Dancing Into Spring With Reign Judge

The Model Shares Her Insider Style Tips for SS23

On set, Reign Judge sings along to the ‘90s classic “Rica y Apretadita” by Panamanian reggaeton pioneer El General. It’s a quintessential summer track, and the perfect rhythm to animate her classic gray pleated miniskirt. Judge, 21, is relatively new to modeling but has found fast success in campaigns for brands like Polo Ralph Lauren, Tyler, the Creator’s GOLF le FLEUR*, and Batsheva. She’s the covergirl for issue 4 of Perfect Magazine, and has walked in shows for designers Sandy Liang and Tommy Hilfiger. Hailing from Queens, Judge was exposed to a great deal of culture from the time she was young. “Growing up in New York, it feels like the whole world is at your fingertips,” she explains over the phone. “I feel really lucky that I was exposed to such unique things at a young age. The best education in the world is interacting with different cultures and ways of life.”

No matter what city or coast you’re from, spring, at last, is in the air. It’s time to leave behind the limitations of winter dressing and get excited about the freedom that comes with the change in seasons. To celebrate, Judge shared her tips for cultivating a unique sense of personal style for SS23. Taking inspiration from the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s, she regularly seeks out old movies, music, and fashion editorials to draw on. Polos, pearls, menswear pieces, and gold jewelry are just some of her staples. “I like to pull my favorite shapes, colors, and patterns, and mesh them all together to create my style,” she says. No matter where you like to find your inspiration, let Judge’s tips be your guide.

Develop Your Own Style WorldEmbrace ChangeShop Hop

If you see Judge looking at her phone, she’s most likely watching old performances from the likes of Diana Ross or Nina Simone.“Even though it evolves, my style always lives within the same world. Wes Anderson films are one of the things that inspire me, and . Tim Burton has had a crazy impact on me and my taste in things, too. It always comes down to women musicians and performers for me though. Women have such a unique perspective on life, they’re so poetic and have a special and magical way of seeing the world. Nina Simone, Etta James, Beyoncé. I could watch videos of them performing for hours and hours.”The bottom line is, don’t be afraid to modify your outfit if you change your mind after you leave the house. If you see a stranger on the street with cool personal style, don’t hesitate to take a cue and experiment with something new.“I always hate the question, ‘What’s one word to describe your style?’ That’s such a difficult thing to do because it’s changing every second, every day, from morning to night.”Don’t sleep on IRL shopping.“I only shop in person. I shop vintage, or I’ll go into a Gucci or Chanel, for example. My friends and I love to shop hop, because you never know what you’re going to find. That’s how my style has grown and transformed, by going on a treasure hunt at a physical store.”

Impractical Dressing Is InBe PlayfulStay Hydrated

Do what you want, when you want.“I’m kind of unpractical when it comes to clothes. If I want to wear an outfit and I have a vision in my head, I’ll just go for it. There was one event where I wanted to wear a wool two-piece suit. It was peak New York summer, 92 degrees, and everyone was like, ‘Do not wear that wool two-piece’ but it was so perfect. I wore it and I was pretty miserable that day but I looked awesome, I felt awesome, and I don’t regret it at all. Clothes and fashion make me happiest, so I wear what I want, when I want, even if it’s a little impractical.”Flair is your friend.“The essence of my style is classic mixed with weird playful touches. I’m always finding things to incorporate into my outfit. I have some Japanese keychains that I clip onto my purses, they are so cute and it feels like I have a little pet with me all the time. I love pins and brooches, too. I have a strawberry one, and a golf ball.”What’s your signature drink? It’s about to get hot.“The second I go outside I have to go to a bodega or a cafe to get a beverage, I always have to have something to drink. In the summer, I love a crispy, cold, mint lemonade.”

Learn From Your Family

Judge is a fan of borrowing gold jewelry from her grandma to complete her look, but she also counts the lessons learned from her parents as guiding pillars, too. The way you carry yourself is a huge—often overlooked—part of personal style.“The biggest thing I’ve learned from my parents is to always be a kind, genuine person, and to go after the things that you want no matter what. They’ve always been super supportive, they’re both social workers, so I learned to always have an open heart to the world, and to put others before yourself. It’s a selfish world, so it’s always good to be selfless.”

Reign’s SS23 Playlist:

“Who Can I Run To?” - Xscape “Make It With You” - Ralfi Pagan “Ego” - Beyoncé “I’m Still in Love With You” - Marcia Aitken “Okay My Love” - The Sha Da Las “Playback” - Isabelle Antena “Angel” - Anita Baker