Introducing Dixie

“I’m 49 years young”, Dixie jokes, when we ask her about herself, as she welcomes us into her her home in Pennsylvania; a house she shares with her two daughters and her husband. The house is light and airy, and she tells us she always keeps the curtains drawn to let as much light as possible flood through every corner of her home. As she shows us round the bedrooms, a pile of books next to her bed - Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent by Isabel Wilkerson, Ask for more: 10 Questions to Negotiate Anything by Alexandra Carter – gives some idea of her driven and spiritual nature.

Working as a Biological Science Educator, Qigong instructor and running her own retail business, Inside Outer Beauty Market, she doesn’t have too much spare time to think about the decor at home and has become something of a “minimalist” by default, keeping the space bright, earthy and calming, with yellow painted walls (which she admits to us she now detests) that make it feel almost zen-like when you spend any amount of time there. The yellow walls don’t worry her too much. She might not live here forever anyway, she tells us. She dreams of getting away from it all and taking her carefree and unpredictable spirit out on the road to live in an RV for a year or two. Although she’s also learning to ride a motor bike, so perhaps she’ll just join a bike gang instead.

Let’s start with having you explain your style to us, Dixie...

Mostly a blend of Bohemian, chic and casual. I’m a free flower if you will. I’m not married to anyone thing. I dress the way I feel or want to feel. 

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

Some would probably say eclectic. 

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

I never follow the pack and trends are not my thing.I lead with my own sense of style. And though I may purchase some items that are trending, it’s because I connect with it on a heart level and will wear it over many years. My friends usually make comments about their admiration for my sense of style, the youthfulness, ease or naturalness my style evokes. Many of my friends reach out for style advice.

Who inspires you style-wise?

My dad (RIP). He had a unique sense of style. Since I was born, when it wasn’t fashionable, my dad was pushing style boundaries. He had long hair, which we braided until he died. He had tattoos on both his arms. He wore hoop earrings, had a beard and mustache, platform shoes and bell bottoms, and he embodied both his masculine and feminine sides. He did all this in a time when his way of being was frowned upon. Yet I never saw him as anything other than who he was, himself. He was an authentic man, who encouraged and supported his wife and his children to show up as themselves. 

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

Iris Apfel. She reminds me of my dad in that she dresses to her own beat and embodies what works for her. She is captivating, constant, a delight to look at, and always makes my heart flutter. She’s like no one I’ve ever seen and totally herself.

Michelle Obama. She is so charismatic and brilliant. I love that she buys high- and low-cost items and makes them look seamless. She shows up with confidence and inspires others to think beyond the price tag of clothing and instead focus on their confidence, which helps determine how you look and feel when you wear them.

Tracee Ellis Ross. Her closet is bright, bold, versatile, fun and eclectic. All the things I still want to embrace in my style journey.

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

Tracee Ellis Ross. Her closet is bright, bold, versatile, fun and eclectic. All the things I still want to embrace in my style journey.

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

Magazines

Instagram

People watching (random)

Where are your three favorite stores to shop in for clothing/apparel?

Free People (omnichannel)

Anthropologie (omnichannel)

&Other Stories (omnichannel)

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

Season after season, they have the clothing that resonates with me. Color, texture, form, fit, price, they never disappoint in the eye-catching department. 

Does the experience of those stores matter to you too?

Yes. How I’m treated as a customer upon entering the store is absolutely important. I don’t want to be followed around (like some Black folks have accused stores of doing). I’m not a thief. It would be a done deal for me in that store if that ever happened. Aside from that, it’s the clothing and the way it looks and feel that appeals to me. As I mentioned before, the color, texture, form and fit appeals to my style. I must say that lately, I’ve been feeling distant from these brands because I’m paying more attention to the ethical practices of the stores I support, and if they are not supportive to causes that matter to me like being more diverse and inclusive and training staff not to be biased and racist, I’m not willing to support them with my dollars. I want to support brands that are purpose driven and are focused on people (their customers) as much as they are on profits.

What other stores/spaces are you shopping in and why?

I used to purchase an occasional piece from Zara or H&M because a piece caught my eye and I found it hard to resist. It was more of an impulse buy with those two. But again, I’m working on distancing myself from brands that centers profits over people and the planet. And these two are certainly in the mix. 

I also occasionally shop at:

J. Crew

Aritzia

Revolve

Off Saks

Sometimes, some things resonate. So, I like to browse their catalog online or pop into the store. 

Going a little more specific, what are your top five favorite brands?

I’m very much into my feelings. And that’s also the case with my purchases. The items have to evoke some kind of positive feeling or vibe in order for me to consider purchasing. If I get that feeling and look that I want, over and over, I’ll always go back.

1. Birkenstock: They offer comfort for my feet

2. Converse: I just love them. My feet look good in them, and they are comfy. I guess you can say it’s brand loyalty or a reluctance to part with my teen fascination.

3. Chanel: There is no bag like a Chanel bag. There’s just something about it. Perhaps it’s the simple elegance. It’s not fussy and can pair with any type of clothing, from Bohemian to casual. 

4. Coach: They are affordable luxury. Many of their bags are timeless. They too are simple and elegant. 

5. Fe Noel: Love their brand story. Love their clothing and the way is drapes my body.

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

In order for me to make the purchase the items must:

1. Resonate with my sense of style. I can see myself in it.

2. Fit well. Meaning the way I like my clothing to fit.

3. Be in my price range.

4. Be comfortable.

5. Quality fabric.

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

Firstly, if I can’t visualize myself in a piece of clothing it’s more than likely that it does not resonate with me, and I won’t like it. Therefore, I won't even try it on.  The other things matter because they all play a pivotal role in whether I ultimately purchase the product. If I can’t afford it, all the visualizing and trying on won’t get it into my shopping bag. And purchasing poor quality and uncomfortable clothing defeats my mantra of freedom. Free spirits don’t like discomfort.

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

I’m guessing over 150 pairs. Yikes, that sounds ridiculous. That’s for all seasons and occasions combined.

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

Pumps: 40%

Sandals:10

Slip on: 20%

Sneakers: 9%

Trainers: 1%

Boots: 20%

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

There is no typical shoe for me. I wear what I feel like wearing on any given day. It’s unpredictable. So, I go with the flow of how I feel and choose my shoes accordingly.

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

Comfort, price and synergy with my style, which is usually what I like.

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

Sneakers: Converse, Vans (most of the time I go with converse)

Trainers: adidas or Nike (whichever is closest to me)

Slip on: Birkenstock

Pumps: Absolutely no brand preference. I prefer a platform pump. It’s easier to walk around with them and not feel tortured. I tend to save the stilettos (which I’m beginning to abhor) for an event where I don’t have to do much standing and walking. Say a wedding or an award ceremony.

Boots: No brand preference. Anything comfortable that catches my eyes and syncs with my style, I will wear.

Why are these your favorite brands, do you think?

They bring me comfort and offer the types of shoes that resonates with my style.

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

Free People

Revolve

Converse

Free People and Revolve usually carry an assortment of shoes which I can choose from in one place, including Converse. Though I sometimes go directly to the Converse store or site to purchase.