In Uniform: Timeless Street Style with Jannel Therese

Rip & Tan: How would you define the essence of your personal style?

Jannel Therese: The essence of my personal style is casual chic made of elevated basics. I’ve learned through the years of experimenting that simple is best and that works for my personal style.

Rip & Tan: Which are the most-worn pieces in your day-to-day uniform?

Jannel Therese: My most worn pieces lately are trousers and a white collared shirt. These two can easily elevate a casual look. Taking a collared shirt and layering it under a turtleneck or letting it shine on its own is perfection. 

Rip & Tan: Imagine your perfect day—what are you styling? Where are you wearing it?

Jannel Therese: My perfect day includes my favorite pair of black trousers and a blazer with a white tee underneath, layered with a good trench coat and paired with slingback heels. 

Rip & Tan: When you’re putting a look together, what tends to come first?

Jannel Therese: For me, inspiration varies from day to day. Sometimes, a pair of new shoes or a bag can spark a whole outfit and sometimes it’s a coat. The beginning of an outfit is never the same but having a wardrobe built on simple, elevated basics makes dressing really easy!

Rip & Tan: On those mornings when you don’t know what to wear, what’s one outfit formula you can always rely on?

Jannel Therese: When in doubt, I wear a suit with a waistcoat or I put together an all black outfit. It truly is the most effortless formula there is.

Rip & Tan: Can you walk us through your approach to accessorizing?

Jannel Therese: It might be a theme here but my approach to accessorizing is keeping it simple. I rarely swap out my accessories when it comes to jewelry. Lately, I’ve been into silver jewelry. 

Rip & Tan: What are some of your favorite ways to mix up a typical look?

Jannel Therese: Some of my favorite ways to style a typical look is playing around with textures, colors and layering. I feel like outfits are more interesting with a bit of play, making it more than one dimension.

Rip & Tan: With fall in full swing, what pieces are you most excited to style?

Jannel Therese: I am mostly excited to style sweaters and turtlenecks! Fall is my favorite season and I love using sweaters as scarves and turtlenecks as a staple piece when it comes to layering.

Rip & Tan: In your own words, what makes something a classic?

Jannel Therese: What makes something classic is when it never ever goes out of style and stands the test of time. Having quality basics, elevated pieces and buildable items in a wardrobe lives longer than one-time wear trendy pieces in a closet.