What Personal Style Means To Maria Del Russo | December Capsule Spotlight

My name is Maria Del Russo. I'm a writer and a branded content creator. I love to write. I love to cook. I love reality television.

I grew up in New Jersey. I am a born-and-bred Jersey girl to the point where when I was in college, I used to watch The Sopranos because it helped cure my homesickness. 

It's a cliché to say but the reason I came to New York City was because of Sex and the City. I grew up watching it. I knew I wanted to be a writer. And it just seemed like Manhattan was the place for all of that to happen.

For my day job, my 9-5, I am a branded content director for Betches Media. I create really amazing branded content for a lot of our partners. In my off-time, I write a newsletter called Sunday Sauce which is all about food and life and kind of how those two things interact. 

I loved school. I had some pretty incredible teachers. It was actually my high school English teacher who encouraged me to write for the newspaper which kind of put me on the path to be a writer. 

I really see my education as being the foundation of my curiosity. And to me that is a success. Being a curious person who kind of just wants to go out and learn more. I think that learning begets learning. So, I'm a big proponent of it and I think everyone should have access to it. 

One item in my wardrobe that I can't live without is probably a really good pair of denim. I'm obsessed with a good pair of jeans. I wear jeans most days. I feel like every person needs like that one pair that you barely ever wash because you are wearing it all the time.

I think my style is a bit of a mix. In a lot of ways, I'm influenced by my mother, and the big hair, gold jewelry, and figure-hugging silhouettes she used to wear in the '80s. But I also love a flare jean, an oversized sweater, and a feathered haircut that's much more in line with '70s or '90s fashion. I just sort of see how I feel when I wake up in the morning and let that feeling guide me.

I love living in New York because anything goes. Since there aren't really any rules here, I feel like I can really play around with my personal style. If I feel like dressing up with lots of leather and feathers, I go for it. If I want to be a little cozy and wear a pair of overalls and a huge sweater, I go. I think that's why my style is so flex—you really can wear what you want in New York.

I live for an accessory. I've been wearing huge bug-eye sunglasses and a bright orange hat since the weather has gotten chillier. I think they add some flare to an outfit when you're super bundled up. 

I am obsessed with the Vinci Pants. They are so comfortable and surprisingly warm. I love that they have some stretch, and that they're pull-on. I actually tried to unclasp the button for longer than I'd like to admit when I first got them. 

To me, personal style is all about buying quality pieces that you can wear in a bunch of different ways, and then peppering in the flare. Not only does it mean my closet has more longevity, it means I can shop my values more and buy things that are sustainably-made, thrifted, or upcycled. There are certain staples I'll always have in my closet: Good denim, a pair of leather pants, turtlenecks for layering, and a statement coat that goes with everything. Then, once a year or so, I'll visit my favorite thrift or vintage shops and pick up some things to add a little spice—leopard pants, a vintage cropped cardigan with a fur collar, the perfect '90s sundress. So start with the foundational capsule pieces and build from there. That's always been the way I approach things.