Truly Great Street Style™ - Monikh Dale

A look into a master outfit-recipe creator

Okay so considering how my last post on the topic, featuring Dakota Johnson, sparked a few comments on how this should be made a series (as well as the fact that I really enjoyed putting it together) - tadaa! The Truly Great Street Style™ series has begun. I did have to think long and hard about who to feature next though because in some ways it would have been easy to continue with the fan-favourites: Jen Lawrence, Katie Holmes or even our elevator primadonna, Kelly Rutherford. But that just felt a little… done.

I’m not saying they’re not interesting because they definitely are, and if there’s an interest of gathering their top looks (according to moi) then let me know. Buuut, haven’t we all pinned the knit bra + cardigan look now? And gotten the entire The Row runway showcased on Jennifer’s body? Idk, I’m staring to feel like there needs to be a little more goo and a little more ga-ga in street fashion. Give me some friction J-Law!

Moving on, today’s fashion feature won’t provide a whole lot of friction but on the other hand a whole lot of timeless looks. She’s been on my yearly fashion Pinterest board for a few seasons now and embarrassingly enough I just learnt her name this year (don’t come at me). Ladies and gents, let me introduce the ever so fabulous Monikh Dale! I’ll give it to her, it was hard to find any looks that were “meh” - the girl’s got style. However, you all mentioned how you liked to compare the truly great to some other looks that slightly missed the mark and so here we are.

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The mehs

This look features some great individual pieces. I am especially drawn to the interesting top which is reminiscent of a classic white tee but offers both volume and an interesting drape over the shoulders. The skirt is a wardrobe staple that works and will keep working. The bag and the shoes bring texture with the round hardware and the suede(?). However, the shoes and bag do not speak the same language - nor do they balance each other. The pairing makes the entire outfit a little… odd.

Swap the sneakers for a sandal? Or keep the sneakers but add a woven bag in a muted shade? Or swap the silky skirt for a pair of green work wear pants? Something’s gotta give.

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Um, am I right in my assessment that this look is leather on leather on leather on leather? I’m not saying this isn’t a vibe - but I’m not sure which vibe to be honest. Matrix meets 60’s meets… It’s a pass from me (sorry Monikh, to each their own). There’s something about the fact that there are three, if not four, different colours going on here. And yes, there are different shades of black (notice the difference between the skirt and the jacket). I would’ve tossed the jacket and paired the skirt + boots with a white tank. Maybe even ditch the bag? Or keep the jacket + skirt but show some ankle by adding a pair of canvas sneakers/flip flops for friction. Again, ditch the bag.

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The wows

Let’s begin with this year’s fan favourite, the buttoned vest. I’m not here to comment on specific pieces of clothing but damn, this vest is good. The shape (especially when unbuttoned like above), the high v-neck, the long trail of buttons, the low pockets, the v’s at the bottom. There’s a lot going on without anything being too overwhelming - well done to whoever designed this!

Moving on to the outfit. This is obviously a summery outfit but it IS a great recipe to wear all year round. Switch the sandals and the basket for sneakers/loafers and a leather bag and you’re covered all spring as well as all of autumn. For winter? A long-sleeve underneath the vest and a pair of cool boots will have you ready in no time. It’s the tidiness of the vest with the raw hem of the jeans that says “I’m to be taken seriously, but not too seriously”. Love.

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I will be copying this exact outfit today. The ingredients are something we all have in our closets, more or less, no?

The oversized straight tee paired with loose but still straight pants is a genius move. Nothing ground-breaking here but I feel it’s easy to drown in an oversized tee, feeling like you’ve borrowed your boyfriend’s shirt and it wasn’t as cute as you pictured. The key here is the fact that the tee seems to be made in a more structured fabric, like linen, which makes the sizing feel intentional. The arms don’t droop the way a cotton tee would and the hems are slightly bigger-than-average which also feels intentional. The pants might be cotton pj’s for all I know but they don’t puddle and they allow for a slight shaping of the leg, which is crucial when paired with such a loose top. The shoes could be swapped for any sandal but there definitely needs to be a bit of skin showing, and the painted nails also brings everything up a notch. The final touch? The pendant necklace that read feminine and gives an illusion of a neckline where there is none.

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I promise to try to keep it shorter than the previous one heh. But this is another recipe to engrain into your mind bank. Straight legged jeans + masculine tank. However, I’ve worn a version of this a thousand times before and ended up feeling less than great. The trick is that there is no trick, you’ve just gotta up the accessories. Leather flip flops and a shoulder bag bring in an air of femininity, moving you away from “I work as a mechanic”-territory. The (fabulous) belt gives the look a focal point, creating a more interesting shape and something to rest the eyes on. Tight bun and big silver rings are just the cherry on top at this point.

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I love when people smile big in photos, don’t you?

I can’t help but to lean sliiiightly into fall fashion because this is practically the outfit above but with different accessories. I love the floor-length cardigan that reads almost dress-like whilst being equal parts chill and expensive. Wearing the hair down is speaking the same language, I can’t explain why so just trust me.

Obviously we all know the bag is expensive as sh*t so good for you Monikh, but the important detail is that it features interesting hardware. If you don’t have a rich husband a designer bag with fancy hardware then add a statement chain necklace or a belt with hardware because otherwise you’ll read a little too art teacher with the Birks.

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I‘m afraid this is already far too long and most of you have zoned out if not opted out at this point. But for anyone else who, like me, is now obsessing over Monikh’s drool-worthy style here are a few bonus outfits. Get your napkins ready!

Let me know if you enjoyed this and if there’s anyone I should look into for more Truly Great Street Style™! Talk to you soon xx