Writer's Style Guide 024: Alex DiFrancesco
"I aspire to only wear shoes that I would save from being thrown away in a disastrous break-up."
Alex DiFrancesco is the author of All City, Transmutation, Breaking the Curse, The Grief Shop and Other Stories from a Broken World (June 2026), and Through the Boondocks and Back (Spring 2027).
1. What three words would you use to describe your personal style?
Bold, bright, shiny.
2. Who/what/where/when is/are your style inspiration(s)?
There is a scene in the film Down By Law that I take my footwear inspiration from. In it, Tom Waits's character is being thrown out of his apartment by his ex-girlfriend, and she is literally throwing his stuff out the window. She grabs a really amazing pair of shoes and starts to throw them, and he stops her, saying, "Not the shoes." I aspire to only wear shoes that I would save from being thrown away in a disastrous break-up.
3. What colors or prints do you consider an essential part of your signature looks?
I am a huge fan of metallics—whether as a base, an accent, or just some make-up. I own a lovely shirtdress from Wildfang that is silver and that I adore, I have a suit jacket with gold roses on it, I wear a few metallic capes, and I'm always covered in silver and gold glitter.
4. What’s an early memory of how you used clothing to express who you are?
When I was in high school, before I came out as transgender, I found a smoking jacket with a beautiful silver and black pattern at a thrift store. I wanted to wear it to my senior prom, but in the end I caved and wore a blue gown. It was one of my first memories of seeing something that I knew I wanted to wear, but couldn't yet bring myself to understand why.
5. What’s your favorite season of the year to dress for?
Fall or spring. Everything looks better with a leather jacket on top.
6. What’s a favorite piece in your wardrobe, and how did you get it?
I have a few leather jackets that I just love. I have one that's a black Harley Davidson motorcycle jacket (given to me by a friend in Ohio), another that's a pink leather jacket with studs all over it (bought on Ebay), and a third that's a sage green biker jacket with white stripes on the sleeves (found in a donation bin at a friend's job and rescued for me).
7. What’s your favorite bit of style advice you’d like to share with others?
Find your unique style and lean into it hard.
Thank you, Alex, for sharing your insight with the Writer’s Style Guide! Stay tuned for the next installment.