More information on Chloë’s monthly Elle (UK) style column, “Ask Chloë”.

• Introduction
• Column Citations
• Column Online

In late January 2008, as part of the magazine’s complete overhaul, Chloë Sevigny was revealed as UK fashion magazine Elle’s new “style advisor” by editor-in-chief Lorraine Candy. From The Guardian:

It has been a busy start to the year for Elle’s editor-in-chief Lorraine Candy. The latest issue of the style glossy showcases a comprehensive overhaul and facelift, which includes a raft of new fashion supplements, a less cluttered cover, big-name snapper signings – including Mary McCartney – and the arrival of actress Chloë Sevigny as the magazine’s “style advisor”.

“For the next six months Sevigny will be answering letters about style for us,” says Candy, sitting across the table in her cramped Mayfair office. “‘Style advisor’ is not just a title – she’ll really be doing it, she has a column. She is not someone who’s instantly recognisable – she couldn’t go on a Glamour or Cosmopolitan cover, she could only go on an Elle cover to be honest. But what we’re saying with this [signing] is that this magazine is about fashion and style – and next month we’ve got someone who the author Jay McInerney once called ‘the most stylish girl in the world’ on the cover.”

The column “Ask Chloë” (or “Ask Chloe“, rather) was launched alongside a cover and inside feature of Chloë in the March 2008 issue of the magazine. Her last column was published in the November 2008 issue.

You’ll find the column featured in the following issues of the magazine:

• Elle (UK) Mar 2008 issue: Scans
• Elle (UK) Apr 2008 issue: Scans
• Elle (UK) May 2008 issue: Scans
• Elle (UK) Jun 2008 issue: Scans
• Elle (UK) Jul 2008 issue: Scans
• Elle (UK) Aug 2008 issue: Scans
• Elle (UK) Sep 2008 issue: Scans
• Elle (UK) Oct 2008 issue: Scans
• Elle (UK) Nov 2008 issue: Scans

Below is a selection of Chloë quotations from her monthly style column.

From Elle, March 2008 issue:

On buying jeans of best fit:
“I’m still looking for the perfect pair — I’ve been searching since ninth grade! I think if you’re wider at the hips, it’s more slimming to have a higher-waisted jean, because it draws attention to your small waist, rather than having a lower waistband that runs across the widest part of your hips. I like a high waist with a wide leg, which is very flattering on most body types.”

On buying jeans of best fit:
“All that stitching and stuff around the pockets can draw the eye to the areas you don’t want the eye to be drawn to. Jeans are something you wear every day, a wardrobe staple, so if you find a pair that look good on you but they’re expensive, consider investing in them. That said, Topshop jeans are great, too. When you go shopping for jeans, take a couple of pairs of shoes with you — flats and a heel –to try on with them. And I would go on your jeans-buying mission alone. I usually shop by myself because I’m a competitive shopper — I’m always afraid a friend will find something I want before I do!”

On how to show a bit of skin without looking tacky:
“If I wear shorts or a miniskirt when I go out, I make sure to cover up my top half. I also wear my hair up. I find, being a blonde, if I have my hair down and legs out it attracts too much attention. It’s a matter of balance and being a bit discreet: show one thing but not the other. — And, yes, we have wolf-whistling construction workers here in New York, just like you do in England. In fact, Debbie Harry got the name for her band that way — she’d be walking down the street and men would shout, ‘Hey, Blondie!’”

From Elle, April 2008 issue:

On how to Spring clean your wardrobe:
“The first thing you need to do is ask a friend to come over to help. I always do this — a second opinion is useful when you’re torn over something. I always want to keep everything, but my friend will say, ‘C’mon, you never wear that!’”

On how to Spring clean your wardrobe:
“When it comes to shoes, keep nice sandals, but always throw out espadrilles and get new ones, because they get so worn. And I hate flip-flops, unless you’re on the beach. I don’t think you should wear them in the city or indeed anywhere you wouldn’t go barefoot. And they make people drag their feet — it’s one of my pet peeves. When I was young, my mum would say, ‘Walk with a purpose, Chloë!’ That’s very good advice…”

On investing in fashion for the future:
“I must admit, though, I never think about investing in fashion for the future. I tend to buy vintage designer clothes from thrift stores — I have a hard time spending huge amounts of money on new designer stuff. You should buy something because you love it and it looks good on you.”

On how to wear jewelry right:
“Jewellery is where a lot of Hollywood girls go wrong — they do too much. If you’re wearing a big statement necklace, then you need a small earring. It’s all about balance. Look at your neckline, too — if you’re wearing a high neck, it’s better to have no necklace and wear statement earrings. — I think if you contrast jewellery like that — white-gold with yellow-gold — then you can get away with layering it on more heavily. I don’t like it when jewellery looks too matchy matchy. Also, consider a high arm cuff — I would like to see more girls wearing these. They always look very sexy on the upper arm.”

From Elle, May 2008 issue:

On eco-friendly fashion:
“I admit, I don’t know that much about all the eco-friendly brands, but I do love American Apparel casualwear — everything is made in Los Angeles and the workers are treated fairly. My mother taught me the three ‘R’s: reduce, reuse and recycle! Like you, I’m trying to be more conscious when it comes to fashion: I try to buy natural fabrics, I don’t want clothes that are mass-produced and very synthetic. I would recommend investing in something of a higher quality, rather than something that’s terrifyingly cheap — it’s definitely worth it in the long run. If something is poorly made, it’ll be ruined after one wash.”

On wearing the same dress to every wedding:
“Wouldn’t that be a bit boring? I think you’ll feel better about yourself if you wear something different for each wedding — I always have a little confidence boost if I have on something new. — If disaster strikes and you turn up wearing the same dress as another girl, this is what you do: go straight over to her, laugh about it, have a drink together and hang out together all night — you can’t really ignore it, so you just have to own it!”

From Elle, June 2008 issue:

On how to make a tomboy look more feminine:
“You shouldn’t worry — I think tomboys are the sexiest girls in the room.”

On how to wear underwear as outerwear without looking trashy:
“It’s such a fine line! Start by checking out D&G — the label excels at this look, like the corset dresses, for example. That stuff can be a little too sexy for my taste, but it’s good inspiration to see what works for you. I would just show little bits of underwear. It can look good to have your blouse unbuttoned a little too low, with a really pretty bra underneath. If you do the lingerie thing, pare down the rest of your look — if you wear a corset, say, layer it with a soft blazer. You never know where you might find yourself — you might feel too naked and need to cover yourself up.”

On choosing the right bag:
“I’d go for something that has a smaller label because big labels can date a style, and if he’s splashing out, you want one with longevity. Steer clear of the ‘bag of the season’, because then people will spot it and say, ‘Oh, that’s so-and-so’s bag from three seasons ago.’ How about a proper classic? Think about an Hermès, a Chanel 2.55 or a Balenciaga Motorcycle bag — the styles that the fashion houses make over and over again are a good investment.”

From Elle, July 2008 issue:

On how to wear high heels:
“It’s always worth investing in good quality heels for a better fit — Manolo Blahnik and Pierre Hardy are my favorite footwear designers. High shoes always make you look sexy and after years of practice, I can run faster in heels than I can in flats. But I did fall over in some ridiculously high Balenciaga boots outside a club a few years ago and broke my front teeth on the pavement. Since then, four-inch heels is my limit. Sometimes, I cheat by wearing shoes with a built-in platform, as they appear higher than they are.”

On wearing the right bra under a sheer top:
“In my opinion, bras with clear plastic straps are a little tacky. They’re designed to be see-through, but they’re not. If you’re looking for a bra to wear under a sheer top, you should make a statement and go for a brightly coloured or printed style instead. One of my favourite pieces in my wardrobe is an Edwardian white blouse, which I wear with a black lace bra from Wacoal — the contrast is really striking.”

On wearing prints well:
“The key to carrying off prints — whatever your size — is to go for clothes that are well cut. My collection at New York boutique Opening Ceremony features lots of Liberty prints and gingham checks, which look great on petite sizes. Luella has some stylish floral pieces this season, too — I especially like her streamlined shift dresses that finish above the knee. I love to clash prints together. I recently wore a checked skirt with a floral top, which worked really well as the colours were all of similar tones.”

From Elle, August 2008 issue:

On choosing the right sunglasses:
“Girls with small faces look adorable with big sunglasses — you only have too look at Ashley Olsen and Nicole Richie to see that. It doesn’t always work the other way round, though… I have a bigger face and rarely wear small-rimmed styles because they’re not flattering. The current trend in New York is to wear bright red and pink sunglasses, but they’re a little young for me. I prefer classic Wayfarers. I wore a white pair a couple of years ago, but now I go for tortoiseshell versions, which give a softer look.”

On her favorite boutiques:
“I’ve created my own route around where I live in the East Village that takes in all my favourite shops. I spend at least half an hour in each one. I start at Opening Ceremony: as well as my own collection, it stocks all the new, avant-garde designers and has a great selection of shoes. Then I move on to the designer resale store Tokyo 7, which is always worth a visit when I’m looking for something to wear at the last minute. It stocks Gucci, Chloé and Miu Miu. Resurrection is the best place to go for high-end vintage fashion because the prices are quite reasonable. I bought a beautiful leopard-pring Christian Dior scarf there recently, which I wear around my head like an old lady! The staff there know me and they point out things they think I might like. I’m very thorough. And I’m a very competitive shopper — I hate it when other customers come over and start pulling things out from the rail I’m looking at!”

On how to wear contrasting colors:
“Putting clashing colours together makes you look like you haven’t put much thought into what you’re wearing, and I like that nonchalance. I tend to do it with darker colors, like black, navy and grey, but wearing a green dress with red shoes would look equally cool. If you’re nervous about clashing colours, experiment with different-coloured accessories. Wearing matching handbags and shoes is boring — it’s much cooler to go for different shades.”

From Elle, September 2008 issue:

On slimming style tricks:
“Breaking up your look with different colours will automatically make you look wider, so go for a column of colour that will elongate your body. Wearing slightly looser clothes is another tip, and I often wear fuller skirts, as they hide my thighs. Clingy pieces, on the other hand, can make you look like a sausage. It may be obvious, but wearing heels is the best slimming trick going — the added height instantly lengthens the body. People always comment on how skinny I look when I wear high boots.”

On the Autumn/Winter 2008 season bags:
“Designers are often afraid to give me clothes in case they don’t fit but, luckily, they send me bags all the time. I still haven’t found the one bag I want to carry forever but, right now, I’m carrying a Chanel 2.55 style that goes with everything. I also have a little Comme de Garçons clutch in black that’s seven years old now — I want to replace it with a new version soon. My newest arrival is a new-season, two-tone Balenciaga bag, which can be worn with brown and black shoes — I’ll be using this a lot come winter.”

From Elle, October 2008 issue:

On wearing mid-calf-length skirts without looking frumpy:
“Personally, I’ll be wearing longer skirts with open-necked or sleeveless tops, to balance out the look and make it a little softer. If you’re covering up a lot of leg, you can get away with exposing a bit more skin up top. We’re all talking about the new skirt length in New York and I’ve just designed a range of great mid-calf-length skirts for the Opening Ceremony label.”

On choosing the right winter coat:
“Look out for details such as big buttons and stitching, which will give your coat a unique feel. Chic as it may be, I wouldn’t always advise going for black. I had a red wool Miu Miu coat that lasted me for years and looked great worn with all my clothes. Camel is a good alternative, too, as it’s so smart and understated; Burberry and Ralph Lauren both have beautiful camel-coloured styles this season, which would be great investment buys.”

From Elle, November 2008 issue:

On how to wear tights well:
“Tights are an easy way to update your look. For example, I’ll often wear red tights to give an outfit a different feel, and I recently wore some lace tights with my plaid skirt, which worked well. There are lots of leopard-print and checked tights around this season, which can work well if you keep the rest of your outfit simple. Sometimes, though, you can’t beat plain opaque tights — they’re a classic.”

On grunge as the latest trend in fashion:
“APC, Marc Jacobs and Burberry all featured grunge this season. I’ve always been into the look and see it as a way of life as much as a fashion trend.”

On party themes and dressing up:
“My mother recently had a ‘black, white, pearls or pink’ party, and it was a huge success. It was left up to the guests to decide how far to go with their costumes. I like it when parties are themed, as you have to be inventive with your outfit. My favourite time of year is Halloween. I go all out and love planning what to wear. Last year I went as Joan of Arc and bought a beautiful wig, which my hairdresser cut for me. It’s definitely possible to look attractive and enter into the spirit of things. I recently heard about a party where the dress code required you to come as a Fashion Don’t, which sounds like a lot of fun.”

Below are some related media as well as off-site links that may be of interest to you.

• ElleUK.com
• The Guardian interview with editor-in-chief Lorraine Candy

• Magazines in 2008 > ‘Elle’ (UK) Mar 2008 Scans
• Magazines in 2008 > ‘Elle’ (UK) Apr 2008 Scans
• Magazines in 2008 > ‘Elle’ (UK) May 2008 Scans
• Magazines in 2008 > ‘Elle’ (UK) Jun 2008 Scans
• Magazines in 2008 > ‘Elle’ (UK) Jul 2008 Scans
• Magazines in 2008 > ‘Elle’ (UK) Aug 2008 Scans
• Magazines in 2008 > ‘Elle’ (UK) Sep 2008 Scans
• Magazines in 2008 > ‘Elle’ (UK) Oct 2008 Scans
• Magazines in 2008 > ‘Elle’ (UK) Nov 2008 Scans