In the world of fashion, personal style often walks a fine line between individuality and conformity. While trends come and go, what we choose to keep in our closets says a lot about who we are, and sometimes, the pieces we hold on to spark debate. Whether it’s a vintage item that’s out of touch with today’s values, a bold runway piece that’s too avant-garde for daily wear, or even a top that your family might find a bit too scandalous, every fashion person has that one item that they hold near and dear to their hearts (regardless of public opinion). To uncover these hidden style secrets, I reached out to a few friends in the industry to ask about the most controversial pieces in their wardrobes.
What I received were candid responses that sometimes made me laugh out loud and most times made me want to sneak a peek at their closets. The research for this story has really revealed to me how each and every one of us has a skeleton in our closet. From iconic designer items that might now be seen as a relics to guilty pleasures that simply aren’t practical to wear, these industry insiders have quite the collection to share. Their answers shed light on what really makes personal style personal—owning something that others might never understand. Curious to see what they’re hoarding? Let’s dive in.
“The most controversial item in my closet also happens to be my favourite item: my Margiela Tabis. To me, they are such a beautifully crafted shoe, but to most of my family members and anyone outside of the fashion community, they are hooves. Aside from being beautiful, comfortable, and insanely cool. I love being able to tell a story when I have them on. I find the history of the Tabi silhouette very interesting, and I love being able to share that with people who may not understand the allure of the Tabi.” — Bridget Brown
Shop Bridget’s pick:
Maison Margiela
Brown Tabi Mary-Janes Ballerina Flats
“I think I could find a lot of controversial items in my closet, but most recently, it would be the raffia corset from Cult Gaia. It led to lots of interesting conversations with my followers, e.g., whether it’s possible to wear it/sit in it. The answer to both of those questions is yes! It’s such a fun piece to style! I wore it with a shirt and suede shorts!” — Renia Jaz
