Building a Versatile Wardrobe with Charlene
Meet Charlene, a Berlin-based cafe owner, mom of four, and Vestiaire Collective member since 2016. She used to work for Marni in Italy, but as her family has grown her personal style has evolved. She’s always on the go and still manages to look impossibly pulled together whether she’s running errands on a bicycle or out to dinner in heels. Here, she talks about the key pieces to pull off effortless style...
5 key pieces I have in my closet at any time are…
Knits, baggy pants, an all-the-time trench, chic heels and classic loafers. I gravitate towards them because I think they describe my minimal style and they are so versatile to pair with other things.
My style inspiration comes from…
I draw from so many sources, but when I was young, I was pretty impressed when I first saw André Leon Talley on TV: A charismatic, Black, very influential person in fashion! I was so captivated by his figure - always so chic and flawless in his outfits.
The secret to always looking effortless is…
Comfort! I keep it simple, avoiding too much layering. My go-to styling tricks are a big pant or a colorful dress. Both are practical and elegant, make me feel comfortable, and I can add a heel to feel dressed up. But before looking good you have to feel good, so dress that way!
What are you currently hunting for?
I love to hunt for special pieces that make my style unique. The places I have lived influence my style a lot: When I lived in Bergamo I learned to appreciate craftsmanship, Berlin makes me adopt a relaxed approach to fashion, and when I'm in the Ivory Coast, it enhances my love for colorful clothing and African cultural influences.