, which has led to a full-time job as a fashion influencer and digital creator. From the secrets of great style to the staples worth investing in now, here are the style rules she lives by.

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My style is best described as minimal, detailed and elegant – with a bit of an edge. When it comes to my wardrobe, I tend to focus on quality rather than quantity. What I value is timeless classics that flatter my body. At the same time, I love jewellery, and I’ve always had a thing for good accessories. I also love a chunky shoe, a lot of black and plenty of leather.

Shoes can make or break an outfit. I always look at people’s shoes first – they say so much about you. You could be wearing an all-black outfit, for example, but throw on a pair of Maison Margiela Tabi Toe Penny Loafers and you’ve just told everyone so much more about who you are. Shoes indicate what fashion school of thought you subscribe to – they’re one of my favourite ways to express my personal style.

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Always invest in quality over quantity. You’ve heard this one before, but that’s because it's true. My goal is to have a wardrobe full of pieces I can pass down to my children – my mum has coats that are older than me, which still look impeccable. Ultimately it comes down to the fabric. Try to choose 100% fabrics over the mixed compositions if you can – I love cashmere coats. You’ll find it’s better for your bank balance in the long run and the environment, as they’ll last longer. When I started building a wardrobe for the long term, I made a list of the key staple pieces I needed and ticked each one off when I could afford to buy them. If you view your wardrobe as a long-term investment, you’ll only buy into trends when you think they work with your personal style.

Plan your outfits in advance. One of my favourite things to do is plan outfits for fun. I’ll put on some music or listen to a podcast, then rummage through my wardrobe and put together some looks based on images I’ve saved on Pinterest and Instagram. It’s fun and a great way to get out of a style rut. It’s also important to practise styling up what you have in your own wardrobe rather than always buying something new. It saves so much time and money.

Follow trends but do so consciously. I don’t really follow them, but if a trend feels like it would work with something I already own, I’ll consider it. If I do, I’ll buy it in a tonal colour so it’s as versatile as possible. I do have a few brands I go back to time and again: Cos is my favourite on the high street – I buy lots of knitwear, tailoring, shoes and hats, and I love how elevated everything feels. I also love Uniqlo for basics, Marcéla London for tailoring and Vagabond for great quality shoes. Totême and Maison Margiela are two of my top designers – Margiela for masculine-inspired pieces and Totême’s knitwear is dreamy.

@DANIELLEJINADU

The five pieces every woman needs in her wardrobe right now are: a long black coat. You could be wearing joggers and a t-shirt, but with a long wool coat you’ll still look chic. Black knee-high boots, flat or heeled – they are so flattering and versatile. A neutral toned oversized blazer. Blazers are key for layering in the colder months and always add dimension to an outfit. I like adding a bit of texture with leather and tweed designs, too. A good cashmere knit – it’s my go-to in the winter. Finally, a classic leather bag. To me, good accessories can pull any outfit together. It doesn't really matter what else you’re wearing, as long as your bag is cool.

Play with textures to add interest to a neutral outfit. Plissé, ribbed fabric, leather and mohair are just a few examples that help minimal pieces look more interesting. I wear black a lot, but furry loafers, a chunky knit top and some leather trousers mean it’s not boring. I find accessories and jewellery really helpful in this respect, too. I love stacking a selection of elegant, beautiful rings – but don’t go overboard. As Coco Chanel said, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.” I live by this mantra.

@DANIELLEJINADU

Don’t be afraid to splurge on the pieces you’ll wear a lot. Examples of this include coats, shoes or bags. The Row coats are a lifetime investment, but if that’s out of your budget, Marcéla London coats are similarly high quality. My favourite bag is one my mum gave to me, which she got in the late 80s or early 90s. It's a stunning mix of textures – suede, croc-style leather and plain leather – but because it’s black, the combination isn’t overbearing. I currently have my eye on Maison Margiela’s Tabi loafers. I gravitate towards pieces that play on masculine and feminine features to create something that transcends typical beauty standards.

My style icon is Zoe Kravitz. Nobody does red carpet or everyday style like her. She is so chic – her YSL look at the Met last year was such a standout. The ways she styles her braids is so interesting as well. On Instagram, I love following Brittany Bathgate, Oumayma Elboumeshouli and Hanna MW.

The secret to great style is wearing what makes you feel like yourself. That can change at different points in your life, but whether it's bright and colourful or minimal and tonal, wear something you want to share with the world. Style is so personal, so don't feel afraid to be as bold or as understated with it as you want. If it makes you feel comfortable, you’ll automatically radiate the confidence needed to carry it off.