Leandra Medine of The Man Repeller made The Webster her home for a weekend where she met her fans and held one-on-one styling sessions.
Arm party and all, Leandra is exactly what you would expect in person -- lanky, goofy, and with a killer sense of style.
The blogueuse helped me amp up my man-repelling game with some of her expert tips. It didn't take much digging before she pulled out a pastel-hued, daisy print blouse and a nude leather jacket. As a short girl, I don't have the luxury of pulling off just any trend, which is why I was surprised when she pulled out a pair of beige, high-waisted trousers.
"No! It's a myth that short girls can't pull off high-waisted styles -- typically, when you wear high-waisted pants, you have to wear heels since they're so long and you actually look taller."
After my styling session and a short girl pep talk, we sat down for a chat where she spilled the news on her recent engagement, dished on her upcoming book, as well as the trends she's most looking forward to for spring.
New Times: What are your current style inspirations?
Leandra Medine: My style inspirations are
always the same. I'm very inspired by 1920's Paris, old films, animated
Disney characters, and little jolts of whatever is on the runway.
Would you say you were born a Man Repeller?
Yea,
I always say that style is innate. You can try and craft your style and
mean something or make something, but typically if you are one way, you
stay that way. So I would say that I definitely always had that little
pizzazz. I went to a very religious Jewish day school growing up and I
wore a uniform, so I think that leaving that school definitely helped me
express my style. I was sort of over-compensating for the first three
or four years I was out of high school just because I felt I was so
restricted growing up, that I felt like I wanted to do more than I
should have done.
What's the prized possession in your closet right now?
Everything
in my closet is precious to me, but it would probably have to be this
old, old, green velvet John Galliano bolero that my grandmother wore to
my parents wedding. She gave it to me. I never really wear it 'cause
it's so aggressive, but it's definitely special to me.
How often do you come across a guy that appreciates your man repelling style?
It's
actually funny. I would say the man-repelling typically yields man-propelling, just because when you're man-repelling, you're sort of
testifying that you're dressing for yourself in the way that you want to
be dressing, so the confidence factor is huge. And generally speaking,
whether or not you're wearing a jumpsuit or drop crotch pants, if a guy
senses confidence, that's the sexiest thing of all. I would say that
since I started the blog people are actually more attracted to me
because I feel like it's given me vindication. But I don't have dating
problems. I'm actually getting married [laughs].
Miami girls
don't have the luxury of layering very much since it's so hot. What are
other ways Miami fashionistas can man repel?
Well, it's hot, and I'm
wearing a long skirt with a muscle tank, a little belt, and booties.
It's not something that would typically appeal to men. But I would say
anything sort of tent-shaped, maxi skirts, loose fit everything. If
you're wearing something sheer, try to go for a little granny panty
underneath.
What new projects are you currently working on?
My
book is my next big project and that's what I'm working on right now. I
think it'll come out at the beginning of 2013. It will take a bit of
time for the production of it, but it's coming along, it's coming along.
What do you think of Miami? Have you been here before?
I
come here a lot. Like I said, my family is Jewish, so we spend almost
every Passover here in Aventura where we have an apartment. I come
often, sometimes for New Year's -- it's a quick two hours away from the
city and great for some sun and tanning.
Any items here at The Webster that have caught your eye so far?
Yes!
There's a pair of Hawaiian print Stella McCartney shorts that I
absolutely love and a billowy, tent-shaped pink Marc Jacobs dress. But
we'll see. I told myself I wasn't going to shop in January, but of
course that's proving to be really hard here.
What trends for spring 2012 are you looking forward to most?
I'm
super excited for all the lightweight denim, all the bold splashes
everywhere, the tropical prints, and the splashes of orange color.
We all want to know, what shoes you are wearing.
These are a pair of Proenza Schouler zip-up lazer-cut booties from last season actually.
--Vanessa Martin
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