Writer's Style Guide 002: Nicole Tallman

Jan 20, 2025

Nicole Tallman lives in Miami, where she serves as the official Poetry Ambassador. She is the author of four books, and her most recent poetry book is FERSACE (ELJ Editions, 2023). She is also the Poetry and Interviews Editor for South Florida Poetry Journal and The Blue Mountain Review, and Editor of Redacted Books. Find her most recent poems in Poetry Magazine, Poet Lore, Pleiades, and ONLY POEMS. Find her on social media @natallman and at nicoletallman.com.

1. What three words would you use to describe your personal style?

Classic elegance w/flair. I vacillate between minimalist and bold, and am rather nostalgic -- the latter because I still dress like I live somewhere with four seasons, even though I live in Miami, where it's always summer, and because I'm still obsessed with sequins, even though the '80s were four fashion decades ago.

2. Who/what/where/when is/are your style inspiration(s)?

Gianni Versace, Coco Chanel, and Moira Rose from Schitt's Creek come to mind immediately. That was my first reaction without editing, so I'm going to go with it. A friend at work once told me I dress like Diane Keaton, and I think about that all the time. Another friend told me I dress l like I live in New York, and that's probably accurate. I love a good power suit. All black everything is so sexy. I also think a lot about the influence the '80s has had on my sense of style since I grew up with Madonna and Princess Diana as the ultimate style icons. I can't dress like '80s Madonna at my government job, so I I keep it classy, like Lady Di. I'm much more fun with my style outside of work, especially when I travel, but I work a lot, so it's important to touch on what I wear to the office.

3. What colors or prints do you consider an essential part of your signature looks?

Black and gold is my favorite color combo. I love VERSACE's baroque, rococo patterns and bold prints, and especially the label's vintage designs.I also love black and camel and black and white, like a scene from a film noir. I love a crisp white shirt as a minimalist accent. I love leopard print done tastefully, and I love red, which is the only color lipstick I wear. Lately, it's been Revlon's Cherries in the Snow, which Sylvia Plath also wore and which I'd describe as a raspberry red. I also love Yves St. Laurent's Rouge Volupté Shine No. 45 Rouge Tuxedo and Givenchy's Le Rouge Deep Velvet No. 36 L’Interdit.

4. What’s an early memory of how you used clothing to express who you are?

My mother took me shopping when I was 3 and told me I could pick out my own pair of shoes. She said I chose a pair of shoes with Sesame Street characters on them and that I only wanted to wear that one pair of shoes. I have no idea what that says about me other than I loved Big Bird and Cookie Monster and Oscar the Grouch, and I probably was already highly susceptible to the influence of TV advertising and branding and was attempting to show my Sesame Street fandom through my shoes. I was also obsessed with purple and unicorns, as I imagine a lot of American '80s kids were. Purple is regal and unicorns are a fantasy.

5. What’s your favorite season of the year to dress for?

Fall, but it's summer year-round in Miami, so I often wear extra layers, despite the heat and inherent discomfort. I love sweaters, scarfs, jackets, long pants, and boots, and I'm always wearing sunglasses because I'm super sensitive to light. I travel to Chicago and Michigan several times a year so I can enjoy my layers comfortably.

6. What fabric or texture do you especially love to wear?

Cashmere, soft cotton, and velvet for the feel, and leather for the look, but not the feel.

7. What’s a favorite piece in your wardrobe, and how did you get it?

My fitted black Tahari blazer with a cinched waist, statement shoulders, and gold buttons. I have a whole collection of blazers, which I've accumulated slowly, over time. I've been adding to my collection since my first professional job out of college at age 21. In case you're interested, I started off in public relations, and more specifically, as a media relations specialist for a large office furniture company in Michigan. This job took me to New York a lot and I met with editors for architecture and design magazines to pitch products for coverage in magazines. This experience has also had a long-term impact on my personal style, and my love of black attire.

8. What’s your favorite bit of style advice you’d like to share with others?

I don't think I've said this to anyone before, but a little effort goes a long way. I'm sad about what the pandemic has done to fashion, especially in a professional setting. Seeing a co-worker during office hours in activewear is jarring to me. I still wear suits every day to work, whether I'm at home or in the office physically. I get that lines between work and home have blurred, and many of us are expected to be on 24/7, but please save the t-shirt, hat, and yoga/athletic pants or shorts for the gym.

Thank you, Nicole, for sharing your insight with the Writer’s Style Guide! Stay tuned for the next installment.