Song of the Exile

Gorgeous fashion blogger Julia of Song of the Exile speaks with us about her own style, inspiration and wardrobe; read on for the interview.

1. How would you describe your style?
My style is about comfort -- I'm a very tactile person and often choose pieces based on how they feel. If a garment feels divine, I'll usually buy it, then figure out how to wear it. This makes for a closet filled with loose, silky, drapey pieces!

2. What's your favorite outfit you've ever worn and why?
I don't know if I can say for sure, but my favorite kind of outfit is one that has one slightly confusing element -- strange sleeves, a see-through panel, random fur. It's fun to be more than one thing at a time. You know, sexy and matronly, etc.

3. What are you currently reading, and what book do you recommend?
I'm currently reading Timothy Egan's The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl. I've recently moved back to the midwest and am learning all I can about the region. I recommend Jane Smiley's novel The Greenlanders, a restrained and moving family saga about the Norsemen who colonized Greenland in the middle ages.

4. Who/what inspires you?
Most of all, place inspires me. My seasonal style goals are always based on someplace I've either been, read about, or seen in a movie. I rarely use people as "style icons," but when I do, they're always silly, like Julia Stiles in 10 Things I Hate About You or Kristen Stewart in Twilight. Not her in real life, just in Twilight.

5. You seem to have quite an amazing collection of sunglasses, which are your favorite pair?
My favorite pair changes weekly. I have so many because glasses are a very quick way to change your look from glamorous to retro to edgy to flat-out weird. They're an under-utilized accessory, I think, especially since you can get them so cheaply now at stores like Forever XXI.

6. Describe your perfect day.
My perfect day would be sitting outside in great weather, reading a book, then going to an amazing restaurant for dinner with my man, then coming home to a rainstorm and sitting on the porch, watching the weather, drinking wine and chatting with him.

7. What are your essential beauty must-haves?
My beauty must-haves are pretty simple: a flat iron for my bangs, under-eye concealer, and coconut oil for moisturizer. I swear, coconut oil works better than any lotion while also prevents wrinkles and providing a minor amount of SPF! It's the one product I can't live without. You can even put it on your hair if you need conditioner, plus it fights breakouts.

8. How do you decide what to wear every day, is it spur of the moment or a well thought-out process?
I usually put myself to sleep at night by going over outfits in my head. If I don't come up with anything that way, I usually go take a look at my closet and try to wear something I havent worn in a long time, and I also try to wear it in a way that I've never worn it before. I don't think I ever repeat outfits (unless I mean to, which doesn't happen often).

9. Favorite movie costume?
I've always loved 18th century costumes in movies like Barry Lyndon or Amadeus. If I could be reborn into a fashion era, it would be the late 18th century.

10. What are your 3 top style tips?
My top three style tips are:
a) dress to please yourself and no one else, because when you do that, your confidence becomes truly noticeable!
b) comfort doesn't have to mean a t-shirt and jeans -- there are many, even MORE comfortable options that are much more flattering and interesting.
c) Take one clothing-related risk every day -- your shoes, a piece of jewelry, a color you wouldn't normally wear. You'll see your horizons open up almost immediately.