Irish stylist Katie Bryce on statement-making looks and the joys of outfit repeating
Counting Peggy Gou and Saoirse-Monica Jackson among her clientele, Katie Bryce is a woman who knows fashion on an intimate level. Here, the Belfast-born and London based stylist talks us through some signature looks, and offers up some sustainable style inspiration.
Describing her own personal style as tomboy with a twist, Katie Bryce adds a little oomph to every look, no matter the occasion. A multidisciplinary creative working as a stylist, strategist and creative consultant, she’s the iconic Saoirse-Monica Jackson’s personal stylist, as well as having worked with big music biz names, Peggy Gou and Eliza Rose.
Here, Katie talks to us about her love of outfit repeating, the sources of her style inspiration, and why it’s so important to step back and ask ourselves why certain fast fashion clothing items can be sold at such a cheap price point.
How would you describe your own personal style?
I feel my style is ever evolving, sometimes I want to dress like Stevie Nicks and then I want to wear nothing but tracksuits. Growing up I was a tomboy who absolutely loved fancy dress, so I’ve always skirted between practical pieces I can run around in and totally outlandish pieces! I suppose you could say tomboy with a girlie twist? I live in tracksuits, trainers and oversized pieces but then I’ll contrast that with bows in my hair, a corset with cargo pants or the shortest skirt with a pair of Nike Air Max. I recently commissioned the amazing @weegirl_ to customise a vintage Ireland top into a corset for me and add some beads and bows to trainers for festival season. I love being comfortable while making a statement and you will rarely see me in a pair of heels!
What is your approach to clothes shopping?
Being surrounded by clothes for a living has definitely left me questioning what I actually like and what I’ve just seen too much of at times. At the moment, I’m really going back to my roots — hunting in charity and vintage shops (my first job was in a vintage shop and I used to find the best pieces), and only buying new pieces I can’t live without. It’s very easy to get swept up in trend cycles but I’m definitely refining my shopping habits to invest in good quality basics and key pieces, and then leaving those less wearable pieces to second hand vintage and rental. I’m also really loving independent Irish designers at the moment, I love to commission pieces and I had the amazing Megan Walsh of MNW Design make me a baby tee in her famous Claddagh print, I never take it off! Saoirse-Monica Jackson gave it her seal of approval too by wearing it on her press tour.
What are your thoughts on ‘haul culture’?
It’s very easy to fall into that pattern of buying everything you see because social media has such a strong influence and convinces us we like things just because someone else is wearing it. I don’t want to demonise people who can’t afford to buy anything other than fast fashion, I get it and I buy into it myself sometimes! What I would say is to really take a step back and ask yourself why that top is £1, and do you really need ten things you’re going to wear no more than once?
I love outfit repeating with the same key pieces in my wardrobe, they’re an extension of me, and I want to be known for them. I think with hauls you get these pieces you might like one week and the following forget you have. In my opinion, that’s not true style, and you’ll never find your style if you’re constantly buying new pieces to replace what you just wore!
Tell us about five capsule items in your wardrobe.
A beige Burberry trench — I found one on Vinted and she’s been put to work. It goes with everything and I’ll have that in my wardrobe for life because trenches never go out of style.
COS barrel leg trousers — they go with everything and can be dressed up and down. Great quality and it’s worth the investment for a good staple pair of black trousers.
A vintage Laura Ashley A-line dress in black cord — I bought and had it tailored to fit me (making it shorter, obviously). I think it’s the perfect little black dress. I love that it’s vintage and I made it work by having it altered to fit my body. You can honestly wear this dress in endless ways and never get bored.
Trainers — I can’t pick a pair but I go between my ‘70s black Adidas Sambas (with the boxing boot style tongue) or black Nike Air Max ‘97s. They’re quite different vibes but two shoes that will carry you through almost any outfit (even a tulle dress).
Gold hoops — You will rarely see me without a pair of hoops on. I’ve been alternating between my giant gold Claddaghs from Belfast-based brand @weegirl_ or a smaller woven gold pair from Mango.
What is your most hard working piece of clothing?
It has got to be my cow print Wallabees. I bought these thinking they were an expensive investment for such an outlandish pair of shoes, but I honestly consider them a neutral staple at this point. I wear a lot of black, so they really jazz up any outfit I wear. Plus, they’re so comfortable and you can stroke them — what more can you want from a shoe?
What is the most quintessentially ‘you’ piece?
My brat green, holographic cowboy boots. I’ve lost count of the amount of times friends have said “they’ve gotta be the most Katie Bryce shoe I’ve ever seen!” They’re a bit in your face and not for everyone… Maybe a bit like me also? They make me feel amazing when I wear them and the fact that they’re old Topshop makes me so happy as an OG Topshop girlie and lifelong stan!
The go-to shoe/trainers?
In an endless battle between Adidas and Nike, I think Adidas wins on versatility. From the Samba to the SL72, they have something for everyone. I think they offer the best range of colourways and silhouettes for both women and men and reasonable price points too.
The does-it-all coat?
It’s gotta be the Burberry trench, it’s timeless and chic.
The perfect jeans?
I really love Whistles’ quality for denim or a new brand I’ve recently discovered—ALIGNE—has amazing denim, but you can’t beat a good-fitting pair of Levi 501s.
The must-have knitwear?
I’m obsessed with the Irish brand Pellador FC. Their knits are such good quality and their pieces are really unique. I have their Guinness collab jumper and get so many compliments when I wear it. My boyfriend, who isn’t into fashion, regularly steals it, so you know they’re doing something right.
The everyday jewellery?
My gold Claddagh hoops from @weegirl_ and my “Katie” gold necklace. I never take them off!
The wear-everywhere handbag?
I’m really obsessed with M&S handbags at the moment, they’re having a renaissance across RTW and accessories!
The Sunday cosy casual look?
Full trackie, trainers, gold hoops of course.
The ultimate pyjamas?
I really love Damson Madder’s pyjamas, I’d wear them outside the house!
The party look essential?
A little black dress, 15 denier tights and a winged eye never fails.
The most treasured piece?
My Ganni birthday dress, it’s animal print and a total show stopper. I got it for my 26th (a few years ago now) and it’s still in perfect condition despite me wearing it over jeans, to weddings, to other birthdays!
The wishlist item?
Simone Rocha is my all time favourite designer, I’d love to own some of her pieces.
The vintage shop(s) to know?
I’m often between cities, so I shop a mixture of in store and online. Some of my favourite online stores are Pink Ink Vintage, Some Luck Vintage, and @Rita’s Vintage.
Belfast stores — The Young Savage, Fuzz Vintage, MASH Heritage, and American Madness.
London stores — Brick Lane Vintage Market (so many amazing traders under one roof), Beyond Retro in Dalston, Nordic Poetry, Serotonin Vintage.
Who do you follow online for style inspiration?
I really love Londiwe Ncube — the coolest to ever do it. Olusola Awosika and Mya Hansel are firm favourites, and Irish girlies Tara Kumar and Twiggy Moore are always on the moodboard!