Fashion plate: Anna Dale

Student Anna Dale recognises an op shop fashion opportunity when she sees one. Picture / Glenn Jeffrey

Auckland University student Anna Dale likes her favourite subjects of art and music so much that she spends any extra time indulging both passions.

"I like to paint, watch people, and go to exhibitions.

"I love music - talking about it, listening to it and seeing people make it - and I also like going to plays," says Dale, who counts speaking Italian as another accomplishment.

Who are your favourite fashion designers?

Mala Brajkovic. But I do a lot of my shopping at second-hand clothing stores like Fast & Loose, The Recycle Boutique, Tango and at op shops.

What is your favourite accessory?

Scarves, though not the woolly kind. I wear them around my head or around my neck or wrist. A well-chosen scarf can brighten up a whole outfit.

What is the last item of clothing you bought?

A brown skirt with a brocade-style print on it from the Recycle Boutique, which I turned into a dress. It's okay as a skirt, but as a dress it's really cute.

What can't you live without?

My brown belt that sits waist-high. A belt can turn a dress of almost any shape into a feminine, flattering outfit.

Who does the best handbags?

Op shops and grandparents. All my favourite handbags are from Fast & Loose, Tango or small-town op shops.

Any style icons?

Sarah Jessica Parker. Not so much in relation to what she wears, more in her attitude towards fashion and clothing. She just has fun with fashion and absorbs herself in it, allowing her to play with different styles and trends and turn them into her own.

The essential item for winter?

For girls, a cute, feminine umbrella. I have a green printed one from a Wun Ying collection and a transparent birdcage-style umbrella. For guys, a warm coat. Guys look great in coats.

What is your fail-safe look on days when you simply have nothing to wear?

I usually choose my favourite dress. It's a white, almost pinafore-style that is so comfortable and it always makes me feel like I look good.

What's your biggest indulgence?

I don't wear a lot of makeup but I love Napoleon Camera Finish and their vibrant blush colours.

Best fashion bargain?

I can always find a cute outfit with the help of shop-owner Elizabeth at Enigma on Devonport Wharf. It's a little recycled clothing boutique and she finds some stunning things. And Elizabeth remembers styles I like and shows me new arrivals I might like.

What is the one key item of clothing everyone should have in their wardrobe?

For girls, a cute dress you always feel comfortable in. For guys, well-fitted jeans.

Whose wardrobe would you most like to raid?

If I was a guy, my friend Ed Knowles, who has an amazing wardrobe. But as I'm not, Kate Moss or Kate Hudson. I like how they always look comfortable but gorgeous.