STYLE GUIDE

What do you want to put your money on this year? Instagram star Laureen Uy on looking chic every day, how to work those sneakers, and what she will be wearing throughout 2017.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel
My Reading Room

What do you want to put your money on this year? Instagram star Laureen Uy on looking chic every day, how to work those sneakers, and what she will be wearing throughout 2017.

My Reading Room

Fashion comes naturally to this bubbly 25-year-old behind www.breakmystyle.com – her sister, Liz, is a celebrity stylist in Manila, and her brother, Vince, is a creative director with a publishing group. Laureen, who began her blog as a visual diary in 2010, is now one of social media’s biggest stars. Her Instagram account (@laureenmuy) commands more than 813,000 followers, and her Youtube channel (laureenuy), nearly 17,000 subscribers. Find out her secrets to staying stylish every day.

My Reading Room

Describe your style. It is more edgy and street than feminine. I wear sneakers, pants, denim, and jackets more often than dresses.

Do you follow or stay away from fashion trends? I mix trendy with classic. If you shop only for trendy items, you won’t have any pieces to keep. So I try to weave trends into my own style. For inspiration, I read magazines and follow other blogs.

Who are other influencers you admire? Will it be biased if I name my sister, Liz? She (@lizzzuy) is a stylist in Manila and has amazing style – definitely more glamorous than mine. We still share clothes but I make her clothes edgier (laughs). When styling a cropped sweatshirt, she might pair it with graphic wide-legged pants, while I’d layer it over an oversized-sleeved button-down shirt and leather shorts. I also like Margaret Zhang’s (@margaret__zhang) style.

What do you wear most often? Sneakers! When I’m feeling lazy, I stick to T-shirts over skirts or jeans and sneakers. On other days, I like to change up my look – just because I’m in sneakers doesn’t mean I can only do sporty. I can wear a velvet slip dress over a T-shirt with sneakers.

Name three items you’re planning to buy – and wear for the rest of the year. Louis Vuitton metallic Star Trail boots – I’m visiting Europe soon and they will be good for the cold weather. I want to invest in classic pieces, like a white polo from Dior and those unevenhemmed pants from Vetements.

What did you buy in 2016 that you will still wear in 2017? My black Gucci slip-ons. They are so comfy, and I know I want to wear them not just this year but for years to come. There’s also my Louis Vuitton Twist bag, which I always travel with. Finally, my Acne ankle boots, which I’ve had for about two years – but they still look so chic. I am very petite, so I appreciate the extra height from the two-inch heels.

Leather bag, $6,000, from Louis Vuitton.
Leather bag, $6,000, from Louis Vuitton.
Leather slippers with lamb’s wool (price unavailable) from Gucci.
Leather slippers with lamb’s wool (price unavailable) from Gucci.
Leather boots, $2,270, from Louis Vuitton.
Leather boots, $2,270, from Louis Vuitton.
Vetements denim jeans, US$978 (S$1,394), from Net-a-porter.
Vetements denim jeans, US$978 (S$1,394), from Net-a-porter.
More: sneakers