Cool girl alert! Jessica Manning is a Los Angeles–based creator whose calming and stylish lifestyle has garnered a dedicated following that reflects her creative spirit. We caught up with the former Minneapolis resident to chat about her nuanced style, what she’s looking forward to this year and more.
Photography provided by Jessica Manning
How would you describe your style?
I would say my style is rooted in classic shapes and silhouettes with the addition of casual sporty elements and elevated touches. I wear a lot of thrifted men’s trousers paired with sneakers, bold metal jewelry and a feminine top. Another go-to for me is a pair of jeans, some loafers, a T-shirt and a chunky knit. I really enjoy the juxtaposition of vintage and new, casual and dressy, masculine and feminine. I try to find the balance of these ideas whenever I’m creating an outfit.
What are you currently loving?
I’m currently loving so many things in different areas of life. I’ve been really into fruit lately. There’s nothing like snacking on a bowl of fresh fruit. On a totally different note, I’ve always been really interested in and fascinated by space, so a lot of space movies are currently being watched in my household. For music, I’ve been listening to Dijon’s new album Absolutely on repeat.
Do you have any goals you’re currently working toward?
I’m not one to set hyper-specific goals for myself as it tends to make me feel more anxious than motivated. I do however have some general life goals that I try to work toward in everything I do. For instance, I’m practicing being gentle with myself and those around me. I think we tend to be too hard on ourselves when we make mistakes, and I’m constantly practicing the act of showing myself some patience and kindness when things don’t go the way I intended. Career-wise, I hope to continue growing in the work I’m currently doing as a creator, and I look forward to adding some other elements into my profession.
Where do you source inspiration from?
I moved to Los Angeles a year and a half ago, and I’m still in awe of all the plants and flowers growing here. I feel endlessly inspired when I go on a neighborhood walk. I’ve also been finding myself spending a lot more time on Pinterest lately for style and home inspiration. I always turn to the platform when I’m creating a mood board for a specific project. I love searching for imagery and design that speaks to me.
Any advice for 2022?
Take your time. The start of a new year is a period to feel re-energized and motivated, but it doesn’t mean you have to get all your goals and to-dos done immediately. Take your time to process the things you’ve been navigating, to plan how you’re going to reach the goals you’ve set and to reflect on how far you’ve already come. I often think we’re so quick to move on and keep pushing toward the next best thing, but I really believe so much of our growth comes from the moments when we choose to pause.
