Laura K, 34, is always on the look out for just the right clothing and accessories. And she doesn’t always travel far to find them. Read her Mile High Style blog and her fashion pieces on the iList, and you’ll see that she uncovers great style right here at home. We posed a few questions to our favorite dedicated follower of fashion:
iList Paducah: Laura K, you always look so great! When did you get interested in fashion?
Laura K: Thank you! I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t interested in fashion. Like most families, my mom and I were on a budget, and we couldn’t afford to have every designer outfit. She’s a wonderful seamstress. So if there was an outfit I wanted, she’d draw a sketch, make her own pattern and then come up with something even better. She was a big influence on me.
And now I see it with my own girls, Ashlynn (10) and Savannah (11). Ashlynn changes clothes six times a day like I did. I remember going to school, and if I had on an outfit I didn’t like, it would ruin my day.
IL: So now you write about fashion, you model and, as the J. Nash Photography image consultant, you help others look great in front of the camera.
LT: Yes. Before each shoot, we make sure we know what the client wants to achieve. I help zero in on the direction of the portrait, and then I assist in the studio and take care of all the office work. We also have these great photo handbags and jewelry that I help with.
IL: I adore your fashion blog! Every time I read it, I want to change into something cuter. What prompted you to start Mile High Style?
LT: First and foremost, it’s a creative outlet for me. I write about fashion news from around the world, but my main focus is what’s going on fashion wise in Paducah — the trunk shows, fashion shows, different stores. We have a lot of great options right here if you look in the right places.
IL: Now tell us about those high heels!
LT: They’re my trademark! I don’t feel comfortable when I don’t have my heels on.
IL: How tall are you without ’em?
LT: 5’10”.
IL: Do you wear them around the house? Like to clean the kitchen?
LT: I might, if I’m coming in from work. But no, at home I’m barefoot.
IL: So what about dating? Are you attracted only to tall men? Do you have a minimum size, so to speak?
LT: I prefer someone taller or as tall. But I have dated shorter men. If I limit myself to only taller men, I’d never go out.
IL: Laura, you make fashion look so effortless. What’s your best piece of fashion advice?
LT: Personalize your style to yourself. I tend to overdress, but with a rock-and-roll edge. So I might wear great tailored pants from Express with dressy jewelry and my heels, but then pair all that with a great tank from Momma’s Boy Production. So I’m dressed up, but with that edge.
IL: Can you offer any fashion “dos” for first dates?
LT: Dress up a little bit, and be yourself.
IL: How about a first date fashion “don’t”?
LT: No ball caps.
IL: What’s your favorite fashion trend these days?
LT: The clutch handbag. I just wrote about them the next issue of Paducah Life. I have always been a fan of the big bag, but it can be a jumbled mess in there. With a clutch, you have no trouble finding things because it holds only the essentials. It’s liberating. I have two great vintage clutch handbags from my grandmother. I love vintage. In fact, I love to reconstruct vintage pieces — like turning a vintage T-shirt into a halter, or old jeans into a mini skirt.
IL: What’s the worst trend going on?
LT: High-waisted pants. I keep waiting for that trend to grow on me, but it doesn’t.
IL: Who’s your favorite designer?
LT: I really like Celine’s line coming up for fall. Right now, I love Valaen in Nashville. He’s in his early 20s. He does lots of urban pieces — baby doll Ts, fabulous dresses...
IL: And what about cute local shops?
LT: Posh is fabulous in Lone Oak Plaza. They have some of the neatest designs. Market@315 also has some great clothes. Owner Michelle Campbell is very fashion forward, so you’ll always find new pieces there.
IL: What’s more important in a date — great personality or great fashion sense?
LT: Whew. I’d say great personality. But I’d like to get both.
IL: When will we see the end of baggy pants on men, belted around their knees?
LT: I don’t know how they walk! I don’t mind seeing just a little bit of a patterned boxer band above the belt line, but any more than that and it’s too low.
IL: Please, can’t you put an end to muffin tops?
LT: It’s true. You have to have the right body style to wear low-cut jeans. So either work out, or don’t wear those. That’s all there is to it. Or maybe wear a blousy top over the jeans. No muffin tops!
IL: Well, Laura, you are cute as a muffin. A very tall, sophisticated, rock-and-roll-edged muffin. Thank you! Wrap it up!
