Writer's Style Guide 003: Diamond Forde
Diamond Forde (she/her) is the author of Mother Body (Saturnalia Books, 2021) and The Book of Alice (Scribner Books, 2026), and her work can be found in Poetry Magazine, Callaloo, Obsidian and elsewhere. You can find more at her website: www.diamondforde.com.
1. What three words would you use to describe your personal style?
Abundant, color-coordinated, practical.
2. Who/what/where/when is/are your style inspiration(s)?
I know this isn't a unique answer, but my first style inspo was my Momma.
Scratch that—both my “Momma”s—the one that brought me to this world (Mary Forde) and the world that I live on (Earth). They taught me that pretty could be powerful, and that fashion is another way to mother myself, to be whole in the doing.
3. What colors or prints do you consider an essential part of your signature looks?
Florals and stripes are my go-to, but I also love the decadence behind a zebra print.
Print and color is the avenue to abundance.
4. What’s an early memory of how you used clothing to express who you are?
Not a memory per se, but there's this story my godmother tells me often about taking me out to pick out dresses for my first baptism when I was three.
The way she tells it, I always knew what I wanted. The store clerks, parading dress after dress in front of me, trying to convince me that this dress or that dress would look so cute on me, and every time I'm standing there just shaking my hand, saying no, none of the dresses are good enough. Then they get to this one dress--all-white, tulle-ruffled, silver hem just dazzling--and my eyes light right up, huge smile splitting across my face. "Oooh," I say, "Pretty!" and she knew right then that that dress was the one for me.
5. What’s your favorite season of the year to dress for?
Whatever season I'm not currently in. When it's summer, I'm mad I can't wear my winter clothes. And when it's winter, all of my dresses are spring-coded. It's the cross I bear.
6. What fabric or texture do you especially love to wear?
It's not a texture, per se, but I love pleats.
7. What’s a favorite piece in your wardrobe, and how did you get it?
I bought this red satin dress to read at the Dodge Poetry Festival a couple years ago; it felt like my first grown-up occasion dress, a real splurge purchase, and I cherish that memory.
8. What’s your favorite bit of style advice you’d like to share with others?
Dress for the best, and the best is you.
Thank you, Diamond, for sharing your insight with the Writer’s Style Guide! Stay tuned for the next installment.