Elly McGaw's Expertly Curated World

Rip & Tan: How do you define your personal style?

Elly McGaw: I am inspired by the minimal aesthetic of the 90’s. I personally dress quite androgynous—you will always see me in low-waist pants, shirts, and blazers. I like the feeling of being more masculine in my approach to dressing because it balances out my feminine energy, and makes me feel stronger and more empowered. 

I am big on having a uniform and working in trends and hero items to dress it up or down. I’m quality over quantity always. I also love vintage and finding special items that no one else owns. 

Rip & Tan: How does your home reflect or work in sync with the way you dress? 

Elly McGaw: For my home, I must give the credit to my Fiancé who is an interior designer. I often joke that in our home he was the designer and I was the client. It matches my aesthetic perfectly—minimal but not boring, chic and collected, and full of beauty. I love that I feel inspired sitting in my home, there is always something beautiful to look at.

Rip & Tan: What’s your approach to creating an outfit?

Elly McGaw: I always start with how I want to feel. Fashion is a beautiful tool for self-expression and can really help you feel and embody the attitude you want on a certain day. If I am going to a meeting or working, I usually wear more tailored outfits, whereas if I’m going on a date I would like to feel more romantic and relaxed. You should always start with a feeling and build a look based on that.

I also think it’s important to have some staple items in your wardrobe that you know you can mix and match. Some of my favorite go-to items are a chic belt, a good pair of chunky earrings, tailored pants, and a crisp white shirt. You can’t go wrong with these items. 

Rip & Tan: What makes an outfit feel complete?

Elly McGaw: Never underestimate the power of a good belt. I also love a brooch in wintertime, it’s the perfect way to dress up a coat or jacket.

Rip & Tan: What makes a room feel complete?

Elly McGaw: Fresh flowers! Always.

Rip & Tan: Where do you turn to for style inspiration for both your wardrobe and home?

Elly McGaw: For my home, my fiancé for sure. As much as I hate to admit it he has much better style than me.

For my wardrobe, naturally, the runways and fashion houses. I usually look at the past for references and rarely look at recent collections for inspiration. I love eras like the ’50s, ’60s, and ’90s.