Linda Evangelista’s Timeless Style Philosophy: Fashion Icon Embraces Authenticity at 60

Fashion legend Linda Evangelista, Harper’s Bazaar’s latest cover star, continues to redefine style on her own terms as she approaches her milestone 60th birthday. The iconic supermodel, renowned for her chameleonic transformations and influential career, recently shared intimate insights about her personal style journey and shopping philosophy in an exclusive interview with The Good Buy, Harper’s Bazaar’s fashion podcast.

“I don’t really dress for other people,” Evangelista candidly revealed during her conversation with editors Leah Chernikoff and Lynette Nylander. This authentic approach to fashion has characterized her decades-long career as one of the industry’s most revered figures. “Sometimes you see something on other people and you think, ‘Oh I want to be like that or I want to look like that,’ but it’s not really you.”

A Legendary Career and Lasting Influence

Evangelista’s relationship with Harper’s Bazaar spans generations, having graced its cover an impressive ten times. Most notably, she helped usher in Liz Tilberis’s celebrated “era of elegance” in the magazine’s landmark September 1992 issue. Throughout her illustrious career, she has served as the face of luxury powerhouses including Chanel and Versace, and maintained a storied creative partnership with acclaimed photographer Steven Meisel.

The supermodel’s distinctive aesthetic has evolved significantly over time, influenced by unexpected creative collaborations. “I never knew I liked men’s [clothing], and I never thought I would have, until Peter Lindbergh saw me that way,” she explained. “He didn’t want me in a dress and makeup. He just wanted me looking like a boy all the time…But I felt so comfortable in it.”

Timeless Wardrobe Philosophy

Evangelista’s thoughtful approach to building a wardrobe reveals her emphasis on quality over novelty. During a shopping trip in Milan, she remembers gravitating toward classic pieces that would become her signature uniform: “I bought two blazers, one black cashmere—classic—and one camel cashmere—classic—with an A.P.C men’s shirt, my Levi’s, and an Hermés scarf.” This combination of luxury staples and everyday basics exemplifies her sophisticated yet practical style sensibility.

For aspiring fashion connoisseurs, Evangelista offers wisdom about developing personal style that transcends seasonal trends. “You don’t have to drop everything in your closet for whatever is new,” she advises. “Look at the way the French women dress. Some have one piece of jewelry and that’s the one piece that they’ve been wearing for the last three decades, and it works. You don’t need more.”

Her refreshing perspective challenges today’s fast-fashion mentality: “I’m okay with shoes from last season and clothes from last season and from two years ago. I’m okay with repeating things.” This sustainability-minded outlook feels particularly relevant in today’s conversations about fashion consumption.

Mindful Shopping Habits

Even fashion icons have shopping rules. “I have this rule. You’re not allowed to buy anything in the middle of the night,” Evangelista shared with characteristic humor. “I try not to hit that button in the middle of the night because I want to be completely lucid when I do it.” This practical advice resonates with anyone who has experienced late-night online shopping temptations.

Evangelista’s vintage Chanel collection remains among her most treasured possessions, demonstrating her appreciation for fashion as both art and investment. Her ability to integrate these luxury pieces with menswear-inspired basics illustrates her unique eye for personal style that has influenced generations of fashion enthusiasts.

As she approaches her 60th birthday, Linda Evangelista continues to embody the essence of authentic style—one defined not by following trends but by knowing oneself. Her enduring influence on fashion stems from this very quality: the confidence to dress exclusively for herself, regardless of external expectations.

The Good Buy podcast, hosted by Harper’s Bazaar editors Leah Chernikoff and Lynette Nylander, features conversations with celebrities, designers, models, and tastemakers about their shopping philosophies and personal style journeys. The podcast offers listeners an intimate glimpse into the closets and shopping carts of the world’s most stylish individuals, exploring how they use fashion to craft their unique narratives.