My Style: Pandora Sykes
All the style notes, from podcaster and writer Pandora Sykes
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The style maven and podcast queen loves blazers and printed dresses…
What event will you be dressing up for this month and what will you be wearing?)
I am going to Morocco with family and friends and I’ll be wearing an elegant dress from resort wear label, Three Graces London.
What do you find stressful about event dressing?
I actually really enjoy dressing up because it’s a rarity for me these days. It’s an excuse to road-test things that don’t get to go to casual kitchen suppers!
Wardrobe fail-safes?
Printed dresses for their ease. I love Batsheva, Vampire’s Wife, Rejina Pyo and Rixo as they can work in the day with ankle boots and a trench coat and at night too, paired with heels and pearl earrings from Simone Rocha or Alighieri.
What’s your everyday uniform?
Blazers (I love BlazĂ© Milano and Racil, and my favourite is a vintage Gucci camel wool one bought from Portobello market for ÂŁ50), with vintage Levi’s and ankle boots – my most worn are a flat pearl-strewn black, lace-up pair by Jimmy Choo and I foresee my new canvas Proenza Schouler chunky-soled ones being a firm contender for the top spot, too. I mainly work from home but I’ll have meetings in town or a walk with my baby daughter, and typically this outfit isn’t too ‘fashion’ to work outside of work, nor too casual for meetings.
Style crush?
Brie Welch, Leandra Medine and Alexa Chung.
Power dressing?
I never thought I’d say this, but: a great suit. I have a black one from Admise Paris which is the best cut for me, and on the high street I really like the tailoring at Uterque. For actual tailoring, Casely-Hayford are the bee’s knees – they recently made me an amazing burnt orange moire silk suit.
Summer holiday essentials?
Realisation Par dresses, crochet from She Made Me, easy gauzy cover-ups from small labels like Marysia and Christy Dawn, sawn-off Levi’s shorts, Hermès slides, battered Superga Ecru sneakers, masses and masses of books and swimwear by Hunza G.
Lounge lizard?
Silk pyjamas by Asceno or a pair of Serena Bute‘s upscale tracksuit bottoms with a cashmere jumper are my go-to for a lazy day.
Finishing touches?
I love little beaded bags by Shrimps and pochettes from Staud, Le Labo’s Another 13 fragrance and earrings by Alighieri. I also love Loren Stewart for affordable, fine gold jewellery.
Country walk?
To be extra cosy I’ll wear a big scarf from Burberry and a blanket coat by Mariam Alsibai.
Under the radar labels you can share with us?
I love Brinker & Eliza for affordable costume jewellery, 16Arlington, Harmur and De La Vali for partywear, Eleven Six for cashmere jumpers, Orseund Iris and Nanushka for interesting, everyday pieces and By Far for great, nineties-cued footwear.
Favourite online retailers and why?
Vintage and antique platforms. There’s such a brilliant selection now; I can spend hours surfing Etsy, eBay and Beyond Retro, and for my home, Ceraudo, Chairish, Silence, Vinterior, 1st Dibs, The Peanut Vendor, Old Cinema… I could go on!
Trend you’ll be embracing this month?
I’m less about trends and more about discovering new combinations. As it’s almost spring, I’ll probably be back in a frilly silk shirt by Magda Butrym, with corduroy dungarees by Reformation – a favourite combo of mine.
Style cheats?
Fun tights from Calzedonia – they instantly change an outfit so you can get a good three days out of the same clothes. Vital knowledge with a young baby!