Tracee Ellis Ross On Mum Diana Ross' Style, Ralph Lauren Cashmere And Being Her Best Self

From ELLE

Tracee Ellis Ross is a fashion killer.

Any of the Black-ish actor's Instagram posts prove it. Then, of course, there's her iconic Moschino 2019 Met Gala look where she held a literal gold picture frame in front of her face the entire night.

For Tracee, having fun with fashion (and life) is key.

To mark the Pattern Beauty founder's latest film The High Note (out online May 29), her first huge lead, we spoke to her about all things fashion:

Mum gave me an innate love of glamour.

My mum [Diana Ross] was extremely glamorous at home, not just on the stage. That’s probably why I never go out in full sweats. During my childhood, she would only wear tracksuits if they were fancy and with high heels.

As a child, clothes were my armour.

It fed into a persona I put on to cover my insecurities. It was a way to present an identity – if I wore a great outfit, I could conquer the world. When I was a toddler, I’d wrap myself in a bedsheet, wear Mum’s heels and become a queen. Now, clothing is a form of creative expression.

European women opened my eyes to individual style.

In my early teens, my family home was in Paris and I went to boarding school in Switzerland. It was there I met Italian twins Java and Rosie, whose style will always be etched into mine. It was all chic tracksuits with Superga sneakers, fur coats and tons of gold jewellery.

I still wear the Ralph Lauren cashmere cable knits that I bought in the late 1980s.

After moving back to the US aged 16, I worked at one of their stores at the weekends, which meant I could buy discounted looks. I’d been obsessed with the brand for years, and my mother always said there’s nothing wrong with spending money on clothes if you take care of them.

I'll always remember my mum's leather two-piece phase.

She had coordinating sets of North Beach Leathers trousers and oversized bomber jackets in every colour, from powder blue to yellow. I can see her influence in my obsession with coordinating: I can’t stand having my toes and fingernails painted different colours, my shoes must match my belt and my knickers must match my bra.

Minimal doesn't have to mean boring.

I’m my best accessory, so I never overdo jewellery. I love a clean ear or bare neck. My understated grey Giorgio Armani prom dress from 1990 has been slated on Instagram but I coveted it at 18-years-old. My door knocker ‘Tracee’ hoop earrings are my staple statement.

Katharine Hepburn taught me the power of a good suit.

I love that she wore wide-leg trousers and blazers in her movies. I always feel so pulled together wearing one. She started my love of tux jackets – I’ll wear one over evening gowns, or with sweatpants to vote in elections. My latest shape is a boxy Saint Laurent one. After seeing my brother Evan in the flyest, pale-green suit on the red carpet recently, I borrowed it the next day for a cover shoot.

I could chronicle my journey of self-acceptance through my hair.

It’s my greatest form of expression. Sometimes it’s big, sometimes it’s small, sometimes elegant, gravity-defying, electric… I don’t think there’s anything as chic as a slicked-back bun, but when my hair is loose, it has a mind of its own.

There will always be dishes in my sink and too many clothes in my home.

I hate to throw clothes away; I still have a beautiful Norma Kamali slip dress from when I was 22. I wore it to my brother Ross’ wedding three years ago. My clothes are a reflection of myself.

Tracee Ellis Ross’ new film The High Note is available to watch online from May 29.

ELLE UK's June 2020 issue is on newsstands from May 7, 2020. Alternatively, you can buy single issues of the magazine online here.

Fancy reading the June 2020 issue digitally? Download the ELLE app this month and get your first issue for free.

You Might Also Like

• Pyjamas You Can Wear All Day

• 10 Hand Soaps To Make Your Bathroom Feel Like A Fancy Hotel

• 8 Of The Best Natural Deodorants