To anoint Natalia Dyer a “style icon” is to elicit an immediate scoff. While the actress won’t “discredit” the opinion of those who consider her such, her relationship with fashion has always been effortlessly symbiotic—as unconscious as breathing.
Her alliance with Longchamp is no different. One of the brand’s most beloved ambassadors, 28-year-old Dyer looks luminous as she surveys a crowd of Longchamp devotees atop the Santa Monica Proper Hotel for the brand’s Spring 2023 “Glamping Party.” Her bag? The Longchamp Box-Trot. Her shoes? “Tevas!” I assume, gesturing to her velcro wedge sandal (a necessity due to the crutches designated for her use, leaning to left). “Actually, these are Longchamp,” Dyer replies. Great, something else to add to the wishlist.
Tonight, the Nashville-native is in from New York to celebrate the launch of a new range of Longchamp eyewear. Arriving in Los Angeles requires a full shift in sartorial focus for Dyer, much like when she returns home to the Big Apple after long stints on set in the South for her role on Stranger Things. She’s paired a plain turtleneck—her staple, she says—with a flaming-red suit. While her ensemble is classic and contemporary, bridging the attitudes of both cities, it mostly showcases the brand’s legacy of “quiet luxury.”
“I love a brand that’s low-key, and thoughtful,” Dyer says. Everything it does, it does so well. It’s not all trend-trend-trend, and the craftsmanship is amazing. It’s everything I like in fashion.”
Perusing Dyer’s Instagram feed is not unlike gazing wistfully at your Pinterest board. The actress delights over 8 million online disciples with top-to-toe references to YSL, Ferragamo, and Fendi. There’s a nod to the bubble-hem’s triumphant resurrection, and a flash of Anthony Vaccarello’s signature catsuit. Most Instagram pages resemble a scrapbook—Dyer’s is a lookbook.
“You look incredible,” Isabelle Fuhrman, of Orphan and Hunger Games fame, interrupts us. Of course she does, she’s Natalia Dyer.
Photo: Marc Patrick & David Vassalli/BFA.com
Walk us through your earliest fashion memories.
“When I was young, I was constantly in high heels and a tiara. Then I [discovered] Limited Too and then high school was [about] vintage, and going to Goodwill. So entering into the higher-end, luxury space initially felt very daunting, but I love it. It’s an art form. I personally opt for comfort day-to-day but I love to see what’s being pulled out at fashion week, the way style is moving. It’s a reflection of society, ultimately.
“Walking a red carpet or a big event feels like playing a character. It’s a performance. You feel like you’re carrying this [gown] but it’s working with you symbiotically. It fits naturally with actors in a way; it’s a show. And what you wear really defines how you feel.”
When in doubt, what’s your best advice to piece together a look?
“Don’t overthink it. I know there are times I’ve worn things that don’t feel like me, and I felt really uncomfortable which I think comes through. So opt for things that represent you—or you in that moment. I just wear what feels good and natural. As a woman [constantly] traveling, too, sometimes I’ll arrive somewhere—and I am not a light packer—only to be like ‘I can’t wear anything.’ Only because I suddenly feel differently in that place. Uniforms are fun but it’s so nice to have the outlet to express your mood without saying anything.”
Name a trend you couldn’t avoid.
“Trends are hard for me because I don’t go on social media that much. But I also live in New York, and I can’t pretend I’m not influenced. I remember coming back from filming in Atlanta and seeing that everyone was in a leather coat. I felt so out of place and I had to get one. So I’m definitely influenced. The Y2K thing has been interesting for me because it’s like everyone who lived through that era put everything in a box with the intention of never looking at it again. If you had told me low-rise would be back a few years ago, I would’ve said absolutely not. Now I’m like, okay there's something nice about something that sits low, at least in a boyfriend-sense. It looks borrowed and cool.”
Can you get behind the resurgence of indie-sleaze?
“This is such an example of things being so cyclical, and I don’t know if I’m there yet. There are so many memories it’s almost too close to home. I respect it, I get it, but I’m not quite there.”
Will you welcome back skinny jeans?
“No, I hate them. But then there I go again, I’ll say I hate it now but when it’s back I’ll be wearing them again. It’s fascinating how it proliferates your psyche. Kitten heels are a great example. For a long time, I thought, Why? They’re not a heel, they’re not a flat. But with the ‘90s resurgence, I started to think, ‘Okay, kind of chic!’”
How does your style shift between cities?
“I’m East Coast for sure, as much as I love coming to LA, but everything here is a lot more laid back. Way more casual. I go out a lot less here so I’m really casual—we’re just hanging out at people’s houses. I film in Atlanta so most of my time is split between Atlanta and New York, and I’ll always try to translate my wardrobe, but as soon as I arrive I think, ‘I can’t wear any of this stuff here.’ Coming from the South as well, the entire vibe of every city is dictated by everyone else. It’s code-switching.”
Whose style should we revisit for inspiration?
“Katherine Hepburn. I’ve always been obsessed with her androgynous style, suits that are still feminine. She just did casual, cool, sophisticated so well. Elevated basics, but you can play. It’s never taking yourself too seriously. It comes down to striking a nice silhouette.”
What are your wardrobe non-negotiables?
“Comfort and durability. You want things that are well-made, that are going to last. With those as building blocks, it’s hard to go wrong. I love a turtleneck, a good loafer, a great bag. Something that can take you from day to night.”
