Stylist Shibon Kennedy Shares Her Style Essentials

“Chic dirtbag,” says stylist Shibon Kennedy when describing her approach to getting dressed. “I say dirtbag in a loving way. It’s more like I love things worn in. I love things dirty. I think there’s something about the story that comes with them.” Kennedy’s perfectly imperfect manner of assembling looks is, as she would tell you, low maintenance but high aesthetic. She’s not afraid of a stain, wrinkle, or paint splatter.

So committed to her craft that when she fell victim to the NYC Omicron surge this past December, the sartorial aficionado created an isolation alter ego, Quarantina Turner, who was churning out editorialized ensembles as if her life depended on it. “The thing for me is the escapism, the frivolity,” she explains. No happy accident, Kennedy’s closet was made for this. It’s home to eccentric faux fur courtesy of Dries Van Noten and Junya Watanabe’s voluminous gabardine.

“My people are [Grace] Wales Bonner, Loewe and J Dub[le-U Anderson], Jean Paul Gaultier, and Dries [Van Noten],” a list that highlights modern fashion’s most esteemed. Among the aforementioned greats, you’ll also find classic tanks from Hanro and t-shirts from Uniqlo. Below, Kennedy walks us through all her eccentric style essentials.

When purchasing a new item of clothing or an accessory, what are the boxes you’re looking to check?

“I have always been somebody who really cares about mother nature and the world and the general well-being of humanity—even though humanity kind of bums me out. If I’m going to invest in anything designer at this point then I’m really pushing for it to be vintage or repurposed. I’m really trying to be conscious of where I’m putting my money. One of the perks of the styling thing is that I get a lot of free stuff or I get credits at stores. That can’t go to waste, but if I’m actually paying out-of-pocket for things, I’m really trying to tread lightly on mother nature. She’s hurting a bit.

“If I’m talking about silhouettes and things, honestly I don’t subscribe to the size scale. I will buy a double XL and cinch it like a paper bag. I’m never the person on a site looking for a specific size. I look at the shapes and then go from there. If it’s a question of being too small then I won’t do that but if it’s a little bit big then I can totally make it work.”

Do you find that the more eccentric pieces in your wardrobe get the most wear?

“Yes and no. I always add them into a look to make it super special but because they are the more identifiable things, I try not to wear them too repeatedly. The novelty pieces in my closet get some good air time, for sure. Also, the classics—the black blazer, things like that—also get a lot of love because they can either tone down a look or take a dirt-bag-y look and elevate it.”