How To Look Informal But Smart At The Same Time? Follow Natasha Goldenberg’s Lead

The pint-sized Russian streetstyler is famed for her distinctly un-prissy take on fashion week

AW14StyleM-1247

by Pandora Sykes |
Published on

One of the Russian massif – the ‘oligarch wife’ crew that also includes model, Elena Perminova and digital entrepeneur Miroslava Duma – who commands an entire fleet of streetstyle photographers every fashion week, stylist and consultant Natasha Goldenberg is famed for her informal take on fashion week it-girl-dom (think tracksuits and sneakers to offset the coloured fur and Céline staples) as much as she is her love of colour. ‘I hate looking too dressed up!’ she once told The Couveteur and streetstyle photographer Tommy Ton told her that trainers were her ‘thing’ before they were, well, everyone else’s ‘thing’, too.

READ MORE: Practicool Is The New Wave Of Fashion We're Totally Buying Into

So, if you want to look like you’ve got shit down (spanking the trends that you like rather than them spanking you) and without looking like you’ve over-egged the metaphorical cake, then take lessons from Ms Goldenberg; or let us do the hard work for you, as we pull apart her meticolously eclectic looks for this week’s Debrief Dissects.

READ MORE: 12 Style Tips To Steal From London Fashion Week

Mix it up – within a palette

AW14StyleP-1428
 

There’s plenty going on here – as always from Natasha. A chambray shirt, suede embroidered Marni skirt, ribbed tights and block print heels. But the key is that it’s all of a muted palette. Browns, greys, greens – with a pop of multi-seasonal denim blue.

Wear the tracksuit, but intro some structure elsewhere

 

Yes, she is actually wearing a tracksuit. She's even chopped off the hems like you used to do at school. Of course she’s also chucked what looks like a Burberry cape over the top, added a complimentary bobble hat (a Natasha staple) and a contrasting, very structured bag. Take non-structured clothes and add structured accessories. Huzzah!

The time is night for a statement faux fur coat

 

It’s likely that Natasha’s coat is genuine rather than faux fur, but to keep things non-political may we suggest Shrimps faux fur, or, if you can’t afford that, hit up Warehouse. Packs such a statement all you need is a pair of indigo jeans and oversized white shirt underneath. That said, a bright little box bag and some statement sunglasses – plus red lipstick – will never go amiss. Obviously.

Your summer suit can work in winter, too

 

The sky blue gingham suit may seem a co-ord relegated to summer, but look how it works for winter, too: add a grey knit and some chunky black boots and sunglasses and it’s as good for rainy autumn as it is the blazing summer.

Oversized can be the easy route to ‘informal sexy’

 

A beanie, an ankle-length skirt, a fuzzy knit: so far, so not very sexy. But when she sizes up her Stella McCartney fuzzy tartan V-neck and shoves it off one shoulder (sans bra strap)? Suddenly, instantly, informally sexy. What a pro.

Use your accessories to change gear

 

A monochrome suit, with white heels and a black necklace is all very ‘one direction’ – but an embroidered clutch bag sporting the colours and patterns of a Russian doll? Makes things a ton more fun.

Like this? Then you might be interested in...

The Best Kept ASOS Secrets - As Told By The New ASOS Stylists

Blogger Saray Martin's Style Proves Once Again That Spanish Girls Know How To Work The High Street

Lessons From Margaret Zhang On How To Wear What No-One Else Dares

Follow Pandora on Twitter @pinsykes

Pictures: Jason Lloyd-Evans, Getty, Rex

This article originally appeared on The Debrief.

Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us