- ElleGirl
Why Jane Aldridge Loves Color, Vintage, and Sea Creatures
She’s a world-renowned fashion blogger, has collabed with Urban Outfitters on her own line of shoes, and flaunts follow-worthy style in seriously gorgeous self-portraits. Now, 19-year-old Jane Aldridge has just launched her latest project: a new book called Style Yourself, which breaks down how to dress like a pro and—well, style yourself from head to toe. The book gives awesome advice from 95 international bloggers (including Tavi Gevinson and Susie Lau) from all around the world. These up-and-comers offer the reader do-it-yourself tips, trend reports, inspiration, and just good old fashioned eye candy for the style savvy. A definite must-have for every fashionista out there—or anyone who needs a little extra help in the style department.
Photo: Courtesy of Simon and Schuster
We chatted with Jane about computer games, the South, and shopping tips for the girl on a budget. Check it out!
ELLEgirl: What initially got you into fashion blogging?
Jane Aldridge: I was really young, like 15, when I started with fashion blogging, and I was always on the internet and played a lot of computer games. Somehow I discovered there was an entire fashion community out there with all these different blogs. I loved Style Bubble—that was my favorite. And then I discovered Kingdom of Style. So learning about the existence of blogs and the fashion community was really how I got my start with blogging.
EG: Tell us a little about your love for all things underwater, which you mention in the book and obviously have incorporated into your blog name.
JA: I’ve always loved things that live under the sea since I was little, and I guess I still do today. And I love jewelry that have sea creatures like octopuses.
EG: As a fashion risk-taker yourself, how can your insights in this book help people branch out and be adventurous with their personal style?
JA: Sometimes it can be really hard to pull an outfit out of nowhere, so it’s good to have a reference. With the book you have a starting point, somewhere to go from. Then you can fill it in and go from there.
Photo: Courtesy of Simon and Schuster
EG: You model a lot of the looks in Style Yourself. Are these all pieces from your personal collection?
JA: Yeah, they’re all mine—none of it was borrowed.
EG: This book breaks down styling from head-to-toe. If you had to choose one, what’s your favorite section of this book?
JA: Hmm, that’s a tough question, but I’d have to say accessories. I love jewelry…and shoes.
EG: People from all over the world are style-profiled in this book. Do you see any distinct differences in how people dress differently all over the world?
JA: A lot of the bloggers are from Sweden and other really cold places, but I’m from the South. It’s 103 degrees today. Sometimes I’m like, I wish I could wear clothes for cold weather. But when I go to New York, I’ve noticed that people don’t wear as much makeup as in the South and are maybe less laid back—which could be a good thing or a bad thing.
EG: What kinds of things influence you when it comes to your own personal sense of style?
JA: I’m really into collecting really great color palettes. I also tend to look for quality fabrics. That’s why I shop vintage so much, because I value the quality so much. The clothes were made so much better back then, and usually have better quality fabrics than today’s clothes.
EG: What are your summer plans? Anything exciting?
JA: Yeah, I’ve got a couple trips coming up. I’m really looking forward to traveling.
EG: Who are your favorite designers?
JA: I loved Balenciaga’s resort collection. It was super futuristic, and I love that he really branched out and tried new things.
EG: Any shopping secrets you care to share for girls on a budget?
JA: I’d say to shop at thrift stores. It can be really hit or miss though with thrift stores, but it just depends. Sometimes you can go in there and find really great things, and other times you may not find anything. But you just have to stick with it ’cause I find so many designer things at thrift stores. Also shop for color and quality of fabric; you can find stuff at thrift stores that’s made of great materials.
EG: If you weren’t a fashion blogger, what do you think you’d be doing?
JA: I’d be selling vintage clothing.
EG: If you had to sum up your own personal style in one word, what would that be?
JA: Hmm…I guess colorful.
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