This was published 2 years ago
‘I start looking like a monster’: the actor who fears high heels
By Georgie Gordon
Each week, we quiz a prominent person about their style and the inspiration behind it. Ahead, actor Tess Haubrich.
Tess Haubrich on why she loves the 90s: “It was imperfect, and I love the grunge factor.” Credit: Chloe Paul/We Are Kindred
How would you describe your style? Minimal and relaxed.
What’s your favourite fashion decade? I grew up in the ’90s, so I have a lot of nostalgia for that era – the scrunchies and tube tops. It was imperfect, and I love the grunge factor.
What’s the oldest thing in your wardrobe? An OshKosh B’gosh denim yellow star dress with a matching hat that I wore when I was 10 years old. I’m trying to get my six-year-old daughter to wear it, but she just won’t.
And the most recent addition? I was given a beautiful We Are Kindred matching set – pink salmon-coloured pants and off-the-shoulder top [above]. It’s pretty and feminine.
What would you wear …
… on a first date? A black mini dress, not much make-up or jewellery, and knee-high boots, but not heels – I’m six foot tall.
… on a plane? Activewear: leggings, T-shirt, baggy jumper … And I take pyjamas if it’s a long flight.
… on the red carpet? Something wow, like J. Lo’s green Versace dress.
Do you have a favourite fashion designer? I love Bec + Bridge, Bianca Spender and We Are Kindred.
What’s your fragrance of choice? I mix it up but Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille is my all-time favourite. I also love Chloe. And Ralph by Ralph Lauren – it’s super fresh and reminds me of being in high school.
What are three essentials in your wardrobe? High-waisted, straight-leg jeans – Zara make long jeans that fit me perfectly. Also a little black dress and red lipstick.
Tess would like a classic black Chanel handbag.
Do you have a favourite item? A little white Bec + Bridge dress that always gets comments.
Any go-to jewellery? A pair of diamond stud earrings that a friend gave me for my 21st birthday and a leather bracelet that my sister gave me – that’s more of a hippie vibe.
Can you remember a favourite outfit from when you were a child? I was always in overalls with butterfly clips in my hair.
What was your first fashion moment? I modelled for a couple of years before acting school. Doing haute couture fashion week in Paris, wearing a $200,000 wedding dress and modelling for Jean Paul Gaultier for fashion week in Berlin was pretty amazing as an 18-year-old from the northern beaches of Sydney. Especially because I grew up having nothing to do with fashion! I think I was in shock.
And your worst fashion mistake? Wearing fake tan that was too dark.
What item is at the top of your fashion wish list? A classic black Chanel handbag.
Is there anything you would never wear? No, I’m trying to take more risks with my style.
Is there a current fashion trend you like? I’m seeing red and copper hair everywhere and loving it. Would I go there? Never say never!
What shoes do you wear most often? Day to day: black Birkenstock “Arizona” slides. Going out: I love wearing heels but I have to be careful; I’m so tall I start looking like a monster. I have a beautiful pair of strappy Tony Bianco sandals I like because the heel’s not too massive.
Uma Thurman is one of Tess’s fashion icons for being able to pull off sophisticated and sexy – “hard to do”.Credit: Getty Images
What do you wear to bed? My boyfriend’s T-shirts and Peter Alexander pyjama shorts.
Who’s your favourite fashion icon? Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct. She’s everything – sexy, edgy, feminine. Uma Thurman, too. She’s sophisticated but sexy, which is hard to do.
What do you wear on a typical working day? It depends on the character. Sometimes I’m on a spaceship, then I might be fighting Jackie Chan or playing a housewife.
What’s your favourite off-duty, casual Sunday look? Jeans, a white Bassike shirt and sneakers to hang out with my daughter and boyfriend.
Tess Haubrich stars in Spiderhead, on Netflix from June 17.
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