Alison Ariotti on the ‘indecent’ outfit she’s had to retire
Newsreader Alison Ariotti is a big fan of rewearing outfits and struggles to part ways with her favourite items of clothing, but there’s one outfit that is too risque that has been put into retirement.
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The Duchess of Cambridge is a famous outfit repeater, so is Cate Blanchett, Michelle Obama and Queensland’s own Alison Ariotti.
This week we dropped by the Paddington home Ariotti shares with husband Gerry and their three kids for a poke around her wardrobe - and we discovered she’s a big fan of shopping local, and struggles to part ways with old clothes.
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How would you describe your personal style?
It’s definitely a beach-inspired look with a lot of colour; I love feeling bright and vibrant so I’d say clothes bring a lot of that. I often go for things that are, not quirky exactly but I’m not afraid to go bold or wear a statement outfit.
I think you should wear fashion that makes you feel good and you shouldn’t worry if you wear the same thing over and over. I don’t feel the need to constantly update my wardrobe.
Who are your style icons?
I really love Audrey Hepburn for that timeless elegance, but I wouldn’t call myself elegant. I don’t really have any icons that represent me.
Is it true presenters often wear something casual under the news desk?
Unless we’re standing, we can wear whatever we want beneath the desk but we do need to be aware if there are going to be any standing shots. Sometimes, especially recently, we have been known to create a standing shot because we have a new outfit and want to show it off.
What’s the oldest thing in your wardrobe?
It could be my denim shorts. I’ve had to retire these ones because they’ve become indecent but I still have them in my wardrobe because I love them so much, although I do have other denim shorts in there. I loved them because I could fit a phone in the pocket, all the way in, so it wouldn’t fall out which was practical as a mum trying to take photos of the kids in the park. They were practical and super comfortable.
What are your favourite brands?
I love the vibrancy and colour of Bonita Collective, I think they’re a good reflection of my personality and they make me feel happy and joyous when I wear them. Every time I wear one of their pieces, I get at least one comment about how much people love that skirt, top or dress. Whereas 12 months ago I might have saved them for a special occasion, I’m now wearing them all the work because that’s my new ‘going out’ or even just on a Friday night at home. I also think that with COVID, we are all thinking about how we spend our money, if we are spending it, and I feel happy knowing I’m buying local.
Have you ever made a style faux pas?
You could say my biggest faux pas was getting my hair cut into a very short bob at the start of my TV career. This was long before the days of hair straighteners and I worked in the very hot and humid Cairns … let’s just say it was definitely a mushroom look.
What’s the story behind your pink Michael Kors bag?
When I was 34 weeks pregnant, we went to Singapore and I joked to Gerry that I should be able to buy a handbag to the value of what he spent on cocktails. So that bag was my pregnancy treat.
What would you buy if money were no object?
Oh that’s hard. Right now if you said I had to spend $1000 on a dress, I could not justify that with the everyday household expenses and what that money could be spent on for the kids or around the house. But if I had to, maybe a few going out dresses, maybe from Scanlan Theodore and some upgraded jewellery. I’d also go all out on sunglasses and shoes, guilt-free.
Summer or winter fashion?
I’m definitely a summer dresser. I hate feeling hot and normally I try to pretend that it’s summer all year round but end up freezing my way through winter in dresses, singlets and thongs. This year I decided I was buying one winter staple and it was a leopard print puffer jacket from Seed, so that would be my favourite (and only) winter accessory.
What kind of handbag do you use?
It’s a neoprene tote back from State of Escape. My husband Gerry gave it to me for my birthday last year and I use it everyday.
Denim or dresses?
Both, but only denim shorts. I dislike wearing jeans; I don’t like them at all. The only jeans I’ve loved wearing is a pair of jeggings (a hybrid between a jean and a legging) which are almost like tights. I don’t like things that are tight around the middle.
Minimalist or clothes hoarder?
I’m not good at throwing things out.
Heels or sneakers?
Heels, even though I love running, I feel better in heels. Although after being pregnant it was a real shock to get back into them.
