Home Tour with Shenae Grimes

What are the five key pieces you find yourself wearing constantly?
“My Helmut Lang leather pants, either pair of my Isabel Marant suede booties, Sam Edelman Zoe booties for nighttime with any outfit, my Pamela Love arrowhead ring, and any vintage band tee I wore to bed the night before.”

What's on your fall/winter/holiday wish list accessories-wise?
“Fur, fur, and more fur. I always try to stick with faux but I'm Canadian, man, we've got a lot of great vintage fur up there!”

Who's your older woman style icon?
“Diane Keaton meets Carine Roitfeld if you can imagine that—and though I'm speaking past tense now, Jane Birkin circa her relationship with Serge Gainsbourg is definitely a necessary mention.”

 What are you excited to wear this fall and winter?
“Layers! Bring on the Navajo-inspired sweaters, big cozy jackets, and toques! I feel in my element when I'm dressed for cooler seasons.”

 What's your best cheap score of late?
“Vintage Playboy sunglasses from a consignment shop in Toronto.”

 You're definitely an expert shopper. What are some tricks of the trade you could give to our readers?
“Know your body and what trends work to flatter it and which ones don't. Create shape and definition with structure and flattering fabrics where your natural curves may not naturally exist. Fashion and glamour are all an illusion, and at the end of the day what matters most is the confidence you wear it with—so, own it!

 Is there anything you would never be caught wearing?
“Pink.”

Do you have any treasured items in your closet...can you tell us what they are and any stories about them?
“My silver sparkle spike-studded Louboutin loafers are definitely a favorite of mine because I've never taken to sneakers or ballet flats and they’re a good comfy-but-funky alternative from a boot or spectator. I’ve just added the new season's steel-toe version to my wardrobe as an early birthday present for myself, too! Very excited about the new addition. As far as a favorite piece with sentimental value, I'd definitely say my grandma's off-white lace bodysuit from the 1930s. It's stunning with anything high-waisted and means a lot as it's one of the few pieces that's ever been passed down to me. I hope to make it a tradition and pass it down myself one day.”

 How do you use clothing to help you get into character?
“Well, to sum it up, Annie, my character, wears a hell of a lot of pink. She's much more feminine and preppy in her attire, so when you're literally stepping into someone else's shoes, you immediately carry yourself differently than you would in your own life. When I was playing a homeless teen in Sugar, I walked and talked differently and before I even realized it, I found her somewhere inside myself and the clothing helped bring her out.”

 What's your most treasured item in your closet?
“I think my Helmut Lang leather pants or my Helmut Lang biased cut blazer—they know how to make clothes, man, and I couldn't imagine my closet without them.”