In the words of Oscar de la Renta, “Fashion is about dressing according to what’s fashionable. Style is more about being yourself.” Despite being at the forefront of clothing trends, some of fashion’s greats recognized that style was something different. Karl Lagerfeld, Anna Wintour, Vera Wang, and André Leon Talley all established an individual “fashion uniform” for themselves. When we think of these figures, we imagine them in their signature looks. A uniform, however, is by no means reserved for fashion royalty. There is much to be gained from this way of dressing. Think less time spent planning outfits and less money on trendy pieces, more time focused on what’s flattering; eventually, the same way a signature perfume will precede you into a room, so too will your clothes. After all, according to model Lauren Hutton: “When something is good, why change it? What happened to classics?” Herewith, Hutton, Sally Singer, Tonne Goodman, and Lucinda Chambers disclose the pieces that they put on every day.
Lauren Hutton
Has anyone had as successful a six-decade modeling career as Lauren Hutton? From posing for Richard Avedon in the 1960s to Mary-Kate and Ashley’s The Row in the aughts, Hutton has range; some days she wears her Fabletics leggings or J. Crew long sleeves, while on others she opts for Armani sports jackets or white wool cashmere cricket pants custom-made by Huntsman Savile Rowe. Hutton keeps her hands free courtesy of a vintage rattan backpack. And when it comes to shoes, she has options—bespoke John Lobb 2 Hole laces, simple black Ankle Boots from Prada (“It was my perfect winter everyday boot, and then they stopped making them?!” she protests), or Sperry’s, which Hutton single-handedly made cool after she wore them to a Vogue photo shoot. “Avedon saw me walking into the studio and put me directly in front of the camera dressed just as I came in,” Hutton recalls. “Within seven months, Ralph and Calvin copied the shoes exactly, but made them three times more expensive (and not as slip-proof).”
Sally Singer
Leave it to Sally Singer—the Vogue veteran who now serves as president of Art + Commerce at W.M.E. Fashion, following a stint as fashion director at Amazon—to wear Italian shirts made for nuns (yes, real nuns), pair men’s linen pajama shorts from Rome with full skirts, bike in Laurence Dacade high-heeled loafers, and go grocery shopping with a Brigitte Tanaka organza bag plucked from Rue St. Roch in Paris. There’s nobody cooler. She opts for basics such as High Sport’s trousers with a kick flare, an Extreme Cashmere cardigan, or a Métier crossbody bag and matching leather wallet, which doubles as a clutch—no logos in sight! A stack of Enewton’s stretchy, gold-beaded bracelets makes the perfect finishing touch. “They are my idea of a chic fidget spinner,” says Singer.
Tonne Goodman
Tonne Goodman has perfected her uniform. She wears the same timeless look every day, so she can focus on being creative as a Vogue editor after a 20-year run as the magazine’s fashion director—men’s white Levi’s, a Cheerios-pattern Charvet scarf, classic Ray-Bans, and she’s out the door. Her Apple Watch with an Hermès band is evidence of her effortless ability to mix style with efficiency. Goodman gets her suede loafers and driving shoes from Little Eric on Madison Avenue—don’t be fooled by the rideable toy horse and miniature Mary Jane’s, they do, in fact, sell shoes for adults, too—and her men’s collared shirts from Muji. “I shop at Muji almost exclusively because of their ethical standards,” she says.
Lucinda Chambers
The former British Vogue editor and founder of brands Colville and Collagerie isn’t afraid of mixing patterns and colors. Her eclectic style is a testament to the fact that having a signature look by no means limits creative freedom. She starts with basics, like Zara wool trousers, an A.L.C. turtleneck sweater, Collagerie sneakers, and a Uniqlo wool-blend wrap coat, and then gets to playing. A block-color Colville bucket bag? A cheerful, striped Max Mara sweater? How about statement Hermès earrings or a bold pair of Dior sunglasses? In Chambers’s hands, even the most idiosyncratic of fashion choices seems like a no-brainer. Plus, she’s never one to miss a fashion opportunity at the expense of functionality. Swap out your raggedy tote and basic black raincoat for this Collagerie tote bag and this Toteme parka.
Clara Molot is an Associate Editor at AIR MAIL
