Photo: Express
Tan Franceis kicking off summer in style.
The lead stylist at Express and star ofQueer Eyeis all about “dressing to look nice” this season (and forever).
“For years now, dressing to look nice has not been a thing — it’s been about dressing over the top,” France tells PEOPLE exclusively. “It’s nice to put a look on and think it looks really chic. And in 20 years time, I can go back and think I look lovely.”
To achieve this goal, and in the spirit of moving the “f— on from street style,” France, 40, is reaching for all things tailored for summer, because no matter the weather, tailoring is always appropriate, he says.
Express
France calls Express “timeless and classic,” believing that it’s a store that has a little something for everyone, for any event (and he’s quick to advise shoppers to not sleep on the jewelry!).
However, “when I first was going to do an Express shoot, they sent me a suit,” France says. “I hadn’t decided yet if I was going to work with the brand, but they sent me a suit and told me to just try it. I put it on, and for the first time in years, I was able to wear a suit without tailoring it literally at all. Express is still the only brand that I can buy off the rack and don’t need to tailor the suit in any way. I think that is incredible.”
“I love that I actually get to do so much when it comes to how we style for the customer,” France tells PEOPLE. “Express is so invested in the styling community, and that’s the reason they hire the likes of me to be able to speak to them and say I’ve been there and know how much hard work it is. I understand what it means to make somebody feel good.”
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The Emmy nominee rose to fame as the style pro on Netflix’sQueer Eye, where he guided the show’s heroes to wear clothes that made them feel like their best selves. It was there that he started really getting into Express and learning more about the brand.
“There are so many great options for every hero I have on the show,” he says. “That is mostly where I style from now, and to be able to take [the heroes] to a store and know I can get them something that’s going to make them feel incredibleisincredible. And it’s at a price point that is accessible.”
“I try to build other people’s confidence, and at some point in my life, I’m going to start working on my own,” he says. “I’m not quite there yet.”
source: people.com
