I made some content the last few weeks about Mary Kate & Ashley in an attempt to understand what makes their style so special.
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Even more interesting than the analysis is how much their style resonates with us all. It's not like their style is easy to replicate, and I think most of us, even if we had access to their wardrobe, wouldn’t know what to do with it!! I don’t think it's necessarily about the pieces… it's about the styling and how they wear things.
So I wanted to frame my February 3 STYLE TIPS newsletter around Mary Kate & Ashley and WWMKAD!!
I focus on some of my favorite tips and talk about what we can take away from these ideas and how we can apply them to our own wardrobes. As I mention in both videos, we couldn’t replicate their style even if we tried… but what we can do is take some of their teachings and apply it to our own process!
I also did a little MKA-approved edit of things that feel very them. This is sort of against my ethos (especially because most of the tips are about applying these lessons to what you already have), but I realize that the newsletters you like the best are the ones with the most links… so here we are!
Contrast is the key to all good looks, but MKA really takes that to the next level. In my posts, I talk about how they are the “wrong shoe” queens, but I think we can dig even deeper. Their looks are never “one note” because there is always something that feels like a wild card! Something that makes you think, “Hm, how did they think to add that?” It doesn't always feel obvious, matchy, or Pinteresty, which makes it feel unique because only they can wear it that way.
One way they achieve that is to do the wrong shoe or wrong bag, meaning they add an accessory that is not necessarily aligned with the rest of the look. For example, they often pair a sneaker with a tailored trouser or add a structured bag with a really slouchy look. The result is not necessarily something kooky or crazy— instead, it feels really holistic, like they are expressing their whole selves and not just one part of their style at a time.
You can do this on a smaller scale with sunglasses and jewelry—the one image of Mary Kate in the button-down with the watch and Ray-Bans always sticks out to me. It feels like such a mishmash of preppy, oversized, and glam. It feels so personally curated and so right!!! It can also be as simple as a white bag with an all-black look! It's subtle but unexpected.
The other way is that they ADD. They like minimalist pieces, but they are not minimalists. They are the kind of women who do not take one thing off before they leave the house but instead add something. Oftentimes, that is a scarf or jewelry, which always makes the look feel layered and personal. I love that they will throw a cozy oversized scarf on with a super chic and sharp coat.
If we want to take this principle with us in our wardrobe, we can try little tweaks like the Wrong Shoe or wrong bag. I find in many sessions with clients, the place that we go wrong is that we go ALL IN on one look. So if we have a polished look, we will think, “Okay, I need my most polished bag,” but instead, why not add a bag that will cut that polish a bit and add another element? It really all comes back to contrast and the three words. If we dress using just ONE WORD, the look feels one note or themed. We need to add those other dissimilar elements so the look feels full and holistic and expresses all of who we are (not just one part).
If you like the idea of playing with maximalism but aren’t sure where to start, a really easy way to add an additional element is to add some vintage jewelry!!! The way that they were jewelry is incredibly inspiring. They will stack bracelets and add multiple necklaces to create a look that feels really layered and textured.
The Olsens are some of the most petite-style icons that we have, and they also wear the most oversized clothes, which I find really interesting and inspiring. They clearly tailor their clothing (more on that below), but they embrace the oversized look, which has become a cornerstone of their style.
If you look at the outfits that feel the most oversized, you will notice a few things.
1. Sleeves are often rolled, and ankles or toes are showing. Even in the most oversized of button downs, they unbutton the top to show some skin and show a bit of the wrist. This just gives some control over the silhouette and gives a bit of contrast. In my styling sessions, it is almost like performing a magic trick when I tell clients, “let's just try this, but can you roll your sleeves?”. Immediately, that little bit of skin transforms a top or jacket from something overwhelming to something that looks intentional.
2. The same goes with ankles or clavicle! As you see in the examples, having a bit of ankle or toe or showing the top of the foot will add a bit of depth! They also often go for a shoe that is pointy to add a little sharpness!
3. The pants are usually long and have a bit of a break or fold at the bottom. This maintains the slouchy look and adds to that undone perfection. They are not stepping on the back of the pants or dragging them on the ground, but they still maintain that ease. If you are petite, you can still get this look, it is just about proportion!
These queens are not asking, “Does this make me look short?” It doesn’t seem like that is a priority for them— they don’t seem to care about what is the most figure flattering and what is going to elongate them. I totally understand why it is for a lot of us but I wonder if letting go of that just a smidge might lead us to more interesting looks. I also have to acknowledge that they are very thin— which might contribute to this, however, Ashley miraculously hid her entire pregnancy and no one noticed in the street style photos. I am not sure exactly what that proves, but I feel like it is something.
They also never seem to wonder... “is this too much?” This is another question that seems to plague us when we get dressed for an event or just a day at the office. I also always like to look at their street style or their red carpet looks and observe those around them as well— sometimes, they are in a totally different universe stylistically. That takes a lot of confidence in one's personal style and taste. They are not necessarily trying to fit in with those around them. If it is a casual event, they might throw on vintage fur and a sneaker, and it doesn’t appear as if they are concerned about how they are viewed in the context. There is both confidence and defiance, which I think is why so many of us are so drawn to them!
As I mentioned in the videos, there is always a vintage or worn element to what MKA wear. You can tell that their pieces have been collected and have been worn— that adds to the look. Nothing is pristine and perfect. Bags have scuffs, and sweaters have pills. This is what happens when you wear your clothing! A lot of us talk about “investment pieces,” but then we will either be scared to wear them or we will ditch them once the next trend comes along. I can’t see these girls being too swayed by the trends, and as a result.. they exist outside the trend cycle while also sort of dictating the trends.
The lesson here is simple… wear your clothes. If something needs to be repaired or mended— do that! There is no need to get something brand new. Beyond it looking worn and special and genuine, this will also help you cultivate a personal style that feels consistent because you are repeating things. The idea that a piece of clothing can be synonymous with your style is so amazing and only possible through repetition. My dream is for someone to see something and think, “That is so Allison,”— because that means that I have cultivated a style that feels recognizable!
What is interesting about Mary Kate and Ashley is that the investment pieces they wear constantly are not always the “classics”— of course, they have their beat-up Birkins, which we love, but their Balenciaga city bag in mint green? That was a staple for Mary Kate for a while— could she have gotten black or a neutral? Sure! But this color is so perfect and fun, and who says you can't wear a “statement color” as an everyday bag? I have heard so many clients mulling over bags and deciding on black because “black is more timeless” or “I can wear it with more” (which I get… I have mostly black bags), but I like the idea that any bag we love can go with anything!
Now, we also have to acknowledge that they are millionaires. So if they are rough with their clothes, they can get new ones… they don’t have to be as precious or as discerning. While many of us hem and haw over a designer bag- they can have as many as they want. But the interesting thing to me is that, yes, they can, but they don’t seem to do that. They still wear that beat-up Birkin and that stained Balenciaga. Maybe the lesson here is that we should approach our luxury goods like an Olsen. Not like they are an investment that we can eventually resell (because if we don’t resell it, there is really no point to keeping it pristine), but instead we approach it as an investment in our wardrobe. Meaning, we buy it with the intention of wearing it into the damn ground. Not with the intention that, eventually, it will make us a little money back on a resale site. Because if we wear it into the ground and wear it all the time, we don’t need a ton of options, we won’t always be looking for the newest and the trendiest bag…and therefore, we don’t need to participate in the resale cycle, and we can rid ourself of the pressure of keeping it perfect.
I wrote a newsletter a while ago about Jane Birkin, who I think actually has a lot of the same principles as the twins. What made her style so iconic was that you saw her pieces multiple times… there was evolution, but we recognized the pieces as being hers. You can read that one HERE
In addition, I get MANY DM’s when I wear long pants or white jeans about how I don’t get them dirty, and the answer is... I do! I wish there was a tip to keep clothes life-proof, but that is just not possible! Clothes are meant to be worn, and if things get a little worn out or scuffed, maybe that isn’t so bad!
Thank you for subscribing!! Here’s to channeling WWMKAD this February. See you all next month! Xx
This is my favorite news letter issue yet ! 20/10!!
Thank you! Something is shifted in me when I read what you said in this post about trying to keep my bags in for me even my shoes in pristine condition so I might be able to resell them someday. Why am I doing that? I had no idea and honestly, it felt un fun and stressful. I’m not doing that anymore and I’m so super excited about it! I’m going to wear the things I love all the time and love the wear and tear the way I’m learning to love the same things about myself. 🙏🥰