Andrea Linett
City of Women Denizen: Andrea Linett
Bona Fides: Creative director and author, named one of Fast Company’s Most Creative in Business. Founder of the popular style blog I Want to be Her! Founding creative director of Lucky, the award-winning magazine about shopping and style. Brand consultant and New York City darling.
City of Women Induction: Andrea knows and understands style as few people do; she’s spent her whole career observing what it means to have style and she firmly believes it’s not synonymous with fashion. She’s created multiple outlets for people to share their personal sense of style and in the process, she’s demonstrated how an expression of style is something rooted in the personal.
RPO: Your style cred is epic: you've helped launch style magazines, served as creative director for fashion glossies, written four books on style, styled music videos, and was global creative director for Michael Kors and eBay. So tell me... what's your definition of style?
AL: First of all, I think style has very little to do with fashion! Style is something bigger, deeper and more personal. Of course this is all subjective and everyone has different definitions of good taste, but usually when you notice someone for his/her amazing style, it’s completely effortless. I used to go to the shows in New York, Milan, and Paris and all I secretly cared about was what the French and Italian editors were wearing. I would just soak it all in!
.RPO: What are three guidelines people should keep in mind when figuring out their personal style?
AL: Good style can only come from knowing what works for you personally and what doesn’t: first, consider your body; second, consider your lifestyle (i.e. if you spend most of your time on the playground with your kid, don’t emulate someone who mostly wears power suits), and LASTLY, consider your budget!
RPO: Has your sense of style changed over time? What sartorial elements are intrinsic to you, and what have you adapted/changed about the way you put yourself together?
AL: I used to be much more experimental when I was younger (and that is when you should be!) and tried way more trends. Now that I’m older, I understand what works for me and I want to make my life easier, so I dress a bit more simply and wear clothes with fewer holes -- when I was younger I was a bit more rock ‘n roll and welcomed hole-y clothes. I also have no time for discomfort, especially when it comes to shoes. I used to walk three miles to work in vintage pumps and that would NEVER happen now.
But then there are things I have always worn and will continue wearing: jeans (only the shapes change now and then… right now I like a bit of a higher rise), my dad’s old Levi’s chambray shirts, denim jackets, soft button downs, good tees, army pants, and ankle boots. I just found a photo of me circa 1991 and I was wearing jeans and a jean jacket just like I would today. So while some things change, others really do stay the same.
I also think as you get older, there’s this built-in meter that alerts you when something doesn’t feel right or age-appropriate. And don’t get me wrong, I don’t believe in old rules about age and style, like a biker jacket can work for you until you’re 100 if that’s your thing. I just think overly-trendy or super body-revealing pieces are better left to the kids.
RPO: Glad to know you will approve of me wearing my Schott Perfecto moto jacket when I’m 100. Because I will. Now a few questions on scribing, since you are a writer yourself. Speed round: Script or print?
AL: Print.
RPO: Serif or sans serif?
AL: Sans.
RPO: Bullet journal or iPhone?
AL: iPhone, although I love a journal
RPO: Pens or keyboard?
AL: I love good pens, but a keyboard is something we can’t get around.
RPO: Name three women with impeccable style.
AL: Oh there are so many and they are so different! I will say these women are key: Charlotte Rampling in the ‘70s — so sexy-classic-cool; the stylist and editor Elissa Santisi, who always looks perfectly what I call “European minimal classic and slightly disheveled” …. coiffed without a hair out of place is not my thing and never was, and Charlotte Gainsbourg, the epitome of French tomboy cool. Oh and I can’t forget Sade — always wanted to look like her. And there are so many more — Donyale Luna, Patti Smith, Anjelica Huston, Bianca Jagger… I guess I always respond to the cool, chic, slightly rock ’n roll ones. the list goes on.
RPO: Given the challenges that 2020 has presented, what's your advice for shopping during uncertain times?
AL: Etsy!! I spend so much time looking for good vintage scores. Always take advantage of great sales, and most of all, shop your own closet. I find stuff all the time that I forgot about and think of fresh new ways to wear them. I’m also tight with my tailor — changing even a hem can make something feel new again.
RPO: What would be different in a hypothetical City of Women, versus New York City?
AL: For starters, everyone would wear their masks!