Introducing Dena

As Dena leads us through the corridors of the three-bedroom house she owns in Richmond, Virginia, it feels like we’ve stepped back in time. Framed Society 6 prints and album covers hang on the blue and mint painted walls, with the few plants she’s managed to keep alive [“It’s hard enough to stay on top of adulting”] peering out from behind mid-century inspired furniture; splashes of mustard yellow popping out from pillows and posters here and there.

The 32-year-old Product Development Manager turned Real Estate Agent shares the house with two other roommates [although she might cut down to one soon because she likes there to be enough baths for them to have one each] and a little black cat called Xavier. It’s a house she has lovingly and meticulously made into a home for herself, only leaving it to catch up with friends [she’s the “goofy, funny” one] or to go salsa dancing. We sat down with Dena in her untypically “girly” bedroom, with Xavier purring in her lap, to get her talk us through what makes her tick.

Let's start with having you explain your style to us, Dena...

I’d describe my style as laid-back with feminine vibes. I’ve really come to love basics over the years. My current wardrobe staples are t-shirts, bodysuits, crop tops, and blazers in neutrals that I can pair with bottoms. Though I enjoy a pop of color as well, such as mustard or rust. I’m also all about high-waisted jeans, floral print dresses, and boots.

Would your friends describe your look any differently do you think?

I think my friends would also describe my style as relaxed or laid-back. While I do like to look nice, I don’t often wear heels [because I find them uncomfortable]. And I also don’t often wear tight-fitting dresses, mainly because I prefer to accentuate my waist over my hips. I’m much more likely to wear a fit and flare or midi dress with my converse and a denim jacket. Or a whimsical top with a pair of high-waisted jeans and boots. 

Thinking about your friends, what’s your ‘style/fashion role’ in the group?

When things look good on my friends, I admire them. But I don't often try to adapt their looks for myself, unless I feel it will particularly flatter my figure and complement my personal style. I have to gain confidence with new looks.

Who inspires you style-wise when it comes to your career closet?

These days I get inspired by brands [Anthropologie and The Reformation], Instagram, and even TV Shows [Yvonne Orji’s character in Insecure, for example], more than specific designers or celebrities. I feel like it comes from all over though really.

Anthropologie inspires me for their whimsical, boho, ever so slightly off-beat options. I love Reformation’s womanly and sexy, yet still classy and ultra-feminine, dresses. And as for Yvonne Orji’s character on Insecure, she just looks so polished! Honestly, I love her style in real life as well. 

The inspiration that I see on Instagram is more random. I can’t remember how I came across the profiles, but a couple of style mavens that stand out at the moment include @highlowluxxe, @charmsie, @monroesteele, and @simplycyn.

In the public eye, whose style do you admire and are influenced by?

Zoe Kravitz comes to mind first! This is more inspiration for my casual looks, but it blends into business casual as well. Her style just looks so relaxed and effortlessly cool. Some other people that stick out to me include Reese Witherspoon and Kate Moss. I love Kate Moss’s sleek, understated rocker vibes with the band tees, moto jackets, and blazers etc. I also love Reese Witherspoon’s style, which is dripping with southern charm. And while I’ve never considered myself to be “Southern”, technically I am. Reese’s style is just so cute and practical. Perfect for business/casual days no matter who I’m working with that day. I basically want to dress like Zoe every day, but sometimes lean more towards Reese’s style for work purposes.

If you could ‘steal’ one person [in the public eye’s] closet, whose closet would you steal and why?

Probably Kate Moss’s wardrobe. Seems like it would be the most classic/timeless and versatile.

Where are the other places you’re getting style/fashion influence from?

I’d say it’s probably a combination of brands, window shopping, and Instagram [which is basically just digital window shopping!].

Thinking about your closet, what percentage of your clothing is professional versus casual? How much of your wardrobe is given over to clothing you wear to look professional?

I’d say 60% of my wardrobe is geared towards looking business casual. I don’t have a need to wear a suit to work. So if I’m not wearing a dress, I typically like to wear denim, a tee, and a blazer. Or jeans and a button up/nice top. I also actually love a high-waisted trouser, which forces me to wear heels, but I don’t mind.

What does ‘looking professional’ mean to you? How do you carry out and perfect that look? 

The go-to combos for me are:

• Denim + bodysuit/tee + blazer + loafers/flats/boots

• Denim + button up loafers/flats/boots

• A simple dress + boots/flats

Thinking about those professional pieces in your wardrobe, what are the most important, staple pieces for you? The pieces that you wear time and time again and tend to replace?

- Dark Denim or Black Denim

- T-Shirts

- Camisoles

- Bodysuits

- Blazers

- Boyfriend Cardigans

- Dresses (at the moment, preferably midi length, though minis are OK)

Where are your three favorite stores to shop in for your career closet?

Lately I’ve been shopping with Ann Taylor Loft a lot. I like their sales and selection of business casual pieces. ASOS is my second most used site for the sheer number of options and price points. And I shop pretty consistently at American Eagle for their denim selection. 

Banana Republic would typically be on the list as well. But lately I’ve just been more cost conscious. I thought it was also worth mentioning that Madewell is high on my list in terms of their style, but I often stay away due to the price point. Hoping I can up my wardrobe budget in a few years though. 

What is it about these stores that make them your favorite/preferred place to shop?

Ann Taylor Loft is currently at the top because they have a lot of options and seem to have a good amount of sales (though I may also just be seeing their emails in my inbox more?). I also really value being able to knock out a lot of things in one place. ASOS is my second favorite because of the amount of options, as well as the ability to use filters to really narrow it down to specifically what I’m looking for. And as for American Eagle, I found a fit/quality of jeans that I liked. I go for high-waisted, stretchy/skinny denim.

Does the experience of those stores matter to you too?

I’d say it’s assortment and bang for buck. Quality and good staples are something that have become more important to me as I’ve matured. But I also now have a home [a fixer upper at that], to deal with. Plus, I enjoy going out to eat/drink a lot. And the occasional vacation. So, while my wardrobe is important to me, I can only stretch my dollars so far. 

What other stores/spaces are you shopping in for your ‘career closet’ and why? What do they bring to the mix?

Honestly, I usually have a good idea of what I’m looking for and don’t have a lot of time to browse. So I kind of stick to the same stores. Besides Ann Taylor Loft, ASOS, and Banana Republic, I also like Anthropologie, Zara, Free People, and Madewell.  As well as local thrift stores, like @rosewoodclothingco and @ashbyrva.

And then, going a little more specific, what are your top five favorite brands? Why are they your favorite?

• American Eagle - Mainly for consistent quality and options in jeans, which can be super frustrating to shop for. And I also like the boho vibe of some of their tops/dresses. 

• Anthropolgie - Love the brand’s vibe. Could be everyday or more special occasion wear (and by special occasion I just mean Sunday brunch, etc.). 

• Madewell - Also love the brand’s vibe. Great everyday wear.  

• The Reformation - I haven’t mentioned them yet. But I absolutely love their style for beautifully feminine looks. 

• DSW - It’s less about branding here I suppose, and more about the convenience and reliability.

Thinking about your ‘career closet’, what part can your clothes play - if any - in helping you do your job even better?

I love to wear things with pockets! Whether they are denim, high-waisted dress pants, skirts, or dresses. Aside from being practical, I like standing with my hands in my pocket. It makes me feel like I’m looking relaxed, even if my insides are like Jell-O. I also usually feel better in a heeled boot. A blazer also makes me feel polished and chill at the same time. 

What are your top priorities when it comes to buying new items of clothing?

• Comfort

• Versatility (can I wear it in business and casual environments?)

• Quality (I’m no longer interested in disposable fashion like Forever 21). 

• Personality (do I feel like it represents me?)

• Care (if I have to dry clean it or iron it, I’m less enthused).

And why do those things matter to you in the order they do? 

Comfort is first because if I’m not comfortable, I’m not my best self. And versatility and quality are important for getting more out of a smaller wardrobe. This is a goal of mine. I’d rather have less clothes that are of good quality that I can mix and match over and over again. And when it comes to personality, I try to intentionally bring in items that I feel really fit my style. You can’t go wrong with tried-and-true basics as a base for everyday wear. But then it’s nice to sprinkle in statement pieces once in a while too. Like a cute top with a dramatic sleeve, or even a band tee that lets the world know something about you. And lastly, I mentioned care because I am LAZY, and I hate ironing. I want clothes that are easy to care for.

How many pairs of shoes, any shoes, do you own?

I own 25-30 pairs of shoes. But there are usually about 3-4 pairs that I wear every day. And that’s typically black flats, black boots, black loafers, and sneakers [current faves are my Chuck Taylors]. 

If you had to split them up into categories and write a percentage next to them [what, math!] what would that look like?

- Boots: 37%

- Flats/Loafers: 26%

- Sneakers: 21%

- Heels: 15%

What type of shoe would we typically find you in, if you there is a ‘typical shoe’ for you?

It really depends on the day. But I’d say typically a heeled boot, a black flat, or my converse.

What are the most important things for you when it comes to buying your favorite kind of shoe?

I guess comfort and versatility are most important. Comfort is a MAJOR factor when it comes to my shoe choices. However, I also want to look age appropriate and cute. And I feel like versatility with shoes is super important because the wrong shoe pairing can ruin your outfit.  

What about your favorite brands for shoes? Who do you always end up going to?

For sneakers, I wear a lot of Converse and adidas. And for boots, I end up wearing a lot of Steve Madden. I like Doc Martens, but the pair I have aren’t very comfortable (I bought the wrong size years ago).

Why are these your favorite brands do you think? 

I think Converse fit with my casual vibe. And adidas are great for working out. And Steve Madden just tends to have a lot of options to choose from that match my style.

What about your favorite shoe stores, again - on or offline? What makes them your favorite stores?

For shoes, it’s really only DSW. And maybe Nordstrom Rack? But DSW is my favorite because they have so many options. It’s just a one-stop shop for the most part.