Claudia Karvan is a ‘cheat’ when it comes to fashion

What are three essential items in your wardrobe?
A denim jacket, an old pair of Costume National zip-up black boots, and I’m into jumpsuits – being able to throw on an outfit and the top and bottom are sorted!

Any go-to jewellery?
Earrings are my thing. I’m loving Temple of the Sun.

Can you remember a favourite outfit from when you were a child?
I had this beautiful ’50s-style dress that I loved: cinched waist, pleated skirt, little collar, pink, blue and white. It was a happy dress and it got a lot of wear; I wore it from probably age six ’til 10. Then, when we were living in Bali, I passed it on to one of the Balinese kids that I’d made friends with, so it lived on.

What’s your worst fashion mistake?
I wore a shiny blue taffeta off-the-shoulder dress to the Sydney Girls High and Sydney Boys High disco in year 7. Which was bad enough but then my best friend bought the same dress in gold and decided we’d go together, so it was compounded – a double mistake!

And your first fashion moment?
When I was 16, going to Wheels & Dollbaby on Crown Street [Sydney], getting a black Lycra dress and wearing it non-stop.

What’s top of your fashion wish list?
Recently a friend wore a beautiful Hermès jumper – it had survived a decade with no pilling, it was stunning. A luxurious, good-quality, coloured woollen jumper I couldn’t go past.

Is there a current fashion trend you like?
Workwear pants for girls, like Dickies jeans and boilersuits.

What shoes do you wear most often?
Onitsuka Tiger sneakers.

Who’s your favourite fashion icon?
Katharine Hepburn. I love her androgynous style, the simplicity of it.

What do you wear to bed?
Old crew T-shirts from whatever production I’ve been working on, or merch from a live gig, are my go-to, with boxer shorts.

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What do you wear on a typical working day?
Pants and a shirt if I’m producing. If I’m acting, I’m in 10 different outfits, often freezing my arse off or boiling hot – it’s not led by the weather, that’s for sure.

What’s your favourite casual Sunday look?
A cheesecloth shirt and maybe even a sarong. It depends how relaxed the Sunday is!

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