Musicians have great style. Better yet, they have beautiful grungy style. It's some unwritten law that was established somewhere at some point in history.
It's probably because they're creative beyond our years, so throwing on a few pieces of clothing that look like simple, eye-catching art may come naturally to them as writing their poems.
This past weekend, I caught up with Taylor Jayne, local Phoenix musician who currently released her EP and will begin working on her LP real soon. (I'm actually putting together an article and acoustic session video for State Press Magazine that will be up next Tuesday, so make sure to tune in!)
After the interview and jam session we had, I asked if I could feature her outfit here and have a Q&A after she told me she thrifted her boots that come with the perfect amount of grunginess. Also, I just had to feature the girl with the pretty pink hair!
Q: Where do you shop?
Where do I shop... that’s a good question. I’ve found myself in a collection of places. I’ve done a bit of treasure-hunting in some second-hand stores such as Name Brand and Buffalo Exchange here in AZ and such as Ragstock out in Chicago (treasure-hunting is my favorite). I’ve also done a little shopping in more well-known places like Urban Outfitters (sales rack!) and American Eagle (they’ve got good jeans).
Q: Do you consider yourself a savvy shopper?
On the spectrum of savvy to not-at-all-savvy, I would say I lean more savvy. I’m very particular about buying things I only REALLY want; this tends to help out my savings. It also helps that I prefer to stick to second-hand stores - and not even necessarily because they’re cheaper, but because you tend to find crazier, more interesting items in these kinds of shops.
Q: What's your typical budget for when you go shopping?
My shopping budget... Oh dear, I don’t suppose I usually pre-determine one. What I do is look at the tag on a piece of clothing before I even look at the item itself. And if I feel OK with the price, then I carry on to examine the clothing. I think it’s important to keep a good cuteness to expense ratio. As I go, I try and approximate a mental price total of my gathering of things to buy.
Q:Where you buy each item you're wearing?
My shirt was from Target, on sale for $8. My jeans, from American Eagle - $25. My combat/hiking boots, from Ragstock - $12. My earrings, from World Market - $8. Judging by the amount of wear I’ve gotten out of them, I’d have to say my boots were the best bargain out of the group. I love those things.
Q: Who inspires your style? How do you originate it?
I try my best to be inventive. Matching is not my friend. I like to experiment with colors to make them pop in unexpected ways. I sometimes go even a bit whimsical with office supplies in my hair or striped socks up to my knees paired with jean shorts. One of my new favorite items is some $3 purple tights I bought from Walgreens - where would I be without purple tights? Absolutely nowhere. I have recently become very inspired by the fashion-sense of character, Cassie Ainsworth, off of the U.K. teen drama, “Skins”. Also, senior citizen ladies know how to wear jewelry, if you watch them. I’ve got my eye on ‘em - they know what’s up.
Q: What are you usually trying to convey with your style?
With my fashion, I feel that I’m expressing my freedom. I like to wear things that make me happy. Period. I once got a polk-a-dotted cardigan because it reminded me of a picture book I used to read when I was little. I think my style can come off from having a simplistic vintage feel to a look that’s straight up unconventional - depending on the day.
Q: If your outfit could sing, what would it be singing?
They’d be singing “Rocky Raccoon” by the Beatles.
Q: Define your style in 3 words.
Imaginative with class.
Q: Tell me a little bit about yourself:
I am a singer/songwriter, full-time - currently residing in the state of Arizona. I play an acoustic cross-genre of folk and blues. I love the Little Rascals and eating food with chopsticks.
