Ned said ‘Nancy Drew is the best girl detective in the whole world!‘
‘Don’t you believe him,’ Nancy said quickly. ‘I have solved some mysteries, I’ll admit, and I enjoy it, but I’m sure there are many other girls who could do the same.’ – Nancy’s Mysterious Letter, Book 5
The classic Nancy Drew mystery books taught me about girl power and how perhaps, I could be a super girl too. First published in 1930, the series is about a teenage sleuth who solves mysteries from either the cases of her father, attorney Carson Drew, or the ones that she suddenly encounters. She drives a blue roadster, as thrilling car chases and “haunted” places are some of the adventures that follow her way. In the words of literacy critic, Bobbie Ann Mason, Nancy is as “cool as Mata Hari and sweet as Betty Crocker.” Powerful female figures, including Sandra Day O’ Conner, Sonia Sotomayor, Hilary Clinton, and Laura Bush, have cited Nancy Drew as an influence.
This classic heroine was everything that I aspired to be: Smart, strong, and kind. It’s no mystery that her influence seeps through me till this day, including my personal style.
I’ve been reading The Curated Closet by Anushka Rees, and I love how the methods in this book thoughtfully tailor to your own unique style. After all, nobody is like anyone else. The way you dress is a cumulation of what makes you, you – as Anushka points out:
… because your personal style is just that: deeply personal. Sure, you may like a lot of the same colors, materials, or cuts as someone else, but the way you combine these into outfits, the pieces you choose for different occasions, and how you style your looks are all a reflection of your unique likes and dislikes and the influences that you have picked up over the years.
Although my style is still evolving, there are just some elements that never seem to go away. Did Nancy influence me to stick with certain timeless elements? It’s a mystery…
In any case, I thought it would be fun to do a reflection post of my personal style and see how Nancy may have played a part in it!
To start off, I think it’s important to begin with Nancy’s overall persona. She’s always doing something and is definitely a “girl on the go.” Nancy is also described as perfect and carries herself in a respectable way. So, it’s likely that her style choices revolved around the themes of practicality and presentability, with a hint of an old-fashioned vibe to reflect her times. Here are some of my personal style elements that highlight this concept:
Penny Loafers
Penny loafers have it all. They’re practical, timeless, and make any outfit look more professional, without the discomfort of high heels – a good choice for a girl detective who needs to take a case at any moment. For work, I save high heels for special occasions and reach for a pair of penny loafers instead. They help elevate any outfit without sacrificing comfort. With penny loafers, I feel prepared for any unexpected things that come my way… perhaps not a thrilling car chase like Nancy, but more like an emergency team meeting at the office.
Clean Lines
Nancy Drew is focused on the job. When you’re a sleuth, you also don’t want to attract too much attention to yourself. So, I imagine that she has an effortless feel to her wardrobe. When I think effortless, I think clean lines. I barely have any ruffles or bold colors in my closet. The pieces in my closet are simple, minimal, and full of neutral colors. Most of my clothes are solid colors, but some have small floral prints, delicate lace details, stripes, plaid, or gingham – nothing too crazy.
Crossbody Bags
As a “girl on the go,” the hands-free and effortless feel of crossbody bags are the best companion. I double up my ONA Bowery camera bag as a regular day bag.
Polished & Put Together
Knowledgeable of so many skills, ranging from swimming to cooking, Nancy Drew is perfect. I’m far from perfect, but I do try to be a well-rounded person and learn as much as I can about everything. That’s as close as I can get to being perfect. By following such a lifestyle, I feel more confident, in control, and put together. Since I try to emulate this lifestyle, the way I dress mirrors it too. To look (and feel) polished and put together, I plan my outfits the night before, carefully select pieces that make me feel confident (i.e. skirts that are at the right length, pieces that fit my body type, etc.), and find a happy medium between being laid back/casual and smart/professional. If it’s the latter, I feel a bit overdone, but if it’s the former, then I feel like I can’t be taken seriously. Therefore a happy medium is where I feel the most comfortable and confident.
In the end, I think dressing yourself just that! It’s a subtle message of how you feel, what you would like to portray about yourself, and a reflection of your unique experiences. Best part is? Everyone has their own way of doing so.
If you’re trying to discover your own unique style, be sure to read The Curated Closet by Anushka Rees for the most thoughtful style tips! (Link to Anushka’s blog and the book: Click Here) I know that I will definitely use the methods in the book for future style posts on The Inkformant.
My mini Nancy Drew lookbook:
