The Turner Series Meet Matilda Dods
How do you express yourself through your style?
My style is quite paired back, my wardrobe is mostly classics and basics. I don’t like my clothes to speak for me; so I think what I am expressing through my style is more an invitation to get to know me than a declaration of who I am. I’ve always loved rockstars and French actresses that manage to make a ratty pair of jeans and a t-shirt look like the sexiest and most alluring outfit you’ve ever seen. And I am realising more and more as I get older that it is not the clothes that make the woman but the other way around.
How has your style changed over the years?
I feel like my style has become a little more refined and definitely, the quality of the pieces that I buy has improved, but at the end of the day, I've always been a jeans, t-shirt and black boots girl. There have definitely been periods of my life that have been more out there and I've let myself lean into going through some pretty defining phases. Growing up in a coastal town and being interested in music and fashion meant that I didn't really start expressing myself through clothes until I moved to the city. And the city I moved to was New York where the range of self-expression was so inspiring that I just let myself fall into it. This lead to a lot of casual bondage wear, ripped tights and fishnets. Outfits that I would never wear now but I look back on and I’m grateful for the time and the space to explore and experiment.
My style always comes back to something that feels a bit rock n roll, a little edgy but always a bit casual. Music and the musicians that I love have always been at the centre of my inspiration when it comes to how I dress. I've just always wanted to be a rockstar. However, I do think the brand of rockstar that I am trying to emulate has changed and grown up over the years. I've retired my ripped tights and fishnets thank god.
How do you balance playful pieces with classic investments?
I think that this is something that I am still actively trying to figure out. I am so privileged to be in the position that I am in with regard to my career that makes me able to borrow and wear pieces for events that I would not usually a) be able to afford and b) have the opportunity to wear. I am so lucky to have had these opportunities to be more experimental and playful with my style in this context. However, in my day to day life, I tend to stick to the classics, times when I have strayed the items are often left unworn. I would rather have a wardrobe of loved and worn classics that I feel confident styling than a cupboard full of pieces that I tried to make myself love and don’t feel confident wearing.
Colour and print can be intimidating—how did you start being more experimental?
Refer to previous answer!!! My wardrobe is quite bereft of colour and print! However, I have recently found myself experimenting more with unusual cuts, twists and cut outs. A simple black dress with an interesting cut out is an easy way for me to feel more cool and current but still like myself than trying to wear anything printed or floral!
What do you choose to invest in?
Classics that make me feel GOOD. I will never have enough pairs of jeans because I know that denim makes me feel cool and sexy. I very much subscribe to the belief that if you know you love a certain item and you know that you will love and wear it, buy ten. I will never have enough tight ribbed singlets because I know that I will always go back to them and they are always worth investing in. The same goes for well-tailored black trousers, good mini skirts, and black boots. Additionally but maybe not by the dozen, a good leather jacket, classic handbags in styles that I will pass on to my children and really delicious quality knitwear. I live and die by a good cardi.
How does sustainability play a role in your daily routines?
I cut out fast fashion several years ago and started focusing on building a wardrobe that would really stand the test of time, which inevitably lead me to become more interested in sustainable practices with regard to production. Furthermore, I feel like having quite a simple timeless sense of style has naturally integrated sustainability into my wardrobe. I buy clothes that I can see myself wearing for a very long time, and then either reintroduce them into the circular economy or passing onto my (future) children.
What are you most sentimental about in your wardrobe?
My mum has always had great style and has passed on a lot of really beautiful pieces to me that have a lot of sentimental value. I really look forward to being able to give my children the same experience; which means that I take a lot of care with my clothes to ensure that they will still be around and looking beautiful when it is time to be passed on.
What is your favourite part about shopping for preloved pieces?
My biggest wardrobe fear (which I am surely not alone in) is turning up somewhere to discover myself in the same outfit as someone else. I love that vintage and preloved pieces radically reduces that risk. There is an exclusivity with shopping pre-loved that gives me a real rush.
I feel most inspired when…
I’m listening to or making music. When I’m on set. Whenever I am around and involved in creativity. I feed off others creativity and love getting to be a part of bringing a fantasy to life. I feel inspired whenever I get to be the canvas or the muse for someone else’s vision.
