My Style: Megan Maguire Steele
Photo: Courtesy of Megan Maguire Steele
The three essential things a woman should know about style are...
Numerical size in clothing does not matter, it's all about fit. Quality fabric is key. Don't be overly attached to trends; focus on shapes and styles that are flattering to your specific body type.
Please describe your style in three words.
Tailored, eclectic, experimental.
What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?
Wearing clothes that are ill fitting or too tight.
Do you believe in role models?
Yes.
What are your favourite fabrics?
Wool, silk, cashmere.
Are there any style combinations that you object to?
Theoretically yes, but it's all in the execution so I like to stay open minded.
Which city has the best-dressed women?
New York City.
Would you say that you are conservative or bold?
I would say I am somewhere in the middle but I lean closer to bold.
What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?
I don't abide by any hard and fast rules when dressing.
Celebrities and style...
Can create visibility for a designer when mixed in the right way.
One garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?
Good hosiery.
A woman should always look like...
She feels comfortable in her own skin.
Who taught you what you know about style?
My mom and dad.
How do you select your clothing every morning?
It depends on how much time I have to get ready. Sometimes I grab the first thing that I see in my closet that makes sense for the day ahead of me, and other times I plan my outfits in advance.
What is your biggest regret?
I am sure I have some regrets but I try not to dwell in regret because you can't change the past; you can only learn and move forward.
Do you have any shopping rituals?
I tend to research my purchases in advance and then plan a shopping excursion to try on those particular items in person. I have also become really interested in collecting designer vintage pieces over the last two years. I love going to Resurrection in New York City because they have a very well curated selection of unique designer vintage clothing and accessories.
We will never see you wearing...
Never say never.
Which new designers do you follow and why?
I obviously love my clients which include Alejandro Ingelmo, Billy Reid, Bespoken, Duro Olowu, Florsheim by Duckie Brown, General Idea, Richard Chai, Timo Weiland, and Verlaine, to name a few.
Who is the most stylish person you have ever seen?
That is a hard question because there are many people whose sense of style I admire for a variety of reasons. On an overall basis, the staff at the Billy Reid New York store always look pretty incredible. Also, I love seeing how my own staff interpret pieces from our clients' collections in their day to day wardrobe. I also love seeing Anna Dello Russo.
What is the first thing you notice on a woman?
I am not sure that it is one attribute consistently. It is probably whatever stands out most on that particular woman so it may be hair, eyes, height or their figure, depending on the woman.
What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?
Vintage Chanel bags, vintage Gianni Versace dresses.
The one image that defined your approach to style...
Pictures of my mom when she was in her thirties.
Which designer never fails to impress you?
I don't have one house that I always gravitate towards. For me, it is always a mix of designers.
One article of clothing that a woman needs to pay close attention to is...
Proper undergarments are the foundation of your wardrobe. A panty line or the wrong bra can ruin the way your clothes lay on the body.
Is comfort an enemy of style?
No.
Who would you like to see next in My Style?
Javier Garcia, creative director of Verlaine.
The best words of advice you have ever heard?
I think having a strong work ethic and being resilient are qualities which my parents instilled in me through my upbringing. It's not so much words of advice, as a way to live that resonates with me.
