No skinny jeans: Ballet dancer Lilly Maskery’s style rules

What are three essential items in your wardrobe?
A black oversized leather blazer I wear constantly, I found it in a thrift store in Paris so there’s
a great memory attached; men’s bowling shirts – I love a short-sleeve button-up; and baggy carpenter-style pants.

Any go-to jewellery?
A Tiffany & Co. double heart necklace that my friends gave me for my 18th birthday.

Can you remember a favourite outfit from when you were a child?
When I was about 10, I was obsessed with this denim vest that I made my mum buy me even though she hated it! I wore it with a plaid miniskirt and a pink Baker Boy hat.

What was your worst fashion mistake?
It was in my early teens when I tried to dress like everyone else.

And your first fashion moment?
When I was about four, we had school picture day at kindergarten, I insisted on dressing myself in a bright-pink sequinned maxi dress. In the photo everyone else is in shorts and a T-shirt, and I’m this glam queen up the front.

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What’s at the top of your wish list?
I’m searching for the perfect vintage watch, something from the 1950s, ’60s or ’70s with a brown leather wrist strap.

Is there something you would never wear?
Skinny jeans.

Is there a current fashion trend you like?
The ’70s revival and knitted vests.

What shoes do you wear most often?
Converse Chuck Taylor High Tops – I alternate between black and cream.

What do you sleep in?
Peter Alexander pyjama shorts and a Calvin Klein racerback bra.

Do you have a favourite fashion icon?
I have a few! My main one is Zendaya. I love how versatile her style is, she does masculine and feminine looks so well. For street style I love Phoebe Bridgers, Emma Corrin’s preppy look and Zoe Kravitz in High Fidelity. Also, Tyler, the Creator and Dennis Rodman, not for direct inspiration but for their attitude towards fashion, they have so much fun.

What do you wear on a typical working day?
A Yumiko leotard, Adidas trackpants, a shawl that my friend crocheted and Bloch booties.

What’s your favourite off-duty casual Sunday look? Carhartt denim overalls with a cropped white singlet and Nike Cortez sneakers. I live in Fitzroy so I go to all the thrift stores and then to the Brunswick Street Bookstore – it’s the best place ever.

Lilly is a nominee in the Telstra Ballet Dancer Awards; telstra.com/ballet.

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