The way we get dressed every morning is as personal as it gets. There are outfit repeaters, vintage treasure hunters, and even emotional dressers. But while everyone loves a good fashion trend, here at InStyle, we’re interested in the deeper stuff, too: the way jewelry makes us feel, the way a beloved coat can spark joy on a cold day, the way a pair of shoes can pull a whole look together. How I Get Dressed unpacks fashion routines, rituals, and go-tos — straight from the fashion tastemakers we love.
Devon Lee Carlson has one of the most enviable closets on the internet. Undoubtedly, she’s influenced someone you know—maybe your TikTok-obsessed roommate who Googled the closest vintage store in pursuit of a buckle-embellished handbag or your Zillennial friend who’s convinced they do, in fact, need that leopard-print skirt set. The certified It girl showed the world that the only appropriate way to protect your phone is with a case covered in cherries, polka dots, or cherubs through Wildflower Cases, which she co-founded with her mom, Michelle, and sister, Sydney. And with an Instagram feed that reads like a travel magazine spread, plenty of thrifted and designer treasures, billboard-worthy glam, and, of course, megawatt smile, Carlson’s online presence reminds her 1.5 million followers of the joy and fun of girlhood.
She is basically the girl you want to be friends with—with a wardrobe you’d love to raid. And, now, you kinda can.
Courtesy of Reformation
Carlson has partnered with Reformation to release an already viral collection of party tops, going out dresses, and gag-worthy footwear. The drop, according to the official look book, is for “getting ready to go out with the girls,” a beloved ritual that calls to mind dancing to karaoke pop hits, shaking up martinis, and swapping clothes.
“I started designing the collection by texting my friends and asking them what they would steal from my closet if they could,” Carlson tells InStyle. “I love emphasizing my feminine side and wanted everyone wearing the collection to feel like the main character in their favorite rom com.” Her creative process included playing with heart-shaped buttons, hiding secret messages (“xoxo”) in ballet flats, and deciding what to embellish with a bow, frill, or ruffle.
Seeing her vision come to life during behind-the-scenes fittings elicited exclamations of “Ugh, so cute!” and “Ooh, I love it!” from the model-turned-phone case mogul. Here, Carlson talks about dressing up as a deeply emotional affair, the Y2K icons who inspired her designs, and why she can’t stop buying vintage.
Her Outfit Formula
“Jeans and a T-shirt or a dress and ballet flats.”
Her Jewelry Philosophy
“I’m pretty minimalist and very picky when it comes to jewelry. Unless I’m dressing up, in an everyday setting, I like wearing things that are meaningful. I love heirlooms. I wore this one pair of diamond huggies for five years straight. I wear a necklace most days from my boyfriend that has a stop sign and says, ‘I’ll never stop loving you.'”
Courtesy
Her New Clothes Philosophy
“Growing up, I was a saver, and as I’ve gotten older, I tend to wear things more immediately. I buy a lot of vintage, though, so I typically clean it before I wear it.”
Her Vintage Obsession
“I mainly shop vintage! That’s one of the things I love about Reformation—the limited production model makes everything feel special, plus they also sell vintage. We’ve done a few Wildflower pop-ups at Reformation Vintage on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles over the years. I go through phases of hyperfixation within vintage. Right now, it’s evening bags.”
What She’d Save From Her Closet in an Emergency
“I can actually answer this one literally. My boyfriend’s mom doesn’t have a daughter, so she gave me her beautiful vintage Galliano dress from the ’90s. When the fires hit L.A. earlier this year, it’s one of the things I grabbed before we evacuated.”
Courtesy of Reformation
Closet Item With the Best Back Story
“Probably the Galliano dress. It’s too special to share, so I knew I wanted to recreate it as part of my collection with Reformation. It has this beautiful scarf that is super emotional and can be styled in so many different ways. We made it into a two piece that can be worn together for a special occasion look or day-to-day as separates.”
How She Dresses for the Red Carpet vs. Every Day
“I always start getting dressed by thinking about the setting I’m going to be in. At home, it’s always comfy clothes. If I’m going out or dressing up, I think about what kind of vibe I want. Do I want to feel pretty or hot or cool or girly? Who am I going to see? What are we doing? Sometimes I spend weeks planning a look, and sometimes things come together super last minute, and I don’t have time to overthink it at all.”
How She Feels About Fashion Trends
“People should wear whatever they want. I think less about clothing in terms of fashion trends and more as a form of expression and a way to show who you are and how you feel.”
Courtesy
Her Style Inspiration
“I named every piece in the collection after a woman who influenced me in some way. Both real and fictional. My mom and sister, Cher from Clueless, Lizzie McGuire, etc.”
How Her Style Has Evolved
“I experimented more when I was younger, and I’m so glad I did, but I wouldn’t necessarily wear those things now. I think I just know more about what I like and what works for me. I definitely respect quality more.”
Read the original article on InStyle
