When we chatted with Disneybounder Briana Roecks (aka @brianamatopoeia) recently who describes her style as “vintage street-glam with a nerdy twist” we knew this would be unlike most interviews we do. I met Briana the first time the way I meet most new people… at a cocktail party at San Diego Comic Con and I was immediately intrigued by her beauty and style which is always so polished, perfect, and very classy and after several years, I am super excited to bring to you this spotlight on her and learn about some of her inspirations and where she shops.
FN: Who is your real or fictional style icon and why?
BR: Charlotte Charles, or Chuck, as some would call her, from Pushing Daisies has always been such an inspiration for me. Her use of vintage and color and whimsy just really speaks to me!
FN: Does your Instagram have a specific brand, theme or color-scheme? If so does that effect what you wear or how you post?
BR: Every so often, I go in on trying to stick to a color scheme and it’s just too hard for me to maintain. It makes it hard to stay current and I often end up posting photos up to a week after we took them! Which isn’t a bad thing, it’s just that I get so excited to share and having to wait to do it is hard! Also, DisneyBounding involves lots of different and sometimes very specific colors, so those gorgeous filters that mute colors and highlight others to create a very uniform and stylized look just don’t work for me.
FN: How does your love for Disney effect your style?
BR: I find so much inspiration from Disney characters. When it comes to being creative, a lot of times, I find it easier and more fulfilling to work backward. For example, I try to not go shopping with a specific bound in mind. Most clothing is from the thrift store, so unless it’s one specific piece to round out an outfit, like a white button down, I’ll walk around the thrift store until something jumps out at me. Or I’ll go to Etsy and search for a specific color dress, not with anything in mind, but often the perfect dress for whatever bound I might be thinking of will be right there waiting.
FN: Who are your Disney style icons and why?
BR: I feel like my Disney style icons change with every season. For example, right now I’m really inspired by Frozen, so a lot of my looks are inspired by Frozen characters and moments. But in the spring, it usually defaults back to Alice in Wonderland.
FN: How does your love for Harry Potter effect your style?
BR: This one is tricky because I’m still not certain what my Hogwarts House is. Which can be good! Because it means I can be inspired by all or the houses. My “true north:” if you will is Beauxbatons. I’m always on the lookout for fashions that remind me of my favorite gals in blue. But as far as Hogwarts goes, I tend to collect pieces that remind me of the houses throughout the decades. For example, a gold and black 50’s day dress, or a blue and silver 20’s beaded gown. But then there’s also “Hermione sweaters” and I find myself accidentally collecting. Timeless wool sweaters with simple prints just seem to collect in my closet. Which would be perfect for winter, if I didn’t live in Southern California.
FN: What Character’s style from the Harry Potter Universe do you get the most inspiration from and why?
BR: I’d have to say when it comes to the Harry Potter universe, Fleur is probably my biggest fashion inspo— She makes it look so simple and effortless.
FN: Is there a fandom that you think people would be surprised you love?
BR: Yes! People might not know that I love horror movies, ghost television shows, the Foo Fighters, and Repo! The Genetic Opera
FN: What trends do you think defined fashion in 2019?
BR: I think high-waisted everything, for me at least, defined 2019. And wearing vintage swimwear as streetwear. But that might just be me lol
FN: What are your favorite brands that fit your esthetic these days? BR: This one is tricky for me because most of my clothing is thrifted and/or vintage. I’m not really one for labels. I’d say J. Crew because they have lots of basic, simple pieces that are cute and fit well. But I’m also really loving the accessories from Loungefly and Irregular Choice. The colors and styles are very inspiring!
FN: If you were shopping for the following – where would you go?
BR:
Athletic wear: probably TJ Maxx or Marshalls
Formal wear: The thrift store lol
Shoes: the thrift store
Accessories: Hot Topic or Box Lunch or the thrift store, or ShopDisney or Cakeworthy or Etsy
Make-up: Ulta, Marshalls, T J Maxx, or Sephora
FN: What’s your favorite piece right now in your closet – where did you get it? Was it expensive or reasonably priced?
BR: I feel like you just asked me to name my favorite child! Marie Condo would HATE me because literally all of my clothes bring me joy! But what am I most looking forward to wearing? probably my vintage red party dress with my white carpet coat. Perfect for the holidays! Both were thrifted. The dress was maybe $6? and the coat was $20. What piece do I think about the most? Probably my 1920’s ankle-length beaded dress. I’ve never worn it outside of my apartment because it’s so delicate, but I just love it so much and it gives me so much inspiration in that every time I’m invited to a 20’s event, I think for a moment “Oh, this is the perfect opportunity to wear that!” and then I tell myself “ORRRR I could find another 20’s-style piece that won’t get ruined if someone looks at me funny. Someday I’ll wear it! Maybe. lol
FN: If you want to invest in something really unique that might be a little more expensive but a key piece you’ll get a lot of wear from – what would you suggest?
BR: Purses! a good purse will last you years and years and years. It won’t shrink in the washer, it won’t rip, it’s harder to stain, etc.
FN: If you don’t have a lot of money to spend and you want to add several new pieces to your wardrobe where would you shop?
BR: You just described every shopping trip I’ve ever been on ever! The thrift store! I’d be happy to get specific with you, but it all depends on where you live and what your patience is with digging in.
FN: What fandom out there currently are you dying to see a line based on?
BR: I know there are a bunch of Alice in Wonderland and Tangled lines, but I can ALWAYS go for more Alice and Tangled. I’d love to see more Ratatouille or Game of Thrones or Beauxbaton pieces.
FN: Do you participate in fashion challenges- what are your favorites?
BR: I do the DisneyBound challenge each year! It’s SUPER fun! Exhausting, but fun!
FN: Can you suggest any Instagram accounts we should be following?
BR:
@bibbidibibbidi_broke
@50shadesofgroot
@dudettecolette
@goingpostale
@frosinfantasyland
@abitwong
@davidfordesign
@hobbitparty
@thegregwholived
FN: What collections have you been blown away by lately?
BR: Cakeworthy‘s Princess and the Frog and Hocus Pocus pieces and FABULOUS!! I also love Irregular Choice‘s Alice in Wonderland, Toy Story, and Muppets lines. OBSESSED
FN: What advice do you have for young people trying to find their personal style?
BR: Sometimes you have to start from scratch to find your sense of style. Like a sculptor finding the art in the clay, your sense of style is unique and you owe it to yourself to experiment and try different things until you feel like the best version of you, whatever that means to you. For me, it meant tossing out all my expensive Nordstrom brand-name clothing and starting from scratch at the thrift store.
FN: Would you recommend anyone else to us to be featured?
BR: Yes! I would LOVE to read about FrosinFantasyland‘s inspiration and shopping habits!
Thank you so much to Briana, we loved learning about her unique vintage inspired style – If you want to know more about her please visit her blog at https://brianaroecks.wixsite.com– Is there a Geek Chic Fashion Icon of today you’d love to see spotlighted on Fashionably Nerdy? Let us know below!