The 20-year-old Aussie blogger behindShine by Three, *Harpers Bazaar *Australia contributor and Sydney law student Margaret Zhang may be juggling a lot of balls in life, but she's all laid-back confidence when it comes to her style.
The specific reason she has earned her place as a contestant in our The Debrief Dissectsseries? The fact that MZ embraces things that no-one else would dare and looks bloody brilliant while doing it. We’d describe Margeret's look as ‘quirky tough’ – think tons of graphic prints, with lashings of omnipresent leather. And it works. Here's why…**
Lesson 1: Pick what no-one else wants to wear. You'll look awesome
You’ve probably seen it on Pinterest about 487 times by now, but when Margaret visited Topshop HQ to pull together an outfit for the Topshop Unique AW14 show, she was met with a collective silence from the Topshop gals. ‘They all looked at me a little strangely, confirming that nobody had even considered any of the pieces I'd selected.’ Margaret told The Debrief.
We say, go Margaret – fighting the great fight against normcore like another radulous individual. ‘I am drawn to interesting silhouettes and unconvential colours, and once I've imagined something, there’s no going back!’ Margaret laughs. And why not? That orange Topshop coat is elevated into excellence with her red reflective sunnies and limited edition pearl choker by BFF blogger Vanessa Hong's THP Shop.
Lesson 2: Pull graphic prints together with a grey coat
Margaret’s a big fan of graphic prints (worn with her raft of mirrored sunnies), but typically balances things out with muted accessories. ‘Any kind of neutral coat, be that black, grey, khaki or camel is a great buffer for mad prints that may be a little more editorial than street,’ she explains. Note the pared-back ballerina bun, black Acne Pistol boots and grey crombie coat draped over her shoulders (she’s the ultimate coat rober), which balances the fun with the sedate to avoid print overkill.
Lesson 3: Toughen up a girly skirt by layering it over leather trousers
The subtlest interpreter of the ‘skirt over trousers’ trend, Margaret layers a pair of tight black leather trousers under a stiff printed skirt, as you would a pair of tights. ‘I’m not a girly girl’ Margaret admits. ‘So I layer pants underneath my skirts. I also like the silhouette.’ Not only does it keep her warm (presumably), but it edges up a printed bomber hoodie, skater skirt and tweed jacket into something much tougher. Neat trick.
Lesson 4: A tartan shirt is your most versatile staple. Why not take it to the bright lights?
‘Oh God, I love a tartan shirt,’ says Margaret. ‘Most of them are my boyfriend's – he hasn't realised that I have a lot of them yet...’ She's also a keen purveyor of Equipment's silk and sheer shirts – like this multi-coloured tartan one, which she cleverly clashes with a constrasting check Pierre Hardy clutch. A blue or red tartan shirt is an enduringly useful staple, but look: she’s proof a slightly brighter one looks with black leather.
Lesson 5: Live and breathe colour, but still take a walk on the B&W side
No-one loves zingy prints more than Margaret (except maybe Anna Della Russo), but sometimes it’s easiest just to look slick as anything in a black and white leather-cum-cotton combo and some fierce black bootwear. ‘A pair of Haider Ackerman’s lace-up booties are on my wish list,’ she notes. It’s really difficult to get black leather trousers and a white T-shirt wrong. The key is in the proportions: keep one half baggy, one half tight – doesn’t matter which. Sorted.
Lesson 6: A chambray shirt and jeans can still be directional
A humble chambray shirt and pair of loose jeans are razzed up with a statement necklace, gigantic knee rips and a pair of court shoes.‘There probably weren’t as many rips in there in the beginning, but I’m such a bumbling mess in the mornings that I’ve stuck my feet through them enough times for them to be on trend!’
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Pictures: Vanessa Jackman, Jason Lloyd-Evans, Rex
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.