When we say we want to rage Amelia's closet, we mean it. Hailing from the windy city of Chicago, style blogger Amelia Miller has her very own modus operandi, beautifully mixing and matching modern lux with vintage accents. Amelia's Instagram @ragemycloset stands out with her cool effortless demeanor and one-of-a-kind looks. Her love for vintage, and as a whole for fashion, made us want to get to know Amelia better through our Culture of Style Q&A. If you're like us after reading the full feature, you'll be inspired to play around with fashion to make it your very own all thanks to Amelia.
What is your favorite quote or life motto?
I have so many quotes I like but a favorite is “Never forget that every physical thing, wether for you or against you, was a sustained thought before it was a thing.” Like, be careful of your thoughts, because they become things. This is also a very good thing :)
How would you describe your overall style?
My overall style is modern lux with a vintage touch. But I’m starting to think that I’m becoming the other way around - vintage lux with a modern touch. I’m starting to wear a lot more vintage and adding modern pieces.
What's your go-to outfit when you're pressing for time?
Leggings and over-sized sweater. A lot of my closet looks like you’re going back in time, it’s all over the place with so many different looks and styles. Some of it is a bit extreme and I wouldn’t really go to a grocery store in it. So I actually always hang out or wear jeans/leggings with a sweater a lot of the time. Chicago is cold like 9 months out of the year!
What are your fashion and beauty indulgences?
I always have some concealer for my eyes and a bit of bronzer. For some reason I look like a completely different person when I add just a touch of color to my face. I don’t like being pale. Ha! Fashion indulgence is definitely vintage dresses. I have so many dresses!
When did your love for vintage pieces begin?
I think I always loved vintage or just different eras. In high school I would try on my mom’s old clothes from the 60’s and 70’s. She and my father immigrated from Warsaw, Poland before I was born so a lot of her clothes were from Europe and just amazing. It’s weird though my parents never bought used clothes or vintage items, my mom actually does not like it at all. So I’m not sure where this love comes from! I’m also so use to used clothes because most them were hand-me-downs from my older sister. I hardly ever went out to buy new clothes. If I did it would be like twice a year. It's like recycling. I also empty my closet every few months and give a lot away. Even though I’m a fashion blogger, I actually don’t keep a lot of clothes in my closet, I like to rotate them, give a lot away, get new pieces, or sell them. So I guess you can say I have been wearing used clothing my entire life. I love going to vintage fairs and estate sales the most though because that’s where I find the most unique and extreme pieces.
You effortlessly incorporate vintage pieces into your look while still looking edgy, modern, and chic. What is the one tip you can give on how to beautifully mix and match vintage?
Well first of all, thank you! I think just adding little touches of vintage with your outfit is great. For example there are so many vintage handbags that are just stunning. So you can wear modern jeans and a sweet vintage handbag, costume stud earrings, and some modern flats from Saks. Looking chic and modern is actually very easy because it’s all about simplicity. Start with the touches like accessories when you want to mix and match, then if you want to get more unique you can add some interesting blouses with some modern skinny jeans, etc. Just play around and see what feels good. Have fun with it and play mixing it up because wearing only what’s currently in stores can get so boring. Like if I see one more girl with a brown Louis Vuitton monogram handbag at the airport or anywhere I go, I think I’m going to flip! Nothing against Louis, but let’s change it up a bit girls!
Time to talk shoes! Which shoe designers do you love the most?
Right now I’m really into Alberta Ferretti and Etro. They are both very unique and I’m always blown away by them. Etro’s shoes even look like they’re from the 1920’s re-done to look modern with cool prints and textures. Alberta Ferretti has awesome flat mules out right now that look like they’re from a fairy tale. Actually, the whole AF line for fall/winter 2017 looks like a vintage fairy tale. Kind of obsessed. Those are more of the unique, colorful designers I like. If I’m going for more of the sophisticated edgy modern feel, Celine is the best for that style. I know you asked for one, but that is really hard ha!
What's your favorite shoe style?
I love flat mules! Or any flats for that matter. If I’m wearing heels they need be low. :-) I’m also tall so I don’t want to always feel like the giant in the room.
What's your go-to pair of shoes?
To be honest, right now, my Nikes. I live in them, workout in them, shop in them, run out the door in them. Nike knows what they’re doing. Just do it :)
Why did you choose the “Wild Bouquet” shoe inserts out of all the prints?
It’s just gorgeous! It’s so happy, all of the colors; yellow with the red ribbon. I just loved what I saw and chose it. Super excited about them.
What does a perfect day in Chicago look like?
Let’s see here. A perfect day in Chicago right now in the summer would be waking up and going to my favorite coffee spot Oromo Cafe for some of their delicious, organic espresso. Next, I would wander into some of the shops close to Oromo Cafe in Lincoln Square. Some of my favorites are Merz Apothecary, Sacred Art, and A Secret Closet. After working up an appetite strolling through the shops and boutiques in Lincoln Square, I would head to my favorite, healthy lunch spot BeeZzee Fresh Food in Lincoln Park on Sheffield for one of their green juices and omelette. Since it is summer and summer is short-lived in Chicago, I would head to either Oak or Ohio Street beach to soak up some sun, relax, and enjoy the beautiful Chicago skyline. After spending a rejuvenating afternoon at the beach, I’d maybe try to squeeze in a little snack at Fred’s on top of Barney’s on Oak Street and take a stroll down Oak Street afterwards to do some window shopping for some inspiration. All the fabulous stores like Hermes, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, and a gorgeous boutique called Sararose on Oak are there and it’s just fun and a must see every time I go downtown. After that I would clean up, refresh, and head to one of the more unique hidden sushi restaurants in Chicago called Naoki with my husband!
Where would you love to travel to next?
I’d like to take my husband Tim to see Poland and Austria to show him some of my family roots. I think that’s next in the works, also Croatia looks amazing and I definitely want to plan a trip there soon.
What inspires you and what are you passionate about?
People really inspire me. I’m passionate about hearing people’s story and how they end up where they are now. Of course I’m passionate about fashion and hearing stories of the people that wore these vintage clothes I’m always wearing! But what really inspires me are ones that have dreams and make them a reality, going towards what they want, and not giving up. Any girl boss story inspires me and keeps me motivated to do anything I want in life. I’m also very interested in how the universe works and metaphysics if you want to call it that.
If you could have dinner with any three people in the world, who would they be?
I would love to have dinner with Jesus, Elvis, and Thomas Toward, my favorite author.
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Website: ragemycloset.com
Instagram: @ragemycloset
All photos courtesy of Amelia Miller. For usage, please first contact info@protectmyshoes.com