Courtesy of Saint Louis Fashion Fund
If you’ve ever lingered in a café observing street fashion—or stood, torn, in front of a dressing-room mirror—you know it takes more than gut instinct to decide what works. We asked the St. Louis Fashion Incubator’s inaugural class how they analyze an outfit.
1. “Proportion is a big one. Quality—workmanship, materials. Structure. If colors clash, it only works if the quality is high.” —Allison Mitchell
2. "I look for creativity and originality. At times designers produce mirror images of another designer’s collection." —Agnes Hamerlik
3. "I look at silhouette, and I look at wearability, who’s actually wearing it and how does it fit into her life."
"Try everything on. The one that makes you smile is the one for you. Clothes have emotional attraction; they should make you happy and joyous. If it doesn’t get you a compliment, it’s probably not the best thing." —Reuben Reuel
4. "If you are meeting someone in person, you can definitely sense an ease if they feel comfortable and confident,” and they aren’t just “playing dress-up. I love when I see a woman at an evening function and she just looks comfortable." —Audra Noyes
5. "You have to look at the quality of the fabric, the fit, if it’s an interesting cut, if it makes you feel really confident." —Emily Brady Koplar
Look for much more with the Saint Louis Fashion Incubator’s inaugural class in the January issue.
