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Welcome to Virtual Shopping With...! Today, we’re doing some digital retail therapy with one of fashion month’s most photographed street style stars, Kristen Bateman, who reveals TikTok-influenced-Chanel and Instagram-discovered-indie buys—plus, her favorite platforms for “iconic” Prada lip prints, Miu Miu everything, and the best blue hair dye.
You may already recognize Kristen Bateman’s pool-blue hair from basically every single day of Style Du Monde’s NYFW to PFW street style photos this season. The writer and creative consultant’s high-key-cool style is among the most highly lensed thanks to following her natural instincts. “I’m a maximalist at heart,” Bateman tells Vogue. For what directs her own gaze, “I’ve always dressed really colorfully and loved mixing prints,” she notes, pointing out that fashion’s appreciation for artistic wardrobe freedom is of the moment. We’re all “excited to see people wear interesting combinations of things,” she says of a collective effervescence surrounding the show circuit’s IRL return. “I missed seeing all the photographers.”
Back in her element, Bateman “takes things to another level” with a rotating rainbow of hair dyes, TikTok-influenced makeup moves and Instagram-scouted accessories. “Virtual shopping, for me, is so essential,” she says. “I’m addicted to MatchesFashion, Vestiaire Collective, and the Sephora app—I’m not sponsored by any of these FYI, I just genuinely love them!” Discovering new talent and integrating rare gems into her collection requires skill—and dedication. “I’ve worked really hard to build up my closet full of pieces I love,” she says. After pulling inspiration of late from grannycore to ballerinas, there’s finally a chance to wear it all. “I am very excited to dress up again.”
Here, a trip through Bateman’s favorite finds from socializing, shopping, and playing in the multiverse.
Your major, must-know beauty wins—from all over the web?
TikTok influences me. I saw all the TikTok videos about the Chanel Les Beiges Eau De Teint Water-Fresh Tint during the middle of fashion month and immediately ordered from Chanel’s website. I love buying directly from indie beauty brands like About Face, Simihaze Beauty, and Freck. I’ve been really obsessed with fake freckles, and I constantly use Freck—the tiny tube lasts forever. I ordered the Simihaze Beauty Eye Stickers, not knowing if they’d work, but they lasted me through 12 hour days which is mind-blowing to me. I just refreshed my hair with the blue Drop It dye that morning, which I’m newly obsessed with because it’s a tiny, travel-friendly bottle you can take anywhere and just add to your conditioner. This is my go-to bright red Armani lipstick that I always travel with.
Your favorite fashion e-commerce platform?
MatchesFashion is my absolute favorite because they have the best selection of emerging designers, like innovators Chopova Lowena, and an incredible selection of some of my favorite designers that I think can be harder to find, especially in real-life stores, like Simone Rocha. I spend way too much money there. They have ridiculously fast shipping, a fantastic loyalty program, and the best sale. A floaty white Simone Rocha dress may not immediately seem like a wardrobe staple, but, for me, it is. There are a million different ways to style it—I wore mine during couture week with a black sequin bralette over it.
Your secret source for archival designers and hidden gems?
I love Yoox so much. It is a hidden gem, and sometimes during the sale, the prices are so good it seems like it’s truly unreal. The biggest thing is, I buy all my Margiela Tabis there on sale—including the gold glitter ones I wore in Paris. They have really wild ones, which I prefer over just black. I rarely, if ever, buy anything full price—like my Marilyn Monroe Loewe top, which I got for around $100 and is sold elsewhere online for over $1,000; that’s why I love Yoox! I’m also really into buying Prada from there with interesting prints—the Prada lip print is so iconic to me and goes with everything.
Your most-used shopping app?
The Sephora app is really addictive, especially when I need to re-up my stash. When I was in Paris for fashion week, I saw videos about the Caudalie Instant Detox mask, loved using it, and wore it all through Paris Fashion Week. It doesn’t make me nervous to order beauty products online without testing them in person, probably because I’ll try everything once as someone who writes about beauty. My top brands I’ve been buying lately include Charlotte Tilbury and Urban Decay. I wear the new’ 90s-inspired Charlotte Tilbury contour palette (Super Nudes) almost every day—I hated all contour until I tried that one. And I can’t live without the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray during fashion month especially.
Your virtual scout-and-support methods for emerging brands?
Even when living in a big city like New York, it’s not always easy to find emerging designers and young brands at brick-and-mortar stores. I bought this Emma Brewin hat during her Instagram sample sale—it’s such a conversation starter. If I’m not in a rush, I prefer to order directly from the brand’s website—especially for smaller labels. I’ve been embracing big, chunky socks, and no one does them like Brother Vellies—during NYFW, with multiple shows going back and forth between Brooklyn and Manhattan, I wanted to be comfortable. The Dauphinette pendant is made from a real flower, and I wore it in Paris (with the Simone Rocha tutu dress) as a hair clip. I love pieces that can be styled in different ways like that!
Your top digital location for designer (and no-name) vintage?
Vestiaire has changed the game for vintage shopping online. I’ve been obsessed with finding Galliano-era Dior bags from Vestiaire, that’s where I got my saddle bag and I have a saved search for old season Miu Miu coats which I wear a lot of, and Miu Miu sunglasses (I think they always lend a bit of drama to any outfit). I’m an absolute Miu Miu freak. I love Saks Potts, and you can find them there. Since it’s global, the selection is literally endless. There’s so much stuff you can find, whatever you’re looking for, and I love that most of the items have the option to offer a lower price—and that it’s not just limited to designer; I’m negotiating to get a vintage no-name Donald Duck sweater right now.
