Saved by Arbela from The Changing Room
Inside Arbela's saves: eclectic, relaxed, and always weaving her own fantasy
Welcome to Saved by, where people whose taste I trust walk me through what they’re saving on Woven. Stay to the end for a code to come join them.
I came across Arbela through this article she was featured in. The moment I saw she carries a Paper Republic journal, I just knew I’d like her. I’m a self-proclaimed stationery addict and a Paper Republic fangirl—my husband even jokingly calls my journal The Plan 😆
My instinct was not wrong! Arbela is the one you go to when you need inspiration. Dressing in the heat can be really tricky since you’re robbed of your layers, but Arbela’s got you covered. She styles her outfits in a way that’s unexpected but also just completely works. Most recently, I’ve been obsessed with the statement jewellery inspo pics she posted.
But she also has such a fresh perspective on fashion. This article she wrote got me thinking about how I could experiment with my tricky pieces a bit more, and actually have fun with them! So needless to say, I’m so excited to have her in the series.
How would you describe your taste?
I’d say my taste is eclectic and relaxed. These are descriptors I see across my taste for not only clothing but also a bit of my home decor tastes, graphic design, art, books, music, etc. But for clothes and my overall personal style taste, I like to think of it as “casual fantasy”. I want the things I put on and wear to feel easy, thrown on and sometimes feel like a footnote to what I’m doing during the day. But at the same time, I want them to tell a story and elevate who I am and want to be. I think my style is predictable enough to blend with my routine, but unexpected enough to keep myself (and the rooms I walk into) intrigued.
My sources of inspiration reflect this -- as I’ve always been drawn to the utilitarian looks of ‘90s and early 2000s runway shows like Prada, Calvin Klein or the minimalist, chic looks of 2010s Celine. But, I will always be drawn to the romance of 2000s Chloe, Marc Jacobs and the statement-making silhouettes of Proenza Schouler from the recent years. In short, I’m always looking for ways to surprise myself with my style, even if it’s a tiny detail or a different way of styling the same piece I’ve worn forever.
What this often looks like in practice: easy silhouettes like a dependable t-shirt, comfortable sandals for the summer or flat Onitsuka Tiger sneakers in the fall, or a collection of stretchy A-line or pleated skirts from the thrift store (often circa ‘90s or mid-2000s) that I cycle through year-round. But then, I often break up my casual uniform with statement jewelry, a sheer cover-up from the 1930s, one of my many vintage silk scarves on the waist or hip, a handmade crochet top, or an archival beaded belt from 2008 DKNY.
All of those little surprises (even if they go unnoticed by people I see), give me that feeling of weaving (pun intended) my own fantasy through my outfits. Sometimes they’re more relaxed than eclectic, but I always like to throw in some kind of embellishment, even if it’s my signature spiral and pearl necklaces I wear every day, or a vintage bag that might be way too fancy for an errand outfit consisting of athletic shorts and a tank top.
Talk me through one of your edits. What’s in it and why?
My ‘HEAT DRESSING’ edit is definitely one I put a lot of thought into because each summer is such a struggle to adapt my style for the hot weather. A couple years ago I started chronicling and figuring out my own philosophies around dressing in the heat and making an edit was such a good practice for putting actual pieces together. Overall, the vibe of this edit is to show a mix of dependable basics that keep you cool and safe from the heat (this Solbari bucket hat has been a godsend), but then plenty of fun embellishments to keep outfits interesting and romantic. The basics might be a tank top or tee I swear by or looks comfortable, but the embellishments come in the form of scarves, sheer skirts and what I call “summer layers” like sheer skirts, dresses, cover-ups, etc. The key to a good summer outfit (for me) is mixing textures that are still light, so I tried to curate that here with a mix of silk, cotton, lace, etc.
In this edit I have a mix of pieces that I actually own (my trusty Desmond & Dempsey square nightie that I wear as a porch dress most mornings or one of my dependable tank tops from ARQ that remain to be part of my everyday summer uniform) but then other items that I think fit into my formula for heat dressing. This includes lace skirts from Olga Joan, a casual but cool sports bra top by the indie brand Gumi1 or this beautiful embroidered top from Tanaka.
What’s something you stumbled onto in the app that you’d never have found otherwise — a brand, a person, a save/item that sent you down a hole?
A couple things!
Most recently, this gorgeous dream of a skirt in bright aqua and yellow TASSELS. It’s by a UK-based independent designer Siibello and I’m pretty confident that I would not have found this designer if I didn’t see it on Woven. I love finding small brands like this and after checking out the skirt, I felt immediately drawn to their other pieces -- all of them so regal, elegant but also fitted to the body so beautifully. I’m excited to keep them on my radar for the future because I love their designs and choice of colors.
The brand Demode Mode is definitely a gem I stumbled across through Woven that I’ve slowly begun a window shopping love affair with (inspired by one of their sheer skirts I saved). I’ve always wanted to find a brand that mixes elements of casual activewear but also feminine elegance through its pieces. I feel like this is a very specific niche they’re tapping into that I definitely can see more and more people noticing as we all want more comfortable, dependable pieces that feel modern but eclectic. All of their pieces blend this feeling of utility and earthiness at the same time and I can’t get enough. I dunno, they feel like they could be the next Paloma Wool but through their own unique lens....
The Spanish brand, Aurembiaix caught my eye as well after I saw and immediately saved this black Tulle top. Not only is the piece itself so interesting (and inspires some thrift hunting) but the way the brand styles their pieces is a beautiful source of inspiration as well.
Favourite save so far?
Probably if I would have to pick one it would be the Aris Layered Skirt from Demode Mode. This was probably one of the first items I saved when I got on the app. This skirt combines all the elements I love: sheer sexiness, a casual and wearable silhouette and this beautiful stone gray color I’ve been trying to work more into my wardrobe. I’ve already added it to multiple edits which is making me realize how versatile it would be in my wardrobe.
Best brand (or item) you’ve found through someone else’s saves?
In general, anything saved or put together by clara is soooo good. Lots of unexpected pieces but with a throughline of this easy, effortless vibe. But I especially love her edits like “european summer”, “leo season” and “saturday in the park” because they tell a story with the pieces she chooses. I also like that she includes a mix of clothing but also accessories, bags, perfumes, etc. In terms of specific items, I keep coming back to these pair of swim shorts by Frankies Bikinis that she found -- I love how sporty they are but still speak to a romantic summer vibe. And honestly, The Philosopher Brief that she recently saved from Cou Cou Intimates is probably up there as one of my favorite things I’ve seen on the app.
You can see everything Arbela saved on her Woven.
Saved by is a recurring series where people whose taste I trust walk me through what they’re saving on Woven, an app for saving inspiration and discovering what people with taste you trust are saving too. If you want to see what people with taste you trust are saving in real time, come find us on the App Store, or explore the web version. Access is still limited, but readers of this series can use the code SAVEDMONGOOSE for a spot.
I have this and I can confirm it’s v cute, albeit slightly tight!
love love love this!!
great article! gotta go through all her saves now