When I entered my late 20s, I asked a close friend whether or not it was still appropriate for me to wear pigtails. Seriously, I said, when does it become, like, kind of strange, to see a woman out and about with long Pippi Longstock-style braids? The question stumped her, so I took it to a wider sphere, my podcast audience, and a 40-something listener responded on Instagram. “You’re literally never too old,” She wrote. “It never really gets weird.”

In 2023, the New York Times ran a profile on designer Sandy Liang that led with her love of bows, flowers, hearts, and stars. Sandy herself was 32, they noted but was making a killing by incorporating into her collections emblems typically associated with childhood (the piece was titled, ‘The Big Business of Dressing Like a Little Girl’). It made sense that the fashion world would be hand-wringing over Sandy Liang collections, ballet slippers, and school uniform-inspired sets — it seemed as though grown women would wear Sandy Liang to infantilize themselves Lolita-style, which calls for a deeper discussion about our society’s obsession with youth. But that was missing the point. In reality, Sandy Liang represented a time before we took ourselves so seriously. When everything was flowers, and hearts, and doodling in our notebooks. She sells sentimentality, tied up in a bow.

Sandy founded the brand in 2014, shortly after graduating from Parsons. Early SL collections honored the designer’s suburban roots in Queens, New York, as well as her Chinese-American heritage. A striking contrast to the deconstructed, dystopian aesthetics dominating contemporary fashion, she quickly became a downtown favorite by infusing a playful sense of whimsy into the ready-to-wear scene. From Chloe Sevigny to the Carlson sisters (wink), ‘it’ girls everywhere flocked to Sandy Liang’s front row for a masterclass in modern nostalgia.

Still, do not expect Sandy to design for your conventional girly girl. Aware that one size does not fit all stylistically, the designer accommodates femininity in all fonts. If she’s introducing a pleated skort, you can bet it will arrive in 3-4 varying lengths — from midi to micro-mini. A pilgrim-inspired button-down lives comfortably alongside a kind of dystopian skirt-pant hybrid. Expect accessories ranging from the subtly elegant to boldly surreal, with fabrics that encompass understated wools and flashy satins. Now, she is considered one of the most original voices in contemporary fashion — celebrated for her ability to reimagine everyday staples as statement pieces. 

For that reason, just about anybody can resonate with the brand, but to truly embody the brand’s ethos takes a certain je ne sais quoi. Wondering if you have what it takes to be a true Sandy Liang muse? Read on. 

1. You’re not afraid of color.

Go bright, or go home. Despite Anna Wintour’s wishes, the fashion industry has been dominated by the color black for as long as anyone can remember, but Sandy upended all that. From playful, Easter-ready pastels to rich autumnal hues, Sandy has always embraced bold, statement-making tones — and so do you. You disregard all that “light spring, deep winter” nonsense, and your wardrobe is full of prints, patterns, and every shade of the rainbow. Maybe it’s even color-coded, in which case, hats off. 

2. You’re a girl on the go.

We get it, you’re busy. Maybe you’ve got to get your workout in before you start your actual work, or a typical day's flow takes you from your desk straight to dinner plans. Whatever the case, you’re constantly running around, and need your wardrobe to align with your lifestyle — that’s where Sandy steps in. From her collabs with Vans, Baggu, and Salomon (ballet flat-sneakers, anyone?) to skirts with shorts, she ensures you’re ready for anything. 

3. You believe accessories make the outfit.

No, seriously. Whether it’s a waist-length hair bow and a statement necklace or just a simple bow-stud earring, you’d be naked without your finishing touches. Plus, purses — essential in every size, color, and style. 

4. You love a little flirt   

5. You’d choose hair over makeup.

It’s a controversial one, but a Sandy Liang girl knows to look put-together makeup has to take second place. Hair, meanwhile, is a blank canvas for experimentation. Think: milkmaidian looped braids, a slick-back bun (with a bow, of course), or a simple updo with a claw clip. Whatever your ‘do of choice, if you’re in a pinch, hair is everything — and then you can swipe on the lip gloss and blue eyeshadow. 

6. You don’t believe in overdressing. 

Anyone whose mother told them, “It’s not a fashion show,” you best believe you are now a Sandy Liang girl. In your world, there’s no such thing as “too much.” Dinner with the girls? You’ll wear a full-length fur. Groceries run? It's going to be a matching skort set, thanks. Life is a runway, and you’re going to strut it.

7. You light up every room

Your friends have describe you as “sparkly," and honestly, you agree. Whether you’re the center of attention or taking the backseat, you’re the girl people gravitate toward.