FIVE WAYS TO DRESS LIKE THE ETERNAL FASHION “IT-GIRL”
BY LAUREN STIDHAM ILLUSTRATION BY MINJOON LEE
Devon Lee Carlson has been steering fashion trends and holding internet influence over the last decade. She began her break in the media at 17 years old with the explosion of her phone case brand, Wildflower. The brand, ran alongside her sister, Sydney, and mother, Michelle, exploded when Miley Cyrus tweeted about their stylish cases back in 2012.
It was behind this brand that she made her silent debut as a figure in pop culture, and it wasn’t until she built her personal brand on social media platforms such as Tumblr, that we saw her emerge as a distinguished fashion diva. Reducing Carlson down to her infamous friends and partners undermines the distinctive style and aesthetic she sports online, and her style is one that transcends the mass of acclaimed “it-girls” over the years.
While her style is inherently girly and often sexy, she never shies away from flaunting fits that are uniquely eccentric and experimental. She rocks a collection of frilly vintage archives, elegantly tailored staples, and spunky athleisure that makes her the perfect liaison between fans and high fashion figures.
It is no question that her style is one to draw influence from, and despite her medley of clothing choices, there are few staples that one can draw reference from to achieve this effortless cool-girl appearance. Here are five ways to dress like Devon Lee Carlson:
1. Girly shoes
It is no secret that any clothes worn by Carlson, whether intentional or unintentional, instantly feel girly and flirtatious. One can imagine it’s because of her sizable collection of vintage dresses or her naturally charming disposition, but outside of these factors, her shoes play a huge role in elevating her outfits. Her kitten heels are the most notable addition in any outfit as of late. Whether it’s a flowy dress, a sleek pant and top, or capris and a casual tank, the kitten heel makes all these variations that much sexier. Carlson also commonly rocks a heeled boot or chunky heels — whether it’s her lakers heels or funky pumps — and it makes all of her clothing that much cooler. Don’t be afraid to level up athleisure with a heeled bottom or to wear that sexy boot to your local dive bar, Carlson definitely wouldn’t.
2. Tailored pants
Carlson often wears a variety of looks that accentuate her long features. A notable part of her wardrobe that elongates her model-esque features, is her pants. From flared bottoms, to straight-leg denim, to perfectly baggy slacks, all of her pants feel like they were made just for her. It doesn’t matter what bottoms you choose to wear, but wearing ones that accentuate your features and compliment your frame can give you the supermodel streetwear aesthetic that she is commonly known for.
3. Mini dresses
Carlson usually styles her striking shoes with another staple — a mini dress. While this outfit combination may seem a hackneyed pair, Carlson’s collection of dresses are far from drab. She wears a spread of different styles — from a sparkly sheer slip, to a simple vacation ensemble, to a vintage 50s-esque get-up — and each perfectly emphasizes the girliness Carlson embraces as part of her personal brand. There is no such thing as overdressing when dressing like Devon Lee Carlson, and a mini dress can be a casual closet staple. So, when looking for a mini dress, make sure it’s interesting and rises to the occasion — whether it’s for daily errands or a night out on the town with your besties.
4. Experiment with expression
Whether it’s her shoes, her photoshoots, or her casual Instagram posts, Carlson is unafraid to sport looks that stray from conventional. She often clashes patterns or styles, and is unafraid to revisit previous fashion eras when drawing inspiration for new looks or doing Wildflower shoots. When she wears a questionable outfit, she flaunts her fashion choices in a way that one can only admire. Wear the outfit that you like and maybe your friends hate, and wear it with the same air of confidence that will leave no one questioning your outfit choices.
5. Add a smile
No matter what she wears, arguably the most iconic part of Carlson’s look is her smile. Her smile is her most notable accessory in almost all her pictures on social media and in her vlogs; and it’s even a design on one of Wildflower’s phone cases. It’s not just her smile being aesthetically pleasing that makes it a central part of her brand, it also reflects her warm disposition and contagious energy that makes her feel like a genuine online gem. Sporting a smile is not about portraying the idea that you're happy all the time or an inherently agreeable person — Carlson is quite open about her day-to-day struggles online — it’s about exuding an energy that makes others feel welcome and makes them want to smile too.
