The style edit: lazy oaf and selena’s shop
Hey, welcome to my balloon lair and the very beginning of The Style Edit. I've chosen one of my all-time favourite brands and a vintage shop; in an attempt to marry both worlds at the hands of a styling wiz. Today, my brand of choice is the whimsical Lazy Oaf, who's been a lover of mine since 09'. Founded by mastermind Gemma Sheil, Lazy Oaf has progressively captured hearts with its quirky illustrations and call to action for all misfits alike, a go-to for quality pieces that make your inner child backflip. For me, Lazy Oaf is nostalgia in motion - so pairing it with vintage pieces from the '60s and beyond seemed just about right. Enter, Selena's Shop.
Photo: Selena Williams
Meet Sheffield based vintage seller Selena Williams; Mum-to-be, owner of Selena's Shop and purveyor of all things retro. Selena takes pride in handpicking her items, specialising in women's vintage from the '60s through to the '90s. Selena's styling ability has grown along with her shop - and she’s still making waves at nine months pregnant. I'd kept my chosen Oaf items a secret before our shoot and was awestruck by her seamless alignment of Oaf and Selena's shop within literal seconds - true second nature. I'd turned away for an Insta scroll, only to glance up and see each look laid out perfectly, every colour bouncing off the next in striking unison.
Amy: ‘How did your love for styling begin?’
Selena: “Probably when I started the shop, which was around two years ago. The thing with vintage is that it doesn’t appeal to everybody, so I wanted to make items look more wearable through the styling. I began dressing up my items in a more modern way, making them accessible for everyone. I liked to play around with layering, pairing different textures - LOT’S of clashing. This is when I realised how fun styling could be and I started to try on looks I might not particularly wear myself, mixing in my own style with the 70s (my favourite era) and bold prints!”
Photo (look one): Cardigan, Lazy oaf. Striped Jumpsuit, Selena’s shop. Socks, Lazy oaf (old). Shoes, Crocs
Selena's outfit choices were not necessarily anything I would have conjured up myself. But wearing them in a sea of balloons (second-hand balloons, may I add) made me feel like the queen of everything. We all know that It's not really about what your outfit looks like and more about how it makes you feel. That's basic, entry-level, 'be yourself' spiel. Knowing this, we still resist a colour combo because it's "never to be seen" or put something back that we LOVE because it just doesn't 'suit' us for some (no) reason. Well, I've decided that if you love it - It probably suits you. Go get it.
I've 100% worn things that have inspired a few 'what are those???' glances, and in the past, I might have thrown whatever it was to the back of my wardrobe - condemning it in shame. But in this age, we cannot care about fleeting opinions from strangers, I've said it before, and I'll say it again; It's a form of self-care, NOT to care. Completely freeing. Give your brain a break and your body the garms it deserves - We owe it to ourselves.
Amy: ‘Who is your go-to brand for styling inspiration/s?’
Selena: “My personal fave is Gucci (Which I’ll probably never be able to afford but I can dream on haha) I absolutely love all of Gucci’s shoots, editorial… runway. I love that they’re heavily inspired by the 70s. Their use of colours, accessories, layering - it’s just incredible! So dreamy & chic. I defo take a lot of my inspiration from them.“
Amy: ‘And on social media?’
Selena: “I have a few that I’ve found through instagram, like Marie Wibe Jedig, whos style is very pastel with bold shillouettes - a nice mix of masculine and feminine (which is quite like my personal style) I love her use of colours. I also love María Bernad’s style - again very 70’s inspired - which I’ll say again, is my favourite era haha - also very cool and collected, so well put togther… great mixtures of vintage and new.”
Photo (look two): Dress, Lazy Oaf. Shirt, Monki. Tights, Selena’s shop. Shoes, Buffalo. Adorable pooch; Otis (it’s ok, you can thank me later for providing that link/serotonin boost)
My third and final look was the highlight of the whole shoot for me. I tend to steer clear of neon. I don't think I've ever really been drawn to it (unless its a fresh set of neon nails in the summer; I won't say no to a bit of that). When I saw this neon-ish Oaf Jumper on the website, though, I thought.. meh, let's do something different. If you'd have told me we'd be pairing it with pastels, I probs would have scoffed. But Selena obviously knew what she was doing - so I went with it, and it turned out to be the standout look of them all, a true underdog.
Photo (look three): Jumper, Lazy Oaf. Skirt, Selena’s shop. Tights, Selena’s shop.
Amy: ‘whats your idea of the perfect everyday outfit?’
Selena: My perfect go-to outfit would be a good pair of chunky platform boots - I just love platform, comfy but such a bold look and a bit of extra height. I’d wear them with a pair of funky trousers, probably something colourful or cigarette pants. I love some high waisted tailored trouser/pant style (which I’ve not been able to wear for the past nine months because I’m pregnant haha) and then, yeah, just a cute top or fun 70s shirt. I’d have to add a bold coat, my favourites are penny lane or afghan style - something with a fur trim! I think every outfit for me coming from Autumn/winter to spring is chunky boots and, like, a really good coat.
Credits:
Photography / Styling by Selena Williams.
Creative direction by Selena Williams and Amy Jackson.
Writing by Amy Jackson.