WORN WELL SERIES

with Anna Nunez

Introducing a recurring series: Tradlands Worn Well.

Interviews with people we admire who are changing the way we get dressed. We talk about living well in clothing you love and how wardrobe choices are shaped by the day-to-day.

Our second interview is with Anna Núñez. Anna is an artist who lives and works in Southwest Florida. You might’ve seen her beautiful illustrations on Instagram, where she also shares her travels, outfits, and a behind the scenes look at her work. Obviously, we’re obsessed with her elevated, easygoing style. Anna recently opened Chez Núñez, a thriving boutique branding business.

How would you describe your personal style?

Comfortable, functional, classic. I’d like to think I’m semi-successful in infusing some elements of French fashion into my personal style as well. I’m super drawn to versatile, staple pieces - anything with a sense of simple beauty. I love when my clothes feel like they can stand the test of time.

My husband lovingly teases me sometimes by calling me the ‘comfort queen’ because I just won’t keep things around in my closet long unless they serve the purpose of making me feel comfortable and fashionable at the same time. I’m pretty strict on this - and having those qualifiers when I shop has helped me shape my closet in a way that feels more useful and intentional.

How does your day to day inform what you wear?

My daily routines and environment inform what I wear in a really direct way. I’m a freelance designer who mostly works from home or a coffee shop, and I also live in St. Petersburg, Florida (which is very hot and humid for most of the year). There isn’t a workplace of people around me each day to hold me accountable to presentable looks, and for most of the year, I can’t bear to think about wearing a heavy fabric or a long sleeve, let alone a second layer (although I wish I could).

It’s been sweet, however, to focus shifting my mindset around these sorts of limitations, by letting my surroundings act as creative challenges instead

when I choose what to wear each day. I make it a goal to pick my outfit every morning in a way that makes me feel beautiful and confident and put together - even if I don’t have a reason to leave the home for work - because I’ve seen the practice of caring deeply about what I wear, have a direct impact on my mindset through the day.

If I feel well dressed, simply sitting on my couch or at the coffee shop, I channel that into the work I make. I’ve also been embracing a lot more dresses, skirts, and flowy tops lately as a way of working with the heat rather than against it - and it’s helped me enjoy where I live so much more.

Who or where do you look to for style inspiration?

70’s Fashion. Parisian women. Thrift or antique stores. My mom’s vintage sewing patterns and handmade clothing. Mood boards that I’ll put together on Pinterest. My two favorite bloggers/ influencers these days are Tezza Barton and Taylor Anne. Taylor’s style inspires me to edit and polish my looks, and Tezza really inspires me to be more bold with my silhouettes, colors, patterns, and accessories!

Why do you choose to shop ethically?

I’ve been watching my mother sew since I was a little kid, and a couple of years ago, I was able to help her create a brand and launch a business that offers her custom and made-to-order garments to women all over the world. In her work, she’s really dedicated to sourcing fabric of the highest quality, from responsible vendors, and crafting her pieces with the kind of care and heirloom-level attention to detail that will serve their new owners well over the years.

My connection to my mom and her process of creating clothing connects me on a deeper level to the importance of supporting other creatives and businesses’ that are committed to ethical practices as well. I see people behind all the things that I wear because I can envision someone like my mother behind a sewing machine making it.