Style Sense: Jennifer Risner

Jennifer is a living outlaw when it comes to her profession’s stereotype of bad fashion. Her work clothes are tough, colorful, and yes, slightly nerdy. She’s not afraid to pair girly separates with a studded heel…or even a shoe that looks like a cheeseburger.

There’s a stereotype that IT folks generally lack fashion sense. True or false?

True. As you can imagine, It’s quite male-dominated and everyone has the ability to hide their polo shirts and khakis behind a monitor. There are low expectations, so I can basically wear whatever I want. There’s also a culture of accepting and even celebrating eccentricity. It’s very liberating.

What is your favorite recent clothing/accessory purchase?

I recently received the most beautiful shoes from my fiance for Valentine’s Day—six-inch heels that look like a cheeseburger, with eyeballs and fangs. They’re a combination of a few of my favorite things: kitsch, horror and over-the-top drag fashion. 

What do you love most about fashion?

It is a reflection of you and the things you love. You can be a walking piece of art. You can be a cartoon.

Do you have a style icon? 

If it had to be just one, it would be David Bowie. 

Jennifer is a living outlaw when it comes to her profession’s stereotype of bad fashion. Her work clothes are tough, colorful, and yes, slightly nerdy. She’s not afraid to pair girly separates with a studded heel…or even a shoe that looks like a cheeseburger.

There’s a stereotype that IT folks generally lack fashion sense. True or false?

True. As you can imagine, It’s quite male-dominated and everyone has the ability to hide their polo shirts and khakis behind a monitor. There are low expectations, so I can basically wear whatever I want. There’s also a culture of accepting and even celebrating eccentricity. It’s very liberating.

What is your favorite recent clothing/accessory purchase?

I recently received the most beautiful shoes from my fiance for Valentine’s Day—six-inch heels that look like a cheeseburger, with eyeballs and fangs. They’re a combination of a few of my favorite things: kitsch, horror and over-the-top drag fashion. 

What do you love most about fashion?

It is a reflection of you and the things you love. You can be a walking piece of art. You can be a cartoon.

Do you have a style icon? 

If it had to be just one, it would be David Bowie.