How To Decide On The 7,281 Items In Your Bag

Q&A with our Head Of Fashion – take notes!

We’ve all been here: a million items in your shopping bag and only seven minutes left of sale. Decision fatigue is real. Do you checkout and live on noodles for the week? Phone a friend (again)? Run away and never open that tab? From this point on, all of the above is out of bounds. We used our best sense and called on our very own Head Of Fashion, Rachel Evans, so that your friend is spared from the vicarious shopping and you can make more sustainable style decisions that you don’t regret when they arrive.

As a stylist, how do you approach shopping?
All round, Evans buys things when she needs them and at one point, only allowed herself one thing upon the month’s end. But like us, she gets the urge for newness and enjoys indulging in pieces to wear at upcoming events. And who wouldn’t, being surrounded by stupidly splendacious garments all day? So her golden rule in order to rescue your savings account is this: “If an item gives you butterflies then you can't walk away. If you don't get the butterflies – walk away.”

Are style and taste different things?
“People can admit to not knowing how to express their true style, even though they have great taste... you could have a wardrobe full of tasteful items and not know how to pull them together to express your unique style.” Her advice? Don’t subscribe to fashion 'rules'. Lean in to what makes you feel good; you do you.

Style is an expression of yourself and how you’re feeling. To explain, Evans quotes the legendary Mr Ralph Lauren, “style is very personal; it has nothing to do with fashion. Fashion is over quickly while style is forever.” Over the years, she’s learned not to be a follower, with the exception of Lauren’s advice.

Shop The Look

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Sister Wives Top

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Lacy Gardens...

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Josephine Lon...

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Aiken Dress

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Meta Heels

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Coda Eyelet C...

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Psychedelia W...

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“I love the joy and art of fashion. I lean towards items that are slightly unique and fun, like styles from Romance was Born; they're bold and artistic... Wearable art brings me joy.”

What are your thoughts on the 'capsule wardrobe' concept?'
It’s a big YES from our Head Of Fashion. “I'm a big believer in buying items that can be part of your wardrobe for a long time. Bring it out a few years later and wear it over! Invest in quality that will last”, like products within our Considered Edit. If she had just 12 capsule items, they’d be a coat, high waisted jeans, a pair of sneakers and kitten heels, a quality knit, three tops, a midi skirt, and a hero dress."

On her impulse buys and forever purchases:
“I once panicked and purchased a pair of Missoni earrings... you know when it tells you how many are left? They were much bigger and heavier than I had imagined. And to be honest, didn’t look great. In the box, they stayed!”

"One of my favourite purchases was a Romance Was Born dress from THE ICONIC a few seasons ago. It has hand-sewn beaded birds on circular lace and its had many wears with Evans’s clever styling: “I've layered a crop knit on top; another time with a bra, high waisted briefs, and a silk jacket; I even wore it over swimmers and took on a trip to Paris where it felt like it belonged. It's an item I would hang on display in my home as a work of art and easily wear to a wedding.”

In time she's become wiser with purchases. "We all look back on fashion regrets... There was once a hot pink ripped punk tee-shirt I wore in my twenties... At the same time, I’m proud of myself for being experimental, bold, and giving it all a go," she laughs. “Now I know what works and what I like. Stick to the ‘butterflies in the tummy’ moment!” Duly noted.

Done taking notes? Us too. Time to snap up those forever pieces that give you butterflies.

Dress to impress yourself