{"id":100717,"date":"2025-10-15T06:57:07","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T06:57:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/neclink.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/15\/a-week-of-outfits-leila-kelleher\/"},"modified":"2025-10-15T06:57:07","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T06:57:07","slug":"a-week-of-outfits-leila-kelleher","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/neclink.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/15\/a-week-of-outfits-leila-kelleher\/","title":{"rendered":"A Week of Outfits: Leila Kelleher"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\"Week<\/p>\n

\u201cPlus-size people aren\u2019t always able to express themselves through fashion because the options can be so limited,\u201d says Leila Kelleher<\/a>, a pattern designer and assistant professor at Parsons School of Design. Luckily, Leila learned to sew in high school. She now makes 75% of her own clothes; and for the other 25%, \u201cI like to support companies that support my body.\u201d Here, Leila shares five outfits she wore in a week\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Week<\/p>\n

Shirt: Lobethal<\/a>, \u201cmade by me from my pattern company Muna and Broad<\/a>.\u201d Skirt: Pyrmont<\/a>, \u201cmade by me from my pattern company Muna and Broad<\/a>.\u201d Shoes: Hark Weber<\/a>. Socks: Bombas<\/a>. Glasses: Platoy<\/a>.\u00a0Lip color: Glossier lipstick in Zip.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI grew up in Sydney and learned to sew in high school. In class, we made tailored jackets, swimwear, formal prom looks, everything!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Week<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople always told me that sewing your own underwear was life-changing. Even though I knew I could buy completely fine underwear, I figured, Okay, fine, I\u2019ll make a pattern<\/a> and sew it up<\/em>. I was completely blown away. Now 100% of my underwear is made by me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Week<\/p>\n

Denim outfit: Street & Saddle shirt<\/a>, pants<\/a>, and ribbon tie<\/a>. Sneakers: SAS<\/a> X Body of Work<\/a> (no longer available). Belt: Etsy, similar<\/a>. Sunglasses: \u201cvintage seventies glasses from Fabulous Fanny\u2019s<\/a>.\u201d Lip color: Merit Flush Balm<\/a> in \u201cPersimmon.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThis outfit is from Street & Saddle<\/a>, which has an equestrian, slightly Western vibe. They\u2019re amazing in terms of inclusion. Everything is made to order, so you just put in your measurements, and they\u2019ll customize any garment.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cAt Parsons, I love looking at my students\u2019 outfits. Every day feels like a fashion show. And when a colleague says, \u2018Oh my god, your outfit is so great,\u2019 it feels good because, well, they know.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Dress: Irregular Sleep Pattern<\/a>. Necklace:\u00a0Barrow PDX<\/a>. Shoes: Torrid<\/a>, similar<\/a>. Glasses: Platoy<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThis dress is technically sleepwear, but you can wear it outside. I love bright, saturated colors.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cMy hair changes a lot. Right now, I\u2019ve got an Edna Mode<\/a> thing happening. For glasses, I\u2019m obsessed with Fabulous Fanny\u2019s<\/a> and Opticianado<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Week<\/p>\n

Jacket: a Space, in between<\/a>. Shirt: similar<\/a>.\u00a0Jeans: \u201cCooper jeans<\/a> from my pattern company Muna and Broad.\u201d Sneakers: SAS<\/a> X Body of Work<\/a> (no longer available). Necklaces: Hesta<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI got my Ph.D. in biomechanics, which is basically the study of how the human body works and moves. Looking at bodies in that way helped me get away from the \u2018good\u2019\/\u2018bad\u2019 body paradigm that fashion is so invested in. I started thinking about how to make patterns to fit this shape or that shape. Nothing looks better than clothes that fit beautifully.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cInspired, I co-founded a plus-size sewing pattern brand, Muna and Broad<\/a>, and a plus-size luxury fashion brand, a space, in between<\/a>. This bomber jacket<\/a> is from my company.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Week<\/p>\n

\u201cI took one of my kids to do a jewelry making workshop at Hesta<\/a>. When we walked in, I saw a necklace made of carabiners<\/a>. It was so cool. Then I made one, which is not nearly as cool!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Week<\/p>\n

T-shirt: Arq<\/a>. Skirt: \u201cPyrmont skirt<\/a> made by me from my pattern company Muna and Broad.\u201d Belts: Etsy and Street & Saddle<\/a>. Boots: Tracey Neuls<\/a>.\u00a0Bag: Lindquist<\/a>.\u00a0Glasses: Fabulous Fanny\u2019s<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can wear a simple outfit, but if you have a hero piece, it brings it all together. This red bag<\/a> is a hero piece for me. It anchors an outfit.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Week<\/p>\n

\u201cI recently met someone wearing multiple skirts, many garments, and three belts. I was super inspired by him and his three-belt situation. I immediately thought, How many belts do I have?<\/em> Fashion sometimes feels serious, but it has to be fun, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thank you, Leila<\/a> and congratulations on your new book<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n

P.S. More weeks of outfits<\/a>, including a therapist with a flower garden<\/a> and cardiologist who loves color<\/a>. <\/p>\n

(Photos by Yumi Matsuo<\/a> for Cup of Jo.)<\/p>\n

Note: If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. We recommend only products we genuinely like. Thank you so much<\/em><\/p>\n

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