Hot Picks is a column in which fashion insiders reveal their latest obsessions–sharing their recent purchases and must-have pieces.
Monroe Steele is living through a vibrant era accompanied by her authentic approach to style. Since she takes craftsmanship seriously, she leans into this. For the content creator and editor, over the years, this has led her to support brands that are influential and also inspirational. She expertly wears pieces from Diotima to A.W.A.K.E. Mode, but Steele’s stylishness doesn’t stem from what she’s wearing, instead, it’s about how she’s wearing it. There are eloquent juxtapositions that she often pairs together; skirts are often a part of her wardrobe for instance. At times she pairs these bottoms with pieces that pull her outfits together. And her footwear is regularly playful, ranging from items by Bottega Veneta and Saint Laurent. “My style is pretty colorful and it’s trendy as well, even though people seem to hate trends,” Steele shares when we catch up over a Zoom call.
In terms of aesthetics Steele, a Durham, North Carolina native says her style could be summed up as “loud, fun, and over the top.” These two adjectives and the adverb she shared are aligned with what she showcases on social media and YouTube. These descriptors stem from seeing her family and close-knit community in her hometown and their clothing choices as she grew up. Particularly, her mother was someone she enjoyed seeing express themselves through style.
“I got into fashion because my mother was fashionable,” she shares. Monroe recalls regularly wearing her mother’s Reebok Classic sneakers and her vintage bell-bottom jeans. Those who are arbiters of fashion can often recant memories of breaking her school’s dress code. Steele says this was the case when she was in school too. Eventually, she would go on to win the best-dressed monicker in high school. Next, she set out to attend East Carolina University where she majored in exercise and sports physiology.
Her blog and later heavily followed Instagram account stemmed from her move to New York City to attend New York University where she later received her doctorate in physical therapy. She says her style began transforming too after her arrival. “Once I moved to New York, I learned more about juxtaposition and fashion. It gave my style a little more edge,” she tells ESSENCE. Currently, she splits her time between Miami and NYC. These two cities influence what she’s wearing wholly. In Miami, she says her style is more laidback and while there she’s sporting resort wear.
Monroe explains that creating a blog to document what she wore was a choice of hers after taking notice of Karen Blanchard’s original blog. When Steele launched it in 2010 she was studying for her boards to receive her doctorate of physical therapy license. She joined a vanguard of creators who have stood true to what energizes them.
The content creator and editor tells me that she embodied multiple style eras throughout her life. She even tells me grunge was an era for her many moons ago. The current moments she’s a part of, especially those she documents have a certain je ne sais quoi. How she presents herself aesthetically has led to a robust following on Instagram.
Steele is also unafraid to push a sensual agenda. For her, sensuality doesn’t mean appearing sans clothing. Instead, it is defined by confidently wearing sleek ready-to-wear women’s pieces. “I don’t have a set style,” Monroe mentions. Currently, she’s guided by her day-to-day feelings.
On Diotima, she says that the craftsmanship and uniqueness of the brand are what compelled her to purchase from the brand helmed by Rachel Scott. She adds that even though its resort wear which she regularly wears, it can be worn year-round with different outerwear.
Another brand she swears by and is often spotted in is Fe Noel by the designer Felisha Noel. Steele has an affinity for the colorful hues and gradients utilized by Noel. “I have this beautiful red-orange and a yellow sheer dress from them that’s long-sleeved. And at the end of the sleeves are these humongous puffs. It’s just fun,” she said.
“I’m very excited with where I am right now style-wise. I feel like it’s very true to me,” she adds.
“I just bought my third tube of this matte red lipstick because it’s the perfect shade of red. It looks amazing on everyone and is great for dinner because you can’t eat it off.”
Available at Fenty Beauty
“This is currently my favorite fall and winter fragrance. It’s a newer Black-owned fragrance brand based in London. Every time I wear this peppery, vanilla, sensual scent, I get compliments. The notes are kept a secret so [their] notes are left up to interpretation. It’s unisex though.”
Available at KAEÇEN
“I’ve always wanted a suede trench coat. I’m loving the color brown right now. The shape of this coat is timeless and I feel incredible when I wear it.”
Available at De Savary London
“I’m a big fan of Fe Noel and own a lot of their ready-to-wear but I purchased this incredible robe for Christmas that’s been on my wish list for a while. It’s stunning and it just makes me feel like a goddess when I wear it around the house. I can’t wait to style it for spring and summer with denim jeans, a tank top, and sandals.”
Available at Fe Noel
“This was a big splurge for me but as soon as I saw this skirt during New York Fashion Week I put it on my wish list and as soon as it dropped I got it. I’m a huge fan of Diotima and love that this skirt can be worn every season by changing the footwear and outerwear.”
Available at Diotima