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Kate Bowman Shares Her Tips for Getting Dressed & Everything on Her Fashion Bucket List

Plus her favorite places to shop.

How To Shop Like
kate bowman
Graphic:
Stacey Toth

Welcome to our How to Shop Like series, where we spotlight personalities within the fashion industry and take a deeper look at their personal relationships with fashion and how they shop—think all the best insider tips and tricks. This week we're chatting with model, photographer, and host of Kate's Podcast, Kate Bowman.

As a model, so much of your job requires relinquishing control of your own appearance to an outside party. Whether it be your clothes, your makeup, your hair—someone else gets to decide. So within the realm of personal style, you're allowed to take some of that control back and refreshingly indulge in self-expression. "There is nothing like the power of self-expression," reiterates New York–based model, photographer, and podcaster Kate Bowman. "What you wear...is the first thing people get to know about you when they meet you, so I try to show off my favorite things to express who I am as a person." Not only is she an expert at getting dressed, but a roster of industry friends ensures her knowledge of all the best emerging designers and places to shop. So of course we asked her to share all her best tips, shopping finds, and more.


Shop the Story:

Flat Toe Boot

Our Legacy
$664

Tank Solo Watch

Cartier
$4750

19 Handbag

CHANEL
$5100

Loopy Logo Cardi

Marc Jacobs
$295
kate bowman

Photo: Courtesy of Kate Bowman

What is it about fashion that intrigues you?

"There is nothing like the power of self-expression. What you wear shows your mood and creativity. It is the first thing people get to know about you when they meet you, so I try to show off my favorite things to express who I am as a person."

Fashion versus style—what's the difference to you?

"Fashion is really silly to me. I think the constructs and the hierarchies are overrated. Style is about incorporating your own favorite pieces with contemporary designs to have fun and feel beautiful."

Do you have a uniform?

"Pigtails and ribbon."

Favorite thing to splurge on?

"Shooooooooooeeeeeeeeessssss!"

Favorite purchase of all time?

"My black patent Maryam Nassir Zadeh Kiki boots. The perfect shoe."

kate bowman

Photo: Courtesy of Kate Bowman

Where do you begin when getting dressed? Shoes first? Top-down? A reference image?

"I've been loving playing with monochromatic looks lately, so I'll wake up and think about what color I feel most suits my mood, and go from there."

What are your summer style staples?

"Colorful scrunchies and small purses."

Summer style icon?

"Honestly, I'm my summer style icon."

Which stores do you frequent? Do you prefer to shop online or IRL?

"I prefer shopping in person because the material and the fit is half the battle with clothing, in my opinion. My favorite stores are Procell and James Veloria in NYC, Aralda in L.A., Thanx God I'm A VIP in Paris, 194 Local in London... I could go on forever."

Fashion bucket list: What are three items you would love to own one day (regardless of price)?

"I really would love to own the CHANEL sparkly cap-toe boots they did a few seasons ago. I think their mini silver CC adornments are the cutesssstttt. I'm always looking out for mesh Jean Paul Gautier sets or dresses. I'm also really into watches right now and would love a gold one from Cartier."

kate bowman

Photo: Courtesy of Kate Bowman

The mark of a great outfit?

"Individuality."

Favorite fashion brands or designers of the moment?

"I would die to own a dress by Mimi Wade. I think she's brilliant. Our Legacy is my ultimate favorite brand. And CHANEL forever...to feel like a princess!"

Any tips for scoring high-quality pieces at lower price points?

"Ebay alerts."

What are the top five most worn items in your wardrobe?

"Lately, my suede Birkenstocks, t-shirts from Pretties, my favorite pink vintage purse from CHANEL, basics by Vivien Ramsay, and my gold Tiffany locket."

Favorite people to follow on Instagram?

"My friends! @sav_hudson, @ilymieltaieb, @cocobaudelle, @fayeweiwei, @daaaaaaaannnnnnnn, and @daniyellowden."

Part of the series:

WWWRN

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