Mastering the Art of Basics with Dione Davis

Rip & Tan: Tell us a bit about your journey—how did you get into styling?

Dione Davis: My journey into styling began with a case of mistaken identity. I had always been interested in fashion, and after I left my career in professional ballet due to injury, I found myself working at a clothing store. It was right after I graduated from college, during the 2008 recession. One of my friends from Alabama was living and working as a stylist and had passed my information along to her stylist, who was looking for help with an upcoming job.

That stylist, Alyson, ended up reaching out to me by mistake for a first assistant position. I didn’t correct her. I showed up on set, did the job really well, and at the end of the day, she called me out. She had realized she meant to contact someone else for the assistant role and had actually reached out to me about borrowing a dress from the store where I worked.

I instantly felt bad because I hadn’t realized I’d taken someone else’s spot. But I told my friend I wanted to start assisting, so the timing felt meant to be. I ended up assisting Alyson for a while. She was a very well-rounded stylist. She’s not working anymore, but I learned so much from her, especially about pulling and sourcing for editorial versus commercial jobs. One of the biggest lessons she taught me was the importance of having as many options as possible.

Rip & Tan: What’s your advice for someone looking to create a capsule wardrobe but doesn’t know where to start?

Dione Davis: I think you should always start with the basics. If you don’t have your foundation, nothing you buy will work! I recommend having trousers in black, white, navy and gray, blouses both white and black, cardigans in white and black (cashmere or a natural fiber), black, gray, and navy blazers (maybe even a chocolate brown). Otherwise, anything you buy will feel unbalanced without the right staples. If you think of yourself as if you are the merchandiser of your own brand, styling yourself is impossible without foundational pieces. There are people who wear statement pieces as foundational, and it works, but for the average person, that’s hard to pull off.

Rip & Tan: How do you accessorize and style your basics to keep them feeling fresh?

Dione Davis: I wear basics not for their intended use. I’ll wear a blouse as a skirt and a T-shirt as a corset. It’s a bit advanced for most people, but I really don’t feel chic unless I have 3 pieces on. Ralph Lauren and I agree on this.

Rip & Tan: Any unexpected layering tricks or pairings you love using with your staples?

Dione Davis: I like to reverse my layers. The undershirt should be worn over for more dimension.

Rip & Tan: How do you recommend transitioning core pieces from season to season?

Dione Davis: Make them the same pieces and select natural fibers that work. My basics don’t change with the weather all too much. My trousers and knits shift a bit, but I layer up my cotton tees with cashmere and switch from linen and silk to wool.

Rip & Tan: What are your go-to outfit formulas when you’re in a rush, but still want to look polished?

Dione Davis: Usually a large trouser, kitten heels, a tee and whatever third piece feels right. If I’m doing oversized pants it’s a fitted jacket, or a big jacket and something delicate on the bottom. I’m formulaic in my dressing because so much of my job is not centered around me at all. I need clothes that I know aren’t fussy so my day is focused on dressing others. If I get too meta or complicated when I am in a rush, then I feel like I’m playing with my outfit all day.

Rip & Tan: And finally—what’s one styling mantra you live by when it comes to getting dressed?

Dione Davis: No more than three colors. Don’t match your shoes to your top. The only rules are that there are no rules, but these are just things that make my outfits feel finished. The highest form of compliment I get from photographers is that my work feels like a complete idea, top to bottom.