Patrycja from ANSIN: Hi Daria! First of all, I'd like to thank you for accepting the invitation to do an interview on our blog. I think your style is an inspiration to many people, so I'm glad we can work together. First, I'd like to ask if your style has always been this conscious, or did you come a long way to what we see on your Instagram?
Daria: Thank you, I'm also thrilled to be working with Ansin; you're an inspiring brand. When it comes to my style, I have to admit it's evolved. I've always been drawn to simple solutions and muted colors, but I've had moments when I wanted to cheat myself. I've succumbed to trends, bought things completely out of my style, and tried them on. I think such experiences are also a good lesson; thanks to them, I know what works for me and what to avoid. Today, I'm very aware of my style and I stick to it.
PzA: You operate in a very consistent color scheme – your styles are dominated by beige, black, and white… Do you sometimes allow yourself to go a bit crazy when it comes to the colors in your wardrobe?
D: I've tried different colors, but for a long time now, I've only admired them on other people. So, I have to admit, the wildest colors in my wardrobe are a sky blue shirt or blue jeans. Neutral colors like beige and white, which you mentioned, are what I feel good in and I love wearing them. Wearing clothes in stronger colors made me feel dressed up, and I don't like that feeling :)
PzA: What's your guiding principle when shopping? I assume you usually plan ahead, so I'd also like to ask about your shopping list system. Share your organization method!
D: I like the 'one in, one out' rule, so before I decide to buy something new, I try to sell one or more items that, for whatever reason, no longer fit me. When I have my eye on something, I also think of at least three ways to wear it with what I already have in my closet. But I think my favorite way to plan purchases is to create mood boards—graphics of the clothes I'd like to have in my wardrobe. I'm a visual person, and these graphics allow me to carefully consider how I might wear a given item and whether it's a good and necessary choice. I prioritize quality over quantity. I prefer to wait and save up for something better so I can enjoy it for a long time.
PzA: Many people associate a capsule wardrobe with boredom, but you demonstrate that this dressing system has literally endless possibilities and is incredibly interesting. How else would you convince others to embark on a capsule wardrobe adventure?
D: A capsule wardrobe saves time and money. You open your closet in the morning and always have something to wear because everything matches and is cohesive. A slight change in accessories gives your outfit a different feel. A black blazer over a nude bodysuit plus dangling hoop earrings transforms casual into a more elegant look. There's no need to constantly go shopping because "I have nothing to wear," or "this skirt doesn't match any of the blouses." This kind of fashion is pleasant, functional, and for me, it's synonymous with freedom. It doesn't make us slaves to constantly following trends, and after the spring/summer season, we're left with a bag of clothes that will be outdated in a year. I think the idea of a capsule wardrobe also helps foster a healthy approach to clothes; they're meant to serve us and make our lives easier, not be the purpose of our lives. I love fashion and clothes—they've been an important part of my work for some time now, and I think I demonstrate every day that by dressing minimalistically, you can look great and there's no room for boredom. Even though I have a lot of the same items in my wardrobe, I never run out of ideas for new outfits.
PzA: Your styling ace up your sleeve is…
D: Definitely a silk scarf in a minimalist style, it enhances any outfit. The devil is in the details.
PzA: You've had the opportunity to test out our MISS COZY turtleneck and MISS SHAPE bodysuit. What do you love most about these products and how do you like to wear them? We've seen them featured on your profile a few times!
D: I love both the turtleneck and the bodysuit for their cut. The clothes are beautifully tailored and flatter my figure. The quality of the materials used in both pieces is probably key. I most often pair them with looser jeans or a pinstriped skirt. The bodysuit will look great with silk Bermuda shorts in the coming summer. These basic pieces offer so many possibilities.
PzA: Has any trend stolen your heart this season, or are you trying to stay faithful to minimalist solutions?
D: I'm head over heels in love with classic style, so I take trends with a pinch of salt. However, if I had to choose something to complement my wardrobe, I'd go for square-toe shoes. Such a small detail, yet it attracts attention and nicely complements a simple outfit.
PzA: Is your spring wardrobe completely ready, or are you still filling in some gaps or getting ready to buy your dream outfit?
D: One of my New Year's resolutions is to thoroughly clean out my wardrobe and minimize the number of clothes, and that's what I'm focusing on for now. The idea of a capsule wardrobe has taught me to think carefully before buying anything new. Of course, some things are worth replacing every season, like a white T-shirt that gets used often. I recently bought white jeans, and I can't imagine my spring wardrobe without them. As the weather gets warmer, I'm eager to reach for light colors. I also have a few dream pieces that would be perfect for spring, so we'll see if I can pull them off :)
PzA: Do you think the capsule wardrobe is the future of responsible fashion? I'm incredibly curious to hear your opinion!
D: Developing a wardrobe like this is a great adventure, and I think it teaches us discipline. Because we have a great wardrobe and everything is consistent, the need to constantly buy things disappears. Furthermore, our choices are more conscious; we focus on quality, not quantity. Dressing becomes easier, we feel better, and it's also a small step towards responsible fashion.
PzA: I agree 100%! Thank you again, Daria, for this conversation—I have a feeling it will be very inspiring for many. I also highly recommend Daria's Instagram profile HERE . You'll find lots of inspiration and even more advice there!
Additionally, we'd like to remind you about our free e-book, CAPSULE WARDROBE, which is a compendium of cohesive wardrobes and certainly a great aid in creating harmony in your closet. You can download it for free HERE .
Patricia from ANSIN
