The jeans that ‘look good on everyone’ according to this style expert
By Georgie Gordon
Each week, we quiz a prominent person about their style and the inspiration behind it. Ahead, writer Zara Wong.
Zara Wong describes her style as elegant, unexpected, and graphic.Credit: @zara_wong
How would you describe your style? Elegant, unexpected, graphic.
What’s the oldest thing in your wardrobe? A dark-gold, drop-waist velvet dress from the 1920s I found at a New York vintage fashion fair.
And the most recent addition? A grey wool and cashmere Friends with Frank coat. Also, brown leather loafers from Zara that I’m obsessed with.
What would you wear...
Zara Wong admires the new Chloé collection: “I’ve always loved a Victoriana blouse.”
… on a first date? Black bias-cut pants with an elasticised waist – I wear these a lot and have iterations from Onte, Christopher Esber, A.Emery and Vince – with a black Harris Tapper “Chaimberlain” top and flat mules
… on a plane? A pair of Zara “The Marine” jeans I recommend to everyone because they’re like Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants – a bit stretchy, really comfy, and they look good on everyone. Also, a black T-shirt, a vintage khaki field jacket I bought in Japan, and Nike “Daybreak” sneakers
… on the red carpet? A Blazé Milano tuxedo suit, or a crazy La DoubleJ gown with feathers, or Maticevski. I think you need a pointed toe for evening, so my Manolo Blahnik “Maysale” kitten heels.
What’s your favourite fashion era? I like the 1930s for the draped bias-cut look, the ’60s for the extremes – super short or long hemlines – the ′80s for the fun and glamour, and the ’90s for minimalism – think what Gwyneth Paltrow wore when she was with Brad Pitt.
These Manolo Blahnik kitten heels are Wong’s first choice for special occasions.
Who are your favourite designers? Dries Van Noten and old Marni because they did their own thing. Their pieces are different, like treasure, while so many brands draw inspiration from the same place.
Who are your favourite fashion icons? Alexa Chung, Lauren Santo Domingo and Lee Radziwill.
What’s your fragrance of choice? Anything by Frederic Malle – “Portrait of a Lady”, “Synthetic Jungle” and “Carnal Flower” are my favourites. I also love Hermès “Jour d’Hermès”.
What are the three essential items in your wardrobe? A white T-shirt for layering – I’m constantly buying them from Cos and Uniqlo. Over-the-knee black suede boots. And something fun and random, like a Dries feathered top – I love feathers.
Any go-to jewellery? A pair of my mum’s chunky gold hoops from the ’80s, a Spinelli Kilcollin ring and a Jaeger-LeCoultre watch.
Can you remember a favourite item from when you were a child? A pair of patent black Mary Janes I wore with frilly socks.
What was your first fashion moment? Interviewing Dries Van Noten for Vogue in Antwerp. One thing that stayed with me was him saying that menswear is so much more interesting because all women wear is jeans, a designer bag and fancy sneakers, and it’s so boring. I can’t dress that way now, but I’ve never been a sneaker and jeans person. Some people look cool, like Princess Di coming out of the gym, but I just look blah.
And your worst fashion mistake? In my uni days there was a teal minidress over bootcut jeans with dusty pink fitted blazer look that was very much what Sarah Michelle Gellar would have worn on the Nickelodeon red carpet.
What’s on your wish list? A Dôen white lace dress.
Is there anything you would never wear? I hate nude patent heels and anything with feature zips or buttons that aren’t functional.
What do you sleep in? Jasmine and Will flannel pyjamas.
Is there a current trend you like? The new Chloé collection was nice. I liked the long, undulating ruffles and I’ve always loved a Victoriana blouse.
What shoes do you wear the most often? Birkenstock “Bostons”.
What do you wear on a typical working day? I’m freelancing so its Reformation jeans with a white tee, By Malene Birger trench and Aeyde ballet flats.
What’s your favourite off-duty, casual Sunday look? Leset stirrup leggings with an H&M cardigan that’s a bit of a Khaite rip-off and my Birkenstocks.
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