An examination of Truly Great Street Style™

The meh, the wow and the in-between

There are few things I find more interesting than witnessing someone finding their style. Seeing something click fashion-wise which produces hit after hit on the street style scene. Maybe this all stems from my own search for the *perfect wardrobe* for myself, which most likely doesn’t exist or is at the very least an ever-evolving idea. But still.

Someone who has had a long style evolution and is now very much coming into her golden era is the fabulous Dakota Johnson. I always feel slightly bad for those who have literally grown up in the spotlight because I can’t imagine the horror I would feel if some of my pre-teen and teen photos started showing up on Pinterest. However, Dakota has recently grabbed my attention in the best of ways with some really simple yet cooler-than-ice cool street style ‘fits. (Ew why did I write that.)

Before we get to the good stuff, let’s examine the outfits that are in no way bad, ugly or failures but simply didn’t really hit the mark.

The mehs

Technically there’s nothing wrong with this outfit. The jacket is cool, love the boots. But it’s not 10 out of 10. Personally I think the jacket is too long and the pants are too short to be paired together. The bag is kind of a random choice that doesn’t elevate the look in any way, you know?

Simple white shirt with blue jeans - should work every time right? The shirt seems to be made in a fabric that reads a little too corporate for my taste and paired with a lighter-shade-of-blue jeans it lacks balance. The shoes are again fabulous but don’t do anything to tie it all together.

Again, same go-to basics but honestly the hair is what really makes the outfit. The tshirt and the jeans are too same-same vibewise and although I appreciate the choice of shoes here (better juxtaposition) they don’t do enough to make me feel any type of way.

Moving on…

The wows

I got kind of confused for a second if this is actually costume from a movie? But who cares? This outfit makes me want to be her. This too is simply a white shirt with jeans but the shirt is ever so slightly oversized which balances out well tucked in. The jeans are more elongating than before and I just adore the little sporty retro sneakers peaking out with the brown sole/toe. The structured bag and the necklace are *chef’s kiss*.

Did anyone say sexy dad? Straight-legged blue jeans, Nike Cortez (hello Forrest Gump) and an oversized sweater with the obligatory white neckline peaking out. Paired with thee most perfect hair to ever exist as well as a really flattering pair of modern/retro sunglasses? No notes.

Dakota can definitely pull off the ankle-grazing pants if she wants to, but this version is just more appealing than the above. I think the looser fit of the pants makes the shorter hem feel more boyish and deliberate, and the daintiness of the ankles showing are a great bonus. The sneakers and cotton shirt read more relaxed while the crispiness of the pants bring a level of “I do care, actually”.

Remember the black leather bag from the first image that read teacher-core but also felt slightly out of place? This bag feels right at home. Partly because it finds a friend in the loafers and partly because it makes the linen cropped set feel more refined while at the same time winking at the oddity of summer + office. Wait, did anyone get that or just me?

You know what sometimes works better than jeans and a white shirt? Jeans and any other colour shirt. This aubergine shade is obviously very flattering for our girl Dakota with her darker hair, and I appreciate the bond between the black tank and the black loafers. But honestly, sometimes the shirt just needs to be a different colour to make a different, more fashionable statement. The rolled sleeves, the necklace and the sunglasses are icing on the cake.

Okay I’m on a roll - I can’t stop, won’t stop. But in all seriousness we all love a black outfit for summer right? Office pants, cropped tee, washed cap. Need to remember this outfit formula. The green shoes and the red bag are just pure genius, don’t try at home unless you’re a certified expert.

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Lastly, some randoms for good measure. Truly delighted for Dakota and her dashing fashion.