Emily Polner is a New York maximalist fashion content creator and writer behind “The Emsider” on Substack. A devoted vintage shopper and Sanrio fan, she’s known for unexpected color pairings and a permission-giving, rethink-your-wardrobe point of view.
I follow Emily on Instagram (@emilypolner) and you should too! I love her playful, conversational, color maximalist style. She uses New York City as her backdrop, creating her own storytelling adventure through self-expression.
DomaChroma: What’s the color maximalist outfit formula you swear by?
Emily Posner: My go-to outfit formula is to wear a crazy top (think the boldest, brightest print possible) and pair it with a black pant or skirt. I also typically throw on colored beaded bracelets, a wacky pair of sunglasses, and colorful shoes. I know that wearing black for half of the outfit sounds “boring” or maybe even a little counterintuitive, but it brings harmony and balance to the overall outfit without dulling it. It makes maximalism a little more approachable and practical for everyday life.
DC: Tell us about your love of Sanrio!
EP: I’ve been a Sanrio fan for literally my entire life. My mom is from Southern California, which was the first area of the US where Sanrio really became a thing (Sanrio established their first US headquarters in Torrance, California in the early 70s, #knowyourSanriohistory).
My mom was part of the first generation of American girls to grow up with Sanrio, and she passed that love for the brand onto me when I was a young girl. When I was growing up, Sanrio trinkets and merch weren’t as accessible as they are right now. Getting gifted anything with Hello Kitty and her friends on it always felt extremely special.
Fast forward to today, and Sanrio is more popular and ubiquitous than ever, which, for a lifelong Sanrio fan like me, is a dream come true.
DC: Where do you hunt for the pieces that make a look pop?
EP: Brick-and-mortar vintage stores, as well as online secondhand marketplaces like Poshmark, Depop, eBay, and The RealReal are where I find my best pieces. I also love a good flea market, like Grand Bazaar or the Chelsea Flea.
DC: How did your personal style evolve into the maximalist voice you have now?
EP: I’ve always been drawn to bright colors, funky prints, and vintage styles. Initially, I honed my personal style through reblogging images I liked on Tumblr when I was a teenager. That’s sort of where it all started. Tumblr really helped me discover what I was naturally drawn to.
Tumblr’s influence still runs so strongly in my style today. It’s evolved in the sense that I experiment a little more with color blocking and I wear poofier skirts now, but it’s mostly the same as it was when I was 17.
DC: What’s a color “rule” you think is total nonsense?
EP: “Don’t wear white after Labor Day” is total nonsense. You can wear white whenever you want (except at someone else’s wedding!).
DC: Your message to someone afraid of looking like “too much”?
EP: Don’t let fear of how others will perceive you hold you back from living your best life. When you dress how you truly want to dress, you will be amazed at how many people will recognize, respect, and commend you for it!
Instagram: @emilypolner
Substack: emilypolner.substack.com
TikTok: @emilypolner