Style Stories - Pandora Sykes

Pandora Sykes, 25, Freelance journalist @PINsykes

What is a typical day at work for you?

Totally depends! I can be researching and writing a commission, or blogging on all sorts on my blog, ps-pandora.blogspot.com

How long have you been doing this job?

I have been a freelance features and fashion features writer for a few months. Before that I was Features Assistant at InStyle magazine, which was great.

How did you get to where you are today?

Write, write, write. I have been scribbling since I was five years old and entered every writing competition out there, did work experience during every school and uni holiday (as well as writing for my uni paper) and hounded (in the nicest possible way, of course!) editors via e-mail – persistence pays off. But I have got a long way to go until I get to where I want to be.

What is your go-to outfit for after work cocktails?

I’m not one for going home in between work and going out. I’ll get distracted and never make it out! I like to put something on in the morning that will work well in the evening too. So perhaps a silk shirt, some printed shorts (I favour shorts and skirts over trousers) and heels, with a leather jacket or statement vintage coat that I’ve found on eBay.

What is your go-to outfit for a night out?

At the moment I love wearing simple silk slip dresses (vintage, or Topshop Boutique do amazing ones) with chunky heels. I’m going for the ‘90s Calvin Klein aesthetic (I love the clean lines, I hate over accessoring or too much chunky jewellery) although the success rate is debatable!

What is your go-to outfit for an important meeting?

Probably my velvet pencil skirt with a peter pan collar shirt and sweater. It’s cute, but office friendly.

Where do you go for your style inspiration?

I like checking out all the fashion blogs (Style by Kling, Fashion Toast, Amlul’s Closet, etc) but I try not to get too tied up in them – I actually love wandering round London and checking out my very well-dressed friends. Plus I am more obsessed with interiors blogs at the moment, as I have been doing up my flat.

What is your latest style obsession?

Denim shorts. It’s not exciting, but it is enduring. I have about 15 pairs, which I like to wear with a chunky black belt to pull them up super high, with a shirt and sharp jacket to make them work as an evening look. My favourite pair are a pair of white denim Levis shorts, customised with a leopard print patch on the pocket. I wear them with a white tee and bare legs, in the summer. Very Essex – apt, given that that’s where I’m from!

Whose wardrobe would you love to raid?

Stylist Caroline Sieber’s, or the Courtins-Clarins girls. The French socialites always look fantastic.

What do you think can make or break an outfit?

I don’t really think that one thing specifically makes, or breaks an outfit, but I always pick my shoes carefully. I definitely spend more money on shoes and coats than anything else.

What should people look for when putting an outfit together?

It’s obvious, but dress for your shape – look at the silhouette. I would love to be able to pull off a baggy t-shirt and skinny jeans, but it wouldn’t work for my curvy figure at all!

What is your favorite eBay find ever?

I have a few. I live in my black leather Chelsea boots (I have two pairs, they were about a fiver each) and in the summer, I have a host of floral, grungey dresses from the nineties which I pair with Ash’s cuban heeled booties. My favourite coats are from eBay – my tan suede coat with fur trim and electric blue velvet trench coat are seriously feel-good pieces. Recently my favourite finds have been for my home. They all cost about a third of the price as they would in a shop (for example getting my velvet armchairs made) and I love that they are all individual pieces. I have literally bought every single piece of furniture, bar the beds, off eBay! My proudest acquisitions are an old coffee table trunk which I had to drive for miles to get (which consequently did not fit in my car – thank God for bungee ropes and a boyfriend) a Kartell Louis Ghost acrylic chair, and my white writing desk with cross-over legs. I hunted for about a month, for one, after I saw it on an Australian interiors blog and got the woman to send me a picture of her desk (which was only available to buy in Australia) so I could hunt in detail!

What is your favorite piece on the eBay Fashion Outlet right now?

I love all of the Pauric Sweeney totes. His bags are so luxe and roomy.

What is your dream get away?

The Caribbean. Great, now you’ve got me thinking about Jamaica again…

What song would you listen to on repeat?  

Crave You, by Flight Facilities featuring Gisele. I was introduced to it by someone who thought I would like it. It’s my ringtone.

What is your guilty pleasure?

eBay, eBay, eBay! (we promise we did not ask her say this) And reading. I’ve loved squirrelling myself away with a good book since I was tiny.