Lauren is a fashion lover and enjoys mixing vintage, thrifted finds, and designer pieces to create outfits that make me feel happy. She hopes to provide style inspiration through her OOTD's and showcase her favorite wardrobe essentials. Who are her biggest style icons, How does she source her vintage and thrifted finds and what are her top 5 wardrobe essentials?

What sparked your love for fashion, and how has it evolved over time?

I always had a love for getting dressed even as a little girl. I would play dress up and create outfits. I think it came from a place of wanting to express my creativity even though I was really shy. Over time, I started to appreciate getting dressed for the everyday- Putting together an outfit sets the tone for the entire day!

Who are your biggest style icons or inspirations, and why?

I grew up with style icons like Rachel Zoe & Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen so they played a huge role in how I dressed as a teen. Currently, I get my style inspiration from the runways. I also get so much inspo from the finds that I thrift or discover at vintage stores. I’m also very inspired by the 60s at the moment.

You like to mix vintage, thrifted, and designer pieces. What’s your process for creating a cohesive look from such diverse sources?

The fun of putting together a look for me is all about mixing and matching- I don’t want to wear all thrift finds or all designer- in a look. By mixing different styles, eras, and designers, I can really personalize my outfit. It also helps make vintage pieces feel more fresh and designer pieces feel more personal.

What’s the most treasured vintage or thrifted find you own, and what’s the story behind it?

That’s such a difficult question for me to answer because there are quite a few pieces in my wardrobe that I really treasure. I get equally as excited about a designer score as I do about a cool find at the thrift! Probably my fave vintage piece is my vintage Hermes Kelly 35 that came from a fabulous French woman via Vestiaire Collective. I love that it has so much history to it yet so much life left in it! I also thrifted the most amazing oversize textured (no label) animal print jacket this year at my local thrift store that has become my favorite jacket that I own.

How would you describe your personal style in three words and what are your top 5 wardrobe essentials?

My three words would be maximalist, unexpected, and vintage. My top 5 wardrobe essentials are:

1. A statement jacket (animal print or sequin)
2. A (printed) button down shirt
3. A pair of athletic running shorts
4. A pair of glittery shoes
5. A statement hat ( I am definitely a hat girl!)

How do you stay updated on current fashion trends while maintaining your unique style?

I get a ton of inspo from the runway. I am always on the hunt for designer trends when I’m thrifting. The trends that I do take home, I incorporate into my current wardrobe by matching them with my favorite go -to pieces. This keeps my outfits still feeling very “me.”

What’s your approach to creating ‘Outfit of the Day’ (OOTD) content?

What do you hope to convey to your audience? I like to document my daily outfits for fun. I hope to inspire others to have fun getting dressed for the everyday and to wear what truly makes them happy! It’s never about wearing the latest trends & brands. I’m a huge proponent of thrifting and secondhand fashion because I don’t want to look like anyone else!

How do you source your vintage and thrifted finds?

Any secret tips or favorite spots? I am always on the hunt! My tip would be to pop in at your local thrift as often as you can because you never know what you’re going to find. I never spend more than 30 minutes in a store, but the best way to find the good stuff is to go often! I also love checking out local vintage pop ups, and for specific designer finds, The RealReal and eBay never disappoint!

What kind of impact do you hope to have on your audience through your style inspiration?

I hope to encourage people to have fun with their own style and enjoy getting dressed every day! I also hope to inspire people to shop vintage and secondhand.

Where do you see your fashion journey and content creation evolving in the next few years?

My style is always evolving and I hope to document how it changes with time and how I still keep it very authentic. I also would love to develop some type of style community with enthusiasts who love thrifting, vintage, and getting dressed just as much as I do so we could share inspiration!

What advice would you give to someone who wants to develop their own unique style?

I would say the best way to develop your own style is to take what inspires you (whether that be a particular piece, a decade, a fashion icon, Pinterest, a designer, etc) and incorporate that inspo into the items that are already in your current wardrobe to create your look. By mixing your closet go-to’s with something aspirational, you can create a unique look while still feeling like yourself.

If you could collaborate with any fashion brand or designer, who would it be and why?

I love Alessandro Michele. First at Gucci and now at Valentino, his work embodies so many facets of fashion that inspire me. I appreciate his combination of maximalism and making retro styles feel new again through unexpected styling choices.

You can find Lauren on YouTube, IG and TikTok

INTERVIEW with Lauren Ryder: "The fun of putting together a look for me is all about mixing and matching"