SPRING STYLE ACCORDING TO TWO LOCAL STYLE EXPERTS

Images: Supplied

You blink once and next thing you know, the season of wearing less and going out more is upon us. The days are longer, the sun shines a little brighter and we conjure up whatever excuse necessary to be out there instead of in here. For many of us, spring represents new beginnings and a chance to reinvent ourselves. And if that thing called change is too grave and serious a task for you, your wardrobe is always a more lighthearted and cathartic place to begin. We sought style advice for the new season from two names that feature regularly on any best-dressed list: Set designer/model Tracy Mokgopo and artist/fashion designer Thabo Kopele who share their tips and tricks for a flourishing spring wardrobe below. 

Describe your spring style in 3 words.

Colourful, eclectic, chic OR Show more skin. 

Share your ultimate spring style tip.

Keep it light and comfy. Play around with colour too, opposite colours compliment each other very well.

How do you update/rearrange your wardrobe for spring? 

I usually go through my old pictures and look at old looks to see what I can redo or mix and match. I’ve been trying to shop less because I get gifted a lot of clothes which I’m grateful for. I give away clothes 2-3 times a year so I fill up that big garbage bag with old clothes, donate those and then try to build outfits with what I have left.

What do you deem ‘spring essentials’? 

A well-tailored pair of jeans, a maxi dress, the perfect miniskirt for a night out and a floral scent to have you smelling good.

Your dream spring outfit?

My dream spring outfit would be a stunning Lukhanyo Mdingi dress with mules in the daytime. For the night time, a draped Jacquemus dress with Loewe rose sandals and little evening clutch (I’m trying to carry less), I’ll hold a cashmere sweater just in case the weather changes.

Who is currently on your style radar? 

IG users melissabon and chanelncrocs don’t really have the same taste but I like their individual style. I’ve followed the latter user for years and I enjoy seeing someone’s style evolve.

Do you think style icons still exist? If so, what do you think constitutes one? 

Yes, they certainly do exist. I think being daring with your style and setting some form of long lasting trend makes you a style icon and the person that comes to mind is Tracee Ellis ross. I think she has a great sense of style which keeps getting better with age.

If you could compile a spring survival kit, what items would go in it? 

Sunscreen, once again a really good pair of jeans that go with almost anything (I want to say the Levi’s 505s), sunglasses, a very good music playlist because music gets you anything and tons of water to keep you hydrated at all times.

Which 3 songs are definitely going on your spring playlist? 

Roho’s Home Safe, João Gilberto’s Wonderful and Kelela’s Contact.

Your spring/summer holiday destination is….

Definitely Cape Town, from mid November until the beginning of summer. I usually get there before my friend’s birthday. We both love the city and ocean. We unintentionally made it a tradition to spend our birthdays in Cape Town. I try to return to the city again right around my birthday in February to catch the last days of summer there.

How would you define your spring style?

In my personal capacity I’m really leaning towards stronger rusted colour palettes and pairing them with muted shades of apricots to keep the mood fresh. I’m making use of light linens and muslin based fabrics in the shirt-coats, over-shirts and flannels for the slightly nippier days of this coming season.

Share your ideal outfit for warmer weather.

A black Broke sporting goods cap or my ever so infamous beanie that I wear on almost every occasion, paired with a sleeveless tank vest from Boyde Official (tucked in) and an unbuttoned green and white “Okocha 10” shirt from Kasi Flavour. Combined with a pair of selvedge Ivisu or Levi’s denim jeans that have a rough cut and unravelling hem with a well-pressed single turn-up. Concluded with a black pair of Weejuns loafers from GH Bass. 

Your spring survival kit consists of…

My personalised Levi’ 501 tote bag, two notebooks, my hand sanitiser, a small hand sewing kit for any wardrobe malfunction emergencies, sunscreen, a 5ml refillable bottle of Lacoste White oil essence, allergen pills for the pollen and hand lotion.

What key textures are you looking to experiment with this spring?

I would love to include more spring/summer knits both in short and long sleeves, some more usage of double pleat tapered trousers and more slides, whether they’re Birkenstocks, Jonathan D, or even Loro Piana summer walk mules. Investment into a slide is essential.

Your spring survival kit consists of…

My personalised Levi’ 501 tote bag, two notebooks, my hand sanitiser, a small hand sewing kit for any wardrobe malfunction emergencies, sunscreen, a 5ml refillable bottle of Lacoste White oil essence, allergen pills for the pollen and hand lotion.

What inspires your aesthetic?

Anything minimal, clean and well put together. This can easily range from spaces I see on the internet, outfits I see people wear or even furniture (which has become my new found love).

Quick tips for capsule wardrobe update.

Stick to staples, and expand from there when you have to. You can achieve a sense of elevated wardrobe items when you start with the basics and sometimes you can even get the very same basics that are simply elevated in how they are designed. For example, instead of buying a simple white shirt made from poly cotton fabrics, you can get a more natural fabric so as to achieve a textured feel to the basic white button up shirt. So start simple and build from there. 

Your spring survival kit consists of…

My personalised Levi’ 501 tote bag, two notebooks, my hand sanitiser, a small hand sewing kit for any wardrobe malfunction emergencies, sunscreen, a 5ml refillable bottle of Lacoste White oil essence, allergen pills for the pollen and hand lotion.

What inspires your aesthetic?

Anything minimal, clean and well put together. This can easily range from spaces I see on the internet, outfits I see people wear or even furniture (which has become my new found love)

Quick tips for capsule wardrobe update.

Stick to staples, and expand from there when you have to. You can achieve a sense of elevated wardrobe items when you start with the basics and sometimes you can even get the very same basics that are simply elevated in how they are designed. For example, instead of buying a simple white shirt made from poly cotton fabrics, you can get a more natural fabric so as to achieve a textured feel to the basic white button up shirt. So start simple and build from there. 

Which three songs/albums are ushering you into the new season.

These songs might be slightly older but A Million by Vividry, Hymn For Hani by Kujenga, and Use It by Oscar Jerome. 

Share a scent you feel encapsulates the air of spring.

It’s definitely Lacoste L.12.12 Blanc Eau de Parfum. 

Describe your perfect spring day. 

It always on the city I’m in. Joburg spring day would consist of a very slow morning then it’s followed by brunch at 44 Stanley, a trip to Emmarentia Dam for a session of feeding ducks or even using those pale boats to interact with the ducks, then ending the day at anyone of the rooftop restaurants in the city. In Cape Town, the day either starts at the beach with a sunrise view or it ends at the beach with a sunset view but the interim would be filled with a wholesome trip down south to Kalk Bay and enjoying fresh seafood from Kalkys.