12 Australian creatives show us how they style Sandy Liang-inspired outfits
Image via @alliedaisyking/INSTAGRAM
Words by Ruby Staley
“The younger me would’ve been obsessed with this outfit, and that’s how I know it’s perfect.”
The Sandy Liang effect is in full swing. Raised in New York, the designer’s eponymous label draws inspiration from the iconic city and her younger self. Full of nostalgic nods and colourful playfulness, her designs capture the beauty of womanhood in all its many stages.
Through liberal use of bows, ribbons and pink lace, the Sandy Liang aesthetic expertly weaves a sweet sense of innocence with a sharp intelligence. There’s something undone – but also perfectly done up – about the Sandy look.
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While the label currently revolves around feminine details, the undone styling means the looks are never too polished, pretty or unattainable. To illustrate just how big the trend has become, I asked some of my favourite creatives to style their best Sandy Liang-inspired outfits.
Sarah Khin, she/they, model
I present to you… Sarah Khin, inspired by Sandy Liang SS24… I’m trying to take the [Sandy Liang] ultra-femme, delicate, sweetie-pie ballet vibe and make it a little more Sarah Khin. On a scale from ballerina to clown, I would rank myself as a clown – so for this look, I have merged the two theatrical aesthetics together.
I chose to stick with baby pink, as we see this colour repetitively throughout the [Sandy Liang SS24] collection. With the addition of satin gloves, poofy sleeves, tights, and a corset… I feel that it brings more of a circus element to the look… This look is upcycled and thrifted. I’m forecasting clowncore next season!
Tara Chandra, she/her, digital creator
Sandy Liang has brought on a bow resurgence, and I’m not mad that my 10-year-old self can wear bows again in a cuter and better way! This outfit was inspired by pink bows (obviously). I found these shorts at a store in Jakarta, and I knew I had to pair them with my arm warmers-turned-legwarmers.
I’ve been wearing these pink ribbons around my legs for over a year, and it’s become a staple look of mine. Tied in with the pink bows in my hair, I’m one step closer to being a Sandy Liang girlie!
Lucinda Houghton, she/her, fashion designer Lucinda Babi
This outfit is a look from the upcoming collection of my label Lucinda Babi, featuring a mesh baby tee and bow skirt which I have styled with lace tights and mules. The materiality and colour palette of this look really remind me of Sandy’s style (which I love) as well as the bow, which is a detail I always come back to.
As a designer who is also inspired by themes of nostalgia and girlhood, I can see parallels in some of my designs with the overall aesthetic she has created. I really enjoy the quirky elegance that comes from playing with the idea of unconventional femininity.
Mungmung, she/her, musician
Sandy Liang is just the moment. I love that she’s incorporated her own unique spin on the New York style. Embracing femininity, soft structures and dainty details – these are the qualities synonymous with the brand and what I’ve used as a guide to put together my own outfit.
I wanted to tip the hat (or should I say scrunchie?) to [Sandy Liang-esque] floral and bow motifs… Of course, I had to pull through with some of my own touches… [my accessories are from] Yellowgirl, Beaded by Momo and Converse!
Simay Celik, she/her, fashion student
Sandy Liang is one of my favourite designers at the moment, with her aesthetic being the perfect inspiration for my spring outfits. I admire her light-hearted approach to design, creating playful pieces adorned with bows and frills that evoke a sense of nostalgia, reminiscent of my childhood wardrobe.
In this outfit, I paired a thrifted pleated midi skirt… with a white lace bandeau that I designed and made myself, adding little pink bows to the straps. I combined this with a pair of my favourite Salomons (I sadly wasn’t lucky enough to cop a pair from the Sandy Liang collaboration).
…I finished the outfit off with my Coach Soho bag, adding a pink ribbon to match the top and some silver jewellery. This Sandy Liang aesthetic will definitely be a common theme in my outfits throughout this spring and summer.
Tatenda Luna, she/her, digital creator
When I think of Sandy Liang, the first thing that comes to mind is bows and ballet flats. With the rise of trends like ‘balletcore’, I feel as though we are dressing to heal our inner child. Getting to wear pretty pink dresses and bows is my version of dopamine dressing. I feel beautiful, soft, confident and happy. My Sandy Liang-inspired outfit is a pastel pink skirt that I made recently and decided to wear as a dress over a long-sleeved turtleneck.
In signature Sandy fashion, I opted for a braid with ribbons at the top and bottom (you can never have too much ribbon). I also attached the same black velvet ribbon to my dress and paired the look with my very loved Miu Miu ballet flats and socks! The younger me would’ve obsessed with this outfit, and that’s how I know it’s perfect.
Grace Corby, she/her, owner of Art Garments
2023 is the year of balletcore as far as I’m concerned. I’ve just released an entire vintage collection dedicated to it and fashion weeks are full of form-fitting knits, ethereal silks, organza, lace, puff, pastels and bows. Sandy Liang is putting a beautiful spin on it.
Personally, I am finding ballet elements have become the core of my wardrobe. Maybe it’s because the aesthetic is both soft and romantic as well as streamlined and practical. I’ve been wearing this Gil Rodriguez bodysuit daily with layered vintage pieces.
In this rendition, the bodysuit allows flexibility and movement and the bottom adds prettiness with the sheer chiffon layers, tied together with a silk sash and my patent [Maison Margiela] Tabis to add a bit more edge.
Letitia Tandoh, she/her, designer
In styling, I tend to take from what I see around me, building on that as a direct source of inspiration. Sometimes that might be what is on trend and sometimes it comes directly from the runway. Sandy Liang has been so influential in the fashion game as of now – it feels like you can see her… romantic visual style in some way absolutely everywhere.
Romantic silhouettes, teeny, little bows and soft colours and shapes are my absolute favourites… The fun and whimsical little characteristics really make me feel like I’m able to wear the clothing that I would’ve loved to wear as a little girl. In the same vein, there is a great contrast there between these soft silhouettes and girly details and some edge – whether that be a cool pair of sneakers or some more structured and plain pieces.
Jillian Arcenas, she/her, digital creator
I have such an appreciation for the Sandy Liang brand… [the] designs wonderfully embrace the spirit of girlhood and radiate playfulness and nostalgia. While I may not consistently embody that vibe in all of my looks, the brand has definitely inspired me to infuse my outfits with subtle touches of femininity.
In this outfit, I’ve drawn inspiration from the brand’s girliness… I think this definitely hits the nail on the head when it comes to Sandy’s ode to nostalgia, as these were pieces that I wore as a child… [just] styled differently.
Sarah Ring, she/they, model
… Discovering Sandy Liang’s creations was like stumbling upon the style inspiration I’ve been looking for so long! You can practically sense the creative energy infused into the designs, blending cute, sexy and fierce elements seamlessly. And those little flourishes like one-of-a-kind accessories and playful frilly socks? They’re the cherry on top.
A special nod goes to the crocheted top, made in Melbourne by Feaath… These details tie the whole look together, encapsulating Sandy Liang’s essence of intricate yet effortless style. By the way, the skirt is a thrifted Burberry gem and the shoes? They’re Camper heels I scored on eBay!
Allie Daisy King, she/her, writer and digital creator
All hail the queen of the downtown princess, Sandy Liang. She is the epitome of girlhood and has inspired me to reclaim my inner and outer girliness. The second I saw her pieces adorned with rosettes, I knew I had to track some down and recreate her looks.
I got these pink and green rosette clips from Sister Studios and have been enhancing all my fits with them… Keep up the slaying, Ms Liang, and I will keep recreating your looks in my own price range.
Caitlin Snell, she/her, fashion designer
Delicate and feminine, Sandy Liang emphasises the importance of accessorising and… colour! Her work makes me want to incorporate bows, flowers, gathering [and] hair clips… into my own outfits.
For more on the Sandy Liang effect, head here.
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