There’s a brilliance behind the way we choose to express ourselves and at FJ, we know every outfit has a story. This week, we’re diving into the wardrobe of Sydney stylist, Shannen (Shaz) Bugot. For more fashion news, shoots, articles and features, head to our Fashion section.

A peek into Shaz’s wardrobe is anything but boring. Think bright red tutus, maximal prints, sculptural, silver jewellery and her holy grail purchase: a Chopova Lowena skirt. Alongside a handful of local and vintage labels, Shaz’s key reference point when it comes to style is her group of friends, like fashion creators Tara Chandra and Elle.

“Everyone has such a distinctive individual style and I’m so lucky to have such a beautiful, hot group of people in my life,” she says. Like any fashion girly, Shaz eventually found herself stuck in a cycle of comparison – only with herself. “I kind of had this competition where each outfit always had to be better than the last,” she explains.

Now, she backs herself. “I know I can pull an outfit well.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝖘𝖍𝖆𝖟 ☆ (@lilbabyshaz) Fashion Journal: Hey Shaz! Tell me about yourself and what you like to wear.

Shaz: I like wearing tutus, fun statement pieces, shoes that are most likely not the most comfortable when travelling and a whole lot of accessories. Personal style is a journey. Have you ever felt like you needed to fit into a particular fashion box?

Oh, definitely, I feel like sometimes I have to fit into my own idea of being this cool fashion girly. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing; it’s more so that I put myself on this pedestal where I had to constantly be pulling amazing, jaw-dropping outfits. It definitely used to be a lot worse when I was younger, especially being a content creator and living in Sydney.

I kind of had this competition where each outfit always had to be better than the last. I try not to let myself wander into these thoughts as much anymore. In the least conceited-sounding way possible, I know I can pull an outfit well.

At this point in my life, I feel comfortable in the way I dress and in my own skin, so I don’t really care about how people perceive me or what they think of my style. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝖘𝖍𝖆𝖟 ☆ (@lilbabyshaz) Take us back to your teenage years. Who or what was influencing your style at the time?

My biggest influencers were, funny enough, the friends I have now. However, back then, they were people I admired online. Shoutout to Tara Chandra and Elle – the chokehold these baddies had on me in my teenage years, especially living in Tasmania.

I thought they were the coolest girls ever, and they still are. In 2020, I visited Sydney to go to Laneway and thought to reach out to Tara on Instagram to see if she’d be keen to meet up and hang out. I was so surprised when she said yes.

I was so nervous – she was so cool and I was just some girl from Tassie who was trying to figure out her style. But she is honestly one of the most down-to-earth people I know. I moved to Sydney in 2021, and Tara has introduced me to all these amazing people, who I now call my close friends.

Is there a specific look you still think about today? I do remember being obsessed with leopard print. When I was 17, most of my wardrobe was leopard print and I remember thrifting this specific maxi dress.

It was fitted and honestly so stunning. I’m so sad that I ended up giving it away because I know I would still be wearing it a whole lot today. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝖘𝖍𝖆𝖟 ☆ (@lilbabyshaz) You work as a stylist as well.

How does your job inform or influence your personal style – or vice versa? I started off assisting my friend back in 2021 and slowly got my own gigs from there. Looking back, a lot of people would reach out to me because they liked my personal style.

When working with clients, there’s obviously a brief, a vision and a creative direction, but I still try and add some of my own spice. What are some of the ‘investment pieces’ in your wardrobe, or items that have stood the test of time? At the moment, there are two investment pieces in my wardrobe and oh boy, will they be standing the test of time.

Back in 2024, I went to Japan and my partner bought me a pair of Maison Margiela Tabis. Then, last year, I went to Europe and made one of my biggest adult purchases and finally bought a Chopova Lowena skirt. I’ll be buried in these two items.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝖘𝖍𝖆𝖟 ☆ (@lilbabyshaz) What’s your favourite secondhand find? My favourite secondhand find is an Isabel Marant bag I found at a Vinnies at Coogee Beach. I was so shocked when I saw it by the gla