Georgia Kay is a junior at Tufts who spoke with me about Melbourne style, her slight obsession with cravats and what she thinks are the biggest fashion faux pas.
Parker Selman (PS): How would you describe your personal style?
Georgia Kay (GK): It’s very Melbourne. Melbourne is the fashion capitol of Australia. There are a lot of unique Australian designers there, and Melbourne style means constantly being over dressed: no one would ever leave the house looking average. When I dress really Melbourne here, people always ask if I’m going to an interview. Now I have to make choices between my Melbourne wardrobe and my school wardrobe because Americans dress a lot more casually.
PS: Has coming to Tufts changed your style?
GK: It’s forced me to be more casual. I never owned sneakers before I came to the States. Also in the States, there’s an entire genre that I call pub tops. If we go out (in Australia) we’ll go out in a formal dress or a formal top; there’s no going out in jeans. I’ve been forced to buy frat boots and a frat jacket and the little spaghetti strap going out tops.
PS: Do you have any fashion inspirations?
GK: I really like Sincerely Jules the fashion blogger. I also like Sea of Shoes.I like Street Smith, which is a Melbourne street fashion blog.
PS: What are your favorite stores?
GK: Mostly Australian brands. I like Sass & Bide. They have really nice jeans and great formal wear. I like Madewell jeans and Witchery and Country Road, which are also Australian brands.
PS: What are your favorite pieces of clothing?
GK: At the moment, these jeans. I bought them in a little Chinese boutique. My favorite things to own are pants and boots. I have the most amazing pair of rusty-red Free People boots, and they’re my favorite thing at the moment and they have zips and a pointed toe.
PS: What are some of your signature looks?
GK: My cravats are my signature look. I live for cravats. The one I’m wearing now I bought at a silk factory in China. At the moment, I only have five or six cravats, but I’m always looking to expand. Madewell has some really cute ones at the moment, but I prefer the silk to the cotton ones; I’m a high-end cravat girl. That should be written on my tombstone. My signature is also high-necked things. I have 100 million turtlenecks.
PS: What do you recommend for fashion on a budget?
GK: I really like the Gap. They get a really bad rep, but they always have a huge sale all the time. I went recently and got a really cute boat neck top. I like some of their t-shirts. I like the good section of H&M and Zara. Also Lou and Grey! It’s in the Natick Mall, and it’s owned by Ann Taylor, and they have a 15 percent student discount.
PS: Are there any fashion trends you particularly dislike?
GK: When people wear lululemons with leather jackets that annoys me. Also, to be honest, I think Stan Smiths have had their moment in the sun and now they should go back to the closet. I have a huge disdain for combat boots, Keds and Toms, and they’re everywhere.
