Photo by Pooneh Ghana
When you’re constantly on the road, like The Preatures have been since their first EP dropped back in 2013, trying to figure out what to wear on stage each night can be a real headache. After a few years of nonstop traveling, the Aussie rock band’s lead singer —and lone lady—Isabella Manfredi has begun to embrace a less-is-more approach.
When she takes the stage these days (which is pretty much every day), Manfredi’s more often than not wearing an American Apparel little boys’ white tee and hot pink Nars lipstick (she wears pants, too—don’t get your hopes up, guys). That same tomboy-meets-temptress vibe comes through in the band’s clever pop music that’s so coy and flirty, it’s almost impossible not to fall for the front lady sight unseen (and if you’re lucky enough to catch them live? Forget about it).
Videos by VICE
We grabbed a few minutes with Manfredi to find out what she brings along when they hit the road in support of their debut album, Blue Planet Eyes, and why American Apparel kids tees are so much better than the grown up alternative.
AMERICAN APPAREL WHITE KIDS TEE
Photo by Kitty Callaghan
“I wear this for every show so I have a couple, like a Marge Simpson wardrobe. I wear them during the day, too. I like the kids’ ones ’cause they’re a great tight fit and look good on stage. I usually wear a size 6…for 6 year olds. I’m not sure what that says about me.”
JEANS
Photo courtesy of the Preatures
“I love all kinds of jeans but J Brand is the best to perform in. They have a great fit and, more importantly, they’re comfortable when I’m jumping around on stage and don’t make me feel like i’m being strangled to death. I usually alternate between the Super Skinny in Blackout or Shadow. The other jeans I wear all the time are my Acne Pin Light Selvage’s.”
NARS SCHIAP LIPSTICK
Photo by Cybele Malinowski
“Everything else about my style is pretty utilitarian and basic so it’s nice to have something wild. I got really into pink when I accepted that my tough girl image hides a femininity I can’t escape. I love pink. Interestingly, pink was originally the color for baby boys, as in ‘little red,’ a diminutive of red, which is the universal male color. Pale blue was a feminine color (hence the Virgin Mary getup). It got scrambled in the ’40s by an American advertising campaign.”
A GREAT JACKET
Photo courtesy of the Preatures
“This tour, it’s an oversize boy Levis denim jacket and my favorite BLK DNM leather jacket. Here, I’m wearing that jacket with an American Apparel kids tee and Acne Jeans before the show at Holy Mountain in Austin.”
BLACK BOOTS
Photo courtesy of the Preatures
“I can’t perform in high heels. Why bother? I’d only fall over like an asshole. A new pair of boots will usually last me about 46 months, so I don’t wear luxury brands if I can help it. At the moment I’m wearing a patent leather pair by this Italian knockoff label Sempre Di. They’re awesome.”
Casey Lewis does this every week. She’s on Twitter.
