In my room: Cara Crosby-Irons
Name: Cara Crosby-Irons Age: 19 Follow: @caracrosbyi Born: London Minimalist or maximalist: Minimalist
“IN MY ROOM” IS A COLUMN DEDICATED TO EXPLORE AND CELEBRATE INDIVIDUAL STYLE. WE are LOOKING INSIDE THE WARDROBE, BUT INSTEAD OF DISCOVERING NARNIA, WE ARE SEARCHING FOR PIECES THAT TELL STORIES OF IDENTITY AND experimentation.
This time, Cara Crosby-Irons is inviting you inside her bedroom in north-west London.
We were greeted by Cara’s big smile and the gentle scent of burning incense as she opened her front door. She makes us some licorice tea, while she and her mother tells us about their last visit to Voss in Norway. Then, we make our way up the narrow staircase to her room, and it is time for Cara to show off her most treasured pieces, as she answers all the questions you may have about her style; from how it came to be to the one trend she absolutely hates.
What does a typical day in your life look like?
I currently spend my days fueling my creating endeavors which would mean writing and singing songs, reading, and watching films.
Describe your personal style and how it came to be.
One of my main inspiration sources for style would have to be music. I grew up listening to rock, reggae, hip hop and jazz. Each music genre have different styles that come with it, which I think have naturally blended togehter over the years. Maybe you could say my style is unpredictable, and it comes together naturally without me putting too much counscious thought into it. I often surprise myself with that I like.
No one in my family has ever been into fashion. My grandmother used to make clothes for the family because they could not afford what were on sale at the time. She made my mom’s church clothes, uniforms and daily-wear. I have taken a lot of influence from pictures of my mom from when she was younger, but I like to get influence from a lot of places, and then add my own twist to it. It is never strictly all me or all them. I just take bits from here and there.
What is your daily uniform?
It would have to be a white vest and a pair of good jeans.
Do you plan your outfits the day before or depending on the mood of the day?
At heart, I am big planner and often start planing an outfit for special occations months before - but for a regular day I would just go with what I am feeling for in the moment.
What clothing items are you most comfortable in vs what pieces make you feel powerful?
My suit makes me feel really powerful. I think it is because suits used to never be marketed at women. Although it is more accepted now, I still think there is some stigma. A lot of girls feel like they have to find ways to make the overall look more feminine if they wear suits; wether it is a pair of heels, a pair of earrings, a full face of makeup or a bold red lip. When you can wear a suit with some trainers and minimal makeup, you are brave in a sense, because you are going against the idea of what femininity is meant to look like. When you cut things down to the basics and are quite minimalist with it, I think that shows a lot of power.
For comfort, I would say my Air Forces and my tracks because they are so slouchy and you cannot go wrong with them. You decide if you want to glem them up a bit, but they are still going to be so comfy, which is perfect for the London weather.
Any style icons?
Not anyone in particular. It always changes depening on my mood. If I had to choose one, it would have to be Rihanna as she weares all these insane outfits but they always look good on her. For style inspiration I find myself scrolling through 90s photos on Tumblr of the hiphop, theatre, and girlband communities. That era had such a good style.
What is important to you when you shop?
Will I wear it more than once? Will I still like it in a year's time? Does it suit me? I think a lot of us follow trends, but we do not deal with the fact that it might just not suit us. I try to ask myself: “Are you buying this just because it is popular at the moment? Or are you buying it because you actually think it suits you and it will last you in a year's time?”
Where do you usually shop?
I do a lot of second-hand shopping in charity shops and on Depop, there are so many good pieces there! For basics, like tanks and tees, I tend to go to more popular retail stores, but that often means lower quality. Pretty Little Things is my guilty pleasure, but the last time I got a dress from there, I only got two hours wear out of it. I was so upset but I guess I should have seen it coming.
Name three pieces from your closet which you cannot live without.
1) My pinstripe suit is really special to me. If a woman can make a suit look really good, I think that shows a lot of femininity.
2) I have this 90s leopard print tank which is kind of a corsette but at the same time not, which is really nice.
3) My brown leather biker-jacket which I got second-hand in Notting Hill. It is the kind of jacket you end up throwing on every day, even though you were planning on “trying something new”.
Name one artist and one fashion brand you will like to see collab on a clothing line?
Definantly Rihanna and Cucci! I can already imagine the incredible campaign they would do together.
One trend you hope never sees the light of day again and one trend you would like to see make a comeback?
I hate trends in general to be honest. We are living in a time of instant gratification where we see something and immediately have to have it. Instead of focusing on what is trendy and needing to get whatever is on-trend, I think we should be shopping what suits us and what we personally like at the moment.
One trend in particular that I do not want to come back is skinny jeans. Maybe they never quite left, but I do not think they should ever have been made. I am not going to say I never wore them, but looking back, I have my regrets… However, one trend I would like to see make a come-back is flares. I think people are being quite safe with flares at the moment, but I want to see really high-waist 70s ones. Not the mix where they are skinny jeans with a bit of flare, no, I want proper wide legs flowing in the wind everywhere you step.
What is currently in your shopping cart?
I bought some Jordans today, which had been in my shopping cart for a while. As I am going on holiday soon, I also have an orange beach skirt in my shopping cart. I would also really like a red Chinese oriental top as I love the print so much. But most of all, I am trying to cut down on how much I am buying, and rather appreciate what I have at the moment. This is for the obvious reason: Sustainability.
A style you would like to explore more in 2020?
Usually I am a “trainers and jeans” kind of person; a quite slouchy person with really baggy trousers and tracksuits. But this year I would like to wear more dresses, heels and glam, especially when the sun's out.
