Lydia Millen On Her Personal Style, Vintage Treasures & Recent Collaboration With Fairfax & Favor

There aren’t many who find themselves unfamiliar with Lydia Millen. As one of the UK’s earliest (and the first luxury focused) digital creators – having started her blog back in 2011 – she’s practically internet royalty. And over the years, fans and followers alike have been treated to GRWMs, shopping finds, house tours and even, on occasion, hosting tips – giving us the full scoop on the creative’s lifestyle. This has made getting to know Lydia Millen’s personal style all the easier. ‘I’ve always gone for the timeless and elegant vibe,’ she tells C&TH. ‘I have started to pare things back a little bit though.’

But the one staple she could never leave behind? ‘I can’t leave the house without a good handbag,’ she confesses. ‘I’m not someone that can edit things down. I need everything with me.’ So it makes sense that, for her next foray into fashion design, she’s teamed up with British label Fairfax & Favor on a line of handbags for town and country. ‘This really is one of those collaborations where they have allowed me to have full rein on this collection,’ she teases. ‘And I’ve worked so closely with the design team; we’ve considered absolutely every element, the longevity of these bags, the quality of the materials that we’re using. But we’ve also looked to encompass that rural vogue that Fairfax & Favor is so synonymous with.’

Ahead of the collection launch, we sat down with Lydia Millen to talk all things handbags, wardrobe heroes and style highlights.

Lydia Millen’s Personal Style Rules

How would you describe your personal style?

I feel like it’s ever-evolving. I’ve always gone for the timeless and elegant vibe – but more recently I’ve started to pare things back a little bit. 

There’s almost a slowness to my personal style now, which I think has made me appreciate the power of something that’s really high quality. They don’t need to have these huge design details to them – they can just be something really simple, and they’ll make the outfit. (And it makes getting dressed in the morning a lot easier.) 

What does your daily uniform look like?

Jeans, a t-shirt and a shirt layered over the top.

A white t-shirt has become the layering piece I didn’t know I needed on a day-to-day basis. I’m constantly in and out of the stables, so a t-shirt and a good pair of jeans are a must. I’ve found my vibe with jeans quite recently. I don’t really enjoy shopping for jeans; I feel like you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find that one good pair. The ones that I’m loving at the moment are the Levi’s rib cage jeans.

Do you have a style crush?

My grandma. Put every stereotypical vision of a grandma out of your mind – mine isn’t like that. She’s an incredible woman. Her style hasn’t changed over the years. It hasn’t deviated. And I just think that that’s really difficult to come by nowadays. She’s incredible. She’s in her 90s now – and honestly, if I look as good as her when I’m her age, I will be over the moon.

I’ve managed to inherit so many pieces from her wardrobe over the years – one of them is the most exquisite box clutch. It’s just phenomenal.

Which labels do you always come back to?

This is something that’s only become easier to answer as I’ve gotten older, as I’ve found what’s comfortable and what looks good on me. I like to go for brands that embody a timeless approach. 

I love a good Ralph Lauren shirt – I think that they are exceptionally good when it comes to boots and accessories and outerwear. 

There’s also Fairfax & Favor obviously. You can’t go wrong with them. Their boots are incredible, especially for the season coming ahead. 

I love a jacket that looks good dressed up or dressed down, and I recently purchased a second hand Aquascutum quilted coat, which I can happily dress with both stylish boots and wellies. I love that it looks good both ways. 

And are there any under-the-radar brands you think we should know about?

I take my pyjamas very seriously, and one brand I’ve really been loving recently is Sleepy Doe. They’re from Bath, and I just found them while scrolling on Instagram. There is an art to a good pair of pyjamas, and I feel like they make them exceptionally well. These were like wearing a cloud. And they’ve got beautiful, ditzy prints. They’re so lovely. 

What’s a style moment from your career that really sticks out for you?

More recently, I’ve found that my style moments at Ascot have become quite special for me – and it wasn’t intentional in any way, shape or form, but I’ve got to work with some really lovely brands on bringing my looks for Ascot to life. I could never have imagined the response that they would get.

I feel a little bit of pressure each year, but it’s good. It’s good to keep you on your toes. And the looks always come together, because I work with the loveliest people in order to bring them to life. So it’s so much fun.

@lydiamillen It’s the British equivalent of The Met gala ad #royalascot #ladiesday #britishstyle #weddingguest #elegantstyle @Sassi Holford Bridal @Mulberry @Emmy London @Cornelia James ♬ original sound – Lydia Millen

Is there anything you can’t leave the house without? 

I can’t leave the house without a good handbag. I’m not someone that can edit things down. I need everything with me. I need cameras, batteries, lip balm, perfume – and I need a good bag that can carry all of those things. So that, first and foremost.

One of the funnier things I’ve realised about myself is that I actually never leave the house without a cardigan. I take my cardigan situation very seriously. If ever I’m catching a flight somewhere, going down to London or catching a train, I’ve always got a really big cardigan nestled under my arm. I’m the type of person that’s always cold, and so I need something that acts as a cardigan, but also might double as a blanket, just in case.

What are your staples for Autumn/Winter?

This is such an exciting time for me in terms of dressing, because I just love the colours. It feels so rich and earthy, and I really love this time of year.

I would say that my essentials include a good jacket – one that transcends where you’re wearing it, so you can wear it dressed up or dressed down. I think that will be an absolute workhorse in your wardrobe.

A pair of great boots. Boots make the outfit – and they can really elevate your daily uniform. They’re just a classic. And when you look at the details, you see they are really considered. 

But us being British, we also need wellies. Wellies are important. And I feel like wellies are somewhere where you can have a bit of fun as well. I went out for dinner the other day and I wore a pair of wellies – and I felt no shame for wearing them. 

And this year specifically, I think layered jumpers are going to be something that I’m going to be very grateful for (but also they’re going to look fab). The earthier the tones, the better.

What three essentials would you take with you on a weekend getaway in the UK?

I would 110 percent take a wax jacket. I think a wax jacket is an absolute staple; they can look relaxed and outdoorsy, or feel quite dramatic and dressed up. It’s almost like the really British country equivalent of a trench coat.

I would still be taking my handbags. I’m someone that loves the fashion side of things as much as I love living in the country – and so I really need a handbag that can do both. And I’ve got a lot of stuff that needs to go in it as well. So I’ll definitely be taking that. 

And I would also probably say, if we’re going in summer, I’ve got to take a hat of sorts. Maybe a straw hat. I really love cordebes at the moment, so probably one of those.

What are your top preloved and rental fashion haunts? 

At the moment, I am utterly obsessed with Vinted. It’s just such an incredible platform. The shirt I’m wearing right now is actually from Vinted. Shopping on there can make you so happy, especially when you get a good bargain. 

For more luxurious pieces and labels, I go to places like Sellier. They curate things really well, and they’re just a lovely team. eBay, as well. I’m a big fan of shopping pre-loved. And it’s having a real moment.

How do you think the role of public figures and content creators is changing (or could change) when it comes to addressing fashion waste? 

This is such a good question, and it’s one that I’m constantly thinking about. I have to remind myself that in the job role that I do, the reality is that we are consumers as well. That’s where this whole industry has come from. We were the people sitting at home buying the products and just talking about them online. And so I think that you really start to see some kind of shift happen with us. 

And I can very much see that just from talking about shopping on Vinted, on eBay and the success of places like Sellier, that there really is a big change happening. I don’t think it’s like an all or nothing equation. There will still be, just like there always has been, a need for purchasing new – and I think that will always be there. But I think it’s more important about what we’re purchasing, and how we’re purchasing and where we’re purchasing from. The thought process needs to be a lot more considered.

I’m seeing my shopping behaviour change – I think about how long something will be in my wardrobe, and where I’m getting it from. And I hope that by promoting this more considered approach to fashion, that I can encourage a positive change with my audience. I hope that they see the changes I’m making, and that I might inspire them with the way that I’m shopping. 

I’m still buying new things here and there – I still think that there is a place for that – but I’m also showcasing the items that I’m shopping for on places like Vinted. I’m calling these kinds of purchases ‘old, but new to me’.

How do you see your style evolving in 10 years’ time?

In all honesty, I hope it’s not too dissimilar to how it is now. It’s been so interesting for me, as someone in my industry who has always lived in the countryside. I think back to the earlier days of my career, when city-based fashion was the big thing – and I remember finding it really difficult to dress for the life I was living and the job I was in. 

But nowadays, there are so many brands that really encompass countryside living, but with an air of chicness. So I’ve really been able to lean back into that look. I hope that I’ve already found where I’ll be in 10 years, because it feels like I’m maintaining some really classic elements of my style every day – and I’m seeing the items that I’m bringing out come back year after year. 

And I enjoy shopping like that as well: not needing something new when I’ve got something fantastic in my wardrobe already. And so, in 10 years time, hopefully I’ll be wearing this shirt. We’ll have to have another chat and see…

Tell us about your recent collaboration with Fairfax & Favor.

The collection is literally sat next to me! It’s a collection of handbags designed for town and country, that has been two years in the works. It’s been such an incredible process, and I’ve learned so much throughout the whole thing, and I feel so lucky that Fairfax & Favor entrusted me with this opportunity. 

This really is one of those collaborations where they have allowed me to have full rein on this collection. And I’ve worked so closely with the design team; we’ve considered absolutely every element, the longevity of these bags, the quality of the materials that we’re using. But we’ve also looked to encompass that rural vogue that Fairfax & Favor is so synonymous with. 

I think that’s why it felt so right for me to work on this with them, because I embody who their customer is. And I really felt like there was an element through my love of handbags that I’ve had through the years, but also the lifestyle that I lead, that helped me bring so much to the table for this.

What are your highlights from the collaboration?

There’s a pouch – which Fairfax & Favor call a clutch – and it’s very much one of those bags that you can wear in so many different ways: a clutch, a cross body, you name it. That’s the one people have been seeing me wear the most online at the moment. 

The one I’m most excited about is the Mini Top Handle. It’s the bag that I’ve always dreamed of, but have never been able to find. It’s got all of the dimensions of a really beautiful, small bag, and yet packs so much space. 

And then we have the Top Handle – a slightly bigger, slightly more versatile everyday bag, but still with timeless elegance that is perfect for blurring the line between town and country. 

As someone living in the countryside, but having elements of my life based in London, I really didn’t want to compromise on what my style feels like outside of those towns and cities – but I still wanted to have pieces that work for my wardrobe when I’m there too. So this has been an utter dream come true. And I just can’t believe that we’re getting so much closer to the fact that they’re going to be out there very, very shortly.

Tell us about the campaign shoot at Wilderness Reserve – any notable memories from the shoot?

My gosh, it was the most beautiful experience. I’d never been to Wilderness Reserve before, and it really is one of those places that just takes your breath away. It’s incredible and so vast. 

And it was just, in all honesty, a dream come true. Fairfax & Favor captured the elements of my style and what it is that I love to do with my life – and packaged it up into this beautiful editorial shoot that felt completely natural. Their styling team is absolutely incredible, and to be a part of one of their shoots was a dream. I wasn’t worried about anything on the day. Everything just came together beautifully. And so it was a real once in a lifetime opportunity, I would say.

Anything else we should know?

We are going to be donating some of the bags to an event that I do with the King’s Trust every year: Lunch With An Old Bag. It takes place up in Scotland, and it’s basically where lots of beautiful accessories and bits and pieces are donated in order to raise money for the trust.

It’s a room full of women having incredible fun and buying beautiful things, giving them another home and just coming together to raise money for such a good cause. It’s one of my favourite days of the year.

 

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Not to be nosy, but…

What’s inside your handbag? 

L’Occitane hand cream, mosquito spray, arnica cooling gel, wet wipes, my purse and hair bobble. (I promise it’s usually much more chic than this, but I was riding all day yesterday so I am still in full blown horse riding mode!) 

What’s the most expensive piece in your wardrobe?

A really special coat that I had made by my tailor last year. I was actually sent the wool from Leicestershire by a gentleman who’d seen my videos and he just thought I would appreciate the wool. So I took it and I had it made into a coat. And that process is quite an expensive one – having a coat made from scratch – but it’s one of those pieces that is just going to be in my wardrobe till the end of my days, and that is exactly where I want to spend my money.

And the most sentimental? 

A very, very battered old Gucci holdall that belonged to my grandpa. He used to take it on all of his work trips, and he had the whole luggage set. When he died, I inherited it. I sadly don’t use it because it’s all coming away at the edges, but I will never get rid of it.

What about the oldest?

My dad’s tuck trunk from when he was at boarding school. That was where he would keep all of his biscuits and sweets and things like that. It’s this really lovely wooden trunk with metal corners and a beautiful clasp, and it’s got his name and his number on the side. These days, I keep it in my lounge.

Tell us about a treasure you thrifted? 

We recently went to Ireland. I have this one hotel that I love going to called Ballyfin. It’s magical. And they have these butter dishes made from sterling silver. With this butter dish, you put an ice cube underneath, and then you put the butter on top, so it keeps it chilled, but the butter is soft enough to spread.

I really wanted to buy one, but the hotel didn’t have any for sale. In the end, my friend’s partner went on eBay and found the exact same butter dish. It looks like an old stock pot. It’s so pretty. 

A trend you love?

How more of us are now shopping preloved. I think that it’s so exciting. It leads to more unique dressing. And it’s almost guilt-free shopping, because you’re taking what someone else doesn’t want and giving it a loving home. That’s the trend that I really, really love.

A trend you wouldn’t mind saying goodbye to?

Micro beauty trends. I always regret trying them. I once tried laminating my eyebrows, but my brows are like wire so it didn’t work. And now I look and I think, actually, I’d rather not play around with what’s there too much. 

Your fashion-related guilty pleasure?

I need to have my shirt sleeves rolled up – so much so that I always have little elastic bands holding them up, because I don’t like leaving anything to chance. I’ve even got one of those little tack guns (a tip from the stylist on the Fairfax & Favor shoot!). I always look better with a little bit of wrist on show. I feel a bit boxy if the full cuff is down. 

A fashion faux pas you’d never make again?

Wet look leggings. I used to wear them with suspenders. I was young; I was fresh out of university. But yeah, I didn’t need to take it that far.

A style rule you live by?

‘If I feel lovely, I can’t not look lovely.’ I prefer to pay attention to how I feel in outfits far more than anything else when it comes to thinking about styling, because I think that we know ourselves so well, and we know what looks good on us. It can all get a bit confusing sometimes, but I know that if I feel lovely, that’s usually the best look for me.

More From Lydia Millen

You can keep up with Lydia Millen over on Instagram (@lydia) and TikTok (@lydiamillen), and see her new collection with Fairfax & Favor at fairfaxandfavor.com