A Lesson in Refined Personal Style with Madelynn Hudson

Rip & Tan: In a general sense, how would you define your style?

Madelynn Hudson: I would define my style as classic and elegant but with a punch. I gravitate towards classic silhouettes and neutral colors but love an unexpected detail that elevates the look slightly.

Rip & Tan: More specifically, what’s your approach to styling a look?

Madelynn Hudson: For me, it’s all about the proportions. I love to keep lines in similar planes–high-waisted denim with a cropped sweater, a jacket with a shorter skirt, or a dress with tall knee-high boots. I also tend to dress things up vs down, like adding my Jenni Kayne Kitten Heels to pair with denim.

Rip & Tan: And a room? Where do you tend to begin?

Madelynn Hudson: For me, outfitting a room comes (believe it or not) more easily than an outfit. But I always start with two things, observing the current architecture of the room, and figuring out the optimal floor plan. The given design of a room helps inform what styles and colors of furniture I want to fill it with, and once an ideal floor plan is planned you can plug and play with the furniture to create the right balance and space.

Rip & Tan: What are some of the defining elements of your signature aesthetic?

Madelynn Hudson: When it comes to interiors, it’s very similar to my fashion style–classic with a twist. However in fashion, it will be subtle, like a simple outfit paired with a python bag, but I tend to take bigger risks in interiors. I would say my signature is a slight “lush” twist. I love sexier materials and finishes that feel unexpected but still totally at home. 

Rip & Tan: When it comes to curating everyday pieces, what signifies a must-have for you?

Madelynn Hudson: The material and fit! When it comes to my staple wardrobe, I’m extremely picky, everything needs to fit perfectly and be of high-quality fabrics.

Rip & Tan: When do you know something’s worth the investment?

Madelynn Hudson: For me, when it makes me feel exceptional. 

Rip & Tan: Do you have any golden style rules you tend to stick to? When do you break them?

Madelynn Hudson: To be honest, I do not. The only time I follow a rule is when I feel like I am a bit far away from my true essence if that makes sense. It’s easy to become so heavily influenced by the content trends around us, and when I find myself getting a bit too swayed I dial it back to the basics and enjoy living with less for a week or two. 

Rip & Tan: Can you share any tips for instantly elevating an outfit? And a space?

Madelynn Hudson: Absolutely! I find you can easily give an elevated facelift for an outfit and a space with the right accessories. Think of a t-shirt and denim–a very basic outfit, but paired with a sleek boot, a statement cropped jacket and maybe a pony hair clutch, you’ve suddenly got a very cool elevated outfit. A room is the same, a plain white sofa and chairs can be paired with a cool sleek side table, a chunky marble coffee table, and some interesting vintage lamps and the room really starts to sing. 

Rip & Tan: When in doubt—add more? Or take away?

Madelynn Hudson: Both! Ha!