Jason Harris
Emma Barrett is originally from Brighton, UK, but now living in London. She’s a content creator on Instagram who produces pictures and reels showing affordable and wearable fashion. She wasn’t always a content creator – her background is originally in construction. However, she finally found the courage in September 2021 to start taking her Instagram seriously and share her style with others. She loves that content creation has brought her closer to other creators and loves connecting with her followers.
StarCentral Magazine recently caught up with Emma to discuss her journey as a fashionista and here’s what went down:
Where do you usually shop? Are there any hidden gems when it comes to snapping up some awesome designer clothes?
I buy my outfits from a whole range of different shops. My entire style and platform is about promoting affordable fashion that also looks expensive. My go-to shops are; Vero Moda, Zara, H&M, Weekend, and ASOS. I think the best thing is to look for great staple items – if you spend a little bit more on these items, you will be able to use them to create many different outfits.
What are your top tips when it comes to fashion for the cooler months?
Layering! It’s a bit cliché, but layering is the only way I get through the colder months. I am constantly cold – whether outside or in the office, I always make sure to wrap up. I will always wear tights/ leggings/ thermals/vests underneath my clothes! Once this is paired with a good jumper and coat, no one can tell, and it helps you stay warm and fashionable.
Where do you look for creative inspiration?
I get inspiration from various sources, but my go-to is definitely Instagram and Pinterest. Whenever I don’t know how to style something or am looking for inspiration, I will type in keywords on these platforms and take inspiration from others.
Is it hard to stay fashionable?
Definitely! I think with the way fashion and media are going that it’s very difficult to stay fashionable. I try to go for more staple items that can be interchanged and tend not to go out of style as quickly.
How do you walk the line between being unique and having commercial appeal?
I think it’s very difficult to balance between these two. I would say that my style is to be wearable and fashionable at the same time. This means that I typically wear more commercial items; however, I try not to buy trends that would have a short shelf life and wear things that feel unique to my style/ are more timeless.
Are there any key trends you’ve seen for this year?
Stripes are definitely in at the moment – stripe jumpers are a go too, perfect to transition your wardrobe from winter to spring. I’m also hoping to see some longer-length tops come back into fashion (rather than crop tops). My style is constantly evolving as I get older, and I am definitely considering more ‘practical’ pieces for my wardrobe.
What do you think about the state of fashion today?
I think that the fashion industry is more fast-paced than ever. However, I think this has meant that there isn’t necessarily one style that is ‘in.’ I personally am seeing a whole range of different styles and outfits being simultaneously trendy, which I hadn’t previously seen before.
What are the clothes we can rid our wardrobes of that are considered very ‘last season’?
I’m not sure anyone should necessarily get rid of clothes that are ‘last season. Although we live in a very fast-paced fashion society, we also live in the most accepting of fashion. If you have an item in your wardrobe that is ‘last season’ but you still like it – why not wear it still?! I do! I have items in my wardrobe that I’ve had for ten-plus years and consider staple items. Having a good sort out of your wardrobe for things that you will no longer use is also good, and a great way to get rid of these is donating to charity for a second life.
What fashion advice would you give an emerging fashionista?
Don’t care about what other people think. I was very fashion-shy when I was younger, and I cared a lot about what people thought about me. I think the best thing to do is to try and shift your mindset to being open to exploring new things – it’s okay to change your style too! I’m constantly evolving and ‘improving’ my style, and some people may think that this is not who I am, but it definitely is. Just keep going, and you’ll find the fashion sense that you feel comfortable in.
The fashion industry has changed so much in the past few years; what’s the best advice you would give for staying ahead of the curve?
Research new trends through both Instagram and Pinterest – follow your favourite content creators and see what’s out there! TikTok is also a great way to see different styles through fun trends. It can be hard to necessarily ‘predict’ what trends will be in, but if you see something new that you like – wear it!
Jason Harris
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