‘I’m obsessed with this dress’: Author Natasha Lester’s vintage hunt

Each week, we quiz a prominent person about their style and the inspiration behind it. Ahead, author Natasha Lester.

Natasha Lester has a thing for Dior dresses from Raf Simons’ reign at the house.

How would you describe your style? Part vintage maximalism and part ’70s casual glam.

What’s the oldest thing in your wardrobe? A 1950s navy fit-and-flare dress by American sportswear designer Claire McCardell.

And the most recent addition? A sapphire-blue velvet Etro blazer I found on [resale website] Vestiaire Collective.

What would you wear … on a first date? High-rise ’70s-style jeans with a tee, my new Etro blazer and a pair of blue Jimmy Choos I bought in London in the ’90s. … on a plane? Red silk Essentiel Antwerp pants with a Jac + Jack cashmere knit and Tibi slides. … on the red carpet? I have a beautiful blue dress with pink embroidery from one of my favourite Raf Simons collections for Dior. I’d wear that with Bottega Veneta heels.

What’s your favourite fashion era? I can find something to love from all the eras: 1920s opera coats, 1930s slinky evening gowns, the 1940s “New Look” silhouette … And I’m a total ’70s girl.

Who is your favourite fashion designer? Alexander McQueen was a creative genius, a storyteller as well as a fashion designer. You can see it in his pieces and theatrical shows.

What’s your fragrance of choice? In 2023, my daughter and I did a workshop at Maison Fragonard in Paris. You custom-make your signature fragrance and they keep the recipe on file for you. Mine’s quite light and fresh with a little musk for staying power.

What are the three essential items in your wardrobe? A great pair of jeans – I like Citizens of Humanity – an Anine Bing camel-coloured blazer that goes with everything, and a kitten heel.

Any go-to jewellery? A YSL “Arty” lapis lazuli cocktail ring, and a vintage rectangular topaz stone on a long silver chain.

Lester’s Anine Bing blazer that “goes with everything”.

Can you remember a favourite outfit from when you were a child? I’m an ’80s child so it was yellow shorts, bright blue tee, long white socks and roller skates.

What was your first fashion moment? When I lived in London in the ’90s, I’d go every weekend to the Victoria and Albert Museum or the Steinberg & Tolkien vintage clothing store. It was also when I started buying fashion-history books, and I’ve been obsessed ever since. Now, when I’m writing, and I have to put a character in a piece of clothing, it seems natural to use all these books and vintage pieces.

And your worst fashion mistake? I don’t believe in them; fashion should be fun and experimental.

What’s on your wish list? There’s a long red strapless evening dress from Raf Simons’ debut collection for Dior that I’ve been obsessed with since I saw it on the runway in 2012. I saw it again later at the NGV’s House of Dior exhibition in Melbourne and wanted to steal it!

Is there something you would never wear? I don’t buy fast fashion; I would never wear anything from Shein.

Is there a current trend you like? I hope the movement towards more sustainable fashion is not a trend but something that lasts. I buy a lot of vintage and second-hand clothes, but my daughter is my biggest teacher. She takes every item of clothing we’re throwing out and re-cuts it, re-sews it and makes it into something else.

What shoes do you wear the most often? Sandals by Bared.

Who are your favourite fashion icons? Linda Evangelista, Jane Birkin and Faye Dunaway in Bonnie and Clyde.

What do you wear on a typical working day? When I’m writing, I want to be comfortable but still feel like I’m dressed for work, so it might be a pale blue wide-leg pant and red knitted tank from Jac + Jack. I don’t feel right if I’m not wearing a bit of colour.

What’s your favourite off-duty, casual Sunday look? I’ll wear denim shorts, a short-sleeve button-up shirt and Birkenstocks.

The Mademoiselle Alliance (Hachette) by Natasha Lester is out now.

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