An Interview with 925 Style
by Emma Nolan Cuckoo Magazine – 1st October 2018
Tell us about 925style.
925style is where you go for work-wear inspiration. Here, you will find full outfits put together, where the clothes are new stock and work appropriate. Being a working woman, I am dressed in work-wear 5 days a week. Work-wear is what I wear most often, yet before 925style, I couldn’t find any inspiration for stylish, appropriate outfits. All the blogs out there were sharing beautiful occasion, going-out or casual wear but none focused on work-wear.
Everything I share is new stock. It was frustrating, for example, seeing a nice top on a blogger, asking where it is from and being told it’s from Zara, but two years ago. That’s no good to me! So, I wanted everything I share on 925style to be new stock and available for you to buy now. I provide direct links to everything on my website 925style.ie. So, if you like it, you can buy it. I just saw a niche market that wasn’t being catered for and decided to go for it and I can’t believe it’s success so far.
When did you set up your website?
I set up my page on Facebook and Instagram less than a year ago, and I just launched my website within the last month.
Why did you decide to stay anonymous?
I wanted the focus to be on the clothes and style and not on me or the personal aspect of my life. Now more than ever, people are sick of seeing ‘perfect’ bloggers and their seemingly ‘perfect’ lives. I, personally, just want to see the clothes. I am very private, my blog is about fashion and style and where to buy it and not about me as a person or this ‘perfect’ life that many portray. People seem to really admire this and it adds mystery and appeal to the blog. It keeps the focus totally on the style and I believe that is what a fashion blog should do. My favourite quote for 925style is ‘In a world where everyone is over exposed, the coolest thing you can do is maintain your mystery.’
Who has influenced you and how have they influenced your thinking?
My family are my biggest influences. They have always encouraged me to believe in myself, and to believe that you can do anything you put your mind to. I love seeing other women succeed too. I feel, if they can do it, I can do it.
Where do you look for Inspiration?
I love seeing what people are wearing when I’m out and about. I also get inspiration from my sister and my friends and of course, through social media.
What advice do you have for people who want to improve their style?
I would advise people to stick with classic, well-tailored pieces and you can’t go wrong. Also, always wear what suits your body and what you feel good in. Don’t feel like you have to buy into every trend.
What is the one item in your wardrobe you couldn’t live without?
A good coat is an absolute essential. Especially here in Ireland, with this seemingly never-ending winter. I am also obsessed with handbags. It is the first thing I look at in a person’s outfit.
What does fashion mean to you?
To me, fashion means feeling confident and empowered. The difference it can make to one’s confidence, when they are well dressed and feel they look good, is amazing.
What do you think of ‘influencer culture’ which has become so popular lately?
Well, I feel it has always been there. People have always been ‘influenced’. It’s just the medium has changed. If it isn’t through radio, it’s TV, if it isn’t TV, it’s magazines so it’s just the modern way of advertising, I suppose. However, I do think the whole thing has gone mad and needs to be regulated. There is a huge lack of honesty. It puts pressure on people to live up to these unrealistic lifestyles, body images etc. I feel the whole influencer scene needs to go back to basics and that is what I am trying to do with 925style.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
‘A private life, is a happy life.’
Describe your style in 3 words?
Smart, polished and fashion-forward.
My very first blog post.
Well, to get me to sit down and write this at all, it had to be about something I had genuine interest in and felt was worthwhile enough to share. This blog post is about why fashion is so important. Why I care about how I dress. Why I put so much time and effort into my page for you and why you too should care about how you dress, particularly how you dress for work.
When it comes to work wear, the best motto I have heard is:
‘Dress right. You can’t afford not to.’
Think about this for a second.
You will never have a negative reaction to dressing appropriately and stylishly in the workplace, it can only be a positive thing. When they say, ‘Dress for the job you want’, there actually is a lot of psychology behind that. When you dress well, it helps you to think that you are important and as a result, you are important. The more respect you have for yourself the more respect others will have for you. Without a doubt, how you look on the outside affects how you feel on the inside. You should use clothing as a tool to lift your spirits and build confidence. Tell me you don’t feel happier and more confident when you feel you look well?
I am 100 percent more confident, more outgoing, willing to talk to more people, happier when I feel I am well dressed.
Sure, life isn’t all about looks, there are more pressing and important matters to attend to and you can label some as vain and conceited-they simply care too much about how they look. But remember, your appearance talks and first impressions do matter. This is so important in whatever work you undertake.
Of course, it would be a beautiful world if people saw peoples intellect and kindness first and not appearance but unfortunately, that is not reality. People do evaluate you based on your appearance. It is the first thing people see. People look at a person and make a quick judgement, and then treat them according to that judgement for the duration of that interaction. If you are dressed well it says you are confident, presentable, prosperous, important, dependable.
I was in the shop the other day and went to pick up some strawberries. One bunch were clean and bright, presented in a cute little wicker basket. The other bunch were dirty and dull and in a plain plastic container. There wasn’t much difference in the price and I was assured by the shop keeper that both tasted the same. Which do you think I chose?
Packaging and presentation matter.
I know it can be hard if you have children, are so busy etc. You may think, I don’t have time to eat breakfast in the morning, never mind pick out an outfit. But that is hopefully where 925style can help, providing full work wear outfits for you to shop at affordable prices.
At the end of the day, everyone wants to feel confident, empowered, outgoing, important. My hope is that this page will help you all feel like this.
So, the next time you think this is a frivolous fashion blog, look again! It might actually be more important than you think.
925style x
