Off The Hanger //03

Style conversations with…. Gemma from With Bogart

Mar 29, 2025

Hello lovely readers,

Welcome back to the third instalment of my mini monthly series, ‘Off The Hanger’ This is where I dive deeper into the world of style and fashion with some of the most inspiring people I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with through Instagram and Substack!

This month, I’m beyond excited to chat to the fabulous Gemma, the mastermind behind With Bogart. Gemma has created an amazing platform that brings together over 1,000 women’s clothing stores from around the world, making online shopping a total breeze. But what really makes With Bogart stand out is Gemma’s passion for sustainability. By helping us shop closer to home, she’s making it easier to reduce our carbon footprints—how awesome is that?

On a personal note, Gemma’s minimalist and timeless style is just so inspiring. She constantly shares fabulous outfit ideas that make me want to recreate with my wardrobe! In our chat, we dive into why she started With Bogart, personal style, who her biggest style influences are and how she shops for her own wardrobe. Trust me, you won’t want to miss this one!

So Gemma, tell us a little about yourself, what’s the story behind ‘With Bogart’?

The idea for With Bogart began about six years ago. I’d had to leave my beloved career as a pilot in 2010, just after accepting my first job, when I suddenly became unwell. The illness is severe and meant I wasn’t well enough for any career.

After the hospital stays and doctors’ trips lessened I found it hard to fill my days with anything meaningful. And then the idea for my website With Bogart happened. I wanted to create a platform where I could encourage other fashion lovers to move towards a more sustainable wardrobe by sharing informative (and stylish) blogs. I also discovered Instagram (I’d never used it before With Bogart!), and have met so many genuinely good souls through that platform. Plus, I’ve had to come to terms with my fear of posing in front of cameras! With Bogart has been quite a saviour and fills each of my days with goals to achieve, people to connect with, and valuable information to share.

As a side note, the name With Bogart came from the fact that I’d intended to buy my own vintage aircraft at some stage and planned to call it Bogart - I’d be spending my weekends high in the sky With Bogart. I wanted to carry the career that meant so very much to me forward to the next stage of my life.

I’ve always wanted to ask you the meaning behind ‘With Bogart’ and I absolutely love that it has such a beautiful sentimental link.

If you were to describe your personal style in three words, what would they be?

My style has definitely evolved over time, growing up, and my personality evolving. As a younger person I refused dresses and skirts. Anything ‘girlie’! These days if I were to describe my wardrobe in three words I’d say minimalist, timeless, and chic.

Who or what has had the biggest influence on your evolution and if you had to name one style icon who would it be?

I think for me the biggest influence has been discovering minimalist style through Instagram and brands such as Toteme. I love seeing how these people and brands create so much with a minimalist wardrobe, creating endless outfits that never age.

I’m obsessed with Toteme too after seeing Anna Newton (The Anna Edit ) wearing a few of their pieces!

If you could steal anyone’s wardrobe for a day, whose would it be?

In fact, if I could take any one’s wardrobe it would be Elin Kling’s, who is one of the brilliant minds behind Toteme. Oh, that would be good!

What’s your go-to outfit formula when you’re in a rush?

My go-to outfit formula always involves jeans! They are the absolute foundation of my wardrobe. I love that they are so versatile. You can pair them with a t-shirt and flat sandals for a doctor’s visit and then with an elegant top, long blazer, and heels for a night out. So many options to play with.

Jeans are my absolute favourite too! If you are buying new things for your closet, how do you approach shopping—are you a planner, or do you buy more spontaneously?

I’m definitely a planner when it comes to shopping, for a couple of reasons. I’m very mindful about making my wardrobe more sustainable, so that means knowing what it is I want rather than just looking for something I want. I also look at certain brands that are making an effort to create more sustainable fashion.

I love that, do you shop secondhand at all? , What are your favourite places to pick a hidden gem?

Yes, I love secondhand shopping - secondhand clothing stores like The Real Real and The Harmonic are where I look first. Plus eBay at times. Stores like The Real Real have such an enormous selection. They also provide measurements for their pieces so you can compare with pieces from your wardrobe.

I’m a huge secondhand shopper too and haven’t come across The Harmonic (googling as we speak!)

We are moving into autumn here in Melbourne, I know the weather doesn’t get quite as cold in Queensland, but is there anything on your autumn / winter wish list?

At the moment I’m looking for a light coat in brown and another in black. I’m also on the endless search for the perfect pair of straight leg jeans. Toteme, Agolde, and Slvrlake will be the ones I try first.

I’m always saving your beautifully curated outfit posts—they’re so aesthetically pleasing, and I want to wear every single one! How has sharing your looks online influenced your personal style?

I think one of the things I’ve noticed most about my style since I started sharing through With Bogart is that I’m now extra focused on seeing how much I can create with each of the pieces in my wardrobe. All of my posts are intended to show another way to wear a timeless minimalist piece. They are so versatile, after all.

Do you find any particular season more challenging to dress for? How do you keep your outfits feeling fresh and exciting?

There seems to be no end of ideas when it comes to styling outfits for the colder seasons, however, sometimes it can be a little harder in summer to find new ideas. But even small details like jewellery, belts, bags, and other accessories can create a whole new idea.

And one final question, since this Substack is called Off The Hanger:

What’s one piece in your wardrobe that always comes off the hanger when you need to feel your best, and why?

I think the piece in my wardrobe that I enjoy wearing most, that always lifts me, and my outfit, is my pair of black Toteme heeled sandals. They go with everything! A simple sandal with a low heel, they work for a café lunch or an evening dressed up!

A huge thank you to Gemma for taking the time to answer all my questions! It’s been such a pleasure getting a deeper insight into your style journey—and finally knowing the meaning behind With Bogart!

You can follow Gemma across her various platforms…

Thank you so much for reading along this month—I really hope you enjoyed this installment. Join next month for another fabulous guests conversations about style & fashion! Keep an eye out—it’ll be landing in your inboxes in April. (Not subscribed yet? Sign up to receive it via email!)

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