Three Looks with Doria Santlofer

I'm influenced by the fashion shows and new collections because I look at them constantly for work, but I'm most inspired by people watching both in NY where I live or when I travel. I love seeing the characters in the East Village by my house and then going uptown for an afternoon and looking at the older women of the Upper East Side. I was also very excited by the style I saw in Jamaica this summer and spent a lot of time looking in the shops and markets there. In general, I love when people have a distinctive style or an element that feels completely genuine and their own that doesn't feel dictated by the latest trend. I usually look at vintage for inspiration. Digging through a flea market or thrift store requires great patience and, I think, hones my eye. The majority of my closet is either designer vintage (TRR!) or thrift - it's the sustainable option and usually looks better anyway.

Wear what feels comfortable and don't be afraid to try on different looks. Clothes are fun because you can change your mind and have a new look day to day. For me, it's helpful to have a core uniform and a few staples that always make me feel good, but I love experimenting with accessories and adding something new, season to season. For instance, I gravitate towards a high waist and think it flatters my body, but this season I'm wearing wider leg styles and suit pants, which is new for me. Aside from that, my advice would be to avoid piling on too many trends. It's great to look at the collections for inspiration, but for the most part, runway trends are best used sparingly and simplicity is underrated.