#GIRLCRUSH: Stylish Stassi
Accessorized & Accomplished: Stassi Schroeder
We all know her as “the girl everyone loves to hate,” but beyond all the Vanderpump Rules drama, is an ambitious, smart, and nice (yes actually really, really nice) girl with her sights set on serious style. I first met Stassi during New York Fashion Week back in February and immediately found her to be extraordinarily girlcrush-worthy. Not only is she strikingly beautiful with piercing blue eyes and a Califorina-girl glow, but she is charming, bright, and as real as they come. I caught up with her last week in LA at her hair salon where we laughed and schmoozed like we’d been girlfriends for years. With foils in her hair and a diet coke in her hand, Stassi shared her views on style, her obsession with tequila, and her hopes for inspiring young girls to feel comfortable in their own skin.
Q&A
Did you always dream of a future in fashion or did it just kind of happen?
It definitely was not an accident. It was very much planned. I have been obsessed with clothes forever. I got my first pair of heels when I was 10, just so I could walk around the house in them. I just knew that if I wanted to be in the fashion industry, I would have to be in a place like New York or Los Angeles. I had always loved Los Angeles and had family out here, so I decided this was where I needed to be.
A lot of people think you’re aspiring to be a stylist? Is that true?
I never wanted to be a stylist. On the show, they tried to make it look like that’s what I wanted to do, but it’s never been my dream to do that. I went to school for English Literature and Writing and I always knew that I loved writing and being creative with clothes, but I didn’t know what specific career would come from that. It made sense to start a blog because I could use my passion for writing to talk about clothes and style.
How often do you shoot for your blog and how do you pick your looks?
Usually once a week and we’ll shoot a few different looks. I’ll spend a couple of days pulling pieces from showrooms. I’ll look online and see what trends people are responding to. It’s so crazy how some posts that I think are going to do really well don’t do nearly as well as something more basic. I try to say to myself, “I might like this particular piece of clothing, but no one else is really feeling it." It has to translate.
What is your favorite accessory?
I have my go-to accessories. It’s hard for me to pick just one. I am completely obsessed with gold. I just feel like its super glam and chic, but in a subtle way. Right now, I really love gold serpent jewelry like my snake ring from Nialaya because it makes me feel really pretty, like a goddess. I’m having a Cleopatra moment. I get more excited about putting on my rings and bracelets and jewels in the morning, than picking out my outfit for the day. I prefer accessories over clothes 100%. (YES! This is why we love this girl!) A great handbag can transform an outfit and make you feel more confident. I’m constantly rotating my bags, but I love this white snakeskin one I’m wearing now by Mary Lai and I adore my chain-strap backpack from Erin Dana.
Any accessories you’re lusting after right now?
I’ve officially decided that I want to splurge for a Balenciaga bag. I want the cream one with gold hardware or rose gold hardware. I love mixing rose gold with yellow gold.
Where do you do most of your shopping?
I love shopping online. I probably spend about three hours a day browsing ShopStyle and Polyvore. If I find something I love then I’ll keep searching to find less expensive or different versions. I absolutely love the hunt of shopping online and then when it comes in the mail it’s like Christmas!
What are your goals for the future?
I’ve always loved fashion self-help books. I was that teenager who would go to Barnes & Noble and just sit there and read them, but I always felt like there wasn’t one that I could totally relate to. The voice of the author made me feel like "I could never be this cool." I want to eventually write a style self-help book that is relatable and sends the message of: “I am one of you. You are not alone. We are all the same.” I would love for a young girl to read something I write and feel comforted and inspired, instead of feeling like “I need to go buy this handbag and then I’ll be cool enough.” I want to make girls feel like they’re just getting advice from a best friend.
Stassi's #1 Style Tip: Throw the Rules Out the Window
There are no style rules that apply to every single woman and there are no “staples” that every girl should own. If you don’t like white button down shirts, then don’t buy one just because it’s a good “basic.” Style is so personal and so relative. That said, every woman should find a uniform that’s right for her based on her body type and style preferences. Say someone has a really amazing flat stomach…her staples should be a great-fitting pair of jeans and a top that flatters the mid-section, and then she can tweak it with the accessories. My best feature is my legs so I like to wear shorts with a flowy top that I can dress up or dress down. The uniform should be a go-to that always makes you feel sexy and confident. It’s about finding the silhouette that flatters you, that you feel confident in.
Five Fun Facts
- Bubby Would Be Proud: Her favorite food used to be a great burger, but she recently had brisket for the first time and says it’s the best thing she’s ever tasted. In her words, “Brisket’s what’s up."
- Boo!: She’s obsessed with horror movies, zombies, and anything scary. Her favorite holiday is Halloween.
- "Skin is Everything": She swears by Makeup Forever cosmetics and loves a good contour.
- Blue Period: Her favorite color is light blue…the color of her beautiful eyes!
- Tequila is the Spice of Life: Her drink of choice is a spicy margarita and she says she would drink it for breakfast if it was acceptable. Her favorite is from Gracias Madres in LA.
Check out Stassi's blog, STYLE by STASSI for outfit inspiration and style tips and follow her stylish journeys on Instagram.
Photos courtesy of Jeremy Davison.