Exploring the everyday style of maximalist dresser, Shayley Carter
IMAGE VIA @wolfshayley/instgram
WORDS BY DAISY HENRY
“Each awkward fashion era represents the memories, experiences and new friendships I made in those spaces, all of which I would never regret.”
We know personal style is a journey (I’m looking at you, Tumblr years) and our series Hey, I Like Your Style! dives into the fashion psyche of our favourite creatives. We’re talking about the good, the bad and the 2007.
While the internet has made our fashion icons feel closer than ever before, even the most effortless outfits came from a closet with some (well-dressed) skeletons. Clickable product tags, photo archives and lives chronicled in 30-second clips just don’t tell the full story.
For more fashion news, shoots, articles and features, head to our Fashion section.
These are the stories behind the wardrobes, exploring how we develop our personal style. There’s a brilliance behind the way we choose to express ourselves, and we know every outfit has a story. This week, we enter the wardrobe of Perth-based content creator, Shayley Carter.
Shayley hasn’t quite reached her final stop when it comes to perfecting her personal style – and she hopes she never does. “I’ve always been a ‘wear whatever you like’ kinda girlie and I hope as I continue to grow, so will my sense of style,” she says. But for now, it’s mostly shaped by how she feels, other creatives, pop culture and whatever gets her the most stares at the grocery store. High on her current rotation are baggy slogan T-shirts, mini skirts, camo cargo pants and huge sunglasses.
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Hey Shayley! Tell me about yourself and what you like to wear.
I’m Shayley, a content creator and diva living that life from Perth, Australia. I like wearing outfits that portray how I’m feeling inside. Whether that’s something cunty or chill, it’s usually fun, loud and dramatic [pieces] that get me stares at my local grocery store (I love it).
What has your style evolution looked like?
My style is always evolving and I hope it never stops. I’ve always been a ‘wear whatever you like’ kinda girlie and I hope as I continue to grow, so will my sense of style! Since I was young, I’ve always been confident with my style and have never been too shy to wear something ‘out there’ or step out of my comfort zone. This has led me through many, many fashion eras. (Hello my hardcore emo-Tumblr and Spell-boho phases, lol).
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Shout out to my mom for always allowing me the space to dress and express myself how I wanted to and never limiting me. She’s a seamstress, so she’d always be sewing up outfits that I was obsessing over on the TV, in teen magazines or on my Bratz dolls. Still to this day, she helps me bring my visions to life. ILY mum!
Have you ever felt like you needed to fit into a particular fashion box?
I think the times when I’ve felt like I needed to fit into a particular box are the times when I’ve lost myself and my confidence. I conformed to trends in school that I didn’t love, and that were definitely not for me and my body type, just so I could fit in.
I think we’ve all been there. In recent years, I’ve felt the pressure to stay within a niche and have been scared to move away or try something new because I was being praised for it at the time. In times like this, I remind myself that I’m not dressing for anyone else but myself and to stay true to who I am because it’s when I do this I feel the most me.
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Take us back to those awkward teenage years. Do you have any fashion regrets?
I probably have many fashion regrets but I can’t be mad at any of my past style choices (although some were definitely a choice). I’ve come to appreciate them for what they were and I wouldn’t be who I am today without them. Of course, I look back to some and think ‘Girl, wtf?’, but I always did the most with whatever trend I was participating in and for that I’m proud.
While I would never be caught dead wearing certain things again (like skinny jeans), each awkward fashion era represents the memories, experiences and new friendships I made in those spaces, all of which I would never regret.
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What are the most expensive and least expensive items in your wardrobe?
The most expensive item I have in my wardrobe is my Gucci bag that my boyfriend worked really hard to gift me when we were young (shout out to my man). The least expensive item would be one of the many pieces that fill my racks from the op shops. I love a cheap, secondhand treasure.
What is the most meaningful fashion piece you own?
One of my besties gifted me the gorgeous pink Swarovski Dulcis Cocktail ring for my birthday a few years back. It’s so loud and pink and dramatic just like me. My outfit doesn’t feel complete without it. We don’t live in the same city anymore, so I think of her and how much I love her every time I put it on.
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Who or what influences your style?
My style is influenced by the people I surround myself with both in real life and online. I’m really drawn to other creatives who are also stepping outside the norm and pushing the boundaries with how they express themselves.
I also find inspiration in the music I listen to, books I read, movies and TV shows I binge, in travelling to new places, finding new hobbies and exploring new communities. Right now I’m listening to Brat, watching Drag Race, dancing at raves until the AM and obsessing over @sashaareyouok (she’s a creative genius). All these are currently influencing my style! Right now, I would say my style is creative, fun, edgy and sexy.
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What fashion piece are you saving for right now?
The Range Boots from Dirt! I don’t think there’s been a day when I haven’t thought of them. They’re perfect!
What are the wardrobe items you wear on repeat?
I can’t stop wearing baggy slogan tees, bras over my tops, mini skirts, my Nike shox, my Birkin totes, baggy low-rise camo cargos, huge sunnies and chunky clear hooped earrings. I need to stop wearing my shox though, they’re half a size too small and I’ve lost both my big toenails to them (RIP).
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Who are your favourite local designers?
I love my local Perth stars, so shoutout to Knitwit the Label, Twotags, Mercy by Mia and Rag’ed Edge. Other Australian designers I love are Karlaidlaw, Briar Will, Raga Malak, Olivia Rowan, Ramp Tramp Tramp Stamp, Katharina Lou, Kourh, Lucinda Babi, Emily Watson, Oats the Label, So Familia… and the list goes on!
Keep up with Shayley here.
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