Phoebe Tonkin doesn’t have time to think about her wardrobe when she’s traveling the world. She needs an outfit that can take her from the airport to set and then to dinner without a worry, and even if we’re living in envy of her jet set lifestyle, we need that combination of practicality and presentation too.
Rip & Tan: Describe the outfit that makes you feel like the most authentic version of yourself:
Phoebe Tonkin: Vintage Levi’s, a sweater, a pair of flats, and gold hoop earrings.
Rip & Tan: How has your career influenced the way you dress?
Phoebe Tonkin: I definitely tend to favor comfort over anything, especially when I have early call times and I’m working through long days.
Rip & Tan: Consider your favorite item of clothing. What is it that draws you to it? Is it the texture, color, silhouette, its history?
Phoebe Tonkin: My best friend Ilona is a blue jean connoisseur, and for about a year I kept dropping hints about a particular pair of Levi’s until she eventually relented and gave them to me. I protect them like they’re gold. I always pack them in my luggage. Other than that, I have a lot of jewelry that has sentimental value.
Rip & Tan: Are there any women in your life that have given you wisdom on style or dressing? Who are they, and what have you learned from them?
Phoebe Tonkin: Ilona Hamer and Alex Nataf, editors of Unconditional Magazine, totally inspired the way I dress and the way I look at fashion. They favor basic, well-made, classic pieces, and they steer clear of anything trendy.
Rip & Tan: Describe the evolution of your taste over the years. How do you imagine your style changing in the future?
Phoebe Tonkin: My style has definitely changed over the years. I remember when I was younger, I would look at girls who were older than me and I didn’t understand how they just looked effortless. And I realized that style is something that you accumulate…like those jeans I stole from my best friend, the shoes that I’ve been wearing for seven years, the jewelry that I traded with my sister. When you’re younger, you think that being sexy is wearing tight little things, and now I do feel sexiest just when I’m in something really simple and classic, like a T-shirt and a pair of jeans.