beacon's shopping budget challenge with madison wild
this month we teamed up with fashion lover and creative mind Madison Wild for our shopping budget challenge.
drawn to texture, tone, and contrast, Madison’s style blends worn-in character with modern polish. inspired by bold self-expression and the dark romanticism of late ’90s runway fashion, they curated a look that feels both thoughtful and lived-in, anchored by a striking belt that set the tone for the entire outfit.
Describe your style to us.
In every outfit, I find myself looking for some sort of contrast—like mixing old items with visible wear (like patinated metals or worn leathers) with newer, crisp pieces. I always want my clothing to feel lived-in, with eclectic pieces that are interesting and thought-provoking, but still inviting enough to start a conversation.
What inspires your style?
I’m most inspired by people who are completely themselves, even if their style is very different from mine. Seeing people live and dress boldly inspires me to take action in the specific areas I’m drawn to. Lately, I’ve been really into 90s to early 2000s dark romantic runway shows. Of course, I love Pinterest too—that’s where a lot of my ideas begin.
What’s your shopping strategy at Beacon’s Closet?
If I’m stopping in quickly, I usually start by scanning the racks for fabrics or colors I’m drawn to. I love shopping and I’m happy to spend an hour or more there, so if I have the time, I’ll go through every single thing.
What was the inspiration behind this look?
I found the belt first and knew I needed to do something with it. It reminded me of Ann Demeulemeester and the chainmail work she’s done in the past. The rest of the look kind of fell into place with that in mind, as I found similar tones to complement it.
How did you first get interested in fashion?
I honestly can’t remember a time when I wasn’t interested in it. I didn’t realize it could be a serious career path until college, but my mom tells stories about me fighting with her in preschool because I wanted to pick out my own outfits.
Earliest fashion memory?
I bought a pair of those plastic spiky stud earrings from Claire’s after seeing my babysitter wear them. I remember putting them on with an Ed Hardy sweatsuit. I had never felt so cool and part of something before.
What or who is currently influencing your style?
Lately, I’ve discovered a lot of new stylists and small designers I’m obsessed with. A few are @yasmina___________, @nad.jeee, and @zoegustaviaannawhalen.
What meaning do clothes have for you?
Clothing has always felt like my way of bringing my fantasies into physical reality. I think it helps me explore the life I want to live, the way I want to feel, the type of person I want to be—and those things can change constantly. I believe most people feel that way, even if they’re not fully aware of it; we express ourselves with each choice we make when getting dressed. I think that also makes it such a meaningful part of connection, because we all typically communicate our personalities through clothing before speaking.
What is a style/trend that is exciting for you right now?
I’ve really loved seeing hair everywhere—human hair, pony hair, all of it. I’ve always been obsessed with furs, hides, and hair, so it’s been really exciting to see different expressions of that lately.
What is the most special thing in your closet? Is there more than one?
When I was little, I was drawn to a specific pair of my mom’s shoes—red leather round-toe heels with a small bow on top. I used to try them on every week, measuring the gap between my heel and the back of the shoe, then running to show my mom how much closer I was to fitting them. I have those shoes in my closet now, and they fit perfectly.
Climatic Jacket $34.95, Unbranded Leather/Metal detail Belt $28.95, Uma Wang Tank Dress $14.95
total $78.85
you can find more from Madison on instagram at @madisonxwild