Lauren Mooney on Wyckoff Avenue. — Photo by Nicole Wasilewicz. Click to see full version.

When I was a little girl, my mom would always let me dress myself. This, of course, concluded with an arrival to my kindergarten class in Madonna-inspired black lace fingerless gloves, long strands of plastic pearls, and cowboy boots. Nowadays, my mom just “doesn’t get” my urge for mismatched chic, which forces me to make reference to her favorite turquoise leather skirt of 1982. This week, let’s pay homage to girls who, for better or worse, just wanna have fun with their wardrobe.

Lauren Mooney, 26, Writer/Online Marketing Account Manager

It takes a certain kind of playful flair to pull off Lauren’s stripes vs. prints attire — further than forgivable, this monochromatic mix actually reads as refined. Peeking out from below a plethora of mauve and gray, the Crayola yellow of her inherited shirt clues us into the fact that this outfit isn’t as grown up as we first presumed. With a closer look at her boots, we discover juvenile accents in the shape of silver moons and stars, which are quickly contradicted by a canvas bag nod to Sylvia Plath — who, after all, did put her head in an oven. Lauren’s style, youthful but cognizant of a more polished look, embodies Plath’s idea that today’s generation really does create tomorrow.

How would you describe your look today?
This is a shirt my office manager gave me because it was an Etsy reject, and it’s ripping on the side. Leggings and t-shirts are my favorite thing. Besides, it’s laundry day and it’s also that weird time in the season when it’s like, is it cold or is it not that cold yet? So I’m wearing this thing that’s like a cape that has a scarf tied to it because it’s really warm, but also really comfortable.

Mixing stripes and florals — what was your inspiration?
Clarissa Explains It All meets Blossom, with a little bit of Punky Brewster thrown in… People always used to say I dressed like Clarissa in, like, sixth grade and I used to be like “Oh my God, that’s such a compliment!” (hums theme song)

Where do you think Clarissa is now?
Good question. Maybe she’s dead and her spirit’s possessed me.

Your tights are kind of reminiscent of a 5 year old’s– is this how you dress to work?
Yep. I think I kind of am a 5 year old in the body of a 26 year old. And by the way, my mom sent me these leggings and these boots. She’s one of the rare moms that can actually pick out awesome clothes… but she probably didn’t think I’d wear this combination.

What would your mom say if she saw you right now?
“Are you trying to look unattractive?”, which is also what Annette Bening says to her daughter in the beginning of American Beauty. It wasn’t until that movie came out that my mom was like, “Do you know how many times I wanted to say that to you, but never did?”