This was published 6 months ago
Australia’s most in-demand stylist shares her fashion advice
By Georgie Gordon
Each week, we quiz a prominent person about their style and the inspiration behind it. Ahead, stylist Jess Pecoraro.
Jess Pecoraro’s three essentials include vintage Levi’s 501, a blazer and T-shirt.
How would you describe your style? Masculine and tomboyish but still classic. I buy clothes I can still wear in 10 or 20 years’ time, nothing too trend-driven.
What’s the oldest thing in your wardrobe? My Italian grandmother’s fur coats. Every time I go to Sicily, I bring one or two back with me. It’s not really cold enough to wear them here [in Sydney], but I wore one in Milan when I was there for the shows in February.
And the most recent addition? An antique Italian gold chain from Love Well Sourced.
What’s your favourite fashion era? I appreciate every era – ’90s denim, ’80s shoulders, ’70s flares.
Jess Pecoraro covets a pair of these diamond earrings by Jessica McCormack.
Do you have a favourite designer? I’m obsessed with Gucci after seeing the Fall/Winter 2024 “Ancora” show. Everything was very wearable and the outerwear is definitely something you could invest in now and keep forever.
What’s your fragrance of choice? My husband’s Tom Ford “Rive d’Ambre”.
What are the three essential items in your wardrobe? Three is hard! Vintage Levi’s 501s– I buy whatever size I can find, women’s or men’s, and alter them. A blazer in black, though lately I’ve been wearing cream – I like Wardrobe NYC, Camilla and Marc and Balenciaga. T-shirts from James Perse, Wardrobe NYC and Scanlan Theodore. And Wolford turtleneck long-sleeve bodysuits.
Any go-to jewellery? I love jewellery. My husband’s like, “Can you be obsessed with something else?” I like to invest in shoes, bags and jewellery because they’re the things I’ll have forever. I wear both gold and silver – always a Cartier “Love” bracelet and a couple of Bulgari “Serpenti” bracelets.
What would you wear
… on a first date? I’m a pants girl, so nice pants or jeans with a fun Christopher Esber top and a pointed heel
…on a plane? Beare Park trousers with a black T-shirt, trench and Nike “V2K Run” sneakers
… on the red carpet? An Alaïa gown.
Can you remember a favourite outfit you wore as a child? I had some pretty cool outfits. My mum was into clothes and would buy us little designer pieces when we travelled overseas. There was a cropped, multicoloured fur jacket I loved; I can’t wait for my daughter to wear it.
What was your first fashion moment? Attending the international shows is when I put the most effort into my outfits. I remember going to my first Australian Fashion Week when I was a 20-year-old fashion assistant and mapping out my outfits for the whole week. I don’t do that now.
And your worst fashion mistake? Wearing a Carrie Bradshaw-style tutu to a birthday party when I was about 16. You shouldn’t wear a tutu after five years of age.
Designers Gilda Ambrosio and Giorgia Tordini are an inspiration for Pecoraro.Credit: Getty Images
Who’s your favourite fashion icon? I love cool, sexy style of the Attico girls, Gilda Ambrosio and Giorgia Tordini. They’re a bit out there. They’ll wear a sequin minidress with classic RayBans – so fun.
What’s on your wish list? Alaïa “Spike” mules, The Row’s “Margaux 15″ black suede bag and Jessica McCormack “Tripset” diamond hoop earrings.
Is there a current trend you like? I’m loving Chloé being back. The bohemian vibe isn’t necessarily something I could pull off, but I could incorporate a couple of pieces, like the cool fringed shoes, into my wardrobe.
Is there anything you would never wear? Underwear as outerwear.
What shoes do you wear most often? New Balance x Miu Miu “530 SL” sneakers are my current go-to.
What do you wear to bed? Honna striped pyjamas.
What do you wear on a typical working day? It’s very simple: either jeans, a white T-shirt and a blazer or a black suit with a white shirt. It’s chic and refined without trying too hard. I don’t want to have to think about it.
What’s your favourite off-duty, casual Sunday look? P. Johnson pants and matching shirt with Hermès leather thongs.
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