The Art of High-Low Fashion With Linda Marigliano

If you’d expect a DJ, podcaster, television and radio presenter, former bass guitarist from an indie rock band and all-round pop-culture authority to have an eclectic sense of style, then you’d expect right.

Linda Marigliano’s style is as fashion-forward and varied as her career, which makes her the perfect muse for a style story about mixing high and low pieces. Marigliano has one rule when it comes to every outfit she wears: “comfort is key”.

“Day to day, I’m generally a sneaker girl. I love an eye-catching sneaker, like a Nike Air Rift [with that] bouncy kind-of hybrid future-sandal-cloud-looking thing.”

“But I’ve noticed that as I’ve gotten older, I’ve wanted to lean more into the kind of stuff that my family would wear… like all of the old Chinese cheongsam dresses.”

Adds stylist Bree Macara, “Linda’s preferences are a thoroughly modern mix of androgyny and irreverence to traditional style ‘codes’.”

There are no coordinated athleisure sets to be seen here. Instead, Marigliano is all about sporty marle bottoms paired with a refined heel. It shouldn’t work, but it does. She describes this look as “businesswoman tomboy” and, look, we think it’s a trend to watch out for.

Linda wears Em On Holiday hat; Oroton knit ($299); necklace, stylist’s own, similar here; shorts Maggie Marilyn; shoes, stylist’s own, similar here.

Talking with Marigliano is not unlike her style generally: energetic, cheery, and with loads of pop culture references. Among her favourite brands are Collina Strada (“streetwear meets the Muppets…it’s ageless”) and Ganni (“I wouldn’t be a modern girl if I didn’t say Ganni”). Australian designer Alix Higgins gets an honourable mention, as does her go-to, Issey Mikaye. “When I’m on holiday, I’ll go into the Pleats Please store and treat myself. I’ll just go ‘that and that and that’”.

Working in the music industry means that Marigliano gets a front row seat to the wardrobes of the rich and famous. The A-list willingness to take risks both on and off the red carpet is something that inspires her.

Sunglasses by Le Specs, Necklace by Arms of Eve; Denim Jacket by Elka Collective, Earrings, Reliquia; Top by Guess; Skirt by Uniqlo

For example, as a general rule, she isn’t much of a skirt person. But when a particularly cute white pleated mini caught her eye on our shoot, she insisted that she would not be going home until she had tried it on. Paired with a “Euro Italia disco baby” tee and an oversized denim jacket, the finished ensemble was classic, casual and street-appropriate.

“The proportions and fabrication of the jacket transform the short skirt into something less cheeky and more casual”, notes stylist Macara.

Marigliano is a self-described colour-fiend. Incorporating colourful pieces—one or many—is how she troubleshoots a bad mood. “If I’m feeling a bit tired, I’ll go, I’m wearing colour. I’m wearing head-to-toe magenta.”

Case in point: the peach vest. A safe option would have been black or white, but opting for something more colourful brings joy to an otherwise classic look. Topped off with a utilitarian nylon bag by Ganni and you’ve got yourself a uniquely Marigliano look.